As late as the 1980s,Turangalilawas a rarity on disc and live performances were an event. ... more
Now it has taken its place among the blockbusters of modern music, an orchestral showpiece of epic proportions. No conductor has done more to raise its profile than Simon Rattle, whose 1987 recording is the best all-round version. Rattle probes deeply into the work: the concept of love is ever-present, but so--until the triumphal finale--is a sense of menace, of darker forces and frustrations undermining the music's union of the divine and the carnal. He conveys the physical terror of the three "turangalila" movements, yet doesn't underplay the alternating states of frenzy and calm in the love music elsewhere. The balance between solo instruments is still the best on disc, while the crucial layers of colour are almost tangibly conveyed. Go to Chailly (Decca) if you must have the work complete on one CD but, with a moving account of theQuartet for the End of Timeas fill-up, Rattle has more substance and at least as much charisma.--Richard Whitehouse
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Having recently reviewed this band's first single, and raved about it, I had high hopes for the album. The eponymous debut lives up to expectation.
'Public Symphony' is a superb blend of stirring choruses, electronica, chill-out and prog. Imagine Coldplay, Pink Floyd and Massive Attack at a party gatecrashed by Ian Brown, and you'll be getting the plot.
This album could, with the right promotion, be an absolute monster. Already the band have picked up awards Stateside for best unsigned band and album. And they're already spreading the word via that great viral marketing tool, the Internet.
The band is essentially duo Dobs Vye (who looks like a more hairy Chris Martin) and James Reynolds who wrote and produced the album. Each track is superbly crafted and the album beautifully sequenced. It starts kicking in with 'Children ...
Advantages: Great passion, beautiful melodies, unrestrained romanticism Disadvantages: The finale doesn't quite convince in it's purpose
HAPPINESS, OR TRAGEDY?
After the doom-laden confessional that was the Fourth Symphony, Tchaikovsky was finally getting more in peace with himself. His fame began to spread and by 1885 he was already considered a national hero. This time saw the maturation of Tchaikovsky's style from the more blatantly folk-song oriented works and the more youthfully turbulent ideas to a more mainstream and calmer drift. Following the Fourth Symphony came the Violin Concerto, the Second Piano Concerto, the colourful overtures Capriccio Italien (composed during his bright stay at Italy) and 1812 (with the famous cannon-fire finale), the subtle String Serenade, the elegiac Piano Trio, a couple of small operas, and the large scale Manfred Symphony, amid some smaller scale works, all predominately genial in character. In 1888, after getting over his fear ...
Advantages: Beautiful interior, great acoustics Disadvantages: Need better facilities
The outside of the building not being overly glamorous, I was unsure what to expect from this particular venue when attending my mum's graduation from the city of Birmingham university (formerly UCE) here recently. However, on entering the building, it is very different to the outside. The symphony hall itself is a beautiful creation, with a stunning interior that makes it look very luxurious. One important thing is that the seats are very comfortable, so regardless of how long you are sat in your seats, it is always comfortable! The acoustics are great, although I cannot vouch for the sound of the organ, as this was not used during this particular event.
The centre is fairly accessible, especially by train or bus, and for those driving into the city, there are a number of car parks in the surrounding area. The only problem I had was ...
halawin123 07.02.2008
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Ciao members have rated this review on average: helpful Review of Symphony Hall
