Studlover (imported) wrote: Sat Mar 11, 2006 4:31 am Colin, yes, I am very familiar with the Hoffnug Music Festivals. When I was a teenage, my best friend (who still is) and now a Professor of Musicology, and I would listen to those recordings for hours on end. I still remember that parody from a tenor on Wagnerian Opera when he sings to this dramatic music, "The end of day is the beginning of night." I have told my students about these recordings but they have about as much interest as an armadillo going after a frog.

How well I remember that recording of Dennis Brain. I was a pup when he wrapped his sports car around that tree. To my knowledge there still hasn't been a horn player to replace his inimitable ability.

Studlover

I always thought that the bit you refer to was parodying Stockhausen or one of the other Atonal Composers. Mind you, I find that much of Wagner whilst not necessarily Atonal is certainly monotone - for hours and hours and hours.

The tenor, by the way, was a chap named Ian Wallace who not only sang operatic roles but also a lot of the Flanders and Swan animal songs such as 'Mud, Mud, Glorious Mud' aka 'the hippopotamus song'. He was also the 'nightwatchman' in 'lets fake an opera' but all he did was to blow his horn.

Whilst on the subject of Wagner, have you come across Anna Russells analysis of the Ring Cycle? I have only seen it on Vinyl, but it may have been transferred to more recent media. In my opinion it is much better than the original.

LOL

colin (imported) wrote: Sun Mar 12, 2006 4:20 pm I always thought that the bit you refer to was parodying Stockhausen or one of the other Atonal Composers. Mind you, I find that much of Wagner whilst not necessarily Atonal is certainly monotone - for hours and hours and hours.

The tenor, by the way, was a chap named Ian Wallace who not only sang operatic roles but also a lot of the Flanders and Swan animal songs such as 'Mud, Mud, Glorious Mud' aka 'the hippopotamus song'. He was also the 'nightwatchman' in 'lets fake an opera' but all he did was to blow his horn.

Whilst on the subject of Wagner, have you come across Anna Russells analysis of the Ring Cycle? I have only seen it on Vinyl, but it may have been transferred to more recent media. In my opinion it is much better than the original.

LOL

Colin, I steered clear of the Stockhausen and Atonal schools. I have had extensive theory in that area but it left me so cold. Recently, I was working on serial composition again and trying to understand the formula that these dudes used. About the only one I could tolerate is Berg's "Lulu" or however it is spelled. I used to have the entire Schoenberg Collection that was on Columbia released in the mid 60's but lost it. It was never released again. Quel dommage!

I am familiar with the Anna Russell's analysis on Wager's Ring Cycle. I know that my friend at Kent State still has that recording. I will call and ask him if it released on digital media. She was one character wasn't she?

Thanks for telling me the name of the tenor. I had forgot who it was.

Studlover

I can't blame you for steering clear of the Atonal school of music. I very much identify with the comment supposedly made by Tommie Beecham. Apparently, when asked if he knew any Stockhausen, he is reported to have replied: "Stockhausen? Stockhausen? I think I trod in some once!"

For a flavour of Flanders & Swan, I suggest that you try out: 'At the drop of a hat'; 'At the drop of another hat' and 'The bestiary of Flanders & Swan'.

Michael Flanders was a newspaper correspondent and broadcaster who was a bit larger than life in spite of the fact that he was confined to a wheelchair for most of his life.

Donald Swan was a musician, slightly 'precious' in my opinion, but very much a part of the circle around Hoffnung.

They created a show, 'At the drop of a hat', during which they performed their songs. Apart from the single entry of a 'wardrobe mistress' who was carrying 'THE HAT' they were alone on stage for the entire 2 hours. It was so successful that they had to create a second show, but Michael became to ill to be able to carry on with more.

LOL

colin (imported) wrote: Mon Mar 13, 2006 1:22 am I can't blame you for steering clear of the Atonal school of music. I very much identify with the comment supposedly made by Tommie Beecham. Apparently, when asked if he knew any Stockhausen, he is reported to have replied: "Stockhausen? Stockhausen? I think I trod in some once!"

For a flavour of Flanders & Swan, I suggest that you try out: 'At the drop of a hat'; 'At the drop of another hat' and 'The bestiary of Flanders & Swan'.

Michael Flanders was a newspaper correspondent and broadcaster who was a bit larger than life in spite of the fact that he was confined to a wheelchair for most of his life.

Donald Swan was a musician, slightly 'precious' in my opinion, but very much a part of the circle around Hoffnung.

They created a show, 'At the drop of a hat', during which they performed their songs. Apart from the single entry of a 'wardrobe mistress' who was carrying 'THE HAT' they were alone on stage for the entire 2 hours. It was so successful that they had to create a second show, but Michael became to ill to be able to carry on with more.

LOL

I tried unsuccessfuly 3 times to answer this and each time the EA hung on me. Finally I said screw. I had to reboot the computer.

Studlover