A few highlights of this week's viewing. My god, I'm turning into a telly addict.
Nabucco, the highlights being an evil but beautiful Abigaile by Ghena Dimitrova, and the evocative Chorus of the Hebrew Slaves - actually this looks like a nice little Naxos compilation for a fiver.
Ravel's Bolero and Strauss II's Radetsky March in this exuberant concert. Those of us above a certain age will know Bolero from 10, or from Ice Dancing's supreme perfect moment from 1984.
However, neither of these interpretations do justice to an amazingly erotic and intelligent piece of music which enables all sections of the orchestra to show off, but especially the percussion. I never got to play side drum in this...
Radetsky March is another great percussionist's piece. Second only, perhaps, to Donner und Blitzen for its cymbal part - it was almost a disappointment to be promoted to timpani for this one. Deep meaning - none, it's just a pile of fun. (Actually, that's not quite true it was written to commemorate a military victory of historical importance for Austrians).
You know, this blog used to be political...
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