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I am
not sure I agree that a composer's own performance / interpretation is always a perfect one. I think this is especially true for
works recorded in the early part of the century. The earliest recordings often
required that the piece be adjusted to the recording technology.
Instrumentation frequently had to be adjusted so it could be heard on the
recording. I read in Arthur Nikisch's recording of
Beethoven's 5th symphony in 1914 that tubas or some other instrument had to
double the cellos so they would register on the record. Sometimes whole sections had to be removed in
a movement so that it would fit in the time allotted for a recording. Tempi
also sometimes had to be adjusted. Listen to Rachmaninov's
recording of his own third piano concerto and you will find in each of the
movements noticeable cuts in the measures.
So a recorded performance may not be ideal from the composer's
standpoint rather a pragmatic one to enable their work access to a wider
audience. Eric Cline Sr. R & D Chemist Graphic Arts Synthesis Group REICHHOLD, Inc. Global Coating and Performance Resins Phone Toll Free: 1-800-448-3482
ext.8116 e-mail: http://www.reichhold.com (Click here to go to the Reichhold
home page) -----Original Message----- ----- Original Message ----- From: "Bradley P Lehman"
<bpl@UMICH.EDU> To: <F_MINOR@EMAIL.RUTGERS.EDU> Sent: Subject: composers playing their own concertos (was GG
hagiography) > Yeah, somewhere I have the LP of Prokofiev
playing his own 3rd. Well > done.
Also, even better, Shostakovich playing both his concertos. > > Please tell us you HAVE heard Rachmaninoff's
recordings of all his own > concertos and the Rhapsody! If not, run get them...either the RCA or the > newer > > Ravel's own recording of "Bolero" is excellent,
as well. Are there examples when composers' own performances
are worse than those by other performers? I thought the composer's own interpretation (provided
he is competent enough with an instrument!) is always perfect, even if he
changes it drastically in every performance. He is the only one who knows
exactly how the music should sound at that particular moment. Can anyone else know
it better? Juozas Rimas Jr (not the one playing) http://www.mp3.com/juozasrimas (oboe, piano, strings) |