Gramophone coverage: Proms and other live events versus recordings
Sun, Jun 10 2012, 3:21PM
I was shocked to see that the July issue of Gramophone devotes ~20 pages to the upcoming Proms season, as compared with only ~50 pages to reviews of recordings and ~30 pages of 'other'. I used to be under the impression that Gramophone was devoted to recorded music (the clue is in the title!). In recent years the coverage of new recordings by Gramophone has become less and less adequate, particularly outside mainstream repertoire. And the Proms season is receiving more than adequate coverage through other media, direct mail and e-mail. Please don't let what used to be a primary source for informed comment on all new recorded releases continue its slide towards being just another general classical music magazine. Otherwise you will lose long-term subscribers.
Sun, Oct 14 2012, 6:55PM
#2
RE: I do think the Proms are in
Well, Gramophone calls itself the 'world's authority on classical music'. I'd say it's something of an authority on old vinyls for whoever careas about that, but if it now *is* reviewing concerts and festivals and presumably opera than that's a step in the direction of generalising its remit and living up to its own claims. But the world? Classical music in all of its dimensions throughout the world?? At least the reviewers don't have far to go if they are covering the proms.
Tue, Oct 16 2012, 1:26PM
#3
Proms and other live events versus recordings
The salient point with vinyl is that it is important within the context of the history of recordings. Why did the reputation of Mahler and Bruckner increase in the 60s and 70s? Because many of us who live far from the madding crowd of London, Berlin or Chicago had the opportunity to hear one of the enormous symphonies at a full dynamic range.
As for the Proms, the radio broadcasts are good, but I find myself cringing at the TV coverage. When you SEE Bruckner's 8th you need to somehow convey that depth and power visually, which was not done.
DSM
I do think the Proms are in danger of being over-hyped and over-rated. Yes there will be and have been some good concerts and the over publicized "big names" but are the majority really that much better or of greater variety than the live concerts Radio 3 gives us every weeknight?
I suppose listing them in Gramophone and elsewhere gives the opportunity for some to seek tickets but that's not of much relevance to someone like me who lives around 200 miles from London. I'll be quite happy, as ever, to look in my newspaper to see what's on that night without the excessive prior publicity.