Sir Colin Davis RIP
Sun, Apr 14 2013, 11:09PM
Very sad to read of the passing of Colin Davis. I was lucky enough to catch some of his work at Covent Garden where I thought his Mozart was particularly wonderful. I suspect that my affection for Berlioz would also be less profound were it not for his recordings. From the later LSO recordings L'enfance du Christ is a particular favourite - the work itself is well worth another listen.
The new Berlioz Requiem sits on my desk awaiting an airing...
Mon, Apr 15 2013, 4:06AM
#2
RE: Sir Colin Davis RIP
Another huge loss, in an era of less and less truly great conductors.
I love almost all of his earlier recordings, particularly his monumental Berlioz, though I, too, cherish his latest "L 'Enfance du Christ" with LSO. Some of his earlier Mozart was particularly moving and so interesting, while the Sibelius cycle of Symphonies with Boston S.O., on Philips, was another milestone of his great recordings. I remember some of his earlier Dvorak, on Philips too, and the list can go on.
Let's hope some more "introuvables" of his rich legacy may come up from various recording sources.
Parla
Mon, Apr 15 2013, 6:08PM
#3
RE: Sir Colin Davis RIP
He was my favorite. He was why I starting collecting classical LPs and CDs many, many years ago. This morning I counted that I'd seen him with 6 orchestras--Dresden, Bavarian Radio, Boston, New York, London SO and Covent Garden. I know he wasn't always the top-seller, nor did his interpretations always get readily and widely accepted. Moreover, until very recently, I don't feel he got the attention and respect at home that he received in other countries. I know he was a kind man because he wrote a reply to letter I sent to him many years ago. It seems as if he treated others as kindly as well, based on what I've read this morning.
I also hope we get something of an "introuvables" album, as the "greatest hits"--the Boston Sibelius, the Amsterdam Haydn, and the Berlioz material is just about always in print and available. His early Mozart, Beethoven and Stravinsky--nearly all of which he re-recorded elsewhere--would be nice to have. Perhaps some excerpts previously unreleased work would be of interest as well--I'd read that he conducted Jessye Norman in French arias, Arrau in Mozart concerti, and Ricciarelli in a Traviata, and these never saw the light of day. There might also be some broadcasts from Covent Garden, Dresden or Munich (not to mention the Boston Gerontius with Jessye Norman, a magical evening) that wouldn't duplicate what's already out there. I really enjoy that Brahms 1st piano concerto with Brendel released for the pianist's retirement. There might be other treasures like that waiting for appreciation from listeners like me.
I hold the fondest memories of his opera concert performances in New York--particularly Peter Grimes and Beatrice et Benedict. I'd been living with his interpretations of these works in my ears for years, and to see him grandly present them in concert was a tremendous thrill. I'll always miss his insights, his sparkle, and his fierce independence when it came to "going with the flow" of what's in vogue and what tempi and dynamics are expected, accepted and received. I also admire how he jettisoned music he no longer loved and stuck strictly to what he wanted to do in the last years; I couldn't always agree with the works and composers he dismissed (sometimes, as "circus music") but he commanded respect at all times. I think the players and singers that worked with him have all confirmed that.
I send my condolences to his family--and to the rest of us who loved, respected and admired him and his work.
Bill
Mon, Apr 15 2013, 6:16PM
#4
RE: Sir Colin Davis RIP
Yes, many great memories of all kinds - live performances in the opera house,
Proms, RFH, and of course his recordings....particularly with the Concertgebouw, LSO and Boston SO. (Where I had the good fortune to work on the BBC's "Great Orchestras" series.....the staff in the BSO offices adored him!)
We are all aware of his subsequent Berlioz legacy, but little mention of that terrific "Harold in Italy" with Menuhin.....was that his first Berlioz recording???
I recall a terrific performance of Lutoslawski's Concerto for Orchestra with the Scottish (now Royal) National Orchestra in the Caird Hall Dundee, in the mid-to-late 60's.
RIP Sir Colin
Mon, Apr 15 2013, 8:18PM
#5
RE: Sir Colin Davis RIP
Berlioz recordings apart (where reference recordings abound: Harold in Italy (also w/Imai); La Damnation de Faust; Les Troyens I......) he has left one of the best Messiah available, great Sibelius, great Tippett (Rose Lake!)........
Recent times have been hard on great musicians.
Mon, Apr 15 2013, 8:53PM
#6
RE: Sir Colin Davis RIP
A couple of amazing Wagner performances on dvd - Tannhauser and Meistersinger.
Tue, Apr 16 2013, 3:05PM
#7
RE: Sir Colin Davis RIP
R.I.P. Sir Colin. But take away Elgar, Haydn, Sibelius, Mozart and Berlioz and I wonder what Sir Colin really had to offer. But now is not the time. R.I.P.
He made over 300 recordings. No living conductor can equal that, I would say.
Tue, Apr 16 2013, 8:37PM
#8
RE: Sir Colin Davis RIP
R.I.P. Sir Colin. But take away Elgar, Haydn, Sibelius, Mozart and Berlioz and I wonder what Sir Colin really had to offer. But now is not the time. R.I.P.
He made over 300 recordings. No living conductor can equal that, I would say.
But anyway, Haitink, Abbado?
Tue, Apr 16 2013, 8:49PM
#9
RE: Sir Colin Davis RIP
R.I.P. Sir Colin. But take away Elgar, Haydn, Sibelius, Mozart and Berlioz and I wonder what Sir Colin really had to offer. But now is not the time. R.I.P.
Verdi, Puccini & Beethoven to name but three, Doc. I've heard him give unforgettable performances of them all.
Tue, Apr 16 2013, 8:58PM
#10
RE: Sir Colin Davis RIP
R.I.P. Sir Colin. But take away Elgar, Haydn, Sibelius, Mozart and Berlioz and I wonder what Sir Colin really had to offer. But now is not the time. R.I.P.
Verdi, Puccini & Beethoven to name but three, Doc. I've heard him give unforgettable performances of them all.
Tue, Apr 16 2013, 9:16PM
#11
RE: Sir Colin Davis RIP
R.I.P. Sir Colin. But take away Elgar, Haydn, Sibelius, Mozart and Berlioz and I wonder what Sir Colin really had to offer.
Apart from the sanitation, the medicine, education, wine and the public order, what have the Romans ever done for us?
Tue, Apr 16 2013, 9:24PM
#12
RE: Sir Colin Davis RIP
And add Tippett, and a superb Brahms 3rd from Dresden, excellent and timeless Beethoven and Brahms concerti with Kovacevich, a classic Messiah, a lovely Mahler 4th (which he had conducted since the 60s), beautiful readings of Werther and Samson et Delilah, and perhaps Faust. His two Reger recordings are beautiful as well. No conductor ever achieved complete consistency or success, with the possible exception of the metronomes performing 18th century music.
I'm sorry illness preempted his recording of the Britten War Requiem, as his authority in that piece goes back to his conducting of its German premiere. There were, in recent years, more missed opportunities like that, such as Des Knaben Wunderhorn with Bostridge and Roeschmann, which I heard in New York and which was scheduled for the LSO. Rather than issuing another "Enigma Variations" or Symphonie Fantastique, I hope the record companies find something from his larger repertoire for we collectors and admirers.
In recent years, his recordings and his approach may not have been in fashion--but I think the consensus among those who sang or played with him is pretty clear: he brought passion and humanity to everything he chose to perform. I recall hearing an Eroica in New York with the Bavarian forces: very grand, unapologetically inconsistent with Hogwood & Gardiner. In the hall, it worked very convincingly. Admittedly, not all of his performances translated their vitality and honesty to recordings. He's not alone in this regard.
How I'll miss looking at winter's announcements of the next season, scanning to see where he'll be or what he's conducting. For as long as I've been listening (and before), he was always "there," a rock solid presence in a profession with some pretenders and puffed-up commercialists.
Bill
Tue, Apr 16 2013, 9:43PM
#13
RE: Sir Colin Davis RIP
Seems to me that he had a pretty wide range of repertoire and was at least good in most of it. He will be missed.
Wed, Apr 17 2013, 7:15AM
#14
RE: Sir Colin Davis RIP
I believe this is not the thread to judge the legacy of Colin Davis, whether each one of us may consider it as great or not. The loss is too important at moment like this that may bring, normally to most of us, memories of his cherished performances and recordings only. In any case, let's not forget something the Romans learned too: For he that is dead is freed (justified) from sin" (Romans 6:7).
Parla
Thu, Apr 18 2013, 2:27AM
#15
RE: Sir Colin Davis RIP
I was also very much saddened by Colin Davis' passing and fully agree with all the praise given to him in this forum.
The 2 days after his passing, April 15 and 16, Bavarian Radio immediately changed their schedule and put on 4 special programmes about him, plus a TV documentary. How sad that the BBC can't match that, so far I haven't seen a single dedicated programme put on in his memory, but maybe I missed something?
That's sad news, he was one of the true greats.
Loved his Berlioz and Sibelius in particular. Sometimes controversial but always fascinating.