Hall of Fame: conductors
Mon, Apr 2 2012, 8:40PM
In a companion to my piece on Weingartner, I would also express my surprise that Sir Hamilton Harty was omitted from the Hall of Fame. In the 1920s he made the Halle Orchestra the best orchestra in Britain and, later, followed an international career as a guest conductor. Harty was recognised in his day as the outstanding advocate of Berlioz (his twin gods were Mozart and Berlioz) and he made some outstanding records of the shorter pieces (overtures and extracts), which I collected in the 1940s. The longest was two sections of Romeo and Juliette with the new LPO in the early 1930s. His stunning presentation of the Fantastic Symphony (which rocked London), Harold In Italy (with Lionel Tertis), the Requiem, etc. were, alas, never recorded, although Harty was a musical adviser of the Columbia Graphophone Co. However, Harty's very versatile work with the Halle, LPO and LSO has been reappearing remastered on cd (Dutton, Naxo etc. and, more recently and spectactularly, on Pristine Audio). Like Weingartner's, Harty's records were all shellac 78s, and their period of living presence predates that of most of the contributors: hence their non-appearance in the list but we are supposed to be talking history, are we not?
Tue, Apr 3 2012, 10:13AM
#2
RE: Hall of Fame: conductors
The initial list was never expected to be comprehensive: how could anyone come up with a definitive list of the great artists/producers/label heads etc? But as the Hall of Fame is a rolling event, updated annually, every suggestion/omission has been noted and all names submitted have been included for next year. Of course, it's up to our readers to acknowledge the greats of the past once their names have been included on the short list.
And for the record, the May issue (which unveils the Hall of Fame) will include (copyright territories permitting) a special one-off CD of two great symphonies conducted by the man who emerged as No 1 according to Gramophone readers' votes. Nothing dumbed down there.
Tue, Apr 3 2012, 4:46PM
#3
RE: Hall of Lame
a special one-off CD of two great symphonies conducted by the man who emerged as No 1 according to Gramophone readers' votes. Nothing dumbed down there.
Unless it's Mickey Mouse conducting Paul McCartneys Liverpool Oratorio, unlucky JLS, you came second. Not even the casting vote from Louie Walsh got you in. The phone lines close in 15 minutes, next month vote for the worlds bestest dancer, nothing dumbed down there.
Just goes to show you how stupid this Gramophone Hall of Fame thing is. We will probably get a 'Greatest Hall of Fame Artists in the world ever' CD release next from the dumbing down ex authority on Classical Music. Their readership has fallen off dramatically and they are clutching at straws. Stick with Radio 3.