The Centennial of Jehan Alain

[Contratrombone64]

Hey my dear friend. Sorry to hear of that tragic event. They are always just so shocking. Hope you're ok? David

[Mark DeAlba]

Sorry to hear that, man. I'm sure they understood.


On a different note (no pun intended), I am really excited for this recording:
http://www.jbrobin.com/en/disco.html

Robin is currently my favorite concert organist, and in my opinion the master of interpretation of French works. Did not know until recently he was going to be doing a complete Alain works CD.

[Soubasse]

That could prove to be interesting.

I know there are some in this world who believe that if you can't do a certain thing, you don't have the right to be critical of those who can, but personally, I think there is a fine line there.

Sorry if I'm potentially going to cause trouble here Mark as I'm aware from other posts that you're a fan of J-BR, but I'm afraid that I currently have difficulty listening to his Alain performances, and I have listened to quite a few already in order to give the benefit of doubt, and not make any ill-informed judgements.

There is no way that I'm going to be critical of his technique at as it's plain to anyone with ears and eyes that his technique is as faultless as it is enviable. But it's his interpretation with which I disagree. Furthermore, I find it hard to reconcile that someone who studied with Marie-Claire Alain can interpret her brother's works the way he does. I feel that I may make this statement with a reasonable amount of hindsight having spoken personally and privately with Madame Alain some years ago on the very matter of JA's works. Also, at the subsequent workshops directed by M-CA on the interpretation of her brother's music, Robin's current interpretations are quite at odds with what I and the other performers experienced that week.

I'm all for something new and fresh, and indeed, Robin's interpretations of many works to date (not just Alain) are certainly new and in the case of some pieces (again, not just Alain), quite fresh. However, if in some instances it flies too far from tried, tested and accepted interpretations, then sometimes, one is left wanting. One of the last performances of J-B R's that I heard was of Alain's Trois Danses. I have had a strong emotional attachment to these works for a long time (once again, due to my meeting with M-CA and the following workshops). The J-BR performance that I've heard I actually found disappointing and annoying. It sounded as though he had a bus to catch. Many notes and phrases were rushed to the point of almost ignoring them completely - it was simply FAR TOO fast, and the strong emotional impact and intent of both the sombre theme of Deuils, and the brutal barrage of chords concluding Luttes were all but lost.

No, I'll never be professionally in the same league as J-BR, but I don't make these sorts of statements without some sort of knowledge and expertise. I'm not the sort of internet pillock who flies in all guns blazing, slating something just because I don't like the sound of it. I prefer making informed opinions so I can look at least mildly intelligent

Perhaps it's because I have placed something of a personal and emotional investment in these works, that I will tend to ... oh I don't know, feel as though I'm defending them ?? That probably sounds a bit pompous, but I don't mean it to be.

If in the end it's all just a matter of interpretation, then it's all just a matter of interpretation and as always, artists will agree to disagree.

I will also await with interest - but perhaps also with a little trepidation, Jean-Baptiste Robin's new recording. However, I fully intend to listen with an open mind, and I hope to hear "what he means" if that makes sense.

With every good wish, and no disrespect toward your tastes intended.

Matt

[GoneBaroque]

Rreminds me of the story (probably apocryphal) of the discussion between Pablo Casals and Wanda Landowska on how to play the music of J. S. Bach when Wanda replied "Pablo you may play Bach in your way and I will play him in his".

[Mark DeAlba]

Trust me Matt, if I expected everyone to agree with me I wouldn't be wasting my time on forums. I'm not going to say Robin's style for anything is as the composer intended, it's probably not. But I do find it more engaging. One of my favorite things about music is the ability to tweak and make it your own. I've never been left wanting for anything when listening to him. I never really cared for the Victimae Paschali improvisation until I heard his performance of it at Saint Eustache, which inspired me to learn it from memory. I've heard it criticized for being to breathless and clipping the rhythm, but it was those things precisely that made it sound almost magical to me.

But seriously, I've heard just as many interpretations of various things that made me gag, in the case of Litanies probably the worst being Virgil Fox of all people. Once you find someone who comes up with innovative interpretations in a tasteful way, life is great. And I for one will probably be one of the biggest fans of this new recording. I can't really speak for the Danses as I've never played any of that work.

You certainly seem to be quite the expert on the topic, it's really fascinating to hear about your experiences in France. I guess I should add, if this makes any difference, I know Jean-Baptiste personally as well. I was a fan even before I met him, though.

[Soubasse]

But seriously, I've heard just as many interpretations of various things that made me gag, in the case of Litanies probably the worst being Virgil Fox of all people.

Certainly agree with you there. In fact, I found it ironic when someone posted on my YouTube channel that they thought I played Litanies like Virgil Fox. I was polite in my response but I was quite indignantly thinking "No I DON'T!!" I think I've heard two versions of him doing Litanies, neither of which I liked at all.

I wouldn't say I'm an expert by any stretch of the imagination, but I do like finding out anything I can, after which I try to retain it. I think it's great for you having someone of J-B Robin's calibre not only to know personally, but also to be influenced by. Will check out his Victimae Paschali that you've mentioned.

[Mark DeAlba]

In fact, I found it ironic when someone posted on my YouTube channel that they thought I played Litanies like Virgil Fox. I was polite in my response but I was quite indignantly thinking "No I DON'T!!"

I know, I was thinking "The audacity of that person!!" I'm sure they just associated it with really fast notes and weren't focused on the piece's style itself.

Here are the two videos you must see before you form a complete opinion on JB:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=yXrgK...el_video_title

http://www.dailymotion.com/video/x52...-d-alain_music

[Soubasse]

Now, I enjoyed those vids! I had seen the Durufle one before (and it's not just JBR, too many organists are guilty of speeding up during the last few bars like a man being chased by a lion, but I've never liked that ... just a bit of reserve please gentlemen!!)

The Tournemire I enjoyed. Was interesting reading the comments - I personally feel that of all pieces in which it's far more permissable to take rhythmic liberties, surely that would be in a transcribed improvisation since it was improvised to start with!!

Followed some links to some of JBR's compositions and I enjoyed those a lot too, they're quite distinctive. I'd be interested to hear him improvising - I have a feeling that could potentially be quite breathtaking.