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Chat Area => General Discussion Area => Topic started by: Nickbat on 07 November 2011, 20:11:37

Title: Ode to Andre Rieu
Post by: Nickbat on 07 November 2011, 20:11:37
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=cJCovXk3-7Q&feature=related (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=cJCovXk3-7Q&feature=related)

Brought a smile to my face, at any rate. Nicely done.  ;) :y :y
Title: Re: Ode to Andre Rieu
Post by: Entwood on 07 November 2011, 20:26:41
Excellent  :y :y :y :y :y
Title: Re: Ode to Andre Rieu
Post by: Dishevelled Den on 07 November 2011, 20:40:38
Not the most accomplished mezzo voice  but yes, it did raise a smile. :y

Title: Re: Ode to Andre Rieu
Post by: MaxV6 on 07 November 2011, 20:54:28
oh god.....   scary.....

I've been calling him rent-a-rieu for a while now... simply because every five minutes i turn around and there's another bloody rieu release in the classic fm cd chart.

voice performance could have been better  , but largely hampered by the often quite poor fit of the lyrical phrasing  to the tempo and meter of the  piece...   

could probably have been better worded and phrased.

and another thing....      it's not "his" music  ....  it's the music of others,  interpreted by him....  (and the rest of the orchestra)

often a bit unnecessarily showy IMHO. but always top players , so always at least listenable....



Title: Re: Ode to Andre Rieu
Post by: Dishevelled Den on 07 November 2011, 21:03:35
Yes, I think it's symptomatic of much of this popularizing of 'classical music' that the spectacle and noise of each seems to be rated as giving the performed pieces their perceived value.
Title: Re: Ode to Andre Rieu
Post by: Nickbat on 07 November 2011, 21:54:11
Yes, I think it's symptomatic of much of this popularizing of 'classical music' that the spectacle and noise of each seems to be rated as giving the performed pieces their perceived value.

Hmm. Interesting opinion, Den, but personally I largely approve of the so-called "popularising" of classical music. If it draws in first-time attendees to classical concerts, there is a chance that such people may go on to explore other works in the genre. Having put on two classical shows myself, I chose - on both occasions - pieces that I thought would appeal to a middle-of-the-road audience. Popular, melodic pieces that even first-timers may have heard in the background before (such as the "BA advert's" flower duet, for which the RPo came up with an instrumental arrangement), whilst unaware that it was written years ago by the long-dead Delibes for his opera Lakmé. My daughter (aged 10) is just coming up to grade 3 violin and I have tried hard to get her enthusiasm going by introducing her to some of the best, and if necessary showy, examples of classical works. I was amazed the other day to find her listening to Handel's Sarabande at high volume! When competing with the X-factor, every little helps. ;) ;D

Incidentally Miss Nickbat will be playing Bizet's Habanera from Carmen at a music assembly next week, which is how I stumbled upon that great Aussie tongue-in-cheek video. Desiree Regina may not be the world's greatest mezzo, but she can sing better than me and she appeared in Phantom in the West End for many a year, so good on yer Sheila! :y       
Title: Re: Ode to Andre Rieu
Post by: Webby the Bear on 07 November 2011, 22:11:05
clearly some of you guys know your onions on classical music.

i personally like to put the classic fm channel on, get a beer out and enjoy. dont really know anything about it.

andre rieu looks so smug when he plays the violin. the sort of look a guy gets when he's like ''see them birds over there.... shagged them two last night''  ;D

my personal fave is some bald guy who plays the piano, no singing. cant remember name or owt but ill try and think of it  ::) ;)
Title: Re: Ode to Andre Rieu
Post by: Dishevelled Den on 07 November 2011, 22:14:54
I don't disagree with that entirely Nick - although it is sobering to consider that many people see the likes of Katherine Jenkins, Hayley Westenra, Russell Watson et al as being good singers (in the art form) on the back of such popularisation.

I feel that in many cases it's very much a case of style and marketing over substance.
Title: Re: Ode to Andre Rieu
Post by: Dishevelled Den on 07 November 2011, 22:22:07
clearly some of you guys know your onions on classical music.

i personally like to put the classic fm channel on, get a beer out and enjoy. dont really know anything about it.

andre rieu looks so smug when he plays the violin. the sort of look a guy gets when he's like ''see them birds over there.... shagged them two last night''  ;D

my personal fave is some bald guy who plays the piano, no singing. cant remember name or owt but ill try and think of it  ::) ;)



Quote
the sort of look a guy gets when he's like ''see them birds over there.... shagged them two last night'' 


 ;D ;D ;D Outstanding  ;D ;D ;D
Title: Re: Ode to Andre Rieu
Post by: Nickbat on 07 November 2011, 22:26:21
I don't disagree with that entirely Nick - although it is sobering to consider that many people see the likes of Katherine Jenkins, Hayley Westenra, Russell Watson et al as being good singers (in the art form) on the back of such popularisation.

I feel that in many cases it's very much a case of style and marketing over substance.

I happen to think Hayley is a very good singer indeed. And Katherine's not bad, either!

Like all art forms, music is a subjective medium. Provided all the notes are hit correctly, there is no simple methodology by which one can say one singer is better than another. You may think that one is better...and I hold my hand up to holding such opinions on occasion...but I accept the reality that my ears are not the ears of others.  ;) ;D
Title: Re: Ode to Andre Rieu
Post by: Dishevelled Den on 07 November 2011, 22:30:03
I don't disagree with that entirely Nick - although it is sobering to consider that many people see the likes of Katherine Jenkins, Hayley Westenra, Russell Watson et al as being good singers (in the art form) on the back of such popularisation.

I feel that in many cases it's very much a case of style and marketing over substance.

I happen to think Hayley is a very good singer indeed. And Katherine's not bad, either!

Like all art forms, music is a subjective medium. Provided all the notes are hit correctly, there is no simple methodology by which one can say one singer is better than another. You may think that one is better...and I hold my hand up to holding such opinions on occasion...but I accept the reality that my ears are not the ears of others.  ;) ;D


Quote
Provided all the notes are hit correctly


A very important element of the art form.
Title: Re: Ode to Andre Rieu
Post by: Nickbat on 07 November 2011, 22:35:34
Hayley can hit a high A when required. Good enough for me, Den!  ;)  :y

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=c_18PY3Vx5M (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=c_18PY3Vx5M)
Title: Re: Ode to Andre Rieu
Post by: Dishevelled Den on 07 November 2011, 22:46:45
Hayley can hit a high A when required. Good enough for me, Den!  ;)  :y

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=c_18PY3Vx5M (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=c_18PY3Vx5M)

Fairy nuff -not really to my taste but if it hits your spot, her job is done.
Title: Re: Ode to Andre Rieu
Post by: Nickbat on 07 November 2011, 22:55:09
Hayley can hit a high A when required. Good enough for me, Den!  ;)  :y

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=c_18PY3Vx5M (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=c_18PY3Vx5M)

Fairy nuff -not really to my taste but if it hits your spot, her job is done.

She can hit my spot anytime, Den!  :-* :-* ;) ;D
Title: Re: Ode to Andre Rieu
Post by: Dishevelled Den on 07 November 2011, 23:04:27
The art form is all encompassing and is a world away from concert performances and those individuals exploiting them as their stock in trade;

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xlGTz0pSLS8

Or, amongst the current crop of good singers;

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jGFUKsv1epk&feature=related

Or in the world ranking;

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0L4uhKDNBTU


I do agree with you - each to their own.
Title: Re: Ode to Andre Rieu
Post by: MaxV6 on 07 November 2011, 23:13:20
can't really listen to classic FM without being picky.....  an occasional part of my work is recording the concerts for broadcast....   Classic FM "live" is not normally live......     it's usually a recording of a concert some time earlier......     (varies between days and months, depending on the schedule)  had some memorable gigs doing that.....       so far the highlight was a recording of the liverpool philharmonic , with Jon lord (yes, Deep purple fans.....    THE Jon lord) at Durham Cathedral...  a couple of years back....   the premiere of a piece commissioned to celebrate the 175th anniversary of Durham University.    Concerto for Northumbrian Pipe, Violin, and Hammond organ !!!!   i NEVER thought i'd be mic'ing up Jon lord's  leslie cabinet in the middle of a bloody orchestra....  !!!

good god i was as happy as a pig in muck,  despite the freezing temperatures and long hours....  (we were based in a van outside the cathedral, as there is no dedicated space for recording teams at Durham....   pretty bloody cold in an unheated LWB hi top transit....

Title: Re: Ode to Andre Rieu
Post by: MaxV6 on 07 November 2011, 23:14:32
the low points....    Well, "All Angels" were pretty dire... 
Title: Re: Ode to Andre Rieu
Post by: MaxV6 on 07 November 2011, 23:16:20
and the Royal albert hall event dedicated to the music of Inspector Morse,   was fine, until they played the theme,   the guitarist was rather incompetent....      took no notice of the conductor's direction whatsoever....   

so... the timing....   on which the piece relies heavily.....   was appalling.... it was a bloody joke....

Title: Re: Ode to Andre Rieu
Post by: Dishevelled Den on 07 November 2011, 23:18:09
and the Royal albert hall event dedicated to the music of Inspector Morse,   was fine, until they played the theme,   the guitarist was rather incompetent....      took no notice of the conductor's direction whatsoever....   

so... the timing....   on which the piece relies heavily.....   was appalling.... it was a bloody joke....



Quote
so... the timing....   on which the piece relies heavily.....   was appalling


 ;D ;D Splendid :y
Title: Re: Ode to Andre Rieu
Post by: albitz on 07 November 2011, 23:21:08
Jon Lord - a fine musician indeed. :y...........not the first time he (and the rest of Purple) played with a full orchestra.
Showing my age now. ::)
Title: Re: Ode to Andre Rieu
Post by: Nickbat on 07 November 2011, 23:25:33
The art form is all encompassing and is a world away from concert performances and those individuals exploiting them as their stock in trade;

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xlGTz0pSLS8

Or, amongst the current crop of good singers;

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jGFUKsv1epk&feature=related

Or in the world ranking;

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0L4uhKDNBTU


I do agree with you - each to their own.

Thanks for those, Den. Of the three, Agnes Baltsa was easily the most enjoyable for me. In watching all three, it occurred to me that I dislike (quite intensely, actually) the way some sopranos warble or resonate the longer notes. I am sure that there is a more precise technical description, but I know it not. I much prefer a clean note,  :y
Title: Re: Ode to Andre Rieu
Post by: Dishevelled Den on 07 November 2011, 23:29:42
Nick, there's a degree of vibrato here that may well disturb you.



http://www.liveleak.com/view?i=c66_1291291780
Title: Re: Ode to Andre Rieu
Post by: Nickbat on 07 November 2011, 23:30:44
Nick, there's a degree of vibrato here that may well disturb you.



http://www.liveleak.com/view?i=c66_1291291780

That was the word I was looking for, Den! :y

Darn this old age!  ;) ;D ;D
Title: Re: Ode to Andre Rieu
Post by: Nickbat on 07 November 2011, 23:33:31
Nick, there's a degree of vibrato here that may well disturb you.



http://www.liveleak.com/view?i=c66_1291291780

Not the vibrato I was talking about, though, Den.

What were you looking for when stumbled upon THAT?!!!  :D :D :o :o ;) ;)
Title: Re: Ode to Andre Rieu
Post by: Dishevelled Den on 07 November 2011, 23:36:41
Nick, there's a degree of vibrato here that may well disturb you.



http://www.liveleak.com/view?i=c66_1291291780

Not the vibrato I was talking about, though, Den.

What were you looking for when stumbled upon THAT?!!!  :D :D :o :o ;) ;)

A panacea to this old age. :(
Title: Re: Ode to Andre Rieu
Post by: Nickbat on 07 November 2011, 23:43:48
Nick, there's a degree of vibrato here that may well disturb you.



http://www.liveleak.com/view?i=c66_1291291780

Not the vibrato I was talking about, though, Den.

What were you looking for when stumbled upon THAT?!!!  :D :D :o :o ;) ;)

A panacea to this old age. :(

Cheer up! Life begins at 90, Den.  ;) ;D ;D
 
Title: Re: Ode to Andre Rieu
Post by: Auto Addict on 08 November 2011, 06:19:24
Already booked to see AR when he comes to Brum Dec/2012, his concerts are well worth seeing live.
Title: Re: Ode to Andre Rieu
Post by: Auto Addict on 12 November 2011, 18:39:33
For Andre Rieu lovers, don't miss him on Strictly Come Dancing, Sunday 7:30pm.