tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6065998731267025499.post1299883657322779479..comments2024-03-29T05:24:12.453+00:00Comments on call me ishmael: EVENSONG: CARRERAS, I'LL NEVER STOP SAYING CARRERAS.call me ishmaelhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14369028864168461729noreply@blogger.comBlogger5125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6065998731267025499.post-59647867327110281272010-05-18T05:01:55.637+01:002010-05-18T05:01:55.637+01:00But they were all miscast, each of those opera-tra...But they were all miscast, each of those opera-trained voices diminishing the streetsmarts of the characters they represented, while underscoring the sophistication and complexity of Bernstein's music.<br /><br />It's always depressing to hear opera singers assaying popular music and this was no exception; Bernstein leading them through his vision, though, was a treat,that's why they call them Maestro. The movie soundtrack remains, for me, the favourite. When you're a Jet you're a Jet all the way, from your first cigarette, to your last dying day.call me ishmaelhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/14369028864168461729noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6065998731267025499.post-76732302957984752412010-05-17T17:21:25.294+01:002010-05-17T17:21:25.294+01:00Und sodenly ahve' fow-und...
It was daft of B...Und sodenly ahve' fow-und...<br /><br />It was daft of Bernstein to cast Julio Inglesias as Tony in the first place. <br /><br />That voice has to be recognizably non-Italian, non-Hispanic, otherwise it isn't possible to see what Maria's bro is cutting up about.woman on a raftnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6065998731267025499.post-86722798849489695982010-05-17T15:57:23.724+01:002010-05-17T15:57:23.724+01:00I was going to say something like that - but far m...I was going to say something like that - but far more clumsily.<br /><br />The whole documentary reveals Bernstein to be much as you say, anonymous, and there is a magical moment when he chides a percussionist, No, one finger tap only, on the tambourine, pianissimo; this was one note among hundreds of thousands, but he had put it there and knew how he wanted it. Seemed entirely right to me.call me ishmaelhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/14369028864168461729noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6065998731267025499.post-75484572508403757112010-05-17T15:41:12.647+01:002010-05-17T15:41:12.647+01:00Sorry, Squidge, I have to side with Bernstein on t...Sorry, Squidge, I have to side with Bernstein on this one - the first real problem was Bernstein's previous written instruction/alteration not getting through to Carreras (which would have annoyed any conductor), and the second was when Carreras just stopped singing in a 'take' which Bernstein, and presumably the Recording Manager, clearly felt was going well. Carreras should have carried on and requested another 'take' if he was not quite happy at that point.<br /><br />There is always a delicious three way tension in this type of recording session between all the playing and singing Artists, the Conductor and the Recording Manager: everyone really wants perfection, because recordings, unlike concerts, are heard over and over again. But, there are only a strictly limited number of minutes in which to get the whole work in the can; if the very last session needs even just a few more minutes, every single artist would have to be agreeable and available (which is very unlikely) to be called for another whole recording session - no one messes with Musicians' Unions! Yes, the last twenty minutes of a series of recording sessions can get quite interesting.<br /><br />In 1972, Bernstein conducted our chorus in a performance of Stravinsky's 'Symphony of Psalms', and I have to say that he treated us, as amateur singers, with the air of an avuncular teacher, and with great patience.<br /><br />I'm afraid that Carreras was held, quite rightly, to a much higher standard. And in terms of musicianship, Bernstein was a very proficient Conductor, and also wrote some classic pieces of twentieth century music. Carreeras just performed, albeit prettily. Best to know who's Boss.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6065998731267025499.post-92048646777384679392010-05-16T22:14:52.448+01:002010-05-16T22:14:52.448+01:00I hope the camera is there on the day some once-to...I hope the camera is there on the day some once-too-often-humiliated singer jams that little stick right up Bernstein's arrogant arse.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.com