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A Picture of Master Bilder Porkorny Exhibiting a Nice Bydlo

Posted: Sat Dec 24, 2011 4:47 pm
by Chuck Jackson
I was in one of my local thrift store haunts this past week, and besides scoring a brand new pair of Bostonian Brown Cap-Toe Oxfords and a very gently used pair of Bass Weejuns, I came a cross a recording of Pictures I didn't know existed. This particular recording features The Chicago Symphony under the direction of Neeme Jarvi performing Pictures and Scriabin's "Poem of Ecstasy". It is on the Musical Heritage Society label (#513492W), but seems to have been originally recorded by Chandos. The gem in the crown is a wonderful interpretation of Bydlo by Mr. Pokorny, made all the more satisfying because he gets name credit on the liner and on the cd itself. Nice sound with an astute knowledge of how the solo fits in the fabric of the movement over all. The rest of the recording is nice. I don't care for the piece at all, but this has all the hallmarks of a low brass jocks dream; blazing low brass and wonderful brass playing in general. The rest of the orchestra is along for the ride, IMHO. The Scriabin is well done. The recordings were made on November 27-28, 1989 in Orchestra Hall.

I was fortunate enough to find the Mehta/NYPO Wagner offerings on cd the same day. Needless to say this is pretty amazing. Mr. Deck decks the orchestra in all the time honored favorites. Glad to see the inclusion of the music leading up to Seigfrieds Funeral Music. The Immolation Scene is well done with some astounding bass/contrabass trombone playing. Far be it for me to question the musical end of things, but let's just say it's loud and played at for the majority of the time. YMMV.

Chuck"checking out"Jackson

Re: A Picture of Master Bilder Porkorny Exhibiting a Nice By

Posted: Sat Dec 24, 2011 9:06 pm
by Mikelynch
Chuck,
Someone (maybe Brian F.) will correct me if my memory slips, but I believe that notwithstanding the express credits on the CD, Gene has indicted in the past that on this recording Michael Mulcahy (I think) played Bydlo. Thus, the rare express credit, is quite ironic.

One of our TNFJ Chicago gurus please let me know if this is a different recording than the one Gene has mentioned (but it sounds like the one).

Mike

Re: A Picture of Master Bilder Porkorny Exhibiting a Nice By

Posted: Mon Jan 16, 2012 10:51 am
by davesluder
I don't think Mike was in the orchestra then, I believe that Frank was still in the second chair in Nov. 1989.

Re: A Picture of Master Bilder Porkorny Exhibiting a Nice By

Posted: Sun Jan 29, 2012 9:25 am
by king2ba
I had the chance to ask Gene about the Bydlo recording once upon a time and it's true, it wasn't him. It was Mike on euphonium.

Re: A Picture of Master Bilder Porkorny Exhibiting a Nice By

Posted: Sat Jul 20, 2013 9:36 am
by Steve Marcus
There is a wonderful video of the CSO performing Pictures in rehearsal and concert in April 1990 with Solti conducting and explaining to the viewer his take on the relationship between the the piano solo original and the Ravel orchestration.

The technical quality of the video and audio is excellent, something not always available on YouTube. The content is quite interesting. In addition to Solti's comments, it is heartwarming to clearly see CSO members of the past (and a few current members looking, well, 23 years younger) producing their wonderful sound while dressed casually in their rehearsal and then later in the video in concert dress.

Re: topic of this thread: By April 1990, Gene was well settled in CSO; Michael Mulcahy plays Bydlo.

The video can be viewed at http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rDEaEJXMKuA.

Re: A Picture of Master Bilder Porkorny Exhibiting a Nice By

Posted: Sat Jul 20, 2013 10:11 am
by Norm Pearson
Steve Marcus wrote: Re: topic of this thread: By April 1990, Gene was well settled in CSO; Michael Mulcahy plays Bydlo.
That is Jay Friedman playing Bydlo

Re: A Picture of Master Bilder Porkorny Exhibiting a Nice By

Posted: Sat Jul 20, 2013 12:23 pm
by Steve Marcus
Oops! Thanks for the correction, Norm. I was looking at a much younger Jay Friedman and I had more recent performances of Pictures on my mind.

Re: A Picture of Master Bilder Porkorny Exhibiting a Nice By

Posted: Mon Dec 30, 2013 8:23 pm
by Chuck Jackson
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=FeErAbMS6t8" target="_blank

Suck it, Ravel.

Chuck

Re: A Picture of Master Bilder Porkorny Exhibiting a Nice By

Posted: Mon Dec 30, 2013 10:11 pm
by Steve Marcus
Chuck Jackson wrote:http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=FeErAbMS6t8" target="_blank

Suck it, Ravel.
Who was the tubist in this 2010 performance by the BBC National Orchestra of Wales pumping out those low Eb's in Henry Wood's orchestration of Gnomes? Does that Eb tuba say "York" on it? Was that the short-lived company that attempted to take over Besson's former place in the market before (or while) Buffet Crampon acquired the rights to the Besson name, products, designs, etc.?

Re: A Picture of Master Bilder Porkorny Exhibiting a Nice By

Posted: Mon Dec 30, 2013 10:11 pm
by Steve Marcus
Chuck Jackson wrote:http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=FeErAbMS6t8

Suck it, Ravel.
Who was the tubist in this 2010 performance by the BBC National Orchestra of Wales pumping out those low Eb's in Henry Wood's orchestration of Gnomes (Dan Trodden is the current tubist)? Does that Eb tuba say "York" on it? Was that the short-lived company that attempted to take over Besson's former place in the market before (or while) Buffet Crampon acquired the rights to the Besson name, products, designs, etc.?

Re: A Picture of Master Bilder Porkorny Exhibiting a Nice By

Posted: Sun Mar 13, 2016 12:40 pm
by Peach
Steve Marcus wrote:
Chuck Jackson wrote:http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=FeErAbMS6t8

Suck it, Ravel.
Who was the tubist in this 2010 performance by the BBC National Orchestra of Wales pumping out those low Eb's in Henry Wood's orchestration of Gnomes (Dan Trodden is the current tubist)? Does that Eb tuba say "York" on it? Was that the short-lived company that attempted to take over Besson's former place in the market before (or while) Buffet Crampon acquired the rights to the Besson name, products, designs, etc.?
If you'll forgive the late reply(!), that is Graham Sibley; tuba of City of Birmingham Symphony Orchestra. FINE player.