When Levine conducted the Ring in Bayreuth, he allowed the Bavarian Radio to film him during rehearsals. - Levine was dissatisfied with the musical situation at the Valkyrie. The prelude to Act 1 in particular gave him a headache. After all, so many decisive things happen between the entry of the gods in the finale of the Rheingold and the prelude to the first act in the Walküre, of which the storm virtually represents the glow of the weather of the events between Rheingold and Walküre. In any case, Levine hauled in a private tape and had the orchestra play three different tempos. Together with the people from Bayerischer Rundfunk, he and his orchestra listened to the three recordings and commented on them. The first, the slowest, did not please him, the dynamic of the beginning of the Valkyrie was too weak. He liked the second, middle one, but he would like it to be faster, more impetuous in "Ausdruck". The third, barked, appealed to him in speed, but unfortunately he had to find that the notes were smeared. Levine decided to play the prelude a bit faster than the medium tempo (!) And after listening to the recording he accepted: "Besser geht's nicht." - Heinz
(4:50) If conductor and orchestra are not completely exhausted after a performance of Beethoven's 5th, then they haven't played Beethoven's 5th. - Heinz
The circumstances surrounding the death of James Levine have always been puzzling but they have never been investigated and barely mentioned. To begin with he died jn California, an area that has had no importance for this life or career. He was said to own a home there, but who knew? All of his very considerable medical care had been done in New York. Indeed, it was his primary care physician in New York, not any doctor in California, who told us, apparently intending reassurance in simething of a P.S. after they fact , that he had died of "natural causes". Finally and most odd, his death remained a secret for two weeks before it was announced. Is anyone able to shed some light here? Have there been revelations that I missed?
What do you mean, "a great musician," . . . "of course"? Of course what? Just because the guy can beat time and appear to be doing something-in actual fact, he's contributing virtually nothing. That's NOT a great musician.
R.I.P James Levine. Thank you for everything! You live in my heart.
Thank you so much for putting this on! I have seen dozens of American Masters over several decades, but THIS one was the best! Bravo!
Un merletto di perfezione unica, entusiasmante!!!
That Beethoven No. 5 excerpt was simply electrifying.
pro trick : you can watch movies on flixzone. Been using them for watching all kinds of movies recently.
@Brentley Collin Definitely, have been using flixzone for months myself :D
Thanks for this! R.I.P. Maestro.
When Levine conducted the Ring in Bayreuth, he allowed the Bavarian Radio to film him during rehearsals. - Levine was dissatisfied with the musical situation at the Valkyrie. The prelude to Act 1 in particular gave him a headache. After all, so many decisive things happen between the entry of the gods in the finale of the Rheingold and the prelude to the first act in the Walküre, of which the storm virtually represents the glow of the weather of the events between Rheingold and Walküre. In any case, Levine hauled in a private tape and had the orchestra play three different tempos. Together with the people from Bayerischer Rundfunk, he and his orchestra listened to the three recordings and commented on them. The first, the slowest, did not please him, the dynamic of the beginning of the Valkyrie was too weak. He liked the second, middle one, but he would like it to be faster, more impetuous in "Ausdruck". The third, barked, appealed to him in speed, but unfortunately he had to find that the notes were smeared. Levine decided to play the prelude a bit faster than the medium tempo (!) And after listening to the recording he accepted: "Besser geht's nicht." - Heinz
Thanks to maestro Levine, the Met Opera Orchestra is now better than the NY Philharmonic.
Astonishing
It's 2023, tenor Paul Appleby is still going strong, but Layla Claire seems to have disappeared.
hu thank you
(4:50) If conductor and orchestra are not completely exhausted after a performance of Beethoven's 5th, then they haven't played Beethoven's 5th. - Heinz
The circumstances surrounding the death of James Levine have always been puzzling but they have never been investigated and barely mentioned. To begin with he died jn California, an area that has had no importance for this life or career. He was said to own a home there, but who knew? All of his very considerable medical care had been done in New York. Indeed, it was his primary care physician in New York, not any doctor in California, who told us, apparently intending reassurance in simething of a P.S. after they fact , that he had died of "natural causes". Finally and most odd, his death remained a secret for two weeks before it was announced. Is anyone able to shed some light here? Have there been revelations that I missed?
I wonder how the tenor got the part.
Well, you know... Levine had this reputation and eh....
@@snortedthelot7429 That was the joke - like irony, you know.
@@ransomcoates546 Oh, I see. You mean which part of Levine he received!
Don't ask. 🤯
he s a great musician of course....but though i m thankful for harnoncourts and herreweghes...;-))
What do you mean, "a great musician," . . . "of course"? Of course what? Just because the guy can beat time and appear to be doing something-in actual fact, he's contributing virtually nothing. That's NOT a great musician.