beck@eosp1.UUCP (Stephen Beck) (09/14/84)
I was able to hear it in person, as a matter of fact, front row center, and it was great. I don't know whether the difference in timbre between the ancient instruments and their modern-day counterparts was easy to discern from the broadcast, but it certainly was in person. I particularly enjoyed the sound of the original strings. But, I must say that I was really wowed by the joyous mass of sound from the modern group, especially when joined by the organ for that Sinfonia which closed the first half of the concert. One thing that was really apparent in this performance was that everyone was thoroughly enjoying both their own interpretation and that of the other group as well. Vive la difference! Another personal note: Chistopher Hogwood's playing and instrument sounded more subdued than Kenneth Cooper's, but I preferred it that way. Cooper was superb, however, in that cadenza in the Brandenburg no. 5. My only criticism is that there were a few times when he let his razzle-dazzle get out of hand, breaking the flow of the music and creating some unmusical effects. ( I swear that he must have accidentally hit the underside of his instrument at one point; there was such a loud thump). One more related note: The harpsichords were BOTH modern or copies of old instruments, depending on how you want to describe them. It would have been nice if Hogwood could have gotten hold of an actual antique instrument for the performance, although I'm not criticising the Dowd that he used. To the contrary, it sounded great, blending better with his group than the Hubbard did with the Chamber Society. Could it have been voiced with real crow's quill for the occasion? Are you out there to respond, Mr. Hogwood?