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I'll be interested in American readers' reactions to the start of this review by the Guardian's Andrew Clements - 'Considering how much third-rate music has been included in Naxos's American Classics series, Elliott Carter has so far been poorly served by the budget-price label. But in the year of the composer's 100th birthday, this - the first of two discs that will include all five of Carter's string quartets - could be the start of a major addition to his discography.'
Andrew Clements then goes on to write a glowing five-star review of Naxos' new CD of Elliott Carter's String Quartets Nos 1 and 5 performed by the Pacifica Quartet. I'll agree whole-heartedly with his verdict on the Carter Quartets, I bought them last week and they are superb performances of superb music. But I am not so sure about his other views.
That judgement of 'third-rate music' raises the interesting point of should a critic focus primarily on the interpretation or the composition? Good music criticism must, of course, combine both. But the balance does seem to be swinging towards judging the notes rather than the way they are played - is that really a healthy trend? Even if some of the music on Naxos American Classics is less than stellar, isn't it better to record that rather than the 371st version of Mahler's Fifth Symphony?
I'll gladly defend Andrew Clements', or anybody else's, right to express an opinion. But these negative attitudes are spreading, and voodoo journalism is alive and well despite despite Klaus Heymann. Perhaps we should all remember the words of that fine contemporary composer Jonathan Harvey - 'I've always felt that it is, and will be, strong enthusiasm that will change the world!'
* On February 24th on my Future Radio programme I'll be expressing strong enthusiasm for Elliott Carter's Sonata for Flute, Oboe, Cello and Harpsichord and Pastoral for Clarinet and Piano in recordings from the independent American label Cedille together with transcriptions of Bach's Trio Sonatas by Robert King.
With thanks to Antoine Leboyer who raised the notes or interpretation debate with me in the context of his review of a recording of Morton Feldman's music. Any copyrighted material on these pages is included as "fair use", for the purpose of study, review or critical analysis only, and will be removed at the request of copyright owner(s). Report broken links, missing images and errors to - overgrownpath at hotmail dot co dot uk
One of the saddest stories of 2007 was the jailing of early music conductor Robert King for almost four years for sexually abusing minors between 1982 and 1995. For many, including his agents, Robert King is now history. Type his name as a search on the Harrison Parrott website and this is the response - 'Sorry, we couldn't find a match for your search words. Please try again.'
But trying again elsewhere produces the same result. Go to the website of the eponymous ensemble that the acclaimed conductor founded and you will find history rewritten. Founder Robert King's name is deleted totally from the history of the King's Consort', although they are still happy to profit from online sales of his CDs. Thank heavens for Hyperion, who are one of the few organisations happy to maintain their links with this important musician.
Different treatment for a role model that got it wrong is reported in today's Guardian. In a story that starts 'When your performance is measured by how fast you can drive on the track, sticking to speed limits in your private life can be a bit of a nuisance' the paper reports that Formula 1 driver Lewis Hamilton was fined €600 and had his license suspended for a month for driving at 122mph in an 80mph speed limit in northern France.
Lewis Hamilton has received wide media coverage as a role model for young Black people, but that is not important apparently. Speaking about the motoring offence a spokesperson for Hamilton's employer Team McLaren said "We were made aware that Lewis was stopped for speeding in France whilst driving in a private capacity. We understand he has received a mandatory fine and suspension from driving in France for one month."
I am not contesting the pain and damage caused by sexual abuse, and I have have actively championed black role models here. But could Team McLaren, and others, please remember, as Christmas approaches, that a thousand people are killed every year in Britain alone by speeding drivers, and that also means a dreadful amount of pain and damage to innocent families?
Passing sentence on Robert King, Judge Hezlett Colgan told King: "Your victims were in their early or mid-teens at the time." So are many of the victims of speeding drivers. Perhaps role model Lewis Hamilton should be made aware that sticking to speed limits really isn't such a nuisance, even in a private capacity? By the same token, in this season of goodwill, the classical music community could reflect for a moment on the contribution made by Robert King.
If you still need convincing follow this link.
Any copyrighted material on these pages is included as "fair use", for the purpose of study, review or critical analysis only, and will be removed at the request of copyright owner(s). Report broken links, missing images and errors to - overgrownpath at hotmail dot co dot uk
A very important, and brave, article by James Fenton on the Robert King conviction in today's Guardian - here are some extracts, the whole article is essential reading:
'When the early music conductor Robert King was jailed, at the beginning of this month, on charges of sexual abuse of minors, his agent, Harrison Parrott, dropped his name from its distinguished main website list (John Adams, Vladimir Ashkenazy, Oliver Knussen, Sakari Oramo, and so on). One might have thought that, whatever the rights and wrongs of the case, a separation could be made between professional or artistic matters and the conductor's personal life. And besides, an artist who has just been sent to Wormwood Scrubs (photo above) is going to need some professional assistance in sorting out his affairs. This is one thing that agents are for. Instead, Katie Cardell-Oliver, King's manager at Harrison Parrott, told me his future with the firm is still under discussion: "For obvious practical reasons, we can't represent him while he's unable to work."
The initial reaction from Hyperion, the company for which King made 95 recordings, was also uncertain: no decision had yet been made, it was reported, as to whether to delete his discs from the list. In a few days, however, the possibility that, for instance, the 10 much-praised volumes of Vivaldi's sacred music would be found to be infected with paedophilia, and would therefore have to be burned, had been discounted. Instead, there came from Hyperion's parent company, Harmonia Mundi, the following carefully worded statement.
"The recordings of the King's Consort will remain available, since they have involved the efforts of literally hundreds of first-rate musicians and it does not seem fair or appropriate to restrict their work from sale. Mr King does not receive income from the continuing sale of Hyperion CDs." Implicit behind the second sentence is the idea that one might otherwise wish to boycott, say, the Monteverdi series, or the Purcell anthems series, on grounds of disapproval of King's private life. But now we know he was not on a royalty.
It is, of course, very hard to extend sympathy to someone in King's position without seeming to overlook, or to condone, offences against minors. For my part, once the court has done its work, and the sentence of, in this case, three years nine months has been set in motion, I think that there is every reason for the individual to feel sympathy for the convicted. We are individuals. We are not the state. We are not obliged to agree with the sentence, and nobody can prevent us from keeping an open mind about the verdict.
As it is, the King's Consort and its choir are being conducted, in the immediate future, by their recently appointed associate, the harpsichordist Matthew Halls. The consort is managed by King's wife, who stood by her husband throughout the case. Presumably the future of the whole operation is in some question. It is a tragedy for all concerned. And I strongly believe that when our most distinguished artists are in such terrible situations - whether or not they brought it on themselves - we should offer them some kind of support, not because, as artists, they deserve a better treatment than anyone else, but simply because we have so much to thank them for.' Full Guardian article here.
Another case where some help and understanding is needed?
James Fenton was librettist for Charles Wuorinen realisation of Salman Rushdie's Haroun and the Sea of Stories as a children’s opera, and by coincidence Rushdie has been awarded a knighthood today. Photo credit BBC. Any copyrighted material on these pages is included as "fair use", for the purpose of study, review or critical analysis only, and will be removed at the request of copyright owner(s). Report broken links, missing images and other errors to - overgrownpath at hotmail dot co dot uk
Michael pays penalty for driving while unfit - Singer given 100 hours' community service - Judge's best wishes to star before Wembley concert ~Guardian June 9 (above).
Conductor jailed for groping youths - An orchestra conductor was jailed for nearly four years after using his "god-like" status to grope a string of gifted teenage musicians ~ Guardian Unlimited June 4 (below).
Robert King links here. Any copyrighted material on these pages is included as "fair use", for the purpose of study, review or critical analysis only, and will be removed at the request of copyright owner(s). Report broken links, missing images and other errors to - overgrownpath at hotmail dot co dot uk
A leading British orchestra conductor has been jailed for nearly four years for sexually abusing young boys. Imposing sentence totalling three years nine months, Judge Hezlett Colgan told Robert King: "Your victims were in their early or mid-teens at the time. "In the case of four of them you were a trusted mentor and friend and trusted completely by their families". Sarah Whitehouse, prosecuting, said...all were now adults and although some of their recollections might now be "hazy", the accounts they had given police contained "very similar features". - BBC News June 4th 2007
A woman was yesterday handed an eight-month suspended sentence for knocking down and killing a cyclist while test driving a sports car in high stiletto heels. Julie Hunter, 42, pleaded guilty to causing death by dangerous driving after the sports car she was driving spun out of control, killing 21-year-old Debbie Riches. The judge said Hunter had been devastated by the accident, but road safety campaigners said the sentence was not severe enough. Miss Hunter, of Colchester, Essex, was test driving the red £15,000 Alpha Romeo Spyder on a residential street when the car went into a spin. The vehicle hit 21-year old Miss Riches, sending her 20ft into the air and then trapping her under the vehicle. Hunter had been driving at 50mph in a 30mph zone - Scotsman May 22nd 2007.
The Choice of Hercules by Handel with Robert King conducting the King's Consort and Choir is available on Hyperion.
Any copyrighted material on these pages is included as "fair use", for the purpose of study, review or critical analysis only, and will be removed at the request of copyright owner(s). Report broken links, missing images and other errors to - overgrownpath at hotmail dot co dot uk
BBC News reports ~ A leading British orchestra conductor has been jailed for nearly four years for sexually abusing young boys. Robert King (left), 46, assaulted five youngsters, one when he was 12 years old, after plying them with alcohol, Isleworth Crown Court was told.
One of the boys said he was "sexually used" for years at King's home in Ealing, west London. Mr King, of Alpherton, Suffolk, was convicted of 14 counts of indecent assault between 1982 and 1995. The court was told he was very well-known in musical circles and was in a position to advance the careers of the boys.
The conductor has worked on film music for Ridley Scott's Kingdom Of Heaven, Shrek 2 and The Da Vinci Code. He had also presented programmes for the BBC and toured the world with several orchestras.
Imposing sentence totalling three years nine months, Judge Hezlett Colgan told King: "Your victims were in their early or mid-teens at the time. "In the case of four of them you were a trusted mentor and friend and trusted completely by their families."
Sarah Whitehouse, prosecuting, said three of his victims were under 16 and claimed some of the attacks occurred "under the guise of some sort of game, such as a mock wrestle". She told the court each of the five he allegedly targeted kept quiet about what had happened for many years. All were now adults and although some of their recollections might now be "hazy", the accounts they had given police contained "very similar features".
King, who was cleared of one count of indecent assault, told the court that all those levelling allegations against him were "absolute" liars.
Now read about the choice of Hercules
Story from BBC News. Any copyrighted material on these pages is included as "fair use", for the purpose of study, review or critical analysis only, and will be removed at the request of copyright owner(s). Report broken links, missing images and other errors to - overgrownpath at hotmail dot co dot uk
The Daily Mail has coverage of the Robert King court case.Update June 4 2007, court verdict via this link
Update June 4 2007, court verdict via this link.
The renowned conductor Robert King (right), who has worked on Hollywood blockbusters as well as winning international acclaim for his work on authentic instrument performances of early and baroque music, was charged yesterday with indecently assaulting three males, one aged under 16, more than 20 years ago. Scotland Yard said Mr King was charged with five counts of indecent assault on three men, identified only as A, allegedly assaulted once in 1985, B allegedly assaulted twice between April and September 1985, and C, allegedly assaulted once between 1982 and 1984, who was under 16 at the time. Mr King, who lives in west London, is due to appear before Ealing magistrates court on July 19.
Mr King founded The King's Consort period instrument orchestra and choir, in 1980, aged 20, while still a student and chorister at St John's College Cambridge. He has won many awards during a varied career as musician, author, and broadcaster and recently worked on film music for Ridley Scott's Kingdom of Heaven, Shrek 2, and The Da Vinci Code.
From today's Guardian
Image credit - Harrison Parrott: Any copyrighted material on these pages is included as "fair use", for the purpose of study, review or critical analysis only, and will be removed at the request of copyright owner(s). Report broken links, missing images and other errors to - overgrownpath at hotmail dot co dot uk
A relevant post On An Overgrown Path is Wikipedia as rumour mill
