Snape Maltings CD – Review
This review looks at the recording I have listened to of the Ipswich School Snape Maltings Concert. Despite some rumours that the school had spent £200 on special recording engineers, this sounds very much like a typical Snape recording. For those who don’t know Snape, the single microphone is positioned above the edge of the stage, roughly above the conductor’s head. As a result, there are balance issues, and the balance on the recording is not anything like the balance on the night. So without further ado, I’ll look at the CD item by item.
Combined Orchestras: Fanfare Overture
This fantastic piece came out (I think) rather well. I know that Sam thinks that it sounded better on the night, and indeed recordings are notorious for picking up small detalils. It is rather string heavy, though I think that this is not necessarily a bad thing. There are ensemble issues, but with an orchestra of that size, it would be a miracle for there not to be. Even though I say so myself, I like the way the brass (especially the horns) came through in the very catchy melodies at B and N. I cringed at my attempt at the Arnold-esque gliss, as I didn’t quite finish on the top A notated. The percussion was very tight, with some superb timpani patterns, and the woodwind solos came over better than I thought they would have done. In general, a bright start, even though the playing was in some cases messy.
Symphony Orchestra: Schubert’s Unfinished Symphony
I must admit that I haven’t allowed myself to listen to this track yet, because of the complete hash-up I made of my (small) solo. My mum tells me (!) that it sounds good, with very good playing. I don’t need to say how fantastic Ed’s conducting was, because we all know that! I might add to this paragraph, once I’ve dared to listen.
Symphony Orchestra: Le Pont
This will go into quite some detail, so bare with me! The original timpani notes are, as requested, “like a barely audible whisper”. In fact they are so barely audible, you can’t hear them. It’s that kind of detail that sounds better live, so I don’t blame Sam at all, rather the set-up. The percussion was tight all the way through, and the string pizz notes were almost together. The flute solo came across well, and there was large dynamic contrast, so cheers for that. The oboe solo, sounded like a professional playing it (which, of course, Ed is), and the trombone solo did not rush like in the rehearsal. Violin solo was nice and broad, and this led to the tricky section, which was superb. The timp lead in was excellent – thanks for the idea Sam, and Westall’s snare drum rim-shots made my speakers distort, which was the idea! There was excellent crescendo in the 5/8 bars, which is not easy, and the entire section made the piece come alive. Tom’s trumpet solo was in time, and we got into the final section together. I said in my concert review, that I could not remember whether or not Matt played the cymbal roll. Now I can say that he did, it was just a bar late every time! Nevertheless, the desired effect of instruments dropping out was achieved, and overall I am thrilled with how it went. Thank you to all for making it such an atmospheric performance, and one that I will never forget.
Chamber Orchestra and Soprano Solo: The Morning Cantata
I didn’t have enough room for the whole concert on one CD, so the Prep and Lower School got the chop – sorry! Onto the Arne, this was fantastically sung by Charlotte and it was an epic performance. It sounds like she’s standing in front of the microphone, so the likes of the oboe and strings are picked up far more – one issue with the recording set-up. It still sounds sublime, and I can hear all the words – a remarkable achievement in an acoustic like Snape. I just wish that I could have heard it live.
Percussion Concerto, with Organ accompaniment, Harp interlude and occasional singing
Now, I’m sorry to be facetious, but this is what the Chichester Psalms sound like! To be fair to Sam, it is not his fault, and the feedback I received from the live performance was that it was too organ heavy, not too percussion heavy. I think part of the problem is that the percussion and the organ speakers were in the ideal space for the microphone to pick them up, and the singers were behind them. It wasn’t a brilliant set-up. When the singing is heard though, it sounds very good, and this recording reminds us how lucky we are in the school in both Organ and Percussion departments.
Big Band: Jazz Standards
The first piece, Children of Sanchez begins with a snare drum riff, that Sam described as “phat” the other night. I’d personally describe it as messy, but that’s personal opinion. Two snare drums doubled will never sound together in the Snape acoustic. The bass line comes across well, and the piece has some superb solos, especially Dave’s on guitar.
This was followed up with The Rockford Files which noticably speeds up. And when I say noticably, I mean noticably. The speed notwithstanding, this is another excellent performance. You can even hear my piano gliss!
Then the Piano feature, A Child is Born, I’m pleased with how I came across, but Tom is noticably sharp (sorry Tom!). It sounds worse on the recording than it did on the night, but never mind! It is a little galling to realise that all the applause is for Tom (not me), but the piece contains a large dynamic contrast.
The ever popular Gonna Fly Now followed, and this went very well. On a personal note, I wish I had a keyboard to do all the effects, but be there at the Soiree and I will! It still sounds good, and this will be one of the most played tracks on my iPod!
The encore Watermelon Man is a solo fest, with superb trombone backings that really come across well on the recording. This is another classic, that really finished off the concert well!
So, in general, this recording is a good recollection, but dare I suggest that we get better quality recordings from the iRiver at school? Part of the problem is the set-up, meaning that balance can spectacularly fail (like in the Chichester Psalms).
Despite all these issues, this will be going on my iPod to remember an outstanding concert, and brilliant experience.