Strauss Recordings

I am just back from our fourth recording session of Strauss' Ariadne auf Naxos. Sir Richard Armstrong is doing a wonderful job of piecing together this glorious work with an amazing cast of singers. It is sublime music and I know we all feel very lucky to be playing it! I don't think the orchestra has played it for nearly twenty years! Though, the string section is much smaller than usual: only using six of our fourteen violins.

Sir Richard Armstrong talking to the 'box' © Su-a Lee

Recording a CD is an interesting exercise. Every single time that red light goes on, you are on full performance mode. But you've also got to get it exact! There's a very fine balance in achieving the spirit of performance and atmosphere at the same time as being secure each time! I suppose it's a little like the tennis serves at Wimbledon matches: you give it your best shot on the first serve and if it hits the net, your second serve may be just that bit more 'safe'. 

David, happy after a particularly good take! © Su-a Lee

Recording a CD when we haven't actually performed the piece before in concert, is even more of an interesting exercise! We are making discoveries about misprints and corrections at lightning speed. And however much we have all prepared our own individual parts, there are still a lot of fast adjustments that have to be made! We are very lucky to have Sir Richard, who knows the work intimately and is very efficient indeed. 

We will also be recording Le Bourgeois Gentilhomme this week. I am hoping that, despite its fiendish difficulty, it will feel like a homecoming after having performed it twice last week!

Our newest addition to the orchestra, Eric (left).And notice, I'm
not the only one taking photos! © Su-a Lee