Last Night Proms
Sat, Sep 10 2011, 7:56PM
Oh God .... Lang Lang and Liszt! Plinky Plonky Nightmare!!!!!
Sun, Sep 11 2011, 6:13PM
#2
RE: Last Night Proms
Not to this hearer. I thought it amazing.
Likewise, but I sometimes wonder whether that he is so at ease with this music that he isn't extracting the urine on occasion.
Mon, Sep 12 2011, 7:18AM
#3
RE: Last Night Proms
He's a showman bringing a bit of showbiz to the world of serious music - and with musicianship of that quality, where's the harm? Imagine the opprobrium Nigel Kennedy would attract if his playing was not so electrifying. What about that second Bach Partita the other night! I was left breathless.
On the other hand, I nearly died of embarrassment at Susan Bullock's outfit to sing Rule Britannia. I always watch the last night with a slight feeling of discomfort. That outfit screamed out the reason why. Great atmosphere - shame about the jingoism. I might give it a miss next year.
Vic.
Mon, Sep 12 2011, 10:38AM
#4
RE: Last Night Proms
He's a showman bringing a bit of showbiz to the world of serious music - and with musicianship of that quality, where's the harm? Imagine the opprobrium Nigel Kennedy would attract if his playing was not so electrifying. What about that second Bach Partita the other night! I was left breathless.
On the other hand, I nearly died of embarrassment at Susan Bullock's outfit to sing Rule Britannia. I always watch the last night with a slight feeling of discomfort. That outfit screamed out the reason why. Great atmosphere - shame about the jingoism. I might give it a miss next year.
Vic.
I caught the first half on tele. Death, death, nothing but death all around with the Miraculous Mandarin followed by Brunhilde's Immolation.
Fine performances, though.
I can remember when Dorati was in charge and we seemed to get the Mandarin, complete, every other week. I even bought the recording he made with the BBCSO but it made no difference until he left.
Tue, Sep 13 2011, 5:31PM
#5
RE: Last Night Proms
Did nobody find the programme overlong? I always say I'll never watch the second half but did so as usual. Nothing wrong with Britten's YPG as a piece of music but I thought the verses more suited to a children's concert and the death & destruction element hadn't struck me 'til I read Troyen's comment!
As to performers and performances Lang Lang is the ultimate showman but if he and Kennedy with his mockney accent and crazy clothes can bring in new audiences good luck to them. Lang Lang's Liszt didn't do a lot for me but late night Kennedy's solo Bach was something else. To stand up and play solo violin so superbly before 5000 people without the music in front of him shows he can still cut the mustard. (But I still treasure Ida Haendel's 3 Testament LPs of solo Bach recorded in analogue sound at Abbey Road in the 1990s).
Thu, Oct 6 2011, 7:07PM
#6
RE: Last Night Proms
I don't enjoy Last Night any more. I find the musical programme uninspiring and the back and forth to various Proms in the Park tedious.
2008 with Bryn Terfal singing Silent Noon with Hélène Grimaud pno. was the last I can honestly say I enjoyed.
I don't mind the flag waving, it's a shame that certain political factions in this country adopted the union flag and George cross giving them a slightly sinister connotation.
Fri, Oct 7 2011, 12:22AM
#7
RE: Last Night Proms
Best Last Night: Anna Netrebko wandering about the orchestra whilst singing, the little minx!
Sat, Oct 8 2011, 6:41AM
#8
RE: Last Night Proms
Minx indeed well worth a revisit http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Irb5gGk0Wog&feature=related
Sat, Oct 8 2011, 8:59AM
#9
RE: Last Night Proms
After grappling with the concept of god in classical music I come across this delightful example of, well, something a lot less cerebral - and it has made my day!
Absolutely fabulous!
Thanky you Atonal.
Vic.
Sat, Oct 8 2011, 11:38AM
#10
RE: Last Night Proms
Thanks indeed, Atonal.
I remember this well. Although we attend around ten or so
Proms ever year, I’ve never been tempted by the last night bunfest, but usually
catch at least some of it on television and there was a quizzical eyebrow
raised that year by a certain party at my seemingly heightened interest at this
point.
JKH
Sat, Oct 8 2011, 2:13PM
#11
RE: Last Night Proms
Beats Bryn Terfel in a Welsh Dragon's costume!
Just as I remember it.
Not to this hearer. I thought it amazing.