BBC Proms

[fergus]

All in all this youth orchestra may have been the finest I have heard at the Proms this season so far. I would add though that in the next fortnight I am attending Gewandhausorchester, BPO and VPO concerts.....

You lucky sod!!!

[bombasticDarren]

Last night:-

Brahms - Piano Concerto No.2 (w/Yefim Bronfman)
Lutoslawski - Symphony No.3

Simon Rattle, Berliner Philharmoniker

This was a memorable concert. Firstly, although I have some reservations over Rattle's BPO as a recording unit, live they remain a superior force. I have heard a few orchestras over the past few weeks and from the get-go you can hear that you're dealing with a finely honed ensemble.

The Brahms was nicely played, though not perfect, and really accentuated the often beautiful melodies.

Lutoslawski's 3rd is not an immediately accessible piece and at times it risks falling into the 'modern' trap of excessive noodling in the percussion section. Once it unwinds over the entire score it accumulates some significant power and beauty. Not a piece I'd want to hear too often but a wonderful showpiece for each section of the orchestra. The applause was rapturous and it was received with grace and humilty by Rattle et al

We were treated to a lively encore, one of Dvorak's Slavonic Dances. They can play it in their sleep I am sure but they also play it with wit and no little expertise. Great stuff!

[fergus]

I envy you being at that one Darren as I really like the Brahms second Piano Concerto.

[bombasticDarren]

I envy you being at that one Darren as I really like the Brahms second Piano Concerto.

I think you're right Fergus - it's a wonderfully melodic piece. Spurred by last nights concerts I am now playing the mighty Barenboim/Barbirolli recording and have taken your lead and opted for the Guy/Berglund disc on Naive :-)

[fergus]

I envy you being at that one Darren as I really like the Brahms second Piano Concerto.

I think you're right Fergus - it's a wonderfully melodic piece. Spurred by last nights concerts I am now playing the mighty Barenboim/Barbirolli recording and have taken your lead and opted for the Guy/Berglund disc on Naive :-)

Perhaps we can compare notes on that performance in the near future.

[bombasticDarren]

Tonight...

Messiaen - Et exspecto resurrectionem mortuorum
Mahler - Symphony No.6

Riccardo Chailly, Leipzig Gewandhausorchester

This was a spectacular concert by a truly great conductor and orchestra combination.

The Messiaen forfeits strings but still manages to summon up some fascinating textures. It's quite slow and full of 'bull in a china shop' percussion but at the same time it packs an impressive cumulative punch. Some others near me were bored though...

The Mahler was everything it should be (the slow movement came second, incidentally). I can't criticise this performance but I would add that the tempi, particularly in the scherzo, were fast and the piece benefitted from this interpretation. I have heard the LGO three times this past year - they must be in the top 5 world orchestras at the moment. Any thoughts?

[fergus]

Tonight...

Messiaen - Et exspecto resurrectionem mortuorum
Mahler - Symphony No.6

Riccardo Chailly, Leipzig Gewandhausorchester

This was a spectacular concert by a truly great conductor and orchestra combination.

The Messiaen forfeits strings but still manages to summon up some fascinating textures. It's quite slow and full of 'bull in a china shop' percussion but at the same time it packs an impressive cumulative punch. Some others near me were bored though...

The Mahler was everything it should be (the slow movement came second, incidentally). I can't criticise this performance but I would add that the tempi, particularly in the scherzo, were fast and the piece benefitted from this interpretation. I have heard the LGO three times this past year - they must be in the top 5 world orchestras at the moment. Any thoughts?

That sounds like a great concert Darren. I think that I too would have struggled with the Messiaen to be honest. The Leipzig Gewandhausorchester are inseed a wonderfully sounding orchestra and of course they also come with a great pedigree.

[Seán]

Tonight...

Messiaen - Et exspecto resurrectionem mortuorum
Mahler - Symphony No.6

Riccardo Chailly, Leipzig Gewandhausorchester

This was a spectacular concert by a truly great conductor and orchestra combination.

The Messiaen forfeits strings but still manages to summon up some fascinating textures. It's quite slow and full of 'bull in a china shop' percussion but at the same time it packs an impressive cumulative punch. Some others near me were bored though...

The Mahler was everything it should be (the slow movement came second, incidentally). I can't criticise this performance but I would add that the tempi, particularly in the scherzo, were fast and the piece benefitted from this interpretation. I have heard the LGO three times this past year - they must be in the top 5 world orchestras at the moment. Any thoughts?

Chailly and in the Gewandhausorchester in Mahler 6, oh you lucky sod! They are coming here later this year but they will not perform any piece by Mahler, more's the pity. Thanks for the review Darren, I am delighted that you enjoyed the concert.

[Jared]

will you be off to wave your Union Jack tonight, Darren?

[bombasticDarren]

Thursday night...

Beethoven - Piano Concerto No.4 (w/Murray Perahia)
Bruckner - Symphony No.9

Bernard Haitink, Wiener Philharmoniker

Massive queues for both VPO concerts, but I was there in time to stand on the second row.

The Beethoven was.....ok. I am hesitant because I don't think PCs work well in the RAH. I wouldn't dare doubt Perahia's talents, and here he was committed and dynamic, but the balance between orchestra and soloist just didnt seem quite right. My leadt favourite LvB PC btw...

Bruckner's 9th bought out the best in the VPO. The strings sound like no-one else on the planet and the reading by Haitink really made sense of the symphony as a complete (?) entity. I don't feel it needs a fourth movement, especially when it's played like this. An immensely muscular performance with the scherzo sounding like icebergs tumbling into each other

No encore, and misbehaviour from sections of the audience though