Tír Na HiFi

Seán wrote:I think that it is a real shame that Suzy Klein has been ostracised. The woman's appearance should not come into it. Katie Derham is easy on the eye, but at times, is painful to listen to, it's best to press the "mute" button when she's on.

Don't get me on my soapbox... the BBCs record of axing or promoting presenters on the grounds of appearance for ratings is every bit as bad as the Indie channels... they have come under quite a bit of criticism over the past few years from axing female news readers and other presenters when they hit 50 (ish)... it's getting to the stage where you'd think you were incapable of presenting a magazine programme unless you were blonde, slim, pretty and under 40... irrespective of what you know about the subject.

^^ Well, one of the 'perks' of queueing for umpteen hours outside the RAH is that you catch the odd performer or BBC face hanging round. Only on Friday I exchanged a genial 'hello' or 'good luck' with Bryn Terfel, Martyn Brabbins, Roger Norrington, Mark Elder and Sara Mohr-Pietsch. Anyway, over the years I have seen, or spoken to in one case, both Katie Derham and Suzy Klein. Superficial I know, but SK is the one that floats my boat. Crucially, she also appears much more musically informed and her style is perfectly suitable for the Proms - her enthusiam is also clear in her writing on the subject too. Jared has outlined KD's credentials and I will add no further comment....

bombasticDarren wrote: Superficial I know, but SK is the one that floats my boat. Crucially, she also appears much more musically informed and her style is perfectly suitable for the Proms - her enthusiam is also clear in her writing on the subject too. Jared has outlined KD's credentials and I will add no further comment....

mine too, ironically...

fergus wrote:I am sure that there will be better concerts ahead for you.

You must be referring to this beauty Fergus...

http://www.bbc.co.uk/proms/whats-on/201 ... r-02/14224

:-D

bombasticDarren wrote:

fergus wrote:I am sure that there will be better concerts ahead for you.

You must be referring to this beauty Fergus...

http://www.bbc.co.uk/proms/whats-on/201 ... r-02/14224

:-D

I am all envy!!!!

fergus wrote:

bombasticDarren wrote:

fergus wrote:I am sure that there will be better concerts ahead for you.

You must be referring to this beauty Fergus...

http://www.bbc.co.uk/proms/whats-on/201 ... r-02/14224

:-D

I am all envy!!!!

Me too. Fergus, that is definitely one for the CDR.

I enjoyed last night's Prom thoroughly...

...an orchestra containing young musicians studying at the Juilliard School and the Royal Academy of Music conducted by John Adams, presented this programme:-

Respighi - Feste Romane
Ravel - Piano Concerto in G major (w/Imogen Cooper)
Adams - City Noir

The Respighi was an awesome curtain raiser - it never fails to thrill me despite it's overwhelming kitsch value.

The Ravel was less inspiring - I think the strings were too reduced as to be effective in such a large venue as well as making the piano part a touch too dominant. I saw Argerich/Dutoit and the RPO play it a couple of years ago, and that was a more impressive occasion. That said, the slow movement was beautifully judged by all concerned.

Adams' piece was completely new to me and I liked it a great deal - the first sections had a jazzy tinge (inc. saxophone solos and a jazz drummer) that was evocative of film noir soundtracks. The finale was typical Adams - a strong, insistient rhythmic pulse which captivated me until the very end (it also followed me on my journey home)

The orchestra committed themselves expertly. I like hearing youth orchestras and I hope the players are able to gain employment in their chosen fields. Their enthusiasm was visibly apparent throughout - something that is sometimes amiss in adult orchestras as the Proms season progresses.

Next up for me, on Saturday, is Barenboim and the West-Eastern Divan Orchestra playing Beethoven's 3rd and 4th symphonies (plus some Boulez I know little about).

Your review is a very enjoyable read Darren, thanks for doing that and enjoy the Barenboim concert on Saturday night.

I second Seán's comments so do keep giving us those first hand accounts Darren.