Tír Na HiFi

Last night I was at another Prom concert:-

Maxwell-Davies - Symphony No.9
Delius - Violin Concerto (w/Tasmin Little)
Shostakovich - Symphony No.10

Vasily Petrenko, Royal Liverpool Philharmonic Orchestra

The MD symphony was just about acceptable. I wouldn't wish to hear it again (certainly not in concert), but there were a few nice touches.

The Delius was an utter delight. I struggle with Delius, but I would say the VC is a piece I have always liked. This performance was superb from both soloist and orchestra - it's quite a 'static' piece but I was utterly gripped standing in the hall last night.

The Shostakovich was ok - I prefer the recording on Naxos by these forces. Some of the less gripping moments seemed obtrusive last night and I beacame restless. Maybe after the Delius I had been spoilt...

That seems like a reasonably successful enough evening Darren.
I have heard quite a bit of Peter Maxwell Davies music earlier on in my listening career (long ago now) but I am not at all familiar with his symphonies.
I have a few performances by Tasmin Little and I have always liked her easy style. I would like to see her in a live performance.

bombasticDarren wrote:Last night I was at another Prom concert:-

Maxwell-Davies - Symphony No.9
Delius - Violin Concerto (w/Tasmin Little)
Shostakovich - Symphony No.10

Vasily Petrenko, Royal Liverpool Philharmonic Orchestra

The MD symphony was just about acceptable. I wouldn't wish to hear it again (certainly not in concert), but there were a few nice touches.

The Delius was an utter delight. I struggle with Delius, but I would say the VC is a piece I have always liked. This performance was superb from both soloist and orchestra - it's quite a 'static' piece but I was utterly gripped standing in the hall last night.

The Shostakovich was ok - I prefer the recording on Naxos by these forces. Some of the less gripping moments seemed obtrusive last night and I beacame restless. Maybe after the Delius I had been spoilt...

Hi Darren, I am surprised by your comments on the Shostakovich 10, I would have expected something special from Petrenko and the RLPO, ah well! I'm glad that you enjoyed the Delius, it must have been good to be there all the same.

^^ to be honest Sean, it seems like I am in the minority re: the Shostakovich. Every other punter nearby was impressed and so are the uk message boards. We all bring something different to our listening, and I guess that affects how we appreciate the music. I love the symphony, but this time maybe I was not in the mood for it no matter how fine the performance

Another Prom last night!

Wagner - Prelude (Act 3) and Good Friday Music from Parsifal
Berg - Violin Concerto (w/Frank Peter Zimmermann)
Strauss - Der Rosenkavalier Suite
Ravel - La valse

Daniele Gatti, Gustav Mahler Jugendorchester

The Wagner was a subdued opening but elegantly conducted and superbly played. One of the hallmarks of this entire concert was the wondrous brass section - here they were in particularly fine voice

The Berg is perhaps an acquired taste, but this performance was nicely detailed and full of commitment. A piece I need to investigate further before judging this performance in more detail.

Strauss' evocation of waltz era Vienna was beautiful. The young orchestra clearly love the piece and it wove it's magic through the Albert Hall wonderfully.

The contrast with La valse was intelligently programmed as the 'destruction' of the waltz offered by Ravel made a thrilling conclusion. I love this piece and I feel it's true power can only be felt live in concert. Expertly played and a rousing climax.

There was a Wagner encore - from Meistersinger - but it was again a subdued choice.

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.....

I have been a bit neglectful of the forum recently, and forgot to post about this Prom from two weeks ago:-

Dvorak - Symphony No.9 From the New World
Copland - Fanfare for the Common Man
Tower - Fanfare for the Uncommon Woman
Villa-Lobos - Momoprecoce (w/Nelson Freire)
Ginastera - Estancia Suite

Marin Alsop, Sao Paulo Symphony Orchestra

The Dvorak was played with great character and the interpretation was unfussy and direct. Not much one can add about this old warhorse...

The fanfares were mildly diverting, but felt like makeweights

The Villa-Lobos piece had little charm, and I was glad when it was over. The pre-concert talk informed us that this was a minor Villa-Lobos work; now we know why....

The Ginastera always works though, and here the orchestra really made their mark. The rhythms are thrilling and Alsop - although this was not a great concert by any means - shows what she is made of with an aggressive and taut reading. It's piece that never fails to deliver and it saved the concert for me.

I should also note that the two encores by, largely unknown, South American composers were also great fun.

The next day I 'followed' the SPSO to Snape Maltings for...

Dvorak - Cello Concerto
Tchaikovsky - Symphony No.4

Marin Alsop, Sao Paulo Symphony Orchestra

The Dvorak dragged somewhat - I have heard far superior recordings.

Tchaikovsky 4 fared better. The brass came into their own and I thought it was an expressive and genial reading.

The acoustics at Snape are brutal, in a wonderful way. The sounds explode off the concert hall and this appealing orchestra, although ragged, were well suited to it

^^ thank you Darren for your regular comments on the Proms concerts you've3 attended; they are always an enjoyable read. You seem to have had a very active summer.

Just one question, do you drive now? If not, how do you manage to get to the Snape?

Jared wrote:^^ thank you Darren for your regular comments on the Proms concerts you've3 attended; they are always an enjoyable read. You seem to have had a very active summer.

Just one question, do you drive now? If not, how do you manage to get to the Snape?

No, I don't drive. I went with a friend who does and who is still buzzing about the Tchaikovsky 4!

bombasticDarren wrote:No, I don't drive. I went with a friend who does and who is still buzzing about the Tchaikovsky 4!

that's really good to read!!