Barbirolli's August 1959 Prom: Schubert "Great' C major

[Nick Armstrong]

Was anyone else at this concert?

I ask because my old dad, staying for Easter, recounted going to it with my mother to celebrate their engagement. He has no recollection of the first half save that it was disappointing, ragged and seemingly under-rehearsed with Barbirolli not seeming to care too much... but that the Schubert was electrifying, Barbirolli transformed - as if he'd been coasting through the first half, saving himself for the big number...

Would be fascinating if anyone has any similar recollection...

This was the full programme:


Royal Albert Hall, London on Thursday 27 August 1959 at 7:30PM.


Franz Peter Schubert: Rosamunde Overture

Johannes Brahms: Variations on the St Anthony Chorale, Op 56a

Johannes Brahms: Concerto for Piano No. 2 in B flat major, Op 83
Lamar Crowson piano


Franz Peter Schubert: Symphony No. 9 in C major 'Great', D 944

Hallé Orchestra
John Barbirolli conductor

[Nick Armstrong]

No takers... It's a long shot, I'm sure. I'll keep refreshing this from time to time in case...

[Barbirollians]

Lamar C only died the other year as I recall .

Barbirolli's HMV recording of Schubert 9 is more than special.

[cloughie]

Was anyone else at this concert?

I ask because my old dad, staying for Easter, recounted going to it with my mother to celebrate their engagement. He has no recollection of the first half save that it was disappointing, ragged and seemingly under-rehearsed with Barbirolli not seeming to care too much... but that the Schubert was electrifying, Barbirolli transformed - as if he'd been coasting through the first half, saving himself for the big number...

Would be fascinating if anyone has any similar recollection...

This was the full programme:


Royal Albert Hall, London on Thursday 27 August 1959 at 7:30PM.


Franz Peter Schubert: Rosamunde Overture

Johannes Brahms: Variations on the St Anthony Chorale, Op 56a

Johannes Brahms: Concerto for Piano No. 2 in B flat major, Op 83
Lamar Crowson piano


Franz Peter Schubert: Symphony No. 9 in C major 'Great', D 944

Hallé Orchestra
John Barbirolli conductor

Considering the short length of many concerts these days the great JB gave value for money there.

[ferneyhoughgeliebte]

Considering the short length of many concerts these days the great JB gave value for money there.

Well, not if Cali's father's recollection is accurate. Fewer works better rehearsed is better value than more works poorly performed?

[cloughie]

Well, not if Cali's father's recollection is accurate. Fewer works better rehearsed is better value than more works poorly performed?

ferney - I hope you are not suggesting that JB would be at the helm of a poor performance - if so wash your mouth out with soap!

[Barbirollians]

ferney - I hope you are not suggesting that JB would be at the helm of a poor performance - if so wash your mouth out with soap!

Well said - or alternatively go and listen to Lachenmann for an hour - an equivalent punishment

[amateur51]

ferney - I hope you are not suggesting that JB would be at the helm of a poor performance - if so wash your mouth out with soap!

Alternatively, I've heard tell that Glorious John's performances post-interval were often better than the first half, and that this phenomenon was often attributed to the therapeutic influence of a couple of fingers of Johnnie Walker Black Label at the interval

If so, pass the bottle Evelyn!

[ferneyhoughgeliebte]

ferney - I hope you are not suggesting that JB would be at the helm of a poor performance - if so wash your mouth out with soap!

I was not. Cali's father did (if "disappointing, ragged and seemingly under-rehearsed with Barbirolli not seeming to care too much" meets the criterion/a of "poor performance").

[cloughie]

Alternatively, I've heard tell that Glorious John's performances post-interval were often better than the first half, and that this phenomenon was often attributed to the therapeutic influence of a couple of fingers of Johnnie Walker Black Label at the interval

If so, pass the bottle Evelyn!

Or could it be that after a conversation with an audience member in the interval who commented 'all right so far' which put JB on his mettle for the second half!

[Eine Alpensinfonie]

Well said - or alternatively go and listen to Lachenmann for an hour - an equivalent punishment

I think I might just try this one out. I have a recording of Lachenmann's Ausklang (coupled with Eine Alpensinfonie), lasting for 55 minutes. I must give it a spin.

[ferneyhoughgeliebte]

Or could it be that after a conversation with an audience member in the interval who commented 'all right so far' which put JB on his mettle for the second half!

- wasn't that one of the Ushers at the Free Trade Hall? JB asked him if he was enjoying the concert; "It's all right." (pause) "So far"! (JB was amused by and appreciated the Mancunian attitude that it wasn't over until it was over.)


Do they have Free Traders at the Usher Hall?

[cloughie]

I think I might just try this one out. I have a recording of Lachenmann's Ausklang (coupled with Eine Alpensinfonie), lasting for 55 minutes. I must give it a spin.

How long would Maazel have taken? Apologise for the cheap jibe Lorin - your Alps was great!

[cloughie]

- wasn't that one of the Ushers at the Free Trade Hall? JB asked him if he was enjoying the concert; "It's all right." (pause) "So far"! (JB was amused by and appreciated the Mancunian attitude that it wasn't over until it was over.)


Do they have Free Traders at the Usher Hall?

Yes that was the one - as for Free Traders I would think like most places the Usher Hall will be tied into franchises these days!

[Dave2002]

Alternatively, I've heard tell that Glorious John's performances post-interval were often better than the first half, and that this phenomenon was often attributed to the therapeutic influence of a couple of fingers of Johnnie Walker Black Label at the interval

If so, pass the bottle Evelyn!

I have heard tales of JB having been a late arrival at some Hallé concerts, and being brought in from a nearby hostelry to propel the concerts forward. Whether this improved his performances or not is difficult to say.