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

[Nick Armstrong]

Golly - good to see this old thread of mine up and about again nearly three years on!

[secondfiddle]

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


I don't remember the 1959 Prom - too early for me - but I do remember the broadcast of Barbirolli's 1965 Prom (20 July) which included the Schubert C major and Brahms Piano Concerto No 2 (Hans Richter-Haaser) which were excellent and I have a reasonable tape of that Prom as evidence.

[Nimrod]

Interesting anecdote, but wrong location and person! It was a soldier in wartime in Hanley who could only stay for the first half and Sir John asked him that question. I went to several of his concerts and the idea that he only took flight in the second half is not true from my experience. Alassio and then Bruckner 8th, both played with full commitment from all concerned. I recall a wonderful concert, Rossini's Italian Girl in Algiers, Debussy La Mer and Elgar's 1st, full on from start to finish.

[Nimrod]

Hi Dave2002

''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.''

I know someone who went to hundreds of JB's concerts and I have never heard that person describe an incident such as you mention and I never witnessed anything like that. I think you've listened to nonsensical gossip. JB was deeply committed to the music and his audience.

[slarty]

Cali,I can't help with the 1959 Prom, but from the 1959 Season a live performance of Mahler 2 from JB with the Halle, Victoria Elliot and Eugenia Zareska, is to be released on the JB Society label later this year. The sound is extremely good.
I definitely agree with Nimrod that many of these gossip stories are untrue. He suffered from the most terrible momentary blackouts during his last five years due to an incurable heart condition. Many people were just too ready to jump in and accuse him of all manner of things. Similarly, Jussi Björling was accused of being drunk backstage at Covent Garden in 1960, with the Queen Mum in the audience, before a performance of La Boheme - It took years for the truth to be known - he had in fact had a heart attack, and would die less than 6 months later from the condition - However, after a half an hour to recover, he went on and sang the performance.

[amateur51]

Cali,I can't help Cali with the 1959 Prom, but from the 1959 Season a live performance of Mahler 2 from JB with the Halle, Victoria Elliot and Eugenia Zareska, is to be released on the JB Society label later this year. The sound is extremely good.

What a wonderful treat we have in store - many thanks for the alert slarty!