Summer Night Concert from Vienna VPO 02/07/2017 BBC4

[jonfan]

I've just caught up with this on iplayer and what a very enjoyable hour and a half of light classical lollipops it was, superbly played. Plenty of Dvorak, Tchaikovsky and Rachmaninov with vocal balm from Renee Fleming in seductive form. Christoph Eschenbach brings a serious purpose to the music with care obviously taken with each piece, sometimes lacking in previous years with this free concert. I never thought I'd hear the VPO perform Hedwig's theme by John Williams but what a superb job they make of it, especially the Vienna Horns relishing the big tune as if JW had them in mind from the beginning. Even our own KD rose to the occasion by not over gushing. Some tectonic plates are moving though - more ladies and in prominent positions, first bassoon for example, but also LEADER.

[Nevilevelis]

Deputy leaders often appear for these concerts. Here is the current list https://www.wienerphilharmoniker.at/orchestra/members

Whether or not it's up do date is another matter.

But yes, as you say, change is afoot.

NVV.

[Stanley Stewart]

Delighted to record this annual treat to HD and enjoy the pleasure of its sumptuous setting on a warm summer evening. Perhaps a bit camp but this is par for the course, including the waltzing couples on the boundaries!

[BBMmk2]

Must catch up with this concert. Maybe this evening.

[Braunschlag]

Personally speaking I found it all a bit second rate. No objection to lighter fare at all, but the band seemed rather disinterested and didn't take much notice of Eschenbach waving indistinctly from the front. Yes, a lot of deps methinks (hence an even higher proportion of women players). Looked pretty but some rather naff and poorly synchronised lasers and lights. Enjoyable froth but not really of the standard we'd get on New Years Day.