Proms 1968 Mystery

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  • Petrushka
    Full Member
    • Nov 2010
    • 12417

    Proms 1968 Mystery

    I've just been working my way through the 1968 Proms season in the Proms Archive (some very fine programmes too, by the way) and have come across a very strange entry on July 25 http://www.bbc.co.uk/proms/archive/s...sub_tab=season which lists the soloist in the Beethoven Violin Concerto as Anonymous. Who is hiding their light under a bushel or, alternatively, had a dreadful evening best forgotten?

    I like my mysteries to be solved. Who was the enigmatic soloist on this occasion?
    "The sound is the handwriting of the conductor" - Bernard Haitink
  • Chris Newman
    Late Member
    • Nov 2010
    • 2100

    #2
    Arthur Grumiaux! I believe. It was the only Prom concert I ever took my sisters to. BBC SO, Ted Downes. At least he was advertised. I shall try to find the programme.

    Schubert: Song of the Fairies under the Water.
    Beethoven: VC
    Schoenberg: Jacob's Ladder.

    I remember Ilse Holweg had a fabulous soprano voice, was about three foot tall and wiggled so ecstatically as she sang the Schoenberg. Also dear Francis Egerton whom I love very much as a tenor sang the words "Der Gott in der Himmel" with the broadest Irish accent we all got the quivers trying not to laugh. Two or three years before he had been discovered asa singer after working in Belfast docks. It was a lovely concert.

    Comment

    • rodney_h_d
      Full Member
      • Nov 2010
      • 103

      #3
      Josef Suk replaced the indisposed Arthur Grumiaux. I was in the arena, but two friends who came up from the Sussex coast especially to hear Grumiaux were disappointed. I remember thinking that Josef Suk was about as good a replacement as could be found.

      Comment

      • Tony Halstead
        Full Member
        • Nov 2010
        • 1717

        #4
        " Josef Suk was about as good a replacement as could be found."
        Is this 'damning with faint praise'?

        Comment

        • rodney_h_d
          Full Member
          • Nov 2010
          • 103

          #5
          Originally posted by waldhorn View Post
          " Josef Suk was about as good a replacement as could be found."
          Is this 'damning with faint praise'?
          Not at all! Perhaps I should have said "as perfect a replacement as I could think of".

          I, too, was very much looking forward to hearing Grumiaux, but if he couldn't be there, then I was happy that he was replaced by another violinist I was very keen to hear live.

          Comment

          • Chris Newman
            Late Member
            • Nov 2010
            • 2100

            #6
            Thanks for that, Rodney. I had the 1968 Prospectus at hand and did not bother to dig out the actual programme which is boxed away. I was at the concert but remembering the extraordinary stage presence of the very lovely voiced Ilsa Holweg (think of Hilda Baker dancing the Twist!) I had forgotten it was Josef Suk, who sadly passed on recently.

            Comment

            • Petrushka
              Full Member
              • Nov 2010
              • 12417

              #7
              Thanks for solving the mystery, Rodney and Chris. Now, why would the Proms Archive have Suk down as Mr Anonymous? Is there a mechanism for informing them of the facts so that the record can be set straight?
              "The sound is the handwriting of the conductor" - Bernard Haitink

              Comment

              • Chris Newman
                Late Member
                • Nov 2010
                • 2100

                #8
                The man to contact at Radio 3 is John Bryant, Publications Editor, who set up the Archive according to some cross refs but I do not know his e-mail. Any thoughts anyone?

                Comment

                • rodney_h_d
                  Full Member
                  • Nov 2010
                  • 103

                  #9
                  Originally posted by Petrushka View Post
                  Thanks for solving the mystery, Rodney and Chris. Now, why would the Proms Archive have Suk down as Mr Anonymous? Is there a mechanism for informing them of the facts so that the record can be set straight?
                  Good point! I had a quick look at the Proms Archive FAQs and found -

                  Q: I've spotted a mistake. How can I get in touch?
                  A: We would be very grateful to receive notification of errors - please email proms@bbc.co.uk.

                  As you spotted the 'error' Petrushka, I think you should take the credit for pointing it out! I'll certainly back you up if necessary.

                  Edit: Chris - I was composing my message while you posted yours

                  Comment

                  • Petrushka
                    Full Member
                    • Nov 2010
                    • 12417

                    #10
                    Thanks, Rodney, I'll do that.

                    I spotted another 'Anonymous' while wandering around the archive, In 1970 I think, but can't recall which one. It could well be another artist substitution gone missing. Wouldn't have thought much detective work was required in most cases, newspaper reviews being a good source of information.
                    "The sound is the handwriting of the conductor" - Bernard Haitink

                    Comment

                    • knodge41

                      #11
                      Sad to discover from here that Joseph Suk passed away in July this year.

                      His recording of the Beethoven V.C., with the Czech P.O. under Konwitschny (Supraphon SUA ST 50445), seems to have been recorded during the same year as this prom (1968). It can be vewed on YouTube.

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