Queen's Jubilee Concert

[Guest]

Nicholas Witchell has broken the news to us this evening that the line-up will include Elton John, Cliff Richard, Tom Jones, Paul Macartney and Shirley Bassey. Beyond pointing out that they have a combined age of 354, I can't think of a great deal to say. I don't hold that against them, because that's about the combined age of the Rolling Stones. The "musical director" [sic] is someone called Gary Barlow. I genuinely don't know who he is.

The good news is that for classical fans [sic] there will be Alfie Boe and Lang Lang.

[EdgeleyRob]

The good news is that for classical fans [sic] there will be Alfie Boe and Lang Lang.

Nessun Dorma and Moonlight Sonata ?

[Petrushka]

Well, the good news is that I've heard of all of them (yes, even Gary Barlow). The bad news for Her Maj is that she will be forced to watch it whether she wants to or not. The rest of us do at least have the blessing of the 'off'' switch.

[cloughie]

Nessun Dorma and Moonlight Sonata ?

Bring him home and let him play!

[aka Calum Da Jazbo]

well that is a fair reflection of the cultural intelligence of the British Establishment and BBC Leadership ....

watching Tinker Tailor again when Hayden tells George during the final unravelling that it was an aesthetic choice he had a point .... although with the demise of the dear old USSR the kulturniks seem to have died out there too ....

[MrGongGong]

Mediocre shite .......... just about the right level then

[Mr Pee]

Mediocre shite .......... just about the right level then

Patronising in the extreme. In fact one could say that about this whole thread. The concert is a light-hearted celebration, not a bleedin' arts festival.

[cloughie]

Nicholas Witchell has broken the news to us this evening that the line-up will include Elton John, Cliff Richard, Tom Jones, Paul Macartney and Shirley Bassey. Beyond pointing out that they have a combined age of 354, I can't think of a great deal to say. I don't hold that against them, because that's about the combined age of the Rolling Stones. The "musical director" [sic] is someone called Gary Barlow. I genuinely don't know who he is.

The good news is that for classical fans [sic] there will be Alfie Boe and Lang Lang.

Gary Barlow, one of 'Take That' boy band of the 90s. Will he take on a tradional MD role and conuct the house band for the occasion - probably not, but I could be wrong. Having said that I own up to having enjoyed watching the Brian May on the roof concert.

[gradus]

According the BBC news last night the concert will reflect the music of the six decades of the Queen's reign plus of course the classical bits. I expect it will be entertaining but watching/listening to it is not compulsory.

[Norfolk Born]

Re. Alfie Boe and Lang Lang, here's a little word game: Changing as few letters as possible at a time, how quickly can you get from CLASSICAL to CROSSOVER? (At least the 2002 bash had young Ashley Wass, whose career seems to have stuck to the proverbial straight and narrow).

[mercia]

the seven-mile long flotilla on the Thames on June 3rd looks quite fun, with a floating bell-tower being answered along the way by all the churches
(if you like that sort of thing), the LPO and AAM on barges

[hafod]

So the Master of the Queen's Music doesn't get a look in? Or maybe he did, took one look at it and ran a mile!

[MrGongGong]

According the BBC news last night the concert will reflect the music of the six decades of the Queen's reign

So how about some ideas for what then ?

Obviously there needs to be some music by either Boulez, Stockhasen, Berio or Ligeti
but maybe sticking to British music ????

I would suggest ................................

Obviously a new piece by Max (and a fine terrine to go with it !)
some Cardew
something by Napalm Death
definitely something electroacoustic
something by Tippet
& Britten
& one can't have QE2 without the Sex Pistols ....... for those of us in our late 40's the two are inextricably intertwined

and what's WRONG with a " bleedin' arts festival"
I thought it IS supposed to be a Festival of Music ????
why turn off ones critical faculties ? if you want music to dance to there are many options (Underworld, Faithless, Chemical Brothers etc etc )

[cloughie]

Re. Alfie Boe and Lang Lang, here's a little word game: Changing as few letters as possible at a time, how quickly can you get from CLASSICAL to CROSSOVER? (At least the 2002 bash had young Ashley Wass, whose career seems to have stuck to the proverbial straight and narrow).

If my memory serves were there not separate pop and classical bashes in 2002!

[Richard Tarleton]

Gary Barlow, one of 'Take That' boy band of the 90s. Will he take on a tradional MD role and conuct the house band for the occasion - probably not, but I could be wrong. Having said that I own up to having enjoyed watching the Brian May on the roof concert.

Thanks cloughie. Yes Brian May was certainly a television moment, if entirely derivative - Hendrix Woodstock Star Spangled Banner......It's just a shame that at times like this they can't do better than wheel out these remaindered old hacks (I don't mean Brian May).

There was an amusing moment a few years later - HM was meeting a line up of veteran rockers who included Brian May. Hadn't a clue who he was of course - when asked what he did, he replied "I played on your roof once". To which she replied "Oh that was you was it".