Rattle : Brahms 3 : Proms 2008 ?

[Guest]

Some years ago, Rattle and BP (I think) did Brahms 3 (maybe the others too) at the Proms. This particular performance was unlike any other I'd heard: played in a gentle, almost caressing way. It stopped me in my tracks. Does anyone else recall this performance? Was this performance style captured on a recording? The Rattle recording released shortly after (EMIclassics 2009) was not quite the same ...

[jayne lee wilson]

According to the Proms Archive this was 03/09/2008, with DSCH 10 in Part Two. I recall being very impressed with it, but don't remember much interpretative detail...

[Eine Alpensinfonie]

I'll may still have this one. I'll check it out.

[cloughie]

I'll may still have this one. I'll check it out.

According to my index I have it on minidisc - must check it out.

[Petrushka]

I was present at this Prom and have it on DVD somewhere as it was broadcast on TV (after the event, I think) so I should have it as audio only as well.

My memory of the Brahms is that it was indeed rather special.

[Rolmill]

I too was at this prom. I remember the orchestral playing as being wonderful, especially principal clarinet and horn, though I think the very end of the Brahms fell apart. I have less recall of the interpretations, other than that the Brahms was generally quite gentle and fluid (as you say), sounding gorgeous - and that the side-drum in the Shostakovich was disappointingly tame!

[johnb]

Interesting - I have the prom (Prom No 65, 03/09/08) readily accessible and I will give it a listen tomorrow. (Though sadly I only have it in mp2 192 kbps as this was before the 320 kbps aac era began.)

[LaurieWatt]

Interesting - I have the prom (Prom No 65, 03/09/08) readily accessible and I will give it a listen tomorrow. (Though sadly I only have it in mp2 192 kbps as this was before the 320 kbps aac era began.)

Ok, so did any of you lot who found their recordings listen to them?? And how was it?

[Stanley Stewart]

I've just given the Brahms 3, (Prom 65, 3 Sept 2008) DVD, off-air BBC 4, a spin. I'll play the second half, DSCH 10, after I complete this posting - from the mellow to the martial!

I see that I also have Prom 62, 1 Sept on the DVD: Beet VC/Sib 2, Gustav Mahler Jugendorchester/Colin Davis/Nikolaj Znaider.

The BPO/Rattle first Prom, 64, was on 2 Sept with Messiane's Turangalila following the Tristan & Isolde - Prelude & Liebestod. This concert on R3.

Overall, I'm more attracted to the TV presentation as I recall many years as a Prommer and, even as a viewer, I can sense the frisson of the occasion, much easier to live in the moment as it were.

[joseph green]

The concert the orchestra gave at the Proms was repeated in Berlin, and can be found in the Berlin Philharmonic's Digital Concert Hall. I have a recording of both Proms which I would be prepared to share. Contact me privately

[silvestrione]

Some years ago, Rattle and BP (I think) did Brahms 3 (maybe the others too) at the Proms. This particular performance was unlike any other I'd heard: played in a gentle, almost caressing way. It stopped me in my tracks. Does anyone else recall this performance? Was this performance style captured on a recording? The Rattle recording released shortly after (EMIclassics 2009) was not quite the same ...

Finally found and played my off-air recording of this. Gorgeous sound, and as you say, gentle and caressing, though plenty of power in the climaxes. Quite different from the recent Chailly/Leipzig performance that was broadcast, but that's good, as far as I can see: it's great to have such contrasting views of the work, both with their integrity and characteristic sound.