In this 1995 TV documentary surveying the first 100 years of the Proms, there's a clip about 20 minutes into the programme which shows Sargent conducting the last few bars of Walton's "Belshazzar's Feast." Much is or was said against him, and indeed a caption running along the bottom of the screen refers to his "great personal ego." However, no-one seems to have denied his mastery in great choral works. As he gave the Walton oratorio its premiere, I wonder if the entire film of that Prom performance still survives and, if it does, whether a DVD release would be of interest to Waltonians, as well as to Prommers and lovers of English music in general? ...
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Fascinating film, seabright! :-) Good to see Barbirolli, Glock and even a young D McLeod there, just about recognisable (his voice, I mean).
One Prom short of a season, indeed - what do they mean!!!It isn't given us to know those rare moments when people are wide open and the lightest touch can wither or heal. A moment too late and we can never reach them any more in this world. -
Many thanks for that link. A terrific programme.
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That clip from "Carmina Burana," where Thomas Allen fainted into the cello section due to the heat, makes me wonder what Previn would have done had not a music student wandered onto the platform to sing the remaining baritone numbers instead. That's another Prom that could do with a DVD release!Comment
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It's a wonderful film isn't it? I recognise so many faces amongst the Prommers many of whom were a permanent fixture in those days. I spent rather longer at the Proms at that time than I do now so surprised not to spot myself wandering in the background somewhere."The sound is the handwriting of the conductor" - Bernard HaitinkComment
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