Prom 22: Prokofiev/Tchaikovsky, BBC NOW, I. Kanneh-Mason/Bancroft

[bluestateprommer]

Tuesday 1 August 2023
19:00
Royal Albert Hall

Prokofiev: Piano Concerto No. 3 in C, op. 26
Tchaikovsky: Symphony No. 5 in e, op. 64

Isata Kanneh-Mason, piano
BBC National Orchestra of Wales
Ryan Bancroft, conductor

https://www.bbc.co.uk/events/emb84f

https://www.royalalberthall.com/tickets/proms/bbc-proms-2023/prom-22-isata-kanneh-mason-plays-prokofiev/

[french frank]

Tuesday 1 August, 19.00:

"Star pianist Isata Kanneh-Mason makes her solo debut at the Proms in Prokofiev’s Piano Concerto No. 3, in which rhapsodic melody meets restless rhythmic exuberance.

"Meanwhile Tchaikovsky’s Symphony No. 5 wrestles with its ominous ‘fate’ motif, overpowering it first with a rapturous love theme, before finally turning darkness to light in the powerful closing movement. The BBC National Orchestra of Wales and Principal Conductor Ryan Bancroft return for the second of their consecutive Proms."

[Barbirollians]

This really is short measure just having the Prokofiev 3 in the first half.

[oddoneout]

Tuesday 1 August, 19.00:

"Star pianist Isata Kanneh-Mason makes her solo debut at the Proms in Prokofiev’s Piano Concerto No. 3, in which rhapsodic melody meets restless rhythmic exuberance.

"Meanwhile Tchaikovsky’s Symphony No. 5 wrestles with its ominous ‘fate’ motif, overpowering it first with a rapturous love theme, before finally turning darkness to light in the powerful closing movement. The BBC National Orchestra of Wales and Principal Conductor Ryan Bancroft return for the second of their consecutive Proms."

Another bit of irritating and thoughtless blurb? Describing her as star pianist is meaningless and does her and other pianists a disservice in my opinion. Also, to me "solo debut" implies a solo recital, not a debut as soloist, but perhaps I'm being picky.

[edashtav]

This really is short measure just having the Prokofiev 3 in the first half.

Oh, dear… so true. Beer has to be served legally: either full to the brim, or to a line, depending on the particular glass.
Surely, concertgoers should be treated generously, and not driven to demand a legal minimum? (60 recital; 90 full concert?)

Were I fit enough to attend this concert, the on-costs ( public transport ; sustenance) would approach three figures, and add > £1 per minute of programmed music.
Shame on you, B.B.C..

[Maclintick]

Another bit of irritating and thoughtless blurb? Describing her as star pianist is meaningless and does her and other pianists a disservice in my opinion. Also, to me "solo debut" implies a solo recital, not a debut as soloist, but perhaps I'm being picky.

Up to a point. The blurb could have been phrased more felicitously, but Isata Kanneh-Mason's performance was terrific, & well-supported by Ryan Bancroft and BBC NOW. OTOH, the Tchaik 5, despite some superb playing from the orchestra, often suffered from breathlessness in phrasing and a lack of rubato which I assume should be laid at the door of the conductor.

[Bryn]

This really is short measure just having the Prokofiev 3 in the first half.

In general, BBCNOW Proms start and end early. I have always assumed it was to get the orchestra back to Cardiff at a reasonable hour.

[edashtav]

Up to a point. The blurb could have been phrased more felicitously, but Isata Kanneh-Mason's performance was terrific, & well-supported by Ryan Bancroft and BBC NOW. OTOH, the Tchaik 5, despite some superb playing from the orchestra, often suffered from breathlessness in phrasing and a lack of rubato which I assume should be laid at the door of the conductor.

I concur with much of your crit. I loved Isata particularly in the work’s quieter, more inward moments- her phrasing was magical. I wanted a fiercer attack in the finale but that may be due to hearing the work too often in the hands of ‘tough guys’.
Your reservations about the Tchaik. are spot-on. The piece was ‘hard driven’.

[jonfan]

I think these two exhausting pieces demand plenty from performer and listener; I felt I had good value and didn’t once look at my watch. I agree the Concerto was terrific but I don’t agree the Symphony was hard driven. There needs to be a sense of triumph at the end over former hardships. I have Mravinsky’s LPO recording as my benchmark and this was up with it.

[smittims]

I was excited to read that Mravinsky had recorded with the LPO until I realised to which 'L' you were referring!

[Barbirollians]

It seems it was to do with a late night Prom when I listened on Sounds- fine Prokofiev - thought the Tchaikovsky a bit routine to my ears.

[CallMePaul]

I was excited to read that Mravinsky had recorded with the LPO until I realised to which 'L' you were referring!

He rarely guest-conducted, preferring to work in Leningrad (St Petersburg). Karajan tried to persuade him to conduct the Berlin Phil on several occasions (Mravinsky was bi-lingual in German and Russian) but always turned these down.