Prom 56: Poulenc / Mahler, BBC Singers / LSO, Rattle, Sunday 27 August 2023

[Simon B]

How large was the BBC SINGERS last evening? From its sound, my guess is that had their normal complement, c. 20.

It looked like 24 to me.


Re the Mahler:

Yes indeed it was magnificent. Words are superfluous.

This, essentially.

Live, it knocked everything else this year bar the 2x LPO Proms into the proverbial cocked hat to my ears. The preceding 2x Boston SO Proms were mostly beautifully played but rather safe and routine by comparison.

[edashtav]

It looked like 24 to me.


Re the Mahler:



This, essentially.

Live, it knocked everything else this year bar the 2x LPO Proms into the proverbial cocked hat to my ears. The preceding 2x Boston SO Proms were mostly beautifully played but rather safe and routine by comparison.

Thanks for the Count. i’d like to hear it, and particularly the vast, last chord sung by a large Choir.

[Maclintick]

Thanks for the Count. i’d like to hear it, and particularly the vast, last chord sung by a large Choir.

That would indeed be something, if only the large choir were up to the demands of this fiendishly difficult work. FWIW, all the available recordings are by pro chamber choirs of the calibre of Netherlands CC, Swedish CC, Tenebrae, The Sixteen, inter alia, so not really in line with Poulenc's wishes if he'd originally specified a choir of 200. In all honesty, I can't imagine a choir of anything like that size articulating "En chantant, les servantes s'élancent".

[Petrushka]

Thanks for the Count. i’d like to hear it, and particularly the vast, last chord sung by a large Choir.

The progamme book listed 24, as Simon B says, and also says that the 1945 first performance was given by the BBC Singers and Chorus which does suggest a large choir. I have the Tenebrae recording using a similarly small choir. Perhaps smaller forces can articulate better. There was certainly no lack of volume last night.

[Barbirollians]

The TV relay of this Prom is tomorrow but upgraded to BBCTwo from BBC Four.

[edashtav]

The progamme book listed 24, as Simon B says, and also says that the 1945 first performance was given by the BBC Singers and Chorus which does suggest a large choir. I have the Tenebrae recording using a similarly small choir. Perhaps smaller forces can articulate better. There was certainly no lack of volume last night.

I’m glad there was no lack of volume. As Maclintick notes hearing a performance with a Choir of 200 “would indeed be something”. I do realise that almost every recording is sung by a Chamber Choir for very good reasons: better articulation, tuning and blending. I suspect that the very best amateur voices selected acrossthe leading choral Societies / Choruses could rise to Poulenc’s challenge. I, for one, would be thrilled to hear the outcome!

[Pianoman]

The TV relay of this Prom is tomorrow but upgraded to BBCTwo from BBC Four.

Yes and according to Radio Times - 'Both pieces call upon the talents of the BBC Singers' - now that I have to watch !

[ardcarp]

From the posts above I'm a little confused about Poulenc's intention for the size of the choir. I understand that he agreed to the BBCS of 1945 to be augmented to 70, whereas he envisioned 200 voices. I'm nothing if not a Francophile, but regret to say that their tradition of choral singing has not been anywhere near the quality of the English...in the past 100 years anyway. Is the work ever performed in France? I'd be interested to know if any French Chamber Choir of the size of, say, the Sixteen (or indeed any size) has recorded Figure Humaine, and if it's available to listen to.

[underthecountertenor]

From the posts above I'm a little confused about Poulenc's intention for the size of the choir. I understand that he agreed to the BBCS of 1945 to be augmented to 70, whereas he envisioned 200 voices. I'm nothing if not a Francophile, but regret to say that their tradition of choral singing has not been anywhere near the quality of the English...in the past 100 years anyway. Is the work ever performed in France? I'd be interested to know if any French Chamber Choir of the size of, say, the Sixteen (or indeed any size) has recorded Figure Humaine, and if it's available to listen to.

There is a recording by Accentus under Laurence Equilbey, as I recall. And there is no shortage of decent French chamber choirs these days.

[Barbirollians]

Well that deserved all the plaudits both the Poulenc and Mahler 9 performances and having only Dame Sheila Hancock as a guest rather than some pretentious talking heads was a definite plus especially when she put the boot in to the BBC for nearly ending the BBC singers.

[ardcarp]

Underthecountertenor,,,,,,this one; https://www.discogs.com/release/1012...Figure-Humaine

I must try to get a copy. Yes, Accentus are good.

[Rolmill]

Underthecountertenor,,,,,,this one; https://www.discogs.com/release/1012...Figure-Humaine

I must try to get a copy. Yes, Accentus are good.

There is also this one from 1987: Poulenc, Groupe Vocal De France, John Alldis – Chœurs Profanes A Cappella (1994, CD) - Discogs

One to a part, slightly rough round the edges, but still sounds good to my ears - in fact the whole CD is most enjoyable.

[Sir Velo]

Well never thought I'd live to see the day when a Poulenc vocal work got more Forum responses than a Mahler symphony, and not any old Mahler symphony, but the 9th to boot!

Only listened to the first three movements to date and so far, mighty impressed by the LSO's virtuosity. Not sure what Kate Molleson was on about with her "spoiler alert" about the finale though; "Yes, dear, you're not the only one to know the piece you know!".

[Simon B]

Well never thought I'd live to see the day when a Poulenc vocal work got more Forum responses than a Mahler symphony...

It is notable, certainly. What this means is anyone's guess.

Having done something I essentially never do (watching the relay of a Prom I was at in person) on the Mahler I'm sticking largely with:

Words are superfluous.

A few contradictions of this promise would be:

* The best is still to come if you've not yet heard the last movement
* Watching it on TV did reveal some tempo choices and imperfect ensemble that I was oblivious to on the night
* Tim Jones deserves some sort of special achievement award for absolutely magnificent, emotional horn playing, even by his standards. The whole section were extraordinary throughout.

[Joseph K]

Looking forward to watching the Mahler, which I recorded...