Prom 1: First Night of the Proms: 14 July 2023

[Eine Alpensinfonie]

19:00 Friday 14 July 2023 ON TV
Royal Albert Hall

Sibelius: Finlandia
Bohdana Frolyak: Let There Be Light - BBC commission: world premiere
Grieg: Piano Concerto in A minor
Sibelius: Snöfrid
Britten: The Young Person’s Guide to the Orchestra

Paul Lewis, piano
BBC Singers
BBC Symphony Chorus
BBC Symphony Orchestra
Dalia Stasevska, conductor

The 2023 BBC Proms season gets off to a whirlwind start with a series of Nordic delights – from Grieg’s passionate Piano Concerto to Sibelius’s rousing statement of national identity, Finlandia. Britten’s The Young Person’s Guide to the Orchestra introduces each section of the orchestra from strings to timpani and is packed with earworms for all ages. Plus, a world premiere from Ukrainian composer, Bohdana Frolyak, about light which has to defeat darkness.

[Eine Alpensinfonie]

In view of the comments on another thread, maybe it's best not to switch on before 18:59.

[vinteuil]

In view of the comments on another thread, maybe it's best not to switch on before 18:59.

... in my case, 10 September

.

[Nick Armstrong]

... in my case, 10 September

.

[smittims]

I'll enjoy hearing the Sibelius., which I don't know. I remember the Grieg being done at the first night in 1965 or 66, the soloist FouT'Song.

[Petrushka]

Time was when the First Night consisted of a choral blockbuster (Mahler 8, Gurrelieder, Belshezzar's Feast, Verdi Requiem etc) and was one I frequently attended. There's nothing here to make me want to do the same again.

[Ein Heldenleben]

Looking at the blurb - The only ‘ear worm’ (horrible phrase) in the Young Person’s Guide was written by Purcell and it’s not much of one really. Who writes this stuff ?

[Serial_Apologist]

I'll enjoy hearing the Sibelius., which I don't know. I remember the Grieg being done at the first night in 1965 or 66, the soloist FouT'Song.

Hazarding a guess, I'd say you might change your mind!

I have to say, The Young Person's Guide, without the prim introductions of Peter Pears, will never do it for me! In any case the mini intervals between the variations make no musical sense without an announcer. Britten (or someone) should have composed an alternative version.

[Eine Alpensinfonie]

Looking at the blurb - The only ‘ear worm’ (horrible phrase) in the Young Person’s Guide was written by Purcell and it’s not much of one really. Who writes this stuff ?

Who indeed? Classic FM regular plays the Purcell bit and then stops, before announcing that it’s by Britten. On the other hand, CFM repeatedly credits Albinoni with that Adagio composed in the 1950s by Giazotto, even though they must know they’re not telling the truth. They frequently credit Hérold for the Clog Dance, with poor old Hertel never getting a mention. Radio3 blindly mimics CFM at every opportunity, so this perceived ignorance may well be deliberate.

[Ein Heldenleben]

Who indeed? Classic FM regular plays the Purcell bit and then stops, before announcing that it’s by Britten. On the other hand, CFM repeatedly credits Albinoni with that Adagio composed in the 1950s by Giazotto, even though they must know they’re not telling the truth. They frequently credit Hérold for the Clog Dance, with poor old Hertel never getting a mention. Radio3 blindly mimics CFM at every opportunity, so this perceived ignorance may well be deliberate.

Does Giazotto’s estate still get the royalties? . I believe he copyrighted his “arrangement “ or rather composition.

[Eine Alpensinfonie]

Does Giazotto’s estate still get the royalties? . I believe he copyrighted his “arrangement “ or rather composition.

He did indeed copyright it, meaning his estate can collect royalties until 31/12/2068

[Alison]

This is the sort of programme I’d like to see on the last night.

[Lordgeous]

Hazarding a guess, I'd say you might change your mind!

I have to say, The Young Person's Guide, without the prim introductions of Peter Pears, will never do it for me! In any case the mini intervals between the variations make no musical sense without an announcer. Britten (or someone) should have composed an alternative version.

I think its an excellent realisation of it's title and the return of Purcell's Theme at the end still sends a shiver up the spine.

[ahinton]

I will never forget the late and sorely missed Oliver Knussen calling Bartók's Concerto for Orchestra The Old Person's Guide to the Orchestra...

[Ein Heldenleben]

I will never forget the late and sorely missed Oliver Knussen calling Bartók's Concerto for Orchestra The Old Person's Guide to the Orchestra...

Much better work than Britten’s though isn’t it ?