Proms 2025

[Petrushka]

Picking up on a Facebook post, I see that Klaus Makela will be conducting the Concertgebouw Orchestra in two programmes on August 23 and 24.

August 23:
Schubert/Berio: Rendering
Mahler: Symphony No 5

August 24:
Mozart: Symphony No 31
Prokofiev: Violin Concerto No 1 (Janine Jensen)
Bartok: Concerto for Orchestra

[Darkbloom]

Only a month to go until that magical time of year when we can all join together and say that this year's programme is absolutely terrible and the whole season is a waste of time.

[Petrushka]

Only a month to go until that magical time of year when we can all join together and say that this year's programme is absolutely terrible and the whole season is a waste of time.

Can't wait! Seriously, though, I've heard a lot about Makela, some of it good but most of it bad or indifferent and this will be a chance to see what he can do. Even Karajan said that Mahler 5 was difficult so we will see.

[smittims]

Norbert Brainin said 'anything you play in public is difficult' which I thought a very wise thing to have said.

Drakbloom has a point. Every year I sigh with disappointment at the list of concerts but eventually find about a dozen I enjoy .

[LMcD]

Only a month to go until that magical time of year when we can all join together and say that this year's programme is absolutely terrible and the whole season is a waste of time.

I can confidently predict that it will be the best Proms season since last year's.

[duncan]

Only a month to go until that magical time of year when we can all join together and say that this year's programme is absolutely terrible and the whole season is a waste of time.

And six months before we all say there were some great concerts, some unexpected gems and - all told - it was a pretty good year.

[Darkbloom]

Every year I sigh with disappointment at the list of concerts but eventually find about a dozen I enjoy .

This has almost always been my experience. Initially a sense of deflation because expectations are always so high, but then I find at least ten that I want to go and see. It's so much to take in at once that it's not surprising that we make snap judgements that don't stand up to scrutiny. Of course there are always some who make a point of saying that this is another lacklustre season, just like the people who talk down the New Year's Day Concert.

[vinteuil]

Only a month to go until that magical time of year when we can all join together and say that this year's programme is absolutely terrible and the whole season is a waste of time.

... o, can I get in early and say all that now please?

[Darkbloom]

... o, can I get in early and say all that now please?

Pre-book to ensure disappointment?

[kernelbogey]

Pre-book to ensure disappointment?

You can't pre-book, you can only book

[LMcD]

You can't pre-book, you can only book

In the old days, our local cinema would proudly announce, during the main holiday season, that it was showing 'pre-release films'.

[vinteuil]

You can't pre-book, you can only book

... o, I'm herewith pre-booking my view that this year's Proms are " absolutely terrible and the whole season a waste of time" for the next lustrum - for the next decade...

.