Prom 23: Rachmaninov / Busoni, LPO / LP Choir / Rodolfus Choir, Grosvenor / Gardner

[bluestateprommer]

Monday 5 August 2024
19:30
Royal Albert Hall

Rachmaninov: Symphonic Dances, op. 45

Interval

Busoni: Piano Concerto
[Encore: J. S. Bach: Prelude in B minor, BWV 923 (arr. Alexander Siloti)]

Benjamin Grosvenor, piano

Mens' voices from The Rodolfus Choir
Mens' voices from the London Philharmonic Choir
London Philharmonic Orchestra

Edward Gardner, conductor

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

https://www.royalalberthall.com/tickets/proms/bbc-proms-24/prom-23/

https://www.bbc.co.uk/programmes/m0021jyt

[Norrette]

There's an excellent article in the Graun online today. Written by Grosvenor himself. I've never heard this piece by Busoni, but from the first few bars on you tube it sounds as good as he relates. Wish I had a ticket now.

[oddoneout]

There's an excellent article in the Graun online today. Written by Grosvenor himself. I've never heard this piece by Busoni, but from the first few bars on you tube it sounds as good as he relates. Wish I had a ticket now.

https://www.theguardian.com/music/article/2024/jul/30/busoni-piano-concerto-proms-2024-benjamin-grosvenor

[smittims]

The Busoni concerto could have been written for an Albert Hall Prom. It really is a sacred monster, the ultimate piano concerto, a sort of five-course luxury meal of a piece. And unlike so many, it has a really satisfying conclusion.

[edashtav]

Sacred or profane smittims?

[Pulcinella]

The Busoni PC in my collection (actually originally my partner's: no idea why/when he bought it) is with Volker Banfield and the Bavarian Symphony Orchestra and Chorus, under Lutz Herbig.
I have no recollection of it but I'm sure I must have spun it once.
Might give it another whirl before the Prom.

[pastoralguy]

I have the legendary recording from the late, great John Ogdon. In his biography, his mother had to wrap his hands in bandages since they started to bleed with his incessant work on this score.

[silvestrione]

https://www.theguardian.com/music/ar...amin-grosvenor

Thanks for this. It is an excellent article, indeed, and makes one look forward to the performance.

[Kingfisher]

One not to miss. Plenty of tickets still available.

[eighthobstruction]

....well I'm sure Karl Lutchmayer will have had his athletes pasta and chicken for lunch to give him good stamina....and possibly an ice bath ready for when he finishes....loooking forward to this - I've never heard it before....

[edashtav]

One not to miss. Plenty of tickets still available.

Housebound status inhibits my attendance but I"m looking forward to the broadcast on R.3.

[Alison]

The LPO are playing like angels tonight ??

[Ein Heldenleben]

The LPO are playing like angels tonight ??

You have taken the words out of my mouth .

It might have been “ super virtuosi” last night but this is orchestral playing of the very highest order .

and with his phrase shaping and ease of rubato Ed Gardner is “playing “ with the freedom of a solo pianist .

Dare one say Rachmaninov ?

It’s absolutely exceptional …

the software has converted your question marks into double thumbs up which is spooky but accurate !

[Pulcinella]

The LPO are playing like angels tonight ??

Surely more like Rice Krispies?
According to the BBC blurb:

Before it [the Busoni], Edward Gardner and his London Philharmonic forces whet the appetite with the snap, crackle and pop of Rachmaninov’s riveting Symphonic Dances.

[Ein Heldenleben]

Surely more like Rice Krispies?
According to the BBC blurb:

Before it [the Busoni], Edward Gardner and his London Philharmonic forces whet the appetite with the snap, crackle and pop of Rachmaninov’s riveting Symphonic Dances.

Oh dear. This string playing in the slow movement is like the most exquisite soufflé…