Prom 58: Debussy / Stravinsky / Berlioz, Orchestre de Paris, Doulcet / Mäkelä

[bluestateprommer]

Tuesday 3 September 2024
19:30
Royal Albert Hall

Debussy: Prélude à l’après-midi d’un faune
Stravinsky: Petrushka (1947 version)

Interval

Berlioz: Symphonie fantastique, op. 14

Jean-Baptiste Doulcet, pianist (Proms debut artist)
Orchestre de Paris
Klaus Mäkelä, conductor

https://www.bbc.co.uk/events/e8vhj5

https://www.royalalberthall.com/tickets/proms/bbc-proms-24/prom-58/

https://www.bbc.co.uk/programmes/m0022ct6

[bluestateprommer]

The Debussy just finished, It was OK, where KM definitely went for the languorous spirit of the work. Per Petroc, the piano is front and center for the Stravinsky.

[edashtav]

Klaus Mäkelä's interpretation of Petrushka was fine: full of life, colour and excellent control of rhythms. The Paris orchestra were on top form and Klaus allowed players with solo lines time to impose a personal shape on their contributions. One of the best performances which I have heard of this early 20th century classic score.

The Debussy was less sure-footed but the first flute made a good impression.

[Prommer]

Will need to listen to this, as only came in to hear the final few minutes...

[gedsmk]

What a great prom concert that was! The Berlioz reminded me of the stunning BRSO/Jansons in 2013. Available still on Youtube. A few slips in the woodwind but who cares. Tremendous stuff!

[edashtav]

What a great prom concert that was! The Berlioz reminded me of the stunning BRSO/Jansons in 2013. Available still on Youtube. A few slips in the woodwind but who cares. Tremendous stuff!

Yes, indeed: the best Berlioz that I've heard in this century. The only movement that didn't thrill me was the Ballroom scene which lacked the complete package of swirl and glitter. Elsewhere, speeds were sensible and the mood and character of the music were splendidly captured.

[Germanist]

Listening on line I thought the Stravinsky and Berlioz sounded very refined and polished, but often lacking in real visceral excitement. Did anyone else feel that, or was I just not registering something important?

[bluestateprommer]

Listening on line I thought the Stravinsky and Berlioz sounded very refined and polished, but often lacking in real visceral excitement. Did anyone else feel that, or was I just not registering something important?

I agree with your assessment on the Stravinsky in particular. The Berlioz was considerably more engaging, at least to me. In general, KM's readings are fairly neutral and don't draw attention to themselves, and this whole concert fit that overall ethos.

[duncan]

Listening on line I thought the Stravinsky and Berlioz sounded very refined and polished, but often lacking in real visceral excitement. Did anyone else feel that, or was I just not registering something important?

Klaus Mäkelä is good-looking and was wearing a beautifully tailored dinner jacket but is not my type nor that of my consort for the evening. Similarly, I could admire the music-making but it left me a bit cold for some reason. My loss I'm sure.

[Prommer]

Klaus Mäkelä is good-looking and was wearing a beautifully tailored dinner jacket but is not my type nor that of my consort for the evening. Similarly, I could admire the music-making but it left me a bit cold for some reason. My loss I'm sure.

Thanks for sharing…

[alywin]

What a great prom concert that was! The Berlioz reminded me of the stunning BRSO/Jansons in 2013. Available still on Youtube.

IS it? Thank you for that piece of information :)

[Barbirollians]

I have listened to the first half but after a morning when I have heard Ma Vlast and Bruckner 5 I might be a bit jaded but I tend to agree with those who felt that there was a bit of a lack of character in the Debussy and Stravinsky . There was nothing wrong with either and I enjoyed the playing in both but nor was I thrilled . The opening of Petrushka sounded a bit St Petersberg toyshop rather than rough circus square to my ears. The faun seemed rather well behaved.

[Barbirollians]

I thought the Berlioz a significant improvement on the first half - especially the third movement onwards.