Proms 2024

[Prommer]

All I can say is that the change happened between 1980 and 2015! In 1980 the BBC published a history (written by David Cox ) entitled 'The Henry Wood Proms' and by 2015 they were officially 'The BBC Proms'. Cox' book reveals that the name was owned by Wood himself and he allowed the BBC to use it unless or until they decided to stop broadcasting them. In fact the BBC withdrew from the 1940 amd '41 seasons which were sponsored by the RPS and featured the London Philharmonic Orchestra.

I think there was no BBC signage in the Hall until the late Noughties?

[Pulcinella]

I think there was no BBC signage in the Hall until the late Noughties?

Was it a bit noughtie of them to start promoting themselves?

[french frank]

Although, like others here, I'm against the popification of the Proms, I really was amused to see the ineffable Stephen Pollard in the Daily Torygraph writing apocalyptic nonsense.

Should have let him present his own short series on R3. That would have shut him up.

[LMcD]

I think there was no BBC signage in the Hall until the late Noughties?

I remember watching James Naughtie introducing a few Proms, but I don't know whether that was in the Noughties.

[Ein Heldenleben]

Although, like others here, I'm against the popification of the Proms, I really was amused to see the ineffable Stephen Pollard in the Daily Torygraph writing apocalyptic nonsense.

It's behind their paywall so I can't read the details but it's pretty clear what he's on about.
https://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/202...n-our-culture/

Well I took the trouble to read it and although he indulges in journalistic embellishment he’s not saying anything that people haven’t been saying in this forum sometimes in more “apocalyptic “ terms.There is no “war” on culture in the BBC just a lot of people who don’t really appreciate what used to be called high culture and believe that all culture especially music is of equal value.

Hence Sam Smith at the Proms, Were you to go to the Controller Radio 3 and say his music isn’t very good even by the hackneyed standards of contemporary pop he would say that’s just your opinion and your opinion is no more valuable than any one else’s . The fact that I know quite a bit about music and have invested quite a lot of time in getting to an advanced instrumental standard would count for nothing.

[Darkbloom]

Maybe we share appalling taste as I too think there is a lot to look forward to this year, more than for some time. The Busoni is a very rare sighting as you say, let alone the almost unheard 'Cloud Messenger'. The visiting orchestras are surely a fine line-up. Upthread someone else mentioned the Czech P.O. Concerts, including the Glagolitic Mass with the Prague Philhamonic Choir. I will also try to see the two Berlin Phil. and Bavarian R.S.O. concerts, Mutter playing Brahms with the West-Eastern Divan Orch., Bach Collegium Japan, and Les Arts Florissants...

In a much-diminished London orchestral scene I too am very much looking forward to this Proms season.

In my experience I usually groan with disappointment at first looking at the new season, and then find there's at least a dozen that I'd like to see. I think we start with such high expectations each time that it's inevitable that we are going to feel let down.

[Historian]

In my experience I usually groan with disappointment at first looking at the new season, and then find there's at least a dozen that I'd like to see. I think we start with such high expectations each time that it's inevitable that we are going to feel let down.

Agreed that this is often what happens.

[Barbirollians]

I hope Stephen gets his full fee . Not bad for ten minutes work (and a lifetime of practice)
Just looked at the score - he should definitely charge full whack.

Sir Stephen’s defence is bilge . Nobody has played only one movement from a concerto on the last night since at least 1951 . Curzon jn 1959 played the Emperor ,Argerich in 1966 Prokofiev 3 - even recently we have had Grosvenor in Shostakovich 2 .

[AuntDaisy]

Although, like others here, I'm against the popification of the Proms, I really was amused to see the ineffable Stephen Pollard in the Daily Torygraph writing apocalyptic nonsense.
It's behind their paywall so I can't read the details but it's pretty clear what he's on about.
https://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/202...n-our-culture/

Thanks Rcartes. If you're quick with "Select All" & "Copy", you can look before the Paywall slams down, (which bit of naughtiness brings a warm glow.)

The ending made me smile...

...
The real sin of much classical music, according to the Arts Council, is not just that so many of the greatest composers are no longer in a position to compose, what with their being six feet under. It’s that they dared to compose masterpieces which audiences have turned to for decades or even centuries
...
Bloody Beethoven and his hierarchical string quartets.
This is the context in which the world’s greatest classical music festival... believes that it has to include the likes of Sam Smith, who appears to be better known for his outre clothes than his music.
Mind you, Wagner was a snazzy dresser for his time.

[gurnemanz]

I've been going to the Proms since 1968, attending, I think, every year, even when working in Germany for five years. I never go more than 2-3 times. Now in our 70s we still usually stand ..... except for Wagner. There is always something worth going to and the selection this year seems to be up to a pretty good standard.

If they include the occasional non-classical concert it is OK by me - I don't have to listen if it is not to my taste. I know nothing whatsoever about Sam Smith (except the ale, as already mentioned, or the tennis commentator) but if he/she is disliked by the Telegraph it must have something going for it and I might investigate.

We even went to one non-classical event - the folk evening a few years ago. Well worth attending even if it did involve glimpsing Roger Wright in blue jeans.

Some adverse comments were made on here about Das Lied von der Erde recently being split over several days on R3. I agree that this is a bonkers idea but was reminded that in 1972 I attended the Proms Boulez Parsifal which was spread over two nights - Tuesday and Thursday (standing, of course, I was a bit younger then). No one would go with me and it is the only Prom I have ever attended on my own.

[french frank]

We even went to one non-classical event - the folk evening a few years ago. Well worth attending even if it did involve glimpsing Roger Wright in blue jeans.

Perfectly pressed blue jeans! (I saw the photo).

[Ein Heldenleben]

I've been going to the Proms since 1968, attending, I think, every year, even when working in Germany for five years. I never go more than 2-3 times. Now in our 70s we still usually stand ..... except for Wagner. There is always something worth going to and the selection this year seems to be up to a pretty good standard.

If they include the occasional non-classical concert it is OK by me - I don't have to listen if it is not to my taste. I know nothing whatsoever about Sam Smith (except the ale, as already mentioned, or the tennis commentator) but if he/she is disliked by the Telegraph it must have something going for it and I might investigate.

We even went to one non-classical event - the folk evening a few years ago. Well worth attending even if it did involve glimpsing Roger Wright in blue jeans.

Some adverse comments were made on here about Das Lied von der Erde recently being split over several days on R3. I agree that this is a bonkers idea but was reminded that in 1972 I attended the Proms Boulez Parsifal which was spread over two nights - Tuesday and Thursday (standing, of course, I was a bit younger then). No one would go with me and it is the only Prom I have ever attended on my own.

close Gurnemanz - but singer Sam Smith is they / them .In terms of their music the Telegraph is bang on for once,

[duncan]

All I can say is that the change happened between 1980 and 2015! In 1980 the BBC published a history (written by David Cox ) entitled 'The Henry Wood Proms' and by 2015 they were officially 'The BBC Proms'.

Proms 91, BBC Proms 92, if commemorative mugs are anything to go by.



This is a good opportunity to renew my request for people to scour their cupboards for mugs from 1990 and 2013.

[Prommer]

Proms 91, BBC Proms 92, if commemorative mugs are anything to go by.



This is a good opportunity to renew my request for people to scour their cupboards for mugs from 1990 and 2013.

Excellent! If we cannot be definitive on the programmes front, nor the Hall signage, this is the next best thing!

[alywin]

Well, the BBC were so quiet about announcing the Proms season this year that I didn't even register it had happened!

It does strike me, however, on the odd occasions that I've actually been listening properly to In Tune recently, that there do seem to be a lot of (young?) musicians appearing on it who say they're happy to play other forms than classical, and that they don't feel constrained to play only classical, so perhaps this is just a trend?