Televised Proms

[oddoneout]

Freddie Kempf's performances of the Chopin Etudes were on BBC4, not Channel 4. IIRC they were often the first programme of the evening, so on at about 7 pm. Most of them were only about 5 minutes in length.

They have reappeared occasionally to fill slots in the schedule (often when another broadcast of a concert or other classical programme falls short of the allotted 90 minutes or 2 hours).

Channel 4 did show operas and other classical music when it first started, but it has long since given up on such highbrow activities preferring reality shows like Big Brother. In the 80s it was possible to see an opera every Sunday afternoon in the regular "Opera on 4" slot.

As I mentioned earlier, for as long as BBC4 have been showing the Proms, a disproportionate number of non-classical proms have been included in the TV broadcasts. This has become more apparent following the reduction in televised proms in the last few years as we still get all, or most of, the non-classical proms being shown, but because the total number has reduced by about a third, there is less space now for actual classical proms.

I bet the BBC still count the non-classical proms as part of their total number of classical broadcasts for the year on the basis that they are 'proms' and its apparently the 'greatest festival of classical music in the world'.

Memory failure there then! I did get some bits right - there was a 4 involved and the composer and performer were correct...
I remember the C4 operas as they were family viewing - happy days. I don't suppose my children have heard, let alone seen, an opera since, but at least that is their informed choice rather than imposed through lack of introduction.

[Ein Heldenleben]

Memory failure there then! I did get some bits right - there was a 4 involved and the composer and performer were correct...
I remember the C4 operas as they were family viewing - happy days. I don't suppose my children have heard, let alone seen, an opera since, but at least that is their informed choice rather than imposed through lack of introduction.

Not to mention ITV Granada’s opera relays and Southern TV’s Glyndebourne relays .It truly was a different era when TV executives felt an obligation to show the highest points of European culture to a mass audience. I fear that if you said that at a modern tv scheduling meeting you’d be dismissed as mad.

[LMcD]

Not to mention ITV Granada’s opera relays and Southern TV’s Glyndebourne relays .It truly was a different era when TV executives felt an obligation to show the highest points of European culture to a mass audience. I fear that if you said that at a modern tv scheduling meeting you’d be dismissed as mad.

... On 31/12/2007 Channel 5 broadcast 'Oh Thou Transcendent' - a 150-minute film by Tony Palmer about the life and works of Vaughan Williams.

[Anastasius]

At least with the choice of music the two presenters will fit right in. Another reason to give the programmes a miss.

[Simon B]

...The 24 concerts include the following...

Prom 21: John Wilson’s American Greats at the Proms – broadcast on BBC Four on Sunday 4 August, presented by Georgia Mann
...

A pedant writes:

Copland: Billy the Kid
Charles Ives: The Unanswered Question
John Adams: Harmonielehre (all 40+ minutes of what basically amounts to a symphony)

Yes, the programme also includes Barber's Adagio and Rhapsody in Blue. Nevertheless, if this isn't a concert of proper classical music for symphony orchestra, what is?

All played by the Sinfonia of London - which usually ends up being many of the principals of the LSO plus whoever else is available from the usual suspects on the circuit. Not forgetting Steven Osborne on the Joanna.

Doesn't belong on the offenders list.

[french frank]

A pedant writes:

Copland: Billy the Kid
Charles Ives: The Unanswered Question
John Adams: Harmonielehre (all 40+ minutes of what basically amounts to a symphony)
[...]
Doesn't belong on the offenders list.

Fair point. I didn't check the list of works, just the title of the Prom and conductor so was expecting the GAS or MGM musicals.

[LMcD]

A pedant writes:

Copland: Billy the Kid
Charles Ives: The Unanswered Question
John Adams: Harmonielehre (all 40+ minutes of what basically amounts to a symphony)

Yes, the programme also includes Barber's Adagio and Rhapsody in Blue. Nevertheless, if this isn't a concert of proper classical music for symphony orchestra, what is?

All played by the Sinfonia of London - which usually ends up being many of the principals of the LSO plus whoever else is available from the usual suspects on the circuit. Not forgetting Steven Osborne on the Joanna.

Doesn't belong on the offenders list.

[oddoneout]

A pedant writes:

Copland: Billy the Kid
Charles Ives: The Unanswered Question
John Adams: Harmonielehre (all 40+ minutes of what basically amounts to a symphony)

Yes, the programme also includes Barber's Adagio and Rhapsody in Blue. Nevertheless, if this isn't a concert of proper classical music for symphony orchestra, what is?

All played by the Sinfonia of London - which usually ends up being many of the principals of the LSO plus whoever else is available from the usual suspects on the circuit. Not forgetting Steven Osborne on the Joanna.

Doesn't belong on the offenders list.

If it's good enough for Stephen Hough...

https://www.theguardian.com/music/article/2024/jul/16/the-proms-performers-pick-highlights-anna-clyne-dinis-sousa-stephen-hough

[Ein Heldenleben]

... On 31/12/2007 Channel 5 broadcast 'Oh Thou Transcendent' - a 150-minute film by Tony Palmer about the life and works of Vaughan Williams.

Yes indeed . I watched it live : a stunning piece of documentary making,

[Pulcinella]

Yes indeed . I watched it live : a stunning piece of documentary making,

In the days when live meant live?

[french frank]

If it's good enough for Stephen Hough...

Performers have no taste

Even admitting the programme is good Proms material, it seems an unusual one to single out as a special "treat". Stephen Hough has strong views about what's wrong with concerts too, and how they should change to attract younger audiences.

[burning dog]

In response to the opening post....

The first thing I'd ask is. Why the hell performers like Sam Smith and Florence and the Machine need the gig? Couldn't there be Pop Proms at others venues ? Even then why wolud the BBC promote 2 artists who I presume can still sell out large London venues at high prices or perform on the main stage at "Glasto"?(which sounds like something you take for constipation to me anyway)