Ah! Another new year, and another Proms season to look forward too. But, I wonder how many others are like me: looking forward with some trepidation? Yes, in the past few years there have been some high points. But, increasingly, there have been far too many lows. Dumbing down seems to have spread from Radio3 into the heart of the proms. Film musak, Dr. Who, Hollywood. The disasterous supposedly Radio2/3 collaboration concert of light music in last years season.
And then there are the BBC commissions of new pieces. These seem to fall into two catagories. They are either light music pastiches: obviously meant not to frighten the horses. Or, they are of the plink, plank, plonk school, usually perporting to have some mythologic meaning, but, in reality, meaningless unless being listened to with the aid of mind altering substances. Has anyone ever heard of these pieces again, I wonder..or even the composers.
Surely the BEEB can find some good modern composers, with somthing to say, and the musical ability to say it. Maybe they would have more success if the looked a little further than the College across the road from the Albert Hall!
Yes, I am looking forward to the 2014 Proms Season. But if the past few seasons are anything to go by, by the time the last night comes round, my balloon will be more than likely deflated.
And then there are the BBC commissions of new pieces. These seem to fall into two catagories. They are either light music pastiches: obviously meant not to frighten the horses. Or, they are of the plink, plank, plonk school, usually perporting to have some mythologic meaning, but, in reality, meaningless unless being listened to with the aid of mind altering substances. Has anyone ever heard of these pieces again, I wonder..or even the composers.
Surely the BEEB can find some good modern composers, with somthing to say, and the musical ability to say it. Maybe they would have more success if the looked a little further than the College across the road from the Albert Hall!
Yes, I am looking forward to the 2014 Proms Season. But if the past few seasons are anything to go by, by the time the last night comes round, my balloon will be more than likely deflated.
(well we can only hope 
)
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