Post Proms Blues

[jillfc]

This prom-goer goes to all the concerts that she wants/can get to in between prom seasons - though she is increasingly conscious that (in the same way that gin gets weaker and wine bottles smaller) the time to the beginning of the next season gets shorter as the years pass. So I shan't really miss the proms, because there's much to enjoy in the interim; and they'll be back again remarkably quickly. And the companionship of other prom-goers is somehow always known to be ephemeral, and perhaps in consequence the more to be treasured.

[cavatina]

And the companionship of other prom-goers is somehow always known to be ephemeral, and perhaps in consequence the more to be treasured.

True. I suppose that's why I flew out of the hall at the end of "Auld Lang Syne" without saying goodbye to anyone. I wanted to end the season on a high point-- "dropping the curtain", as it were, so I could remember everyone just as they were in a happy moment and create one final, perfect visual memory. Of course, some of the people I'll miss weren't there anyway, but it's the thought that counts! I took a long walk home, had a good cathartic cry and a handful of vitamins, "closed the chapter" and readied myself to move on. But really, many of us are still connected through Facebook, email, and the messageboards, aren't we? It's not like we're ever out of touch; no need to feel down on that account.

The next day, there were an awful lot of good concerts at Kings Place--not to mention Thomas Quasthoff singing some of my favourite Schumann and Wolf lieder at Wigmore Hall-- but I decided to go to Southbank for the Thames Festival and Night Carnival instead. No need to be narrow; there's a whole world out there.

Before the music season starts in a couple of weeks, I'm hoping to go to a lot more art museums, photography exhibitions and poetry events, and work on paintings of my own. I bought a fair amount of canvas in July, and only got around to tackling two of them...looking forward to it!

[Ventilhorn]

True. I suppose that's why I flew out of the hall at the end of "Auld Lang Syne" without saying goodbye to anyone. I wanted to end the season on a high point-- "dropping the curtain", as it were, so I could remember everyone just as they were in a happy moment and create one final, perfect visual memory. Of course, some of the people I'll miss weren't there anyway, but it's the thought that counts! I took a long walk home, had a good cathartic cry and a handful of vitamins, "closed the chapter" and readied myself to move on. But really, many of us are still connected through Facebook, email, and the messageboards, aren't we? It's not like we're ever out of touch; no need to feel down on that account.

The next day, there were an awful lot of good concerts at Kings Place--not to mention Thomas Quasthoff singing some of my favourite Schumann and Wolf lieder at Wigmore Hall-- but I decided to go to Southbank for the Thames Festival and Night Carnival instead. No need to be narrow; there's a whole world out there.

Before the music season starts in a couple of weeks, I'm hoping to go to a lot more art museums, photography exhibitions and poetry events, and work on paintings of my own. I bought a fair amount of canvas in July, and only got around to tackling two of them...looking forward to it!

Gordon Bennet!

[salymap]

As the Judge said, " who is Gordon Bennett?

[mercia]

one candidate

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Gordon_Bennett_(general)

[tony yyy]

Now I'm concentrating on getting my whole system back into balance by detoxing with a good dose of clean living: no alcohol or sugar, daily exercise, and a stiff round of vitamin therapy. Ask your doctor about supplements, but here's a passage from a journal article:

Nutrients commonly used in current treatment programs include niacin/niacinamide; B Complex vitamins especially B1, B5 and B6; antioxidants such as vitamin C and vitamin E; calcium and magnesium. Each of these facilitate a large number of metabolic processes and their deficiencies can be associated with mental disturbances. Some programs support nervous system restoration by including amino acids as neurotransmitter precursors and essential fatty acids.

Before taking any of this advice, I think members should bear in mind that this 'journal article' appears to come from the 'International Academy of Detoxification Specialists' web site, which in turn appears to be connected with Scientology, and was given at an 'International Conference on Chemical Contamination and Human Detoxification'. It was written by a well-known scientologoist, Kathleen Kerr MD. It all seems to be connected with Scientology's controversial 'Narconon' programme.

[cavatina]

Before taking any of this advice, I think members should bear in mind that this 'journal article' appears to come from the 'International Academy of Detoxification Specialists' web site, which in turn appears to be connected with Scientology, and was given at an 'International Conference on Chemical Contamination and Human Detoxification'. It was written by a well-known scientologoist, Kathleen Kerr MD. It all seems to be connected with Scientology's controversial 'Narconon' programme.

I don't have any association with Scientology whatsoever-- or indeed, give a two-fisted flying flip about anything related to their greasy-con-artist-infested "religion". One poorly-chosen link stating well-known effects that are available anywhere is no reason to ignore the beneficial effects of vitamin therapy on general health. Google or do a PubMed search on "cocaine vitamin depletion", "addiction dopamine", "detox vitamins", "drug addiction dopamine", "stress B vitamins" etc etc. and you'll see the same sort of information everywhere.

[Ruth Elleson]

As much as I love the Proms, I don't really miss them during the rest of the year. Though I have made a large circle of friends (or rather, several interlinking circles of friends) through the Proms, with whom I enjoy queueing over a glass of wine and game of cards, I don't miss how time-consuming the queueing is if you are in pursuit of a position near the front of the Arena, nor the amount of money one ends up spending on takeaway food and pub lunches. When I go to other concerts, I only need to be there 15 minutes before curtain-up; I can have dinner before I leave the office (my usual weekday MO is to reheat a portion of home-made food in the microwave) which costs me very little. I can also always set off for home - or for a quick drink with friends, then home - as soon as the concert is over, rather than staying around to help with the charity collection. Add to that the fact that the vast majority of London's classical concert and opera venues are directly on my way home from work - which the Royal Albert Hall, which doesn't put on many performances that are to my taste other than during Proms season, is not - and the Proms start to look like a bit of a pain in the neck in comparison with other concert attendance. I love them for two months of the year, but wouldn't want them all the time.

I am off to see Il trittico tonight at Covent Garden (standing - for budgetary reasons, not as a matter of principle!), then to the premiere of The Passenger next week at ENO followed by Christian Gerhaher's three Schubert song cycle concerts at the Wigmore Hall.
A handful of vocal recitals at the Barbican and RFH and several more opera visits make up the bulk of my Autumn entertainment, at the rate of about two a week. So I doubt I shall miss the Proms too much :)

[amac4165]

back on the WII for me !

[Lee McLernon]

Well my first week after the Proms is quite simple:

Monday: ROH - in conversation with Rene Pape
Tuesday: Stamford Bridge - Chelsea v Bayer Leverkusen
Wednesday: ROH - Jewels insight
Thursday: colleague's leaving drinks
Friday: Barbican - South Pacific
Saturday: ROH - Il Trittico
Sunday: ROH - Faust

[Serial_Apologist]

True. I suppose that's why I flew out of the hall at the end of "Auld Lang Syne" without saying goodbye to anyone. I wanted to end the season on a high point-- "dropping the curtain", as it were, so I could remember everyone just as they were in a happy moment and create one final, perfect visual memory.

I bet that left a great impression... "Oh yeah - she's the one who ****ed off without even saying goodbye to us"! Typical!

[Ventilhorn]

As the Judge said, " who is Gordon Bennett?

"Gordon Bennet" is an expression of astonishment. It neither praises nor condemns a situation or written text.

VH

[Osborn]

Cav: "I suppose that's why I flew out of the hall at the end of "Auld Lang Syne" without saying goodbye to anyone."

I bet that left a great impression... erm

It probably did; soaring onwards & upwards on her wings, clutching halo & Mulberry bag

[amac4165]

Tuesday: Stamford Bridge - Chelsea v Bayer Leverkusen

what are they doing ? I believe they did a very good Messiah last season !

I too am doing Saturday and Sunday at ROH but may have to forego Sunday as I will may be working. Luckily I have another ticket for the 24th

[cavatina]

Well my first week after the Proms is quite simple:

Monday: ROH - in conversation with Rene Pape
Tuesday: Stamford Bridge - Chelsea v Bayer Leverkusen
Wednesday: ROH - Jewels insight
Thursday: colleague's leaving drinks
Friday: Barbican - South Pacific
Saturday: ROH - Il Trittico
Sunday: ROH - Faust

That sounds fantastic! Which reminds me: every year, it's always so frustrating to be handed brochures that outline what's happening in London that I'm about miss by a week or two. Biggest teeth-gnasher this year? The Southbank Boulez series. Grrr...bah humbug! Oh well, hope someone here writes a review.