Prom 43: Tuesday 16th August at 7.00 p.m. (Copland, Bax, Bartok, Barber, Prokofiev)

[Guest]

I am intending to go to this, even though it means quite a long journey, as I am dying to hear the Bax No. 2 live - something I have never done before, even though I've known the work for many years on record. To my mind Bax's symphonies should be perfect for the Proms - why, do people think, are they are so rarely done?

[Eine Alpensinfonie]

Andrew Litton and the RPO perform a programme by composers who have something, or someone, in common: Boston Symphony Orchestra conductor Serge Koussevitzky. Copland's Fanfare was later incorporated into his Third Symphony, written for the Koussevitzky Music Foundation, which also commissioned Bartók at a time when he found himself in grave financial difficulty. Tonight, Yuja Wang makes her Proms debut in his fiendishly difficult Concerto No 2. Koussevitzky also championed Barber's music in the 1940s, and the original version of Prokofiev's Fourth Symphony was commissioned for the BSO's 50th anniversary and premiered under him.

Copland: Fanfare for the Common Man
Bax: Symphony No. 2
Barber: Adagio for Strings
Bartok: Piano Concerto No. 2
Prokofiev: Symphony No. 4 (revised version, 1947)

Yuja Wang (piano)
Royal Philharmonic Orchestra
Andrew Litton (conductor)

[Tevot]

Hmmm. It seems a rather odd potpourrit does this concert. Will certainly listen in though.

If you are interested here are a couple of reviews of Yuja Wang's recent concerts which included Bartok 2. Should be interesting to see whether she gels with the RPO.

http://www.seenandheard-international.com/2011/06/22/yuja-wangs-bartok-frustrates-and-exhilarates-by-turns-in-san-francisco/

http://latimesblogs.latimes.com/culturemonster/2011/08/music-review-yuja-wang-lionel-bringuier-at-the-hollywood-bowl.html

Best Wishes,

Tevot

[Eine Alpensinfonie]

It's a 3-parter too.

[Bax-of-Delights]

I shall - surprise, suprise - be at this concert. This is the first outing ever for Bax 2 at the Proms. That, in itself, merits comment and the fact that it is over 50 years since any Bax symphony has been played at the Proms could be an opening for a lengthy debate.

I can only presume that it was premiered in America in 1929 (presumably under Koussevitsky) and that is the reason for its inclusion in this programme which looks a bit of a mish-mash I have to say. It does, however, look out of place in such company and knowing all these pieces (don't we ALL know the Copland and Barber SO well courtesy of R3?) I cannot see the logical musical connection...but maybe I'm missing something.

Bax 2 was the very first symphony I came across on the old Lyrita LP series with Myer Fredman conducting the LPO and has always remained one of my favourites.
Bax himself was fairly contemptuous of reading any emotional "message" into his music but one cannot help but think that the fiery relationship he continued with Harriet Cohen with its thunderous rows has had to have some effect on his writings and indeed in the years of the writing of this symphony, 1924-26, there were more than a fair share of tumultous upheavals in their relationship. That he stuck with her for so long while having a long-term relationship with another woman - Mary Gleaves - about whom HC knew nothing for nearly 20 years says something about his ability to endure emotional turmoil. One cannot but believe that some of this plays out in his music...

[prokkyshosty]

I'm very much looking forward to this one, not only because in 20 odd years of Prokofiev fandom, I've never seen his 4th symphony live, but also because I like this idea of two intermissions. Makes it seem like more of an event!

As for the mish-mash complaints, are we ignoring the first post, which explicitly states that all five works were either commissioned by or championed by Koussevitsky? I think this makes for a very interesting programme -- I remember seeing a similar concert at RFH a number of years ago featuring works commissioned by Rostropovich. The works ran the gamut from Schnittke to the last piece William Walton composed.

[Bax-of-Delights]

I'm very much looking forward to this one, not only because in 20 odd years of Prokofiev fandom, I've never seen his 4th symphony live, but also because I like this idea of two intermissions. Makes it seem like more of an event!

As for the mish-mash complaints, are we ignoring the first post, which explicitly states that all five works were either commissioned by or championed by Koussevitsky? I think this makes for a very interesting programme -- I remember seeing a similar concert at RFH a number of years ago featuring works commissioned by Rostropovich. The works ran the gamut from Schnittke to the last piece William Walton composed.

I'm not really complaining. Any programme with Bax symphony will suit me!

[french frank]

I'm coming up for this one too. Bax, Bartók and Prokofiev sound like a lot of bangs for a Prommer's bucks . Also Yuja Wang is an attraction.

[Serial_Apologist]

Hadn't planned on going - still in 2 minds about it; the Barber and the Copland, both of which I detest but are short, alternating between what must surely count as Bax's most gothic (small G ) outpouring, and arguably the most thrilling piano concerto ever composed - Bartok at his most manic - but concluding with what for me is Prokofiev's most indigestible piece of musical date & walnut. An endurance test for even the longest attention span I would have thought, even allowing for the breaks.

If the Bartok had been placed at the end, the audience would for sure have left feeling elated.

S-A

[french frank]

Hadn't planned on going - still in 2 minds about it; the Barber and the Copland, both of which I detest but are short, alternating between what must surely count as Bax's most gothic (small G ) outpouring, and arguably the most thrilling piano concerto ever composed - Bartok at his most manic - but concluding with what for me is Prokofiev's most indigestible piece of musical date & walnut. An endurance test for even the longest attention span I would have thought, even allowing for the breaks.

If the Bartok had been placed at the end, the audience would for sure have left feeling elated.

S-A

Well, they'll still get their money's worth if they don't bother to come back after the second interval

[prokkyshosty]

I'm not really complaining. Any programme with Bax symphony will suit me!

Needless to say, my first Bax #2 as well!

And yes, the presence of Yuja Wang does not spoil the evening in any way.

[morebritishmusicplease]

I agree that the programme is a bit of a mish-mash musically, even if there is some kind of historic link between the pieces - and maybe a bit on the long side, too. I mean - two substantial symphonies in one concert, for a start! I am going mainly for theBartok and specially for the Bax. Not even sure if I will stay for the Prokofiev! I think people will be impressed with Bax No. 2 - it's a powerful and brilliant work, and hopefully it will make people start asking why we don't hear these symphonies live more often. Bax was considered far and away the most important British symphonist after Elgar for a long time (and apart from Walton's two wonderful works, I think he still is!).
One point to 'Bax-of-Delights', though - unless my memory is playing tricks with me I am pretty sure I heard the 7th Symphony at the Proms some years ago. Which is no excuse for ignoring the other six, of course!

[Bax-of-Delights]

One point to 'Bax-of-Delights', though - unless my memory is playing tricks with me I am pretty sure I heard the 7th Symphony at the Proms some years ago. Which is no excuse for ignoring the other six, of course!

Hi morebritishmusicplease,

I've just checked the proms archive and no.7 was last performed - wait for it! - 60 years ago exactly. The most recently performed Symphony was no.5 in 1984 - just its second outing. Unbelievably no.1 was last performed back in 1930. Most performances of Bax symphonies ceased in the 50's, shortly after his death. Presumably it was assumed that since the Master of the Queen's Music was no longer around he could be safely ignored in favour of the more "hip" composers of the day. Ooh, where are they now I wonder?

As I am coming up from deepest Sussex for this one I may be tempted to vacate the hall before the Prokofiev. Queuing for the 52 and looking at the watch anxiously is not my idea of fun after what I hope will be an exhilirating evening.

[Eine Alpensinfonie]

As I am coming up from deepest Sussex for this one I may be tempted to vacate the hall before the Prokofiev. Queuing for the 52 and looking at the watch anxiously is not my idea of fun after what I hope will be an exhilirating evening.

At least you won't be leaving the hall while the music is being played. In te Spa Grand Hall, Scarborough, it is common for people of a certain age to shuffle out near the end of a concert (in full flow) in order to be first on the cliff lift up to the Esplanade.

[Eine Alpensinfonie]

Prokofiev's getting quite an airing this year, with another two symphonies in a week's time.