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

[salymap]

7pm to 10.30pm. The BBC don't think of the surburban prommer [why should they, the best people live nearby?] The proms Preview looks interesting. I shall split it all up on iplayer personally.

[BBMmk2]

I shall be at this Prom tonight! I be coming in my casuals!!(!?!?!?) I be wearing a polo shirt grey in colour with horizontal white stripes, and black jeans. Maybe with a pint of Spitfire in my hand top!! Saw this on Sunday! Spitfire off tap! Gorgeous! See any of you there perhaps?

The programme is quite well connected as EA pointed out earlier. Can't wait! Hope I can get back alright!!

[Colonel Danby]

I've loved and admired Bax's 2nd Symphony for nigh on 25 years, when I acquired Jack Thomson's recording on Chandos: a most powerful and tempestuous masterpiece: it's all about his relationship with Harriet Cohen, whom I detest with a will. Since then I have Tod Handley on his complete set, and David Lloyd Jones on Naxos. Needless to say I haven't heard it live, and certainly not at the Proms. I've been re-reading Lewis Foreman's splendid biography in preparation.

Alas, this is why I won't be able to make it over from Germany for tonight's Prom: a tragedy I know, but I will listen in with a nice glass of wine in hand, and envy all those promenaders who will be hearing it for the first time. Believe me, it will knock their socks off.

[Bax-of-Delights]

I shall be at this Prom tonight! I be coming in my casuals!!(!?!?!?) I be wearing a polo shirt grey in colour with horizontal white stripes, and black jeans. Maybe with a pint of Spitfire in my hand top!! Saw this on Sunday! Spitfire off tap! Gorgeous! See any of you there perhaps?

The programme is quite well connected as EA pointed out earlier. Can't wait! Hope I can get back alright!!

If I catch sight of you brassbandmaestro I'll wave. If I remember aright you're a little further up the Brighton line from me. I'm slightly worried about the finishing time as I cannot bear to have to rush to Victoria to get the last train at 11.32. It only needs a couple of full 52's to sail on by and we'll be in the soup.

[Bax-of-Delights]

I've loved and admired Bax's 2nd Symphony for nigh on 25 years, when I acquired Jack Thomson's recording on Chandos: a most powerful and tempestuous masterpiece: it's all about his relationship with Harriet Cohen, whom I detest with a will.

Strangely, the other day I was fingering a biography of William Gerhardie, a virtually forgotten novelist of the first half of the 20th century. Flicking through the pictures I recognised a familiar face staring out at me. Dear Harriet Cohen! It would appear that while Arnold Bax could accurately be described as a "ladies man" (or philanderer if you will), our Harriet was not averse to a sideline fling herself. Gerhardie had been one of her many "beaus" although he came to dislike her intensely, portraying her in a fairly unflattering light in his novel "Pending Heaven".

[BBMmk2]

I adored the performance of Spring Fire recently at the proms, well, a few years back!!

I try and respond to your wave B-o-D!!

[jillfc]

Someone's got to stand up for Prokofiev 4, so it might as well be me. I love this piece in both its versions. I remember a splendid occasion a few years ago with the BBCSO at the Maida Vale studios, when Edward Downes talked about and conducted them both. I'm glad that we're getting the revision this evening: it is, I think, more satisfying; but given the relative rarity of performances, I'd make real efforts to attend a concert that included either.

So I shall certainly be there tonight, and I hope the doubters stay to the end and find themselves rewarded by the experience.

[BBMmk2]

Hello Jillfc! I love all Prokovief's symphonies! It's good to see them being performed at the Proms. I hope I be able to stay to watch it!

[Colonel Danby]

I also adore Prokofiev, particularly the Symphonies, almost even as much as I worship Arnold Edward Trevor Bax, so I shall certainly been there till the bitter end (if only in spirit). I've got the revised version of the fourth with the RSNO under Järvi pere on Chandos, which is a lot better than the original I believe.

I'm really looking forward to tonight's prom...

[Simon B]

Someone's got to stand up for Prokofiev 4

But not alone... The presence of Prokofiev 4 on the programme (especially in the 1947 version which I much prefer) is my reason for making the effort to go up to London again (after Swan Lake yesterday and before the Philhamonia tomorrow). Almost all the Prokofiev symphonies are a must-see for me, with the possible exceptions of 1 & 2...

The alleged "problem" with both 3 and 4 evades me. Mention of Downes is significant - his performances of the Prokofiev symponies with the BBCPO about 10 years ago introduced me to most of them (bar the overplayed 5). His advocacy demonstrated (to me at least) that the received wisdom that most of them are not top-drawer is wide of the mark.

The opportunity to hear a Bax symphony live is a significant side-benefit too. I don't think I've ever heard one live, though I have played in a peformance of 4 some years ago. I seem to recall hearing the Bax Violin Concerto (or was it viola) in Liverpool with V Handley some years ago, but must admit it made almost no impression at all to the point where I can't remember which instrument it was for. The symphonies are a different beast altogether, especially the brooding, angry 2. Though I do think 4 would be the best and most accessible choice at a Prom for a large audience most likely entirely unfamiliar with any of his works except perhaps Tintagel.

Talking of audiences, I'm a bit amazed this concert is sold out and has been for some time. An entire programme of largely unfamiliar works... Have masses really, seriously booked just to hear the Barber Adagio? I hope not, as it could make for an irritating level of inattention in such a long concert. We'll see...

[prokkyshosty]

It's sold out? Wow indeed! I do wonder how many people are really going to stick around for the third part, though.

Simon B, don't give up on Prokofiev's 2nd just yet! It really is a remarkable work in a fascinating 2 movement format based on Beethoven's last piano sonata. I do think Prokofiev 5, 6 and 7 are clearly the masterpieces, and 2, 3, 4 (and 4+) lie somewhere in the middle. The Classical Symphony I've heard too much to care any more about it.

[Serial_Apologist]

Having heard only the original version of Prokofiev 4, I just wish to apologise for my disparaging remarks in the earler message and any false impression made , and hope it will not have put anybody else off.

[jillfc]

And just to reassure those who are worried about transport home, if the programme runs anything like to time (ie with the third part starting around 9.20) then you should be away by 10pm - I've never heard a performance of the revised version that lasts longer than 40 minutes. So I hope the arena and gallery will be full of Prokofievians.

[Serial_Apologist]

Prokofievians. Hmm. Try saying that after a few!

[PJPJ]

And just to reassure those who are worried about transport home, if the programme runs anything like to time (ie with the third part starting around 9.20) then you should be away by 10pm - I've never heard a performance of the revised version that lasts longer than 40 minutes. So I hope the arena and gallery will be full of Prokofievians.

This one lasted a smidgeon under 40 minutes, and I thought it excellent. Furthermore, the whole programme seemed to work very well. Andrew Litton and the band must be absolutely bushed.