Prom 33: Monday 8th August at 7.30 p.m. (Scandinavian music)

[Eine Alpensinfonie]

The Royal Stockholm Philharmonic Orchestra comes to the Proms with its new Chief Conductor, Sakari Oramo.

Sibelius claimed that his magical Sixth Symphony would offer the public 'pure cold water' rather than the 'cocktails' composed by his contemporaries. A contrasting symphony ends this concert: Nielsen's extrovert Fourth Symphony, which emerges from the dark days of the First World War.

Between these two symphonies, the critically-acclaimed young German-Japanese pianist, Alice Sara Ott, makes her Proms debut playing the ever popular Grieg Concerto.

Sibelius: Symphony No. 6 in D minor
Grieg: Piano Concerto in A minor
Nielsen: Symphony No. 4, 'Inextinguishable'

Alice Sara Ott (piano)
Royal Stockholm Philharmonic Orchestra
Sakari Oramo (conductor)

[Tevot]

This could be a hum-dinger of a concert. Must admit to finding Sibelius 6 elusive - it starts off beautifully and then meanders. Will certainly be listening to see whether I can "crack" it this time.

Best Wishes,

Tevot

[Eine Alpensinfonie]

This could be a hum-dinger of a concert. Must admit to finding Sibelius 6 elusive - it starts off beautifully and then meanders. Will certainly be listening to see whether I can "crack" it this time.

Don't give up on this one, Tevot. It's well worth the perseverance.

[Eine Alpensinfonie]

Just bumping this one to the top in anticipation of tonight's concert.

[Belgrove]

A sinewy and refined performance of Sibelius 6, which has such an ambiguous but affecting close, and beautifully executed here. I love this symphony, perhaps more than any other. It manages to convey so much without bombast or prolixity.

[Eine Alpensinfonie]

I know I tend to be a bit of a gusher at the present time, but I was unmoved by the Nielson this evening. Maybe I should listen again?

[DracoM]

Loved the Sibelius - love the enigmatic ending.
Underpowered Grieg IMO
Nielsen - well, it's a bit of a mess as a symphony, isn't it? CN never seemed to make up his mind what he was trying to do maybe. But I thought they did OK. I thought the tymps anarchy was supposed to be on snare drum? Or can they choose? if it had been snare, might it have added more edge to an otherwise limpish finale?

[Bryn]

I thought the tymps anarchy was supposed to be on snare drum? Or can they choose? if it had been snare, might it have added more edge to an otherwise limpish finale?

Ah, so to you the 4th and 5th are Indistinguishable, eh?

[amateur51]

Ah, so to you the 4th and 5th are Indistinguishable, eh?

[amac4165]

Just got back from the Hall (no riots to report) - best "symphonic" concert I have heard this year

Sibelius excellent - Grieg workman like - Nielsen - outstanding


Amac

[BudgieJane]

but I was unmoved by the Nielson this evening.

Sibelius excellent - Grieg workman like - Nielson - outstanding

Interesting. At the concert I attended, there wasn't a work by Nielson, whoever (s)he may be. There was one by Nielsen, however (and it was very good).

[amac4165]

Interesting. At the concert I attended, there wasn't a work by Nielson, whoever (s)he may be. There was one by Nielsen, however (and it was very good).

The perils of the FireFox spell-check plug in ! I will edit the post !

[Dave2002]

Just got back from the Hall (no riots to report) - best "symphonic" concert I have heard this year

Sibelius excellent - Grieg workman like - Nielsen - outstanding


Amac

I'm pretty much in agreement with you on this. I was in the circle. I enjoyed the first half, but from the very start of the Nielsen things went up several notches. Sounded superb to me.

To be fair I thought both the Sibelius and the Grieg were good - the Nielsen was something else.

[prokkyshosty]

I concur that this was the best orchestral concert of the proms so far. The playing was superb all the way 'round. I am a Nielsen 4th addict, and I was not disappointed at all!! It did seem like the orchestra went into overdrive for it -- really fantastic.

[jayne lee wilson]

"Whereof ye do not know, thereof be silent"
- Ludwig Wittgenstein.

For heaven's (or music's) sake DracoM, get yourself a few recordings of Nielsen 4, get Robert Simpson's book on the composer, and go back to school.

Loved the Sibelius - love the enigmatic ending.
Underpowered Grieg IMO
Nielsen - well, it's a bit of a mess as a symphony, isn't it? CN never seemed to make up his mind what he was trying to do maybe. But I thought they did OK. I thought the tymps anarchy was supposed to be on snare drum? Or can they choose? if it had been snare, might it have added more edge to an otherwise limpish finale?