Prom 51: Monday 22nd August 2011 at 7.30 p.m. (Wagner, Liszt, Volans, Brahms)

[Eine Alpensinfonie]

Wagner, Liszt and Brahms's First Symphony from Thomas Dausgaard and the BBC Symphony Orchestra, plus the world premiere of Kevin Volans's Piano Concerto for soloist Barry Douglas.

After the familiar strains of Wagner's rousing overture there's a real rarity: Liszt's La notte is an extended version of a piano piece from the Années de pèlerinage to which the composer added a middle section recalling his Hungarian roots. A late work that he wanted played at his own funeral, it is new to the Proms. So too is Kevin Volans's concerto, hot off the press and written for tonight's soloist. Expect the unexpected from a creative figure born in South Africa but now resident in Ireland whose output resists compartmentalisation.
The long shadow of Ludwig van Beethoven inhibited Brahms's early attempts at symphonic writing but he surpassed all expectations with the magnificence of his First Symphony.

Wagner: The Mastersingers of Nuremberg - Overture
Liszt: La Notte
Kevin Volans: Piano Concerto No. 3 (BBC Commission; World premiere)
Brahms: Symphony No. 1 in C minor

Barry Douglas (piano)
BBC Symphony Orchestra
Thomas Dausgaard (conductor)

[salymap]

Thought I'd rescue this from half way down page 2. Not getting much attention atm. What's Kevin Volans'
music like? Earlier works I mean of course?

[Serial_Apologist]

Early on he was somewhat influenced by Stockhausen but later, to replenish himself, he engaged with African music, especially rhythmically, simplifying his harmonic idiom in some parallels with Steve Reich. Not being too interested in Minimalism and its offshoots I've been out of touch with his stuff now for about 10 years.

[Alison]

I am sorry we are not to get JB tonight.

His Brahms has been well worth hearing IMHO.

Alas the orchestra sounded a bit approximate and flabby in the Wagner Overture. The ears are still tuned
in to that COE Brahms which, before anyone says it, makes for a very unfair comparison.

[BBMmk2]

Am I getting the feeling that, although at times the BBCSO are a premier orchestra, I don't think they are at their best this season?

[Petrushka]

Alas the orchestra sounded a bit approximate and flabby in the Wagner Overture. The ears are still tuned
in to that COE Brahms which, before anyone says it, makes for a very unfair comparison.

My impression. too. Wonder how much rehearsal time was left after the Volans.

[Alison]

Am I getting the feeling that, although at times the BBCSO are a premier orchestra, I don't think they are at their best this season?

Nobody has really beeen saying that so much this year. Compared to former seasons anyhow. I think they've been doing ok actually.

What is the chief conductor position now anyway ? Jiri leaving or what ?

[Serial_Apologist]

I've never much liked the Brahms 1 first movement, with its thumpty-dumpty rhythic slog - but this has to be one of the slowest performances I have heard. The second and third movements are not really slow movements and need to zing through with much more expressivo than here. And what's this accelerando applied to the main theme of the finale? Is it in the score? The spirit has picked up nicely in the final movement, though, the sighing introduction to the first statement of the "Bach chorale" wonderfully plangent, and the ending wrapped up so as to deserve the applause.

Will have to listen to the earlier part on Thursday.

S-A

[Petrushka]

Does anyone have any information regarding JB's health?

[amac4165]

I've never much liked the Brahms 1 first movement, with its thumpty-dumpty rhythic slog - but this has to be one of the slowest performances I have heard. The second and third movements are not really slow movements and need to zing through with much more expressivo than here. And what's this accelerando applied to the main theme of the finale? Is it in the score? The spirit has picked up nicely in the final movement, though, the sighing introduction to the first statement of the "Bach chorale" wonderfully plangent, and the ending wrapped up so as to deserve the applause.

Will have to listen to the earlier part on Thursday.

S-A

Nearly 50 mins by my watch - although didnt feel that slow in the hall - I only when out of interest I took a look at the watch did i notice the speed !

I think the ending was about as good an finish to it as I have heard. The less said about the rest of the concert the better !

[pilamenon]

I listened to the new work by Kevin Volans intently, and it really held my attention. Lovely sounds, each orchestral intervention clearly judged to make an impact, together with the changes in tempo/rhythm, and a wonderful period of near stasis about halfway through. Can definitely hear the influence of both Stockhausen and Reich referred to above. Best contemporary piece I've heard this season, and the works performed on the composer profile afterwards make me want to hear more!

[Lateralthinking1]

I listened to the Brahms last night as part of my ongoing attempt at self-education. I didn't like it anywhere near as much as the 3rd. While it struck me that the performance was probably excellent, it seemed very Beethoven to me. A lot of banging and crashing. Far less subtle. I would go back to the 3rd but probably not this one.

[Chris Newman]

I listened to the new work by Kevin Volans intently, and it really held my attention. Lovely sounds, each orchestral intervention clearly judged to make an impact, together with the changes in tempo/rhythm, and a wonderful period of near stasis about halfway through. Can definitely hear the influence of both Stockhausen and Reich referred to above. Best contemporary piece I've heard this season, and the works performed on the composer profile afterwards make me want to hear more!

I am afraid that was not the reaction of many people near the rail during the interval. The consensus was that people used words very similar to those uttered by RobertLeDiable when he described his reaction to the Larcher composition earlier in the week, namely, a pile of poo.

The reaction to Dausgaards Brahms 1 was very favourable. I found in very powerful with some delicious colouring. I did not find it slow in the slightest. It may have seemed longer because Dausgaard was the only conductor I can recall playing the Exposition Repeat in the First Movement. He conducted without a score and clearly knew what he wanted.

[Persephone]

The works performed by the RAM students in the Composer Profile concert afterwards were great !- I loved them.

[pilamenon]

I am afraid that was not the reaction of many people near the rail during the interval.

Sure, what do they know, anyway?

And what was your own view, Chris?

Listening to it in the context of the works featured later in the evening, I feel Volans has a recognisable voice of his own, which I rather liked.

Would be interested to hear Roehre's view, too.