Prom 56: Friday 26th August at 7.30 p.m. (Strauss, Mahler)

[Chris Newman]

It would have been good if he'd brought the Vienna Phil to the Proms to play it.

I think the standard of the BBCSO this season has almost equalled the VPO whilst the Philharmonia has equalled the VPO on a very good night.

[Petrushka]

I think you should hear Kondrashin with the Leningrad Philharmonic (1978) who gets us home in - wait for it - 65'40 without a 1st movement repeat (the exposition takes just over 4'00 so, pretty quick even with it). A reading of great intensity and shocking impact, and the 7th with the Leningrad PO in the same series is a truly great one too. (The gorgeously produced Melodiya box - artwork by William Blake, Alfred Roller, William Morris - has all but 2 & 8 - it's a great listen despite some dynamic compression in the earliest recordings).

I've long been meaning to investigate this Kondrashin set and am prompted to do so again! Incidentally, there is a very fine Mahlrt 7 from Kondrashin and the Concertgebouw in 1979 on the Tahra label. Well worth finding!

[BBMmk2]

Not to bad imo. Although the plodding opener I thought was rather fast. So far so go!

[Nick Armstrong]

I think this is a very good performance indeed.

Here we go for the last movement...




Plus Bychkov knows how to hold off the applause at the end, thank Gustav!!

A mighty achievement, that performance I think. More triumphant British orchestral playing

[Simon B]

Brassbandmaestro: If, as you've mentioned elsewhere, you think the BBCSO isn't sounding as convincing as in previous seasons we must be listening to different orchestras or something!

The transformation from the routinely lacklustre (and lacklustrely routine!) performances of the period around 5 years back (and rather too often during the Andrew Davis era too IMO) is very noticeable. Maybe the technical finesse isn't quite there to the same degree as e.g. the Philharmonia last week, but none of their Proms this season have sounded like the somewhat indifferent run-throughs of the past...

Mind you, Bychkov is clearly the business... Given that AIUI he's publicly stated he doesn't want the job of chief conductor of anything, let's hope that the BBCSO continue to book him for as many guest appearances as he's interested in making.

[pilamenon]

Indeed. What a wonderful work this is. And the correct order of middle movements tonight, too.

[makropulos]

Brassbandmaestro: If, as you've mentioned elsewhere, you think the BBCSO isn't sounding as convincing as in previous seasons we must be listening to different orchestras or something!

The transformation from the routinely lacklustre (and lacklustrely routine!) performances of the period around 5 years back (and rather too often during the Andrew Davis era too IMO) is very noticeable. Maybe the technical finesse isn't quite there to the same degree as e.g. the Philharmonia last week, but none of their Proms this season have sounded like the somewhat indifferent run-throughs of the past...

Mind you, Bychkov is clearly the business... Given that AIUI he's publicly stated he doesn't want the job of chief conductor of anything, let's hope that the BBCSO continue to book him for as many guest appearances as he's interested in making.

The transformation from the routinely lacklustre - nicely put, but you only need to go back about five weeks rather than five years. This sounded like a very different orchestra from the one that routinely (in every sense) plays for Belohlavek or Robertson. There was some simply wonderful playing tonight. As you say, Bychkov is phenomenal and I share your hopes about regular bookings - after the Verdi Requiem, and now this. The Mahler 6 had me absolutely transfixed listening on R3 tonight and after the first movement my wife asked "is this *really* the BBCSO?". Well yes - and bravo to them.

[Alison]

I think the orchestra has improved a lot in technical ability over recent months.

There seems to be a number of new players wth the brass in particular
being far more reliable this season.

It still needs a good conductor at the helm and tonight we got that in no uncertain fashion.

[Petrushka]

Brassbandmaestro: If, as you've mentioned elsewhere, you think the BBCSO isn't sounding as convincing as in previous seasons we must be listening to different orchestras or something!

The transformation from the routinely lacklustre (and lacklustrely routine!) performances of the period around 5 years back (and rather too often during the Andrew Davis era too IMO) is very noticeable. Maybe the technical finesse isn't quite there to the same degree as e.g. the Philharmonia last week, but none of their Proms this season have sounded like the somewhat indifferent run-throughs of the past...

Mind you, Bychkov is clearly the business... Given that AIUI he's publicly stated he doesn't want the job of chief conductor of anything, let's hope that the BBCSO continue to book him for as many guest appearances as he's interested in making.

I'd agree with this and also Caliban's message above. There has been a transformation in the BBCSO and if this is the quiet work of Belolhavek then all credit to him. Their playing for Bychkov tonight,in the Verdi Requiem and with Ed Gardner in Das Klagende Lied proves they are at the top of their game.

Freeview sound not so good tonight, Seemed at rather a low level meaning I had to boost the volume somewhat more than usual.

[makropulos]

Freeview sound not so good tonight, Seemed at rather a low level meaning I had to boost the volume somewhat more than usual.

Interesting (and strange!) - the sound was extremely good tonight on Freeview here at the volume I usually have it. I hadn't thought there would be regional differences, but perhaps there are.

Still shattered (in a good way) from the concert.

[Anna]

Loved the Mahler! : smiley: No sound problems on FreeSat. For those who missed it and prefer the repeats on FM rather than iplayer it's on this Sunday at 2pm

[Petrushka]

Interesting (and strange!) - the sound was extremely good tonight on Freeview here at the volume I usually have it. I hadn't thought there would be regional differences, but perhaps there are.

We are in the middle of going digital in the area where my transmitter is (East Mids) and that might be something to do with it though it is generally more reliable than it was. Don't get me wrong, though, it was still pretty good.

[jayne lee wilson]

Yes Petrushka, I too found myself boosting volume a little on the HDs stream, after which there was impact enough! I was impressed with the sound tonight overall, smooth, neutral and very clear.

A fine reading, carefully paced and shaped, with particular care taken over transparency - the ear constantly drawn to woodwind lines and figures even at the height of those ferocious climaxes. Bychkov really was concerned with audibility of these details which add so much to the expressive effect, since there is much more to this symphony than frenzy and bleak, crushing power. A few times in the finale, the tension dropped a little too much during quiet passages, but the conductor's long-term view meant that the intensity was at its greatest where it should be: in the central section with the hammer blows and the varied recap after the 2nd return of the intro. Wondrously voiced coda too - the low brass were outstanding throughout, and Bychkov again seemed to take especial care over the texture and audibility of lower-pitched instruments.

A strikingly sad, slow, less demonic scherzo, which made a greater contrast than usual with the moderately paced, classically shaped 1st movement. Yes, a fine achievement.

Anyone else do the Mahler-athon? I took the opening night in Berlin as well, Rattle's live DCH performance of No.7 with the Philharmoniker from 18:00 hrs to around 19:25. Not really for this thread, I know, but it was beyond wonderful! I've never heard him do it better, spiky, lyrical and lush by turns. My god, that orchestra!
(Pretty good sonics too, despite the maximum rate of 192 kbps aac).

Phew, what a night... Quite a long time since I heard 2 Mahler Symphonies in one evening. I skipped the Strauss at the prom and tanked up on Double Choca Mocha between the two!

I'd agree with this and also Caliban's message above. There has been a transformation in the BBCSO and if this is the quiet work of Belolhavek then all credit to him. Their playing for Bychkov tonight,in the Verdi Requiem and with Ed Gardner in Das Klagende Lied proves they are at the top of their game.

Freeview sound not so good tonight, Seemed at rather a low level meaning I had to boost the volume somewhat more than usual.

[Bryn]

Peak on the HDs stream for the Mahler 'half' of the Prom was 5.2dB below saturation (clipping) level. That peak was during the brief interview with Bychkov. During the symphony the highest peak was 6.4 dB below clipping level. I guess they were being a bit over-cautious.

[ucanseetheend]

Not heard it yet, sounds like it was a good performance , anyone have the timing?