Prom 68: Monday 5th September at 7.30 p.m. (Braunfels, Beethoven, Tchaikovsky)

[amac4165]

Yea that was really quite something !

The score for the Braunfels looked stuck together with tape and some pages only had a few lines of music on them so I guess it was a cut and shut job !

Two encores to boot !

[Prommer]

What were the encores?

[Ventilhorn]

No breaks in transmission on Freeview, Chris.

Unsurprisingly, nobody has yet mentioned the Beethoven, whilst full of praise for the rest of the programme.

I felt that Hélène Grimaud was struggling from the outset - whether with the notes or the piano I don't know, but I found the first movememnt both uneven and, in places, inaccurate.
And after giving herself such a big build-up, too.

Break in transmission? Well I can't comment on the second movement, because on FM I could barely hear it. What on earth was she playing at? Spot the tune? The last movement conveyed to me a sigh of relief ... she finally sounded comfortable.

Such a let down after her pre-performance display of confidence. This is Beethoven's most favourite concerto in the views of many. On the night, sadly disappointing (what they could hear, that is).

The Braunfels was very well played IMV and I found it different but enjoyable. Magnificent Tchaikowsky 5th but I prefer Silvestri's. (I wonder why?)

VH

[amac4165]

What were the encores?

the first was from Carmen - entracte from 3/4 (i think) - second was The Gallop from the ballet Masquerade Khachaturian

[BudgieJane]

What were the encores?

1. Carmen suite: 2. Intermezzo (Prelude to Act 3)
2. Kabalevsky; Galop from the Comedians suite Op.26

[Ruth Elleson]

the first was from Carmen - entracte from 3/4 (i think) - second was The Gallop from the ballet Masquerade Khachaturian

The Carmen excerpt was from the start of Act 3. And I've been told (by Jane Sullivan) that the second was Kabalevsky, not Khachaturian - the Galop from the Comedians suite Op 26.

[amac4165]

1. Carmen suite: 2. Intermezzo (Prelude to Act 3)
2. Kabalevsky; Galop from the Comedians suite Op.26

Well I was nearly right !

[Ravensbourne]

The Carmen excerpt was from the start of Act 3. And I've been told (by Jane Sullivan) that the second was Kabalevsky, not Khachaturian - the Galop from the Comedians suite Op 26.

Then you had better point out to Jane Sullivan that the second encore was the Galop from the incidental music to Masquerade by Khachaturian.

[amac4165]

Then you had better point out to Jane Sullivan that the second encore was the Galop from the incidental music to Masquerade by Khachaturian.

well that was what I thought R3 said it was - I don't know the piece so was unable to take it other than at face value

[prokkyshosty]

Khachaturian it was.

Specifically this: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=I8Da-hUSI1w

[prokkyshosty]

ps. oh, and with a soupçon of "When I'm Sixty Four" thrown in for good measure.

[Roehre]

So what did you think of the Beethoven Roehre?
VH

Ventilhorn, would you like a political correct answer or my honest observations ?
Methinks it's the latter: I found it little short of a disaster.

I didn't like the tempo of the slow movement (too fast for my taste), but that is personal.
What isn't personal however is the relentlessly hammering aproach of the music in the 1st mvt (very muscular, almost bartokian), at least in the left hand, the lack of suspense and of dreamy (let's say "romantic") music in the 2nd mvt (Beethoven prescribes "mit Verschiebung", i.e. pedal throughout - Grimaud at least partly didn't follow that instruction), the 3rd mvt was pianistically the best, but there I am afraid Grimaud IMO wasn't much supported by the conductor.
The orchestra IMO was just playing it through like a first rehearsal, with verve and powerful, but nevertheless not exactly.
Very disappointing IMO.

[Ferretfancy]

From the vantage point of the Arena the trombones seemed too loud, as they always do if they are seated on the risers above the rest of the orchestra. They are certainly a fine band, with perhaps a slight sense of steely efficiency that some other American orchestras can produce. Very fine string sound though, especially in the cellos and basses.
I enjoyed the Tchaikovsky without being bowled over by it, it's my least favourite Tchaikovsky Symphony, mainly because of the banality of the finale.

The Beethoven was a bit of a disappointment, it was a very up front performance lacking the emotional reticence that surely should always be in evidence in this great concerto. I don't for a moment doubt Helene Grimaud's skill, but this was too matter of fact for me, and she made heavy weather of the first movement cadenza. I'm sorry if I seem dismissive, but expectations were high.

[davehsug]

The Tchaikovsky is my favourite symphony & I really enjoyed the crispness & freshness of the music tonight. A few timing issues for me personally, especially in the first movement, which I thought was a bit rushed in places & yet I enjoyed the different tempos too at times. I really enjoyed the last movement, the more breathless the better i always think, (I know some of you think it's better because it's over more quickly!). A really good & interesting performance overall, there's always something new to hear, even with a work you think you know backwards.

[BudgieJane]

Then you had better point out to Jane Sullivan that the second encore was the Galop from the incidental music to Masquerade by Khachaturian.

OK, I got it wrong. Sorry