Prom 72: Thursday 8th September at 7.30 p.m. (Sibelius, Tchaikovsky, Rachmaninov etc)

[BudgieJane]

Did he say that the retiring member was 90? He did say he'd been 50 years With the orchestra, so probably features on some of my LPs and CDs. He looked young enough to enjoy his retirement, though might well miss playing in such an elite ensemble.

Before Dutoit made his announcement, someone asked the concert-master what was going on and he replied that the person in question had been with the orchestra for 47 years. If that's so, I assume Dutoit rounded it up, because it sounds better as 50.

47 years playing the viola? You get less than that for murder

I much preferred the Philadelphia concert to the two Pittsburgh ones.

Music making of greater authority with much less striving for effect.

Of the three Pennsylvania-orchestra concerts this week, I think the best one was the first Pittsburgh concert. That Tchaikovsky was quite superb.

[prokkyshosty]

Of the three Pennsylvania-orchestra concerts this week, I think the best one was the first Pittsburgh concert. That Tchaikovsky was quite superb.

I'll agree with that!

ps. enjoy reading about John Adams, Jane!

[BudgieJane]

enjoy reading about John Adams, Jane!

I shall. I've already started on it. I'm going to have to do a lot of googling to see what else is out there about all the people and places he mentions.

Thanks very much for the book.

[Nick Armstrong]

O artist formerly known as Jane Sullivan

You were intently studying your score of the Tchaikovsky (I was observing you in your bright red top ) - you may be able to answer this: do you remember in the slow movement of the concerto, there was a passage played almost miraculously quietly, initially repeated figures by the first clarinet joined later by the soloist. What is that passage marked? As played, it should have been at least 3 'p' s... Is it, or was it interpretative showmanship?

[Al R Gando]

For me, Finlandia lacked bite. There was nothing heroic or romantic about the performance (this could almost be described as Finland's National Anthem) and I sensed immediately that the orchestra were simply tired.

Must it always be played in a tub-thumping way, though? Whatever political use it may have been put to subsequently, Sibelius's intention was to depict a sequence of scenes from Finland's history (it originally accompanied a visual display of these scenes). I found Dutoit's approach was noble, subtle and nuanced, and boldly departed from the inured crash-bang-wallop of bandstand performances.

I do agree though that the idea of including La Valse in a program of music from the north-east corner of Europe was very ill-conceived. What on earth were they thinking of?

[Nick Armstrong]

I do agree though that the idea of including La Valse in a program of music from the north-east corner of Europe was very ill-conceived. What on earth were they thinking of?

The nationality point never struck me - rather, I liked the connection between the stylised waltz sections of the Rachmaninov, and the Ravel. I thought it was this connection which made them quite illuminating bedfellows.

And anyway, it was 22 or 23 years since Rachmaninov had left north-east Europe by the time he wrote the Symphonic Dances.

[BudgieJane]

O artist formerly known as Jane Sullivan

You were intently studying your score of the Tchaikovsky (I was observing you in your bright red top ) - you may be able to answer this: do you remember in the slow movement of the concerto, there was a passage played almost miraculously quietly, initially repeated figures by the first clarinet joined later by the soloist. What is that passage marked? As played, it should have been at least 3 'p' s... Is it, or was it interpretative showmanship?

Most of the quiet bits in the slow movement are marked with just one p, but the whole movement is played con sord, which may have had something to do with it.

[Nick Armstrong]

Most of the quiet bits in the slow movement are marked with just one p, but the whole movement is played con sord, which may have had something to do with it.

Ok thanks. It was breathtaking, but it was a bit show-boaty and drew attention to the effect and their skill, rather than to the music, I thought, didn't you?

[amateur51]

Entirely agree, Ferret. Enjoyable... but...

I think it may be the conductor. Dutoit seems simply to conduct (oh, ever so stylishly) on the beat with the orchestra - not leading them, but almost following them. A number of us had also been there for the Salonen/Philharmonia concert - now there is a conductor who leads, with real precision. We came out imagining how the concert would have been different had old Esa-Pekka been at the helm: I think it would have had just that spark, that fever, that tension, that we both noticed was missing, and would have lost none of the tonal beauty.

Was M. Dutoit still sporting his Cherry Blossom barnet? Amazing for a man of his age

[BudgieJane]

Sorry to follow up my own post, but ...

47 years playing the viola? You get less than that for murder

My mistake. Louis Lanza is a violinist; he was in the second violin section.

[Dave2002]

Was M. Dutoit still sporting his Cherry Blossom barnet? Amazing for a man of his age

Seemingly yes. He appears to be 74 going on 75. Reminded me a bit of the Frasier episode where Marty puts shoe polish on his hair, then rests his head against the back of a chair. Sorry M. C Dutoit! Wish you well if it's real - just jealous.

[Tracey137]

Apologies for my ignorance but could someone tell me what the encore pieces were - both Janine Jansen's and the final encore (an earlier post said it was by Berlioz)

I enjoyed the concert and its very interesting to read all your comments on it

Many thanks

Tracey

[David Underdown]

A Bach Partita and the Hungarian March from Berlioz's Faust

[Ariosto]

Sorry to follow up my own post, but ...

My mistake. Louis Lanza is a violinist; he was in the second violin section.

"47 years playing the viola? You get less than that for murder"

But you were right, 47 years of murder!! (Either as a viola player OR playing in the same orchestra - or any orchestra ...)

[Tracey137]

Many thanks David