Prom 76 (8.9.12): Last Night of the Proms 2012

[Mary Chambers]

Always fun to watch the audience try to manage the last line, with the phrase being repeated from all sides. Then a final orchestral flourish with BB at his most deliciously vulgar!

The Britten version of the National Anthem almost makes the dreary tune sound interesting, but it does have its disadvantages. The audience (if not prepared) wonders what on earth's going on at the start. They wonder whether to stand up, and then whether to join in, and they very rarely know the words of the second verse, which is the bit where it might be all right for them to join in.

It was used at the opening of the Paralympics as well, and most people, going by comments I've read, think it's wonderful. Perhaps if it's more widely used it will confuse people less!

[VodkaDilc]

The Britten version of the National Anthem almost makes the dreary tune sound interesting, but it does have its disadvantages. The audience (if not prepared) wonders what on earth's going on at the start. They wonder whether to stand up, and then whether to join in, and they very rarely know the words of the second verse, which is the bit where it might be all right for them to join in.

It was used at the opening of the Paralympics as well, and most people, going by comments I've read, think it's wonderful. Perhaps if it's more widely used it will confuse people less!

I keep meaning to look up the origins of the arrangement - I've got a copy somewhere. But................perhaps it will be quicker to ask Mary!

[BBMmk2]

Its a missed oppurtunity that HM was'nt invoited to LNOP, this year being her Diamond Jubikee! I felt that the VC, was rather out nof place tonight as well as that Grenada trifle.

[Pabmusic]

I keep meaning to look up the origins of the arrangement...

It was for the Leeds Festival in 1961, first performed on 7th October at Leeds Town Hall, with the RLPO & Leeds Festival Chorus,conducted by John Pritchard. Britten revised it for the opening of the Queen Elizabeth Hall in 1967.

[VodkaDilc]

It was for the Leeds Festival in 1961, first performed on 7th October at Leeds Town Hall, with the RLPO & Leeds Festival Chorus,conducted by John Pritchard. Britten revised it for the opening of the Queen Elizabeth Hall in 1967.

Thanks.

[VodkaDilc]

Its a missed oppurtunity that HM was'nt invoited to LNOP, this year being her Diamond Jubikee! I felt that the VC, was rather out nof place tonight as well as that Grenada trifle.

I fear she might have thought the programme too highbrow.

[Prommer]

I don't think MS, aka Flash Harry, had any British decorations, apart from his knighthood at 52 but I believe he had several foreign awards, one or two from King Frederick of Denmark, with whom he was quite friendly. Bless, he knew a lot of Royals.

Now, now... he just had a good bedside manner.

[Prommer]

The Britten version of the National Anthem almost makes the dreary tune sound interesting, but it does have its disadvantages. The audience (if not prepared) wonders what on earth's going on at the start. They wonder whether to stand up, and then whether to join in, and they very rarely know the words of the second verse, which is the bit where it might be all right for them to join in.

Not just the punters...the orchestra didn't stand until verse two on Saturday night... Not sure if by accident or design.

[Prommer]

I fear she might have thought the programme too highbrow.

Wondered how long it'd take a 'red' to come out from under the blankets after our long summer of Queenie adoration, specially with a bit of the old favourite of extreme patronising condescension...

How about some German jokes just to make sure?

[Ariosto]

Wondered how long it'd take a 'red' to come out from under the blankets after our long summer of Queenie adoration, specially with a bit of the old favourite of extreme patronising condescension...

How about some German jokes just to make sure?

What absolute dribble.

[teamsaint]

What absolute dribble.

I am struggling to understand Prommer's post...

[MrGongGong]

What absolute dribble.

but not as much as this nonsense

The singing of "Auld Lang Syne" is, as someone suggested, an innovation by the Prommers. It's our song of farewell to each other.

WE own it, it belongs to US
and woe betide anyone who turns up uninvited to OUR party
because as we all should know
the "prommers" OWN "Classical Music"

I like this one as well

It's our (the audience's, not just the Prommers') song in this context. We will sing it if we choose to, whether it's in the programme or not.

me and my mates who are fans of Gorgoroth, are going to a recital at the Wigmore Hall later this month
we have our songs (Carving a Giant being one of our faves) and we will sing them if we choose to !!!!

like many others I find LNOP a whole crock of .........

which has precious little to do with music

[Ariosto]

but not as much as this nonsense



WE own it, it belongs to US
and woe betide anyone who turns up uninvited to OUR party
because as we all should know
the "prommers" OWN "Classical Music"

I like this one as well



me and my mates who are fans of Gorgoroth, are going to a recital at the Wigmore Hall later this month
we have our songs (Carving a Giant being one of our faves) and we will sing them if we choose to !!!!

like many others I find LNOP a whole crock of .........

which has precious little to do with music

Absolutely!! Nothing to do with music at all.

[teamsaint]

Absolutely!! Nothing to do with music at all.

As far as I can see, there is (a broad kind of) politics around the Last night....but there is a time and a place....

[MrGongGong]

Absolutely!! Nothing to do with music at all.

Actually I would like to rephrase my comment

What I mean is that it has little to do with the "sonic phenomena of music"
rather than to do with Musicking (which it definitely IS )