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

[Barbirollians]

Finally got round to watching tonight . I did find the opening few pieces rather bitty, the Delius was disappointing to my ears , Calleja lovely singing but accompaniment a bit perfunctory , NB a curate's egg of a performance a bit of a shaky start but about halfway through the first movement she settled down and gave us a proper account of the concerto not a routine run through - I enjoyed the finale a lot . she does throw herself about a bit however for my taste.

[pastoralguy]

I've been a fan of young Nicola since she won 'Young musician' and I've followed her career and development with interest. No, I don't think the Last Night was her finest moment but I have heard her give very fine performances on other occasions. (Not least with Gergiev and the LSO at this years Edinburgh Festival).

[Prommer]

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

I just dislike intensely this kind of sneering at the Queen's alleged lack of culture, and the assumption that she is aligned with the lowest common denominator in her musical tastes. I don't think one could categorise her as a music lover, but equally I'm not sure there is any evidence for her tastes actually being 'lowbrow' either, which was the implication of VodkaDilc's remarks. She may just not be terribly interested in music at all (to me an odd thing, but there again I AM interested), but that does not mean one should assume that she likes Barry Manilow etc any the more, and guffaw about it! She doesn't like tennis either, for what that is worth, but nobody draws any conclusions from that.

The remark about German jokes is simply a reflection of what normally follows such sneering. 'Ah well, they are just rather simple German folk, only interested in horses and oompah bands' etc etc'.

[MrGongGong]

I just dislike intensely this kind of sneering at the Queen's alleged lack of culture, and the assumption that she is aligned with the lowest common denominator in her musical tastes. I don't think one could categorise her as a music lover, but equally I'm not sure there is any evidence for her tastes actually being 'lowbrow' either, which was the implication of VodkaDilc's remarks. She may just not be terribly interested in music at all (to me an odd thing, but there again I AM interested), but that does not mean one should assume that she likes Barry Manilow etc any the more, and guffaw about it! She doesn't like tennis either, for what that is worth, but nobody draws any conclusions from that.

I'm sure she will be pleased that you are sticking up for her

Though I "dislike intensely" this whole "ooooh maaam you are so wonderful and hardworking" nonsense that we have been peddled this year
what great buildings, works of art, musical compositions has she actually commissioned ?

I'm sure horses are great (well they certainly taste good ) but compared to some of their predecessors the "Windsors" don't seem to have added much to our culture , but please correct me if i'm wrong !

[salymap]

Families are not all alike. The Queen's sister, Princess Margaret and the late Queen Mother were both interested and knowledgeable about ballet and music generally. The Queen Mother even took her two small daughters to the concerts for children in the 1930s.

I and most ordinary families have relatives who love music,others who ignore it.

[teamsaint]

I just dislike intensely this kind of sneering at the Queen's alleged lack of culture, and the assumption that she is aligned with the lowest common denominator in her musical tastes. I don't think one could categorise her as a music lover, but equally I'm not sure there is any evidence for her tastes actually being 'lowbrow' either, which was the implication of VodkaDilc's remarks. She may just not be terribly interested in music at all (to me an odd thing, but there again I AM interested), but that does not mean one should assume that she likes Barry Manilow etc any the more, and guffaw about it! She doesn't like tennis either, for what that is worth, but nobody draws any conclusions from that.

The remark about German jokes is simply a reflection of what normally follows such sneering. 'Ah well, they are just rather simple German folk, only interested in horses and oompah bands' etc etc'.

I understand that Ray gelato is her favourite act. he was quite good fun on the one occasion I saw him on telly.

[Mary Chambers]

Families are not all alike. The Queen's sister, Princess Margaret and the late Queen Mother were both interested and knowledgeable about ballet and music generally. The Queen Mother even took her two small daughters to the concerts for children in the 1930s.

Quite true. They were taken to opera as well, in their teens.

[VodkaDilc]

I fear she might have thought the programme too highbrow.

Many thanks to the mind-reader who has told me the implication I had in mind when writing the message above.

[Prommer]

Quite true. They were taken to opera as well, in their teens.

One of the Queen Mother's children at said operas was our Queen! Maybe it put her off...

The Prince of Wales is increasingly interested in opera, he has been to Covent Garden a number of times recently, and privately too, not 'on parade'. I quite enjoyed his programme on Parry.

By the way, VD, when you say that the Queen would have considered the Last Night programme too highbrow, you rather suggest that you think of her as a lowbrow, or am I missing summat?

[MrGongGong]

The Prince of Wales is increasingly interested in opera, he has been to Covent Garden a number of times recently, and privately too,

A long established tradition of the upper classes methinks

http://www.camdennewjournal.co.uk/072805/r072805_03.htm

[Prommer]

Er, I think he has gone to the opera with his wife!

[teamsaint]

which one?

[MrGongGong]

I'm sure it wasn't Mittwoch

[Prommer]

Oh dear oh dear... Let's at least agree not go there, shall we?!

[Petrushka]

Just an aside but is the Queen the only person now living who has seen Elgar? The young princesses, Elizabeth and Margaret, attended a recording session at Abbey Road in 1931. There surely cannot now be anyone else.