Prom 31 (5.8.12): National Youth Orchestra of Scotland, etc.

**kernelbogey** · 05-08-12, 05:29

Scotland, Bavaria, Spain and... all roads lead to Rome in tonight's Prom.

**french frank** · 05-08-12, 20:50

The birds are in good voice this evening ....!

**Alison** · 05-08-12, 21:03

Lots to enjoy if you were so inclined even if Nicola still fails to convince.

I feel kind of nervous when she's playing.

**Ferretfancy** · 05-08-12, 23:18

It was an interesting if rather mixed evening in the hall, with the Arena only half full but the seats fully booked. A less than full Arena tends to make the sound very up front and very bright to my ears.
We were a bit surprised to get the National Anthem, but were unable to see which one of the Royals was there. Any ideas? There are enough to choose from. After the MacMillan Fanfare came a brisk, loud, and rather unsubtle Meistersinger Prelude from the BBC Scottish SO before the Youth Orchestra accompanied the Max Bruch. I would like to know what listeners at home made of Nicola Benedetti's playing. From where I stood she seemed to be forcing her tone to stand up to the way Donald Runnicles urged on the orchestra. She did delight us in her duet encore with the young leader Daniel Rainey, who played with charm and assurance, it might have been fun to hear him play the Bruch !

Don Juan went well after the interval, and then came Thea Musgrave's tribute to Nessie, with the brilliant tuba player coming to his feet as the monster rose from the depths. This was a very nice piece of tone painting which I will make sure to hear again. Don Juan went well, and then all the forces combined for Pines of Rome which was by far the best performance of the evening.

It's always good to see young performers at the Proms, so all in all it was a succesful evening if not the absolute tops.

**edashtav** · 05-08-12, 23:33

Originally posted by Ferretfancy View Post

... the Youth Orchestra accompanied the Max Bruch. I would like to know what listeners at home made of Nicola Benedetti's playing. From where I stood she seemed to be forcing her tone to stand up to the way Donald Runnicles urged on the orchestra. ...

Don Juan went well after the interval, and then came Thea Musgrave's tribute to Nessie, with the brilliant tuba player coming to his feet as the monster rose from the depths. This was a very nice piece of tone painting which I will make sure to hear again. Don Juan went well, and then all the forces combined for Pines of Rome which was by far the best performance of the evening.

It's always good to see young performers at the Proms, so all in all it was a succesful evening if not the absolute tops.

This radio listener was not impressed with Nicola's tone, either. I hope that she's not losing her way.

I, too, was delighted with Don Juan that swaggered convincingly before the hero died with a realistic whimper.

Musical humour is a difficult suite and I didn't warm to Thea's Nessie. It was drawn with all too predictable bass gurgling and, having suffered from 4 tubas in Langgard's symphony the other evening, I didn't respond to Tubby the Tuba although its player was having a whale of a time.

**Lancashire Lass** · 06-08-12, 10:03

Apparently it was Prince Edward who was there. I don't have binoculars but thought I spotted him in one of the centre first-tier boxes.

Couldn't believe the arena was only half-full -- are Sunday nights normally quiet then? I was a bit sorry not to see any Scottish/Andy Murray T-shirts -- whoever programmed this particular concert got the timing spot on!!

I did find Nicola's playing a bit scratchy at times but perhaps it was because I was high up in the circle so maybe the tone doesn't carry as well up there. I heard her perform the Beethoven concerto at the Bridgewater Hall in February and she was brilliant.

Full marks for her little speech on supporting orchestras through the cuts, and for inviting young Daniel to play with her.

**Stephen Smith** · 06-08-12, 12:49

I echo Lancs Lass comments. I very much enjoyed the concert - I'm not able to judge Nicola B's playing but it provided an emjoyable experience and the Bruch seemed a very demanding piece. I look forward to seeing her in future and she will no doubt consolidate her career.
I enjoyed the Musgrave piece more and more as it progressed - the end as night fell was very effective I thought - and will listen again (what a blessing to have it for new music). Incidentally she was sitting 6 rows behind me and seemed to wear her years very lightly.

Yes the prom must have been 50% empty - how abnormal is that for a Sunday Prom? (Les Troyens - 22 July -was similarly undersubscribed). Perhaps, this week, it was the Olympic effect - either going to them, or if not one's thing, a good time to take holidays away from London? Also - google - twitter - Court Circulsr "The Earl of Wessex, Patron, this evening attended the National Youth Orchestras of Scotland Promenade Concert at the Royal Albert Hall...."
The Respighi was thrilling (last movement) enjoyable and interesting (textures/orchestration in Mvmts 1-3) to hear live - the programme points to the Reiner RCA Chicago 1959 recording or the earlier BaL Muti Philadelpihia (EMI) or Pappano Acad St Cecialia as the recordings to consider. Any other contenders forum members would suggest?

**ferneyhoughgeliebte** · 06-08-12, 13:35

Originally posted by Stephen Smith View Post

The Respighi was thrilling (last movement) enjoyable and interesting (textures/orchestration in Mvmts 1-3) to hear live - the programme points to the Reiner RCA Chicago 1959 recording or the earlier BaL Muti Philadelpihia (EMI) or Pappano Acad St Cecialia as the recordings to consider. Any other contenders forum members would suggest?

Amazon.co.uk

http://www.amazon.co.uk/Respighi-Fountains-Boccherini-Quintettino-Albinoni/dp/B000001GX5/ref=sr_1_1?s=music&ie=UTF8&qid=1344260050&sr=1-1

... a taster:

- YouTube

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=B3Tuubee4CA&feature=related

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