Prom 46 (16.8.12): Vaughan Williams – Symphonies Nos. 4, 5 & 6

[EdgeleyRob]

If I could have got to one concert at this years Proms this was it , My three favourite RVW Symphonies all in one concert , sadly it will be just the Iplayer , but how much I would love to have been in the Promenaders standing area, Enjoy it, those who are there.
PS. All this from an Elgarian , But British music at its best which I want to hear at the BBC Proms.

Well said,but if I'm being picky my three faves are 5,7&9

[AmpH]

This is likely to be my Proms highlight as well -- can't wait! I do wish the beautiful Fifth would have a spot on its own, though. There's going to be a lot of rustling and general fidgeting in the hall, which only does that wonderful work a disservice.

I wonder if in the coming seasons there will be a Sea Symphony/Sinfonia Antarctica pairing. Perhaps turn up the air-con at intermission?

I may be wrong, but it is my understanding that all the RVW Symphonies are going to be performed over the course of the next few years' Proms

[mrbouffant]

Well said,but if I'm being picky my three faves are 5,7&9

I have a soft spot for 8, given it was the first RVW symphony I heard live (Proms '91 - what a great concert that was: Walton Crown Imperial, Bliss Pft Concerto, Arnold Guitar Concerto, RVW 8) - so look forward to that in a future season.

I enjoy 2 more than 3, and as for 4,5 and 6 perhaps tomorrow night will prove a formative experience - if I can stay awake.

[Serial_Apologist]

I have a soft spot for 8, given it was the first RVW symphony I heard live (Proms '91 - what a great concert that was: Walton Crown Imperial, Bliss Pft Concerto, Arnold Guitar Concerto, RVW 8) - so look forward to that in a future season.

I enjoy 2 more than 3, and as for 4,5 and 6 perhaps tomorrow night will prove a formative experience - if I can stay awake.

You'll find it very difficult to drop off during 4 and 6, I assure you!

[mercia]

I would have them in the order 6 then 4, with 5 after the interval
now you know

[Northender]

I would have them in the order 6 then 4, with 5 after the interval
now you know

I think one needs time to recover from 4, but doesn't want to be 'assaulted' right at the start.

[Nick Armstrong]

I would have them in the order 6 then 4, with 5 after the interval
now you know

I'm not sure I agree, mercia. I can see your reasoning, but I think 6 and 4 one on top of the other would be a bit much. I like the contrast of the running order tomorrow night.

Looking forward to being there hugely - also going to the Americana-fest tonight

[Ferretfancy]

I shall be there, but after a longish evening I'm afraid that the hushed last movement of 6 will be drowned in coughs and shuffles.

[salymap]

I shall be there, but after a longish evening I'm afraid that the hushed last movement of 6 will be drowned in coughs and shuffles.

6 is my favourite - it made such an impact on me when first played and that has never lessened with a good performance.

[Northender]

It was Granada TV's 'A Family At War' that first made me aware of the 6th. Previously, I'd heard only the usual VW 'suspects', such as the Greensleeves Fantasia and some of the folk-tune arrangements.

[ferneyhoughgeliebte]

I would have them in the order 6 then 4, with 5 after the interval

I'd have them in the order 4, 5, 6; but with two 20 minute intervals between them.

Favourite RVW Symphony: whichever one I am listening to between 3 - 7, & 9. If pushed, probably No5. Or 3.

[ahinton]

I'd have them in the order 4, 5, 6; but with two 20 minute intervals between them.

That's an excellent idea! I think that it's an intriguing piece of programming, actually, for all that the idea of a concert comprising just three 20th century symphonies and nothing else is a mite unusual, particularly if they're all by the same composer. I'm not sure how many other composers' works would stand up to such programming, though - perhaps Shostakovich 1, 9 & 15? - or maybe Rubbra 1, 7 & 11? - or Arnold 5, 7 & 9?

Leaving the one-composer bit out of the agenda, here's an (albeit impractical) one - and most certainly not as a contribution to Jayne's Fantasy Prom thread(!) - for an enterprising youth orchestra on some substance or other: Mahler 6 - interval - Pettersson 9 - interval - Shostakovich 4; the challenge - apart from the obvious one for the players in terms of stamina alone - would be for the audience to see if it could face getting and leaving afterwards or whether they'd be just too depressed and despondent to do so...

[Roehre]

That's an excellent idea! I think that it's an intriguing piece of programming, actually, for all that the idea of a concert comprising just three 20th century symphonies and nothing else is a mite unusual, particularly if they're all by the same composer. I'm not sure how many other composers' works would stand up to such programming, though - perhaps Shostakovich 1, 9 & 15? - or maybe Rubbra 1, 7 & 11? - or Arnold 5, 7 & 9?..

Sibelius 1- interval- 3 and 7 as well as 6, 5 - interval- 2 works well (knowing this by experience)

[Boilk]

You'll find it very difficult to drop off during 4 and 6, I assure you!

Maybe not so much the pianissimo-like finale of 6, an ending almost as quietly shattering as Shostakovich 4.

[teamsaint]

I think that the conductor should ask for a show of of hands, to decide which to play first.(and again for the second).
After all, the audience pay the wages.