Prom 61 (29.8.12): Howells & Elgar

[Nick Armstrong]

I also agree that myriad sound reflections in the RAH make seating choice a bit of a lottery. From Stalls G10, at about 10 0'clock, the sound was immediate and clear in both works, both choir and orchestra having greater impact on this pair of ears than from any location previously experienced in this huge barn of a hall. On the other hand, I felt a little too close to get much acoustic glow.

You were lucky, how did you go about getting those seats? Online but electing 'side stalls' ?
I remember sitting around there for the MGM Prom a couple of years back - I'd cadged the seats from the house manager (who happens to be the sister of a good friend ... I try not to trespass on goodwill too often, though). They were among the seats that had been 'kept back' for use in special circumstances - which I took to mean that the RAH management know that they are the best available.

Never, ever again in the nether regions of the stalls (though I suppose on one view it was good value: I got most of the Elgar twice...

... but first in my right ear and then about ½ second later in my left... )

[Bryn]

Update: Howells now available on iPlayer.

Indeed, though unusually it is just the first 'episode', (55' 17"), not the whole Prom.

[gradus]

Having missed the concert I am greatly encouraged by the previous messages to listen to the Howells on the iPlayer.
If someone is thinking of programming other relatively neglected English masterpieces could I put in a word for Finzi's Dies Natalis next year.

[Nick Armstrong]

If someone is thinking of programming other relatively neglected English masterpieces could I put in a word for Finzi's Dies Natalis next year.

Nice - but Intimations of Immortality would perhaps be better suited to the hall, and is even more neglected as far as live performances are concerned, I should think...

[Simon Biazeck]

Having missed the concert I am greatly encouraged by the previous messages to listen to the Howells on the iPlayer.

It's on BBC 4 TV tomorrow night!

[gradus]

Certainly more neglected by me - in fact I haven't heard it so must remedy that as I am very fond of Dies Natalis, many thanks for the suggestion.
Re the Howells I can't find it on the iplayer, only the Elgar sym seems to be available, perhaps I'm looking in the wrong place, can anyone help?

[Keraulophone]

You were lucky, how did you go about getting those seats? Online but electing 'side stalls' ?

Yep, just requested 'side stalls or best available' as booking opened. Excellent place to sit; a bit like a 'super-prommer' - quite close to the prommers in the Arena but raised up a little, and benefiting from sound waves reflected by the acoustic canopy above the stage.

[Simon B]

I think I/you/we should stop telling the world about this or everyone will want one! It's been getting harder and harder to get those seats for some years. What you actually want is stalls J/K/L

[Nick Armstrong]

I think I/you/we should stop telling the world about this or everyone will want one! It's been getting harder and harder to get those seats for some years. What you actually want is stalls J/K/L

I was thinking the same thing!



(Are we overestimating the size of the readership of our musings here? )

[ferneyhoughgeliebte]

Certainly more neglected by me - in fact I haven't heard it so must remedy that as I am very fond of Dies Natalis, many thanks for the suggestion.
Re the Howells I can't find it on the iplayer, only the Elgar sym seems to be available, perhaps I'm looking in the wrong place, can anyone help?

Try this:

http://www.bbc.co.uk/iplayer/episode/b01m5lkk/BBC_Proms_2012_Season_Prom_61_Howells/

PS: ... and this:

http://www.amazon.co.uk/Finzi-Intimations-Immortality-For-Cecilia/dp/B000F6YWUS

[Pabmusic]

Nice - but Intimations of Immortality would perhaps be better suited to the hall, and is even more neglected as far as live performances are concerned, I should think...

Yes! I'm sure it is.

[EnemyoftheStoat]

Nice - but Intimations of Immortality would perhaps be better suited to the hall, and is even more neglected as far as live performances are concerned, I should think...

Well, you may have overlooked the performance of three years or so back. Easily done given that it was relegated to the second night, instead of its rightful place on the first, and seemed to be a mere sideshow to Nige's Elgar - or was that Elgar's Nige? In many senses it might well not have happened...

[Nick Armstrong]

Well, you may have overlooked the performance of three years or so back. Easily done given that it was relegated to the second night, instead of its rightful place on the first, and seemed to be a mere sideshow to Nige's Elgar - or was that Elgar's Nige? In many senses it might well not have happened...

I do remember that now - and it's true that looking in the archive, 'Dies Natalis' has never featured in the Proms.

I see it was the Proms première of Intimations though - surely worth another outing?

[Nick Armstrong]

Recently settled down to watch my recording of the BBC4 relay... Wonderful!!

The hornwork in the Intro, and the climax of the first choral / soprano movement both gave me all-over goosebumps, exhilarating stuff

I think the concert the other evening and this recording will have turned me into an unconditional fan of this amazing piece (parts of which I loved before).

Addendum: ...and Miah Perssson's delivery of the "thy loving kindness and mercy shall follow me all the days of my life, and I will dwell in the house of the Lord forever" section... .. heart-stopping

[Anna]

Missed it live on the radio, watched the tv transmission last night - loved it! Definitely one of the best Proms. Also blown away by the Elgar, which I don't know. We have a recommendation for the Howells, is there one for the Elgar?