Prom 73 (6.9.12): Vienna Philharmonic Orchestra – Beethoven & Bruckner

[Eine Alpensinfonie]

Thursday 6 September at 7.00 p.m.
Royal Albert Hall

Beethoven: Piano Concerto No. 4 in G major (35 mins)
Bruckner: Symphony No. 9 in D minor (65 mins)

Murray Perahia piano
Vienna Philharmonic Orchestra
Bernard Haitink conductor

One of the great musical partnerships is celebrated tonight, as the pianist Murray Perahia joins conductor Bernard Haitink and the Vienna Philharmonic Orchestra to perform Beethoven's Fourth Piano Concerto, undoubtedly the most personal - and radical - of the five. Bruckner's monumental last symphony also promises to be a highlight of this year's Proms. Bernard Haitink is one of the great interpreters of this profoundly spiritual music, and Bruckner himself described the Vienna Philharmonic as "the most superior" orchestra.

[Barbirollians]

I am surprised nobody has commented on this Prom . OK no finale for Haitink but surely it will be a delight to hear him conduct the VPO in this work .

To top it all Perahia and Haitink in Beethoven 4 - 25 years after their superb recording of the piece .

[kernelbogey]

I've chosen this Prom for my first promming in several years - I can't think of any other combination of works (except possibly Nos 7 or 8!), orchestra and conductor that would top this for me. I've asked on another thread for advice on when to arrive at the Arena queue as it will obviously be a popular concert.

I haven't investigated the completions of Bruckner 9 that have been discussed elsewhere on the forum because the three-movement incompletion seems to me to be emotionally coherent - perhaps B wouldn't have wanted to end with the adagio from choice but given that it is his last symphony it works perfectly as the end of his opus.

[Bryn]

I would have considered queuing for and attending this Prom but for an Autoharp Concert premier the same night. That has to take priority.

[Prommer]

My pick for favourite prom, at least in terms of programming...

[gedsmk]

I have a ticket for this one but am not optimistic. At least I am fairly sure that Perahia will be as wonderful and moving as ever, but which Vienna Phil will turn up? The one that leans back and ignores the conductor's wishes? or the one that enters fully into Bruckner's spiritual world and lifts us all up to heaven with the music, in the way that Wand would do with whatever orchestra was placed in front of him? I've had too many disappointments with this orchestra in the past, but they seem utterly impervious to criticism by mere mortals. I look forward to being proved wrong

[kernelbogey]

I have a ticket for this one but am not optimistic. At least I am fairly sure that Perahia will be as wonderful and moving as ever, but which Vienna Phil will turn up?

O Du lieber Augustin!

I plan to be in the Arena tonight - for the first time in five years! - and hope that your pessimism is unfounded!

[Flay]

I plan to be in the Arena tonight - for the first time in five years! - and hope that your pessimism is unfounded!

Tonight? I hate to be pessimistic but you'll be in for a surprise!

I can't wait to be there tomorrow. The VPO Giulini recording of the 9th is

[kernelbogey]

Tonight? I hate to be pessimistic but you'll be in for a surprise!

Just my excitement at the prospect of being there!

[Petrushka]

This is my highlight of the entire season. Really, really cannot wait to be in the hall for this. The most thrilling Bruckner 9 I've ever heard came from Haitink and the Concertgebouw at the 1983 Proms and to have him with the VPO 29 years later in the very same work will hopefully be no less thrilling.

[Nick Armstrong]

Tonight? I hate to be pessimistic but you'll be in for a surprise!

I made that mistake!!!!

But back again tomorrow

Your enthusiasm is infectious, Flay and Petrushka!

[kernelbogey]

Anyone from here in the arena tonight? It's my first prom attendance in about 5 years! Provincial Bruckner-lover, green shirt and T-shirt, WLTM similar....

[Eine Alpensinfonie]

I'd love to be there, but it's a working week. It'll be touch 'n' go whether I'll make the concert on the 7th. But I must.

[BBMmk2]

I actually didn't much like their cycle when it first came out but on this hearing I am co
Pleteky bowled over by this partnership! The fluidity of this performance is quite astonishing

[ferneyhoughgeliebte]

"co Pleteky"!

Sheer genius!