Prom 4 - 14.07.13: Les Siècles – The Rite of Spring

[cloughie]

Well, I listened to it - but no grand rapprochement I'm afraid; I don't think the piece ever recovered from my obsession with that Columbia LP from the local record library...

This reconstructive presentation succeeded wonderfully on its own terms - and more, given the terrific rhythmic discipline in the Danse Sacrale and elsewhere.
Again, some finely-played and expressive wind solos - but I still felt the performance emphasised huge percussive impact and brilliantly refreshed colours, at the expense of characterisation and dramatic continuity - the inner tension of the piece was allowed to drop a little during quieter passages, though this was better in Part 2, after a very atmospheric introduction. Those exaggerated pauses only underlined these impressions - more a Concerto for Orchestra than a narrative of savage ritual. But at this museological stage in the history of the work, it's hard to see many other ways of restoring some wildness and vitality to it. Its physical impact via HDs was almost overpowering.

As I implied earlier, from a purely musical point of view, Part One was rather over-ambitious; it might have been more satisfying with longer selections from just two composers - Rameau and Massenet, perhaps.
But this was a Prom and I can see why the performers wanted to showcase their researches and have a little fun. All the same, if they've played this programme three or four times previously, I'm disappointed that they couldn't have found more character and energy in the too-brief Rameau and Lully selections. If you've listened to Bruggen's, Christie's or Minkowski's recordings as enthusiastically as I have, I'm sure you'll know what I mean!

I think the Rite lacked impact and would have sacrificed the Coppelia bits for the whole Le Cid Suite but gaps between the movements (dances) were too long and spoiled the flow.

[antongould]

I think the Rite lacked impact and would have sacrificed the Coppelia bits for the whole Le Cid Suite but gaps between the movements (dances) were too long and spoiled the flow.

I agree cloughers listening coming home in the car this afternoon I felt the same. I think I'll stick with Sir Simon and the Berlin Boys.

[Nick Armstrong]

I agree cloughers listening coming home in the car this afternoon I felt the same. I think I'll stick with Sir Simon and the Berlin Boys.

Blimey ... it was such a different experience in the hall! (Obvious remark No. 459)

Sorry it didn't shiver Sirs' timbers. Will be interested to see how it fares on the TV relay.

[antongould]

Blimey ... it was such a different experience in the hall! (Obvious remark No. 459)

Sorry it didn't shiver Sirs' timbers. Will be interested to see how it fares on the TV relay.

I'm sure it was Rumpole and delighted you enjoyed it so much - I'll try and catch/record the BBC4.

[amateur51]

Since its Chabrier/ Bizet disc for Mirare, Les Siècles has recorded a series for Actes Sud entitled Les Siècles Live. No SACDs, however. François-Xavier Roth has confirmed the release of Le sacre to me this morning!

Good news indeed

[LaurieWatt]

I agree cloughers listening coming home in the car this afternoon I felt the same. I think I'll stick with Sir Simon and the Berlin Boys.

I couldn't disagree more with the last two. I thought it terrific and a revelation as heard over the radio with a brilliant broadcast, superbly balanced. Cali has it spot on!

[Barbirollians]

I am with JLW , cloughie and antongould .

[Nick Armstrong]

I went last Sunday... I did get a bit hot towards the end of the Rite of Spring!

Just noticed this on another thread - Ferret, you've been quiet about the concert! Any views on the controversy which has burgeoned in the latter part of this thread?

[bluestateprommer]

From hearing this on iPlayer, this was a quite good concert. I'm sure the spectacle of F.-X.R walking out with a long staff must have been droll, at the very least, although the gimmick obviously doesn't really quite come off over the radio without the visual element. Regarding the first half, I'm not a baroque fan by any stretch, but I enjoyed hearing the Lully and Rameau. The Delibes were more briskly paced than what I'm used to from recordings, perhaps less "Tchaikovskian" than usual, if I may dare to mix musical metaphors, presumably trying not to be too "sentimental", but maybe to the point of being borderline perfunctory at times. The Massenet was good clean fun, with a brisk swagger to the pace.

So on to Holy Spring: on a superficial first listen, the most obvious surprises were the relatively quiet pounding chords in the "Danses des adolescents" and the beginning of the final portion of the "Danse sacrale", avoiding the "heavy metal" in the standard 1947 version. Likewise, the cymbals on the very last chord made for a fascinating change from the standard version. The overall pacing was nothing outlandish or quirky compared to what I suspect that we're all used to, aside from the Luftpausen that others have noted. But it will be fascinating to give Les Siecles' commerical recording a listen down the line when it appears.

Addressing Alison's one post earlier, I think that Les Siecles demonstrated in cracking form their skills very nicely indeed over the wide historical range of music here. Indeed, given the appearances at The Proms in recent years like Les Siecles and Ensemble Matheus, there seems to be a nice golden age of French period instrument ensembles currently. In terms of intonation and ensemble, I rank Les Siecles streets (nay, superhighways) ahead of Le Concert Spirituel from last year, although I remember that many liked LCS and Herve Niquet (though not me). Based on Caliban's and IGI's posts, the audience seemed quite appreciative, and it's perhaps not too much to expect that Les Siecles will be back in a few years.

[pastoralguy]

Fabulous concert to watch on tv!!

(And I've fallen in love with the no. 4 first violin...! )

[jean]

I wonder why they played the second half first?

(And the trumpets in the Rameau were't very old, were they?)

[Il Grande Inquisitor]

I wonder why they played the second half first?

My thoughts exactly! Surely the whole point of Les Siècles' programme was to trace the development of Parisian ballet across the centuries up to 1913 and Le sacre? And as for Tom Service...

Still, fabulous music-making.

[Bryn]

... And as for Tom Service...

Indeed! Bring back Charlie H. All (well some) is forgiven.

[MickyD]

I wonder why they played the second half first?

(And the trumpets in the Rameau were't very old, were they?)

Very strange decision to start with the Stravinsky....for one disappointed moment I thought we were going to be denied the rest of the concert. I loved it all - the trumpets were clearly modern copies of baroque instruments for the Rameau, but looked pretty faithful to me. I thought Roth gave the Mazurka from "Coppelia" a really wonderful swagger, great stuff.

[Tony Halstead]

Fabulous concert to watch on tv!!

(And I've fallen in love with the no. 4 first violin...! )

I've fallen in love with the Delibes/ Massenet 1st flute ( Bass/ 'Alto' flute in the Rite).