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

[Nick Armstrong]

Délibes, done with terrific swagger and fun.

the Mazurka from "Coppelia" ...really wonderful swagger, great stuff.

Haven't watched yet but can't believe they inverted the programme order...!

[mercia]

it looks like these Sunday TV proms are going to be presented as documentaries which just happen to include concerts by way of illustration - TS playing the part of David Attenborough, signing off at the end with "on the next programme ..... "

I think all TV presenters should be fitted with handcuffs or straightjackets to restrain hands and bodily squirming

[MickyD]

I couldn't agree with you more, mercia - all that filling in between the music with doodles and robots was all about Tom Service rather than the music.

[Bryn]

... I think all TV presenters should be issued with handcuffs or straightjackets ...

And maybe a gag, in some cases.

[Anna]

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

And I've fallen in love with the guy who played the Jingling Johnny!! Great technique, wish there had been more shots of it.

When I switched on (having heard the live broadcast) I honestly thought they had cut the first half completely, I was so disappointed they'd reversed the playing order. As for Tom Service, I found myself shouting 'Oh for goodness sake, tell us about the instruments, not your doodles'

Great concert, thoroughly enjoyable.

[ferneyhoughgeliebte]

And maybe a gag, in some cases.

You got there first, Bryn! (Although I'd take TS over CH any second of the year - if only because of the repertoire each prefers.)

[salymap]

I've got all that excitement to come. I started on the Rite late last night but it was too much in this heat so shall see all these lovable flautists etc today.

Off topic, what's happened to Charlie H ?

[pastoralguy]

... doodles and robots...

I was traumatised by the head falling off one of the robots...

[pilamenon]

I only heard rather than saw this, and oddly it was a programme whose interest diminished with each item. So my highlight was the splendid Lully suite from Le Bourgeois Gentilhomme and M. Roth's staff, closely followed by the Rameau, and the low light yet another Proms performance of the Rite of Spring (even an anniversary makeover with original score and instruments couldn't rejuvenate my dwindling interest in a piece that long ago lost any power it had to shock). Please, planners, give it a well deserved rest for a season or two!

[gurnemanz]

I only heard rather than saw this, and oddly it was a programme whose interest diminished with each item. So my highlight was the splendid Lully suite from Le Bourgeois Gentilhomme and M. Roth's staff, closely followed by the Rameau, and the low light yet another Proms performance of the Rite of Spring (even an anniversary makeover with original score and instruments couldn't rejuvenate my dwindling interest in a piece that long ago lost any power it had to shock). Please, planners, give it a well deserved rest for a season or two!

I know what you mean, but it is, of course a ballet. It does not need to work by shocking. The last two times I have heard it were with dancers, which does make a crucial difference.