Prom 6- 16.07.13: David Matthews, Rachmaninov & Nielsen

[Eine Alpensinfonie]

7.00pm – c. 9.15pm
Royal Albert Hall

David Matthews
A Vision of the Sea (c20 mins)
BBC Commission, World Premiere
Rachmaninov
Piano Concerto No. 2 in C minor (35 mins)
INTERVAL
Nielsen
Symphony No. 4, 'Inextinguishable' (36 mins)

Nobuyuki Tsujii piano, Proms debut artist
BBC Philharmonic
Juanjo Mena conductor

Juanjo Mena conducts the world premiere of David Matthews' 'A Vision of the Sea', inspired by Shelley's poetry, the pull of the tide on the Kent coast and an evocation of sunrise. Nobuyuki Tsujii, who played to packed houses on his recent tour of Japan with the BBC Philharmonic, makes his proms debut in Rachmaninov's Second Piano Concerto before the orchestra performs Nielsen's irrepressible 'Inextinguishable' Fourth Symphony, music brimming with optimism and the sheer joy of living.

[Eine Alpensinfonie]

I'll definitely tune in for this one. If only I could get down to London more often. But work takes priority.

[Roehre]

I'll definitely tune in for this one.....

I will as well, at least to listen to the Matthews piece

[Petrushka]

Anyone else getting audio drop outs lasting about 5 seconds or is it the curse of Freeview again? Other than that the Matthews piece sounded very good indeed. How difficult to write sea music with all the others who have composed similar pieces over the years and it didn't entirely escape comparisons with Debussy, Bax and Britten.

[mercia]

yes, had drop outs on FM and a weird plunge into a conversation with two members of the orchestra

[amcluesent]

Two brief cuts on FM so far.

Matthews piece oddly reminded me of some of the music from Dr Who Prom, esp. the last few minutes.

[Dave2002]

Turns out the pianist - Nobuyuki Tsujii - is blind. I tuned in towards the end of the Rachmaninov concerto, which sounded very committed. Very good concert so far.

[mercia]

remarkable soloist, having to learn everything by ear - I can only imagine the hard work that involves

[Nick Armstrong]

yes, had drop outs on FM and a weird plunge into a conversation with two members of the orchestra

Yes, happened in C. London too, on FM

[BBMmk2]

Not here (as far as I am aware). So far I have really enjoyed this Prom, including the David Matthews.

[Bert Coules]

The announcer in the hall was aware of the dropout. "That was... and now I'd better tell you what they were talking about..."

I really enjoyed the Rachmaninov. And assuming he wasn't exaggerating, it's remarkable that the blind soloist keeps track of rhythm by listening to the conductor's breathing.

[Dave2002]

I thought I was going deaf. The Nielsen seemed almost inaudible to me via the HD stream. OK - I have been testing out different audio configurations, currently an optical out from a Macbook Pro to a DAC, then to an amp and speakers, and I've changed the connections recently for various reasons.

HOWEVER .... at the end of the concert the announcer - Petroc Trelawney was positively belting it out. I know there is often a "discussion" about the relative levels of music and speech, but ... come on ... these are the PROMS .... which are about MUSIC!

Sorry for shouting! The second half of this concert didn't have a great impact in my residence I'm afraid, though it may have been a good performance.

[Bert Coules]

I wasn't familiar with the Inextinguishable and I can't say it really caught me. Is it true that at the work's UK premiere a voice was heard to exclaim, "For God's sake, somebody put it out!" Probably not I suppose, but I think I understand the sentiment.

[Petrushka]

I thought I was going deaf. The Nielsen seemed almost inaudible to me via the HD stream. OK - I have been testing out different audio configurations, currently an optical out from a Macbook Pro to a DAC, then to an amp and speakers, and I've changed the connections recently for various reasons.

HOWEVER .... at the end of the concert the announcer - Petroc Trelawney was positively belting it out. I know there is often a "discussion" about the relative levels of music and speech, but ... come on ... these are the PROMS .... which are about MUSIC!

Sorry for shouting! The second half of this concert didn't have a great impact in my residence I'm afraid, though it may have been a good performance.

No such problems here listening on Freeview (apart from the dropouts). The sound was most impressive with plenty of bottom and presence. I usually boost the volume for live concerts and it does the trick. The sound on the radio broadcasts I've heard so far this season has been very good indeed.

[Petrushka]

I wasn't familiar with the Inextinguishable and I can't say it really caught me. Is it true that at the work's UK premiere a voice was heard to exclaim, "For God's sake, somebody put it out!" Probably not I suppose, but I think I understand the sentiment.

I've never really taken to Nielsen despite trying as I did again tonight. I thought that orchestral players call it the Indistinguishable!