Prom 10 - 19.07.13: Mozart, Schumann & Rachmaninov

[VodkaDilc]

I'm surprised at the lack of comment on this concert.

[french frank]

I'm surprised at the lack of comment on this concert.

Yes, I thought people had bookmarked the Sta Cecilias. Perhaps they forgot it started early?

How was Jan Lisiecki?

[Petrushka]

I'm surprised at the lack of comment on this concert.

So am I. It was a cracker and the kind of Prom that sets the season alight. It's certainly done that for me. Perhaps the heat kept some of us out of doors?

[BBMmk2]

What a super Prom! There is always at least one Prom I wish I'd attended instead of one I did. Wish I'd gone to this instead of Monday's offering.

I went through a heavy Rachmaninov 2 period in the late 70s and early 80s when I seemed to play the Previn LP at least every other day and listening to this terrific Pappano performance tonight after a very long gap away from the piece I might start up again. A wonderful work, an engaging first half (pace BBM), a lively encore and you have a thoroughly enjoyable evening. Full marks all round (and to the engineers for bringing it to us in fine sound).

Each to their own, I always say, Petrushka. That Rach 2/Pappano, was a stonker! Cant wait to see the televised recording! :)

[VodkaDilc]

Yes, I thought people had bookmarked the Sta Cecilias. Perhaps they forgot it started early?

How was Jan Lisiecki?

Wonderful. See message 15.

[Alison]

Must confess I found it difficult to get into the symphony.

It all got going in the encore.

Fabulous pianism in the first half though.

[VodkaDilc]

Must confess I found it difficult to get into the symphony.

It all got going in the encore.

Fabulous pianism in the first half though.

Do you mean the Rachmaninov or the Mozart? Rachmaninov I expect. I found the heat was really getting to me by then and concentration was proving more difficult.

If I have a criticism of the concert, I wonder if the Haffner was a good fit with the rest of the programme. Something of similar length, making use of a bigger orchestra might have worked better - at least for me.

[Alison]

Sorry, the Rachmaninov. It felt curiously lightweight and uninvolving to me.

A combination of the heat and unusual time may have hindered enjoyment !

[Petrushka]

Sorry, the Rachmaninov. It felt curiously lightweight and uninvolving to me.

A combination of the heat and unusual time may have hindered enjoyment !

There was no way I as going to make the 6.30 start so I recorded it and listened from 8.00 'as live'. The heat in my listening room has been incredible these past few days but I found it an enthralling performance of the Rachmaninov. Do listen again, Alison!

[Alison]

A rare case of our disagreement !

I will try again. Its probably my pro London orchestra stance surfacing again,

a fuller toned orchestral palette etc.

[french frank]

Wonderful. See message 15.

Sorry I read the replies a bit too quickly. I know he's been beginning to build quite a reputation.

[VodkaDilc]

One thing occurred to me when looking at the orchestra - the marked reversal of the growing trend for females to equal or out-number males among the players. From memory (perhaps not entirely accurate, but close), there were all male brass, percussion and lower string sections, and only two female woodwind players (two oboists). This must be unusual in a world where there is normally such a large number of females in the orchestras - and in this case in an orchestra of recent foundation. This is no sort of criticism; just a factual observation.

[LHC]

One thing occurred to me when looking at the orchestra - the marked reversal of the growing trend for females to equal or out-number males among the players. From memory (perhaps not entirely accurate, but close), there were all male brass, percussion and lower string sections, and only two female woodwind players (two oboists). This must be unusual in a world where there is normally such a large number of females in the orchestras - and in this case in an orchestra of recent foundation. This is no sort of criticism; just a factual observation.

And yet the first violins were almost all women, so I don't think we can compare them to the VPO quite yet.

[Barbirollians]

Just a reminder that this concert is repeated on Radio 3 this afternoon .

[VodkaDilc]

Just as enjoyable on the radio as in the hall. A pianist to watch! (Which, as Barbirollians will be saying in due course, we will be able to do on Thursday on BBC4.)