Prom 10 - 19.07.13: Mozart, Schumann & Rachmaninov

[Barbirollians]

My reaction to the Rachmaninov (as seen on BBC4) was to think what a masterpiece it is. It sounded complete with no (to me) obvious cuts and many in the orchestra seemed bound up in the piece, swaying and moving as the music moved them. I especially enjoyed the (to me) refined sound made by the lovely playing of the horns and the brass.

I am in the masterpiece camp !

[pastoralguy]

I am in the masterpiece camp !

[cloughie]

[Nick Armstrong]

May I add a and supplement it with a in relation to Rachmaninov 2

[marvin]

How condescending - let's have the odd prom with works full of tunes that easy listeners can enjoy! No wonder these boards are accused of cliquiness and musical snobbery. I would say it was a great prom for anyone who likes music even for those who like me were classical starters around 55 years ago!

Oh, how I agree with that sentiment of yours, as they are such a cliquey lot here, with exceptions but not many.
It was a glorious musical concert and the Santa Cecilia Orchestra was quite the best sound that I have heard in ages. The playing was beautiful and heart felt and the sound was ravishing.
I only wish more concerts were like this and then stuffy classical music would have a greater following.
I have been listening to classical music from the age of about 6 years onwards and nearly 70 years later, know what is good (I'd like to think). However, I am no musicologist or musician come to that but I can still make a valid comment on the music I hear, without quoting old recordings from this orchestra or that orchestra etc.

[Barbirollians]

Oh, how I agree with that sentiment of yours, as they are such a cliquey lot here, with exceptions but not many.
It was a glorious musical concert and the Santa Cecilia Orchestra was quite the best sound that I have heard in ages. The playing was beautiful and heart felt and the sound was ravishing.
I only wish more concerts were like this and then stuffy classical music would have a greater following.
I have been listening to classical music from the age of about 6 years onwards and nearly 70 years later, know what is good (I'd like to think). However, I am no musicologist or musician come to that but I can still make a valid comment on the music I hear, without quoting old recordings from this orchestra or that orchestra etc.

I agree that it was a splendid concert . I don't think I have ever heard Pappano conduct whether an opera or a concert when I have not felt his heart was in it . He is very much underrated as an orchestral conductor and his recording of the Rachmaninov 2 is right at the top in my opinion even if not quite knocking Previn off the very top.

[VodkaDilc]

Many thanks, VodkaDilc for pointing me to your heart-warming post. Yes - exciting & Schumann's piano concerto rarely inhabit the same crit - but you were right - an exciting performance by a young pianist who is a thrilling talent.

I appreciate your endorsement, edashtav. I notice that a later message suggests that Jan L was ' too busy playing the notes to do much else'. This was not true of the performance as I heard it a week ago - or when it was broadcast. There were touches, nuances, counter-melodies, conversations with soloists within the orchestra and many other things which I had never heard before - and I first learnt the concerto as an A Level set work in the mid-1960s.

[amateur51]

I appreciate your endorsement, edashtav. I notice that a later message suggests that Jan L was ' too busy playing the notes to do much else'. This was not true of the performance as I heard it a week ago - or when it was broadcast. There were touches, nuances, counter-melodies, conversations with soloists within the orchestra and many other things which I had never heard before - and I first learnt the concerto as an A Level set work in the mid-1960s.

This member (no names, no pack drill ) is not noted for his judgement re pianists, frequently (almost weekly!) declaring "That's the worst performance of the Tchaikovsky B flat minor piano concerto I've ever had the misfortune ..." etc. while other Boardees are praising it to the heights.

I thought that Lisiecki's performance was thoroughly interesting and musicianly and like Caliban I'm looking forward to hearing him in concert. Rachmaninov symphony no 2 is a romantic masterpiece in my opinion and I thought that maestro Pappano and his team gave a luscious account of it. If the BBC/ICA were to issue this concert as a CD I'd be at the head of the queue

[edashtav]

I appreciate your endorsement, edashtav. I notice that a later message suggests that Jan L was ' too busy playing the notes to do much else'. This was not true of the performance as I heard it a week ago - or when it was broadcast. There were touches, nuances, counter-melodies, conversations with soloists within the orchestra and many other things which I had never heard before - and I first learnt the concerto as an A Level set work in the mid-1960s.

I was tipped off to listen to the work by a musicologist who had conducted the work years ago. I'm afraid that the contrary position re Jan Lisiecki is difficult to sustain, VodkaDilc. I was astounded how masterful and full of insight, Jan's performance was, and how electric was the accompaniment engendered by Maestro Pappano. I don't think I've heard a better live performance and goodness only knows how often I've encountered this work. I have to say that orchestral musicians often "gang up" against Schumann & Chopin. Their received wisdom is that the romantic duo couldn't orchestrate. Many rank and file players are happy to adopt that view without pausing to check whether their parts can be resuscitated. I loved the belief exhibited by all concerned in this Prom performance.

Over-exposure to Rachmaninov's 2nd Symphony, often in expurgated editions, during my youth in Bournemouth has spoiled that work for me, I'm afraid. More generally, I feel that Rachmaninov was probably the greatest pianist in the first half of the 20th century, and very much an under-rated composer. My admiration for his Symphonic Dances knows no bounds.

[cloughie]

I was tipped off to listen to the work by a musicologist who had conducted the work years ago. I'm afraid that the contrary position re Jan Lisiecki is difficult to sustain, VodkaDilc. I was astounded how masterful and full of insight, Jan's performance was, and how electric was the accompaniment engendered by Maestro Pappano. I don't think I've heard a better live performance and goodness only knows how often I've encountered this work. I have to say that orchestral musicians often "gang up" against Schumann & Chopin. Their received wisdom is that the romantic duo couldn't orchestrate. Many rank and file players are happy to adopt that view without pausing to check whether their parts can be resuscitated. I loved the belief exhibited by all concerned in this Prom performance.

Over-exposure to Rachmaninov's 2nd Symphony, often in expurgated editions, during my youth in Bournemouth has spoiled that work for me, I'm afraid. More generally, I feel that Rachmaninov was probably the greatest pianist in the first half of the 20th century, and very much an under-rated composer. My admiration for his Symphonic Dances knows no bounds.

My introduction to this wonderful Symphony was via the little cut Leningrad/Sanderling recording on DG in my early teens and I still enjoy it and many complete performances I have heard since - I saw Bryden Thomson conduct the CBSO in B'ham Town Hall in the 80s and he did it justice.

[Petrushka]

What's all this rubbishing of the Rachmaninov 2nd? I love the piece greatly and won't hear a word said against it. I played the LSO/Previn LP to shreds back in the 1970s and saw them perform it in 1977 and it's been a big part of my life ever since. A wonderful, wonderful work stuffed full of terrific tunes and that mysterious Russian 'soul'. What's not to like about it?

[Barbirollians]

What's all this rubbishing of the Rachmaninov 2nd? I love the piece greatly and won't hear a word said against it. I played the LSO/Previn LP to shreds back in the 1970s and saw them perform it in 1977 and it's been a big part of my life ever since. A wonderful, wonderful work stuffed full of terrific tunes and that mysterious Russian 'soul'. What's not to like about it?

Yes - if you think you don't like it give the LSO/Previn a go I say . It still ran off with BAL last year after 40 years !

[Roehre]

What's all this rubbishing of the Rachmaninov 2nd? I love the piece greatly and won't hear a word said against it. I played the LSO/Previn LP to shreds back in the 1970s ..... and it's been a big part of my life ever since. A wonderful, wonderful work stuffed full of terrific tunes and that mysterious Russian 'soul'. What's not to like about it?

I concur wholeheartedly with Petrushka - and Previn's (uncut - as proudly stated on the sleeve!) performance is the one I still most cherish

[VodkaDilc]

It was certainly a very enjoyable Prom - though the heat did become a problem during the Rachmaninov! Stunning orchestra and Tony P on top form.

My over-riding feeling though was that I had seen a pianist who was heading for the very top. Jan Lisiecki looked like a talented 6th former who had been allowed to take off his school blazer for the concert, but he played the Schumann with originality and insight. A couple of smudges in the first few pages were soon forgotten and the last movement in particular was highly exciting - not a term I would usually attach to this concerto. The amazing ovation this 18 year old received was richly deserved - and the poetic encore was magical.

I've just noticed that there is a film of Lisiecki playing the Chopin Etudes on More 4 at 8pm tonight.

[Nick Armstrong]

I've just noticed that there is a film of Lisiecki playing the Chopin Etudes on More 4 at 8pm tonight.

Good spot, though annoyed I didn't notice it as I'm away. Being More4 it will almost certainly repeated - I hope... (It's followed by a documentary about Chopin, and later at 23:30 a prog about the Liszt sonata with Stephen Hough. Didn't know More4 "did" music... It's usually wall to wall property shows and Father Ted )