Prom 13 - 21.07.13: National Youth Orchestra of the United States of America

[mercia]

I've reported non-playing of the first part
meanwhile we've been given three separate ways of hearing the 'second part', from the end of the Tchaikovsky onwards <doh>

I wonder if the Magiya will be chopped off the BBC4 broadcast on Friday

[PJPJ]

Thank you. It's now working......

[BBMmk2]

I thought this was a rather good performance of the Shosta. Gergiev is an absolute maestro in the Russian repertoire.

[mercia]

Thank you. It's now working......

crikey - did I do that ?

[PJPJ]

crikey - did I do that ?

Definitely. You have the magic touch!

[Rolmill]

I was at the concert, with my 15 year-old, violin-playing daughter, and broadly concur with this rather different view, also with this one.

The opening piece (Magiya) was extrovert and unexceptionable, but perhaps insufficiently varied in texture and sound - a good warm-up piece for the orchestra nonetheless.

The Tchaikovsky was simply the best performance I have heard: fabulously clean, accurate playing allowed for a lyrical, subtle approach by Bell which may not have had the incendiary qualities preferred by some, but was (IMO of course) very musical - I certainly didn't hear the strain perceived by the Telegraph reviewer. My daughter was, literally, open-mouthed with astonishment at the cadenza, especially the fast, descending 6ths.

I also enjoyed the Shostakovich very much. It may have lacked the last ounce of intensity Gergiev might have been able to wring out of a professional Russian orchestra, but it didn't want for bleakness when needed. I felt that the playing, especially the string sound, was excellent; the brass were occasionally a little too reticent (don't often get a chance to say that!), but the wind principals were all characterful and (apart from one or two understandable horn fluffs) accurate, and the side drum was far more effective than in the Rattle/Berlin prom a few years ago.

All in all, an excellent Prom and an auspicious debut for an orchestra that I wish well and hope we see again soon.

[aka Calum Da Jazbo]

listening this afternoon as i iron, must say i agree Rolmill; the violin playing is leaving me agape .... wonderful music making .... i will get loads of laundry cleared at this rate and have a wonderful musical experience as well .....

[slava]

Just heard most of the Bell/Tchaikovsky relayed on TV. Not impressed, I am afraid, with too many smudges. Whilst I try not to be a perfectionist, Oistrakh (D) has always been my favourite and I was lucky enough to hear him perform it back in the early 60s at the RFH. More recently Vengerov/Rostropovich performances were exciting.

Now for the Shostakovich whose music I freely admit I am addicted to, not least four wonderful concertos, two each for violin and cello.

[Tevot]

Hope you enjoy the concert Slava,

I heard some of the performance of Shosty 10 and thought it was good.

Interesting that you like some of his Concertos (I love the 2nd Cello btw) Don't you like the Piano Concertos? No 2 was one of the first Shosty pieces I heard. I think the first was the scherzo (portrait of Stalin) from the 10th Symphony.

Been a fan ever since

Best Wishes,

Tevot

[slava]

Wow and double wow. That was a truly great Shostakovich 10.

The strings had a wonderful richness, and the woodwind were on top form, as was the brass and percussion. Gergiev certainly has a way with Shostakovich and, as a declared DS fanatic, his performances are precisely the way I like them. That said I am reminded that Sir Colin Davis had no time for Shostakovich, apparently deploring the 'happy endings' that DS felt obliged to write. The simple answer to that is to enjoy and thoroughly immerse oneself in the first three movements - there lies DS's essence, there and in the chamber music.

But those red trousers? Is that really a good idea?

[slava]

Hi Tevot.

Glad you are a DS fan too. The piano concertos are very fine I must say, but my first love is violin and cello so the piano concertos are slightly, only slightly, further down the list.

[mercia]

out of interest, because I wasn't watching, was the Magiya omitted from the TV programme ?

[Tevot]

Happy endings !? Er... Symphonies 4, 8,11,13,14 and 15 spring to mind (perhaps the late great Sir Colin never came across them)

Yes I must admit the Orchestra's outfit struck the eye ( well the trousers did) they looked like French infantry circa 1870

"Lafayette nous sommes ici "

Best Wishes,

Tevot

[slava]

No mention of the Magiya in any of the listings. I missed the first few minutes of the BBC Four transmission tonight, but I belive it was dropped.

[Richard Tarleton]

Whilst I try not to be a perfectionist, Oistrakh (D) has always been my favourite

I always think of Oistrach when I watch Bell - the knees-bends, the thrashing about....wouldn't he play even better if he stood still? I was due to hear Oistrach play this in 1971 but we got Ida Haendel instead, following a diplomatic incident....

But those red trousers? Is that really a good idea?

Don't you think they went well with the red white and blue sneakers?

BTW there was at least one very persistent cougher during the Shosta, must have been annoying for the performers and audience in the hall.