Prom 16 - 24.07.13: Elgar, Bantock, Walton & Tchaikovsky

[Eine Alpensinfonie]

7.30pm – c. 9.50pm
Royal Albert Hall

Elgar
Falstaff (33 mins)
Bantock
Sapphic Poem (15 mins)
INTERVAL
Walton
Henry V (5 mins)
Touch her soft lips; Death of Falstaff
Tchaikovsky
Symphony No. 4 in F minor (42 mins)

Raphael Wallfisch cello
BBC National Orchestra of Wales
Jac van Steen conductor

The baleful fanfare of Tchaikovsky's Fourth Symphony heralds the BBC Proms complete cycle of his symphonies. For conductor Jac van Steen, it's a realisation of extreme opposites, and overcoming the contrasts: "The first movement is born out of the chaos that is an inevitable part of this process, it is concerned with darkness and fate, leading to a euphoric finale, where the energy turns to light and joy". Celebrating his 60th birthday this year, Raphael Wallfisch is the soloist in the Proms premiere of Granville Bantock's Sapphic Poem, launching the Proms focus on the composer this summer. Rich, lyrical and lushly orchestrated, it is framed by two very different portraits of Sir John Falstaff by Edward Elgar and William Walton.

[Eine Alpensinfonie]

I know I'm going to love this concert, and I look forward, in particular, to the Bantock

[salymap]

Yes EA, an interesting mix of familiar and little known [the Bantock] so I'm looking forward to it too.

[Barbirollians]

A splendid programme but Raphael Wallfisch seems a bit short changed - surely they could have added something else for him to play e.g Dohnanyi's Konzertstuck

[EdgeleyRob]

Just a pity they couldn't have made it an all British programme and perhaps finished with say Alwyn 4 or Rubbra 4.
Still looking forward to it though.

[Pabmusic]

Just a pity they couldn't have made it an all British programme and perhaps finished with say Alwyn 4 or Rubbra 4.
Still looking forward to it though.

My first reaction was to agree, but I'm not so sure. The first-half pieces should be programmed because they're worthwhile as music, and to couple them with a Tchaikovsky warhorse elevates them from British music to simply music.

[Bax-of-Delights]

While it is good to see Bantock being (somewhat) recognised in this year's Proms I would have been much happier to see the Sappho song cycle or at least, because it is a lengthy piece of nearly 60 minutes, extracts from the cycle. Vernon Handley gives it a stunning performance on the Hyperion disc. Susan Bickley gives one of her very best performances. Here's one of the songs: "I loved thee once"

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=elcnYVNY3Ec

Entrancing...

[BBMmk2]

A great song cycle indeed that BoD! I have that recording also and I am also looking forward to this Prom I couldn't believe it, when I saw the programme!!

[Eine Alpensinfonie]

This is brilliant.

[Eine Alpensinfonie]

...and I've just become a real Bantock fan.

[salymap]

What a fine cellist Raphael Wallfisch is. Iloved both the Bantock pieces.

[Alison]

Spirited playing from all concerned. The programme didn't quite work for me.

Difficult to say why but I don't think Falstaff is a good opener.

[Barbirollians]

...and I've just become a real Bantock fan.

Bantock is splendid - I would not only strongly recommend Tod handley's disc of Sappho and the Sapphic poem but the disc with the beautiful Celtic Symphony , The Witch of Atlas and the Hebridean symphony too.

What other Bantock piece did they play ? I have been at a meeting all evening and missed this Prom.

[EdgeleyRob]

Brilliant concert,a highlight of the season so far for me.

Bantock is splendid - I would not only strongly recommend Tod handley's disc of Sappho and the Sapphic poem but the disc with the beautiful Celtic Symphony , The Witch of Atlas and the Hebridean symphony too.

I couldn't agree more.

[Petrushka]

Spirited playing from all concerned. The programme didn't quite work for me.

Difficult to say why but I don't think Falstaff is a good opener.

Didn't listen to this one (due to work still catching up with last night's Walküre) but Falstaff is surely better placed at the end of the first half. It is just that bit too long to function as an overture and that could be the reason for your reaction, Alison.