Prom 31 - 6.08.13: Walton, Rubbra, Bruch & Korngold

[Barbirollians]

What did you think of Vilde Frang ? Her recording of the Nielsen and Tchaikovsky Concertos I thought was excellent .

[edashtav]

Voices of Patriotism and Exile

A splendid 'Orb and Sceptre' to kick off an excellent first half. I'm not fussed about the programme making some kind of historical or other sense - but it was interesting to juxtapose two Coronation pieces, and why not have a crowd-pleaser to follow? Very impressed that the announcer knew the encore.


The first movement did sound to me like an extended intro of themes in a black and white thriller, and none the worse for it. It didn't hold my attention so consistently after that, but good to hear a less well known symphony given pride of place.

I disagree, pilamenon, re "Orb and Sceptre". I didn't feel there was sufficient distinction drawn between its exposition and the big tune in the trio : between Orb & Sceptre, if you like. The start was a tad slow and ponderous and there was too little electric snap, crackle and pop. The big tune was more successful, but overall the reading was insufficiently characterised for my liking.

I've been a Rubbra fan since the '60s when I discovered an ample supply of Lengnick miniature scores of his symphonies, all for sale at ridiculously low prices in a lovely old music shop, I think it was called Joseph Pass, tucked away behind Birmingham's Anglican Cathedral. The scores were not fully typeset but were reproductions from scores written out by a master copyist. They were beautiful objects and over the next two decades, as I gradually heard broadcasts of the works, I found that the music had a luminous, almost timeless appeal, as well. Rather a long preface to the short suite for soprano and orchestra "Ode to the Queen" heard this evening. It's public music by a private man, and I feel an atypical utterance. Not until its final movement did I hear the true voice of Edmund Rubbra. Earlier, I heard a flourish for an occasion in the first movement which was far too heavily scored to balance one lonely soprano. But... how well, Susan Bickley coped with the fusillades of sound all around her. The middle movement was less hectic but remained impersonal.

I can't comment fairly on the Bruch as I broke off after half a movement to eat. What I heard was good.

The Korngold shone with belief from orchestra and conductor. There were no half measures. The snap, crackle and pop that I missed in the Walton were present, and the work emerged as a decent memorial to the Austrian symphonic tradition. Korngold was a master orchestrator and that skill energised the scherzo. The intense adagio that followed was full of angst. It could have been a memorial to Anton Bruckner. Equally, it might have been a requiem to the composer that Korngold might have become if he had not been displaced from Europe and forced to make a living in Hollywood. It was played with intensity and made a big impact upon me. A good work to programme at the Proms for it needs plenty of rehearsal and real conviction. I thought it sounded at home in the vast spaces of the Royal Albert Hall. Thank you to all concerned.

[Sir Velo]

Very impressed that the announcer knew the encore.

I take it Katie D wasn't on duty last night?

Actually, I understand that most nights the announcers are told what the encores could be.

[Bax-of-Delights]

I take it Katie D wasn't on duty last night?

Sometimes I suspect KD is disappointed if she isn't able to over-express her foreign names. You can't do much with Malcolm Arnold but give her a GIAcommmmo PUcciiiiiiiini and she's all giggled up.

That's by the by.

Nice piece on Rubbra by "Overgrown Path" on his blog this morning:

http://www.overgrownpath.com/2013/08/rubbra-is-kind-of-big-deal.html

And if anyone has not yet tackled any of the symphonies here's the 4th that is recommended.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=frRwHhGL7v0

[Nick Armstrong]

Sometimes I suspect KD is disappointed if she isn't able to over-express her foreign names. You can't do much with Malcolm Arnold but give her a GIAcommmmo PUcciiiiiiiini and she's all giggled up.

[Sir Velo]

Nice piece on Rubbra by "Overgrown Path" on his blog this morning:

http://www.overgrownpath.com/2013/08/rubbra-is-kind-of-big-deal.html

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I agree with the Janacek lover that the Rubbra was not especially memorable. I'm afraid the warbling soprano at the outset had Lady V reaching for the mute button moments ahead of yours truly!

[Barbirollians]

I have an idea for the BBC inspired by a mix of Castaway and Desert Island Discs

Abandon Petroc and Katie D on a desert island for 6 months with just 8 discs and a wind up gramophone and a camcorder .

It might not make much of a programme but it would be a blessed relief for radio 3 listeners .

[ferneyhoughgeliebte]

I've been a Rubbra fan since the '60s when I discovered an ample supply of Lengnick miniature scores of his symphonies, all for sale at ridiculously low prices in a lovely old music shop, I think it was called Joseph Pass, tucked away behind Birmingham's Anglican Cathedral. The scores were not fully typeset but were reproductions from scores written out by a master copyist. They were beautiful objects and over the next two decades, as I gradually heard broadcasts of the works, I found that the music had a luminous, almost timeless appeal, as well.

Exactly the right word to describe these glorious works, ed. I envy your possessing scores: when you can find them at all these days, they want very high prices for them (same with Martinu's).

[ferneyhoughgeliebte]

Abandon Petroc and Katie D on a desert island for 6 months with just 8 discs and a wind up gramophone and a camcorder .

PT & KD for six months adds a whole other meaning to "wind-up gramophone"

[BBMmk2]

Personally I don't mind Petroc. It's KD I detest, especially when she gushes and well, just opens her mouth to speak!

[marvin]

I have an idea for the BBC inspired by a mix of Castaway and Desert Island Discs

Abandon Petroc and Katie D on a desert island for 6 months with just 8 discs and a wind up gramophone and a camcorder .

It might not make much of a programme but it would be a blessed relief for radio 3 listeners .

What nonsense re Petroc and so I am going to assume you'd like to have Sean Rafferty (Rabbity) on instead? Heaven forfend the latter, with his embarrassing verbosity and verbal diarrhoea.

Let's have Ananova introducing the proms or even HAL.

[Nick Armstrong]

Let's have Ananova introducing the proms or even HAL.

Who? What?

[edashtav]

I have an idea for the BBC inspired by a mix of Castaway and Desert Island Discs

Abandon Petroc and Katie D on a desert island for 6 months with just 8 discs and a wind up gramophone and a camcorder .

It might not make much of a programme but it would be a blessed relief for radio 3 listeners .

The whole show could be entitled "Entr'actes for flute and double-bass".

[ferneyhoughgeliebte]

Who? What?

The computer from 2001: a Space Odyssey. Musical to the core.

[marvin]

The computer from 2001: a Space Odyssey. Musical to the core.

Thanks for helping our friend. Ignorance has no excuse with Google at hand.