Prom 42 - 14.08.13: Janáček, Beethoven & Tchaikovsky

[jayne lee wilson]

Yes, a wonderful Tchaikovsky 3rd, played with discipline and brilliance. I wondered at first if it was just a little lacking in sheer abandon or passion, but no - that polished playing really paid off in the control of the big moments. Good to hear an orchestra playing so well, and to hear of Karabits' commitment to the piece. It certainly sounded as though they've played it more often recently. I'm very fond of it simply because I came to it quite late; even now, it tends to take me a second listen to connect with it again.

Yes, Laurie - you wonder why anyone should NEED to fiddle with levels on HDs don't you? Sounding very good indeed in the first movement, this began to make the balance a bit fierce during the andante... then they had to try to adjust back again, meanwhile I had to adjust here (DAC filter, treble roll-off etc).. .with a sigh.

I often wonder if the "Polish" would have found more fans if it had been called "Suite No.5". It's full of original ideas, rhythmic invention and good tunes, but has the feel of a suite rather than a through-composed structure with a clear emotional narrative to it. There's a piling-up of rhythmic energies in the outer movements, where 2-4 are more akin to genre or character-pieces. (Mahler's 7th seems to give some listeners similar problems for similar reasons).

[LaurieWatt]

Yes, a wonderful Tchaikovsky 3rd, played with discipline and brilliance. I wondered at first if it was just a little lacking in sheer abandon or passion, but no - that polished playing really paid off in the control of the big moments. Good to hear an orchestra playing so well, and to hear of Karabits' commitment to the piece. It certainly sounded as though they've played it more often recently. I'm very fond of it simply because I came to it quite late; even now, it tends to take me a second listen to connect with it again.

Yes, Laurie - you wonder why anyone should NEED to fiddle with levels on HDs don't you? Sounding very good indeed in the first movement, this began to make the balance a bit fierce during the andante... then they had to try to adjust back again, meanwhile I had to adjust here (DAC filter, treble roll-off etc).. .with a sigh.

I often wonder if the "Polish" would have found more fans if it had been called "Suite No.5". It's full of original ideas, rhythmic invention and good tunes, but has the feel of a suite rather than a through-composed structure with a clear emotional narrative to it. There's a piling-up of rhythmic energies in the outer movements, where 2-4 are more akin to genre or character-pieces. (Mahler's 7th seems to give some listeners similar problems for similar reasons).

That is a very interesting thought, Jayne; it does have much more of the character or an extra Suite. I still don't get it, though, when someone like Karabits says that not only is it the best Tchaikovsky symphony but his favourite symphony of all time. I am either missing something major here or just lack sufficient understanding of what he sees and I do not. 'Must try harder' as all those reports used to say!

It was disappointing that they messed with the levels as well in the symphony, especially when the Janacek had been done so well - and that really is tricky to balance!

[edashtav]

Yes, a wonderful Tchaikovsky 3rd, played with discipline and brilliance. I wondered at first if it was just a little lacking in sheer abandon or passion, but no - that polished playing really paid off in the control of the big moments. Good to hear an orchestra playing so well, and to hear of Karabits' commitment to the piece. It certainly sounded as though they've played it more often recently. I'm very fond of it simply because I came to it quite late; even now, it tends to take me a second listen to connect with it again.



I often wonder if the "Polish" would have found more fans if it had been called "Suite No.5". It's full of original ideas, rhythmic invention and good tunes, but has the feel of a suite rather than a through-composed structure with a clear emotional narrative to it. There's a piling-up of rhythmic energies in the outer movements, where 2-4 are more akin to genre or character-pieces. (Mahler's 7th seems to give some listeners similar problems for similar reasons).

I must listen to this "polished" performance.

Since it was one of us "Brits" {Well, I think Augustus Mann was British} that named Tchaikovsky's 3rd Symphony, we can take your advice and do it again, can't we. Since the work precedes the 4 Orchestral suites , how about coming over all Brucknerian and calling it Suite no 0 ?

I'm not sure your ploy will work, though - except for Suite no 4 - the named one, Tchaik's suites seem get fewer outing in concert halls than his early symphonies, IMO

So how about :Suite no.0 "The Polish" ?

[ Good to find you back on track concentrating your attention on the content of Proms.]

[Ferretfancy]

I always enjoy the Polish listening at home, particularly the Markevich performance, but I have to admit that standing in the Arena last night it did seem rather short winded. It was a very good performance though. Maybe my legs are starting to give way !

I had forgotten that Tchaikovsky started writing Swan Lake immediately after the symphony, the parallels are very apparent.

The Janacek always sounds splendid in the RAH, and a few hesitant entries didn't really matter. Any Beethoven piano concerto I always becomes my favourite at that moment, and that was the case last night. It was a beautifully articulated performance.

[salymap]

I listened through my tinnitus to the Janacek and Beethoven and enjoyed them. Will try for the Tchaikovsky 3 on iPlayer later

[PJPJ]

I must listen to this "polished" performance.

Since it was one of us "Brits" {Well, I think Augustus Mann was British} that named Tchaikovsky's 3rd Symphony, we can take your advice and do it again, can't we. Since the work precedes the 4 Orchestral suites , how about coming over all Brucknerian and calling it Suite no 0 ?

I'm not sure your ploy will work, though - except for Suite no 4 - the named one, Tchaik's suites seem get fewer outing in concert halls than his early symphonies, IMO

So how about :Suite no.0 "The Polish" ?

So, no longer a planet, like Pluto? I can't agree - it's more of a symphony than some.

[PJPJ]

I always enjoy the Polish listening at home, particularly the Markevich performance, but I have to admit that standing in the Arena last night it did seem rather short winded. It was a very good performance though. Maybe my legs are starting to give way !

I had forgotten that Tchaikovsky started writing Swan Lake immediately after the symphony, the parallels are very apparent.

The Janacek always sounds splendid in the RAH, and a few hesitant entries didn't really matter. Any Beethoven piano concerto I always becomes my favourite at that moment, and that was the case last night. It was a beautifully articulated performance.

How fortunate to be there! However, if you'd been at home, you'd have had SMP suggesting you listen out for the brass in the Sinfonietta. I hope you managed without her.

That's as far as I've got with this concert as I was chopping up the recording, but DID manage to catch the Schubert - mesmerisingly wonderful playing. I look forward to hearing the Beethoven.

[Spellcheck suggests I replace "mesmerisingly" with "simperingly" - now words fail me utterly]

[Sir Velo]

How fortunate to be there! However, if you'd been at home, you'd have had SMP suggesting you listen out for the brass in the Sinfonietta.

Did she really say that? Rather hard to miss IWHT.

[Nick Armstrong]

SMP suggesting you listen out for the brass in the Sinfonietta. I hope you managed without her.

I was going to comment on that...

Her final words introducing the piece: possible top prize-winner for "most patronising concert introduction ever not on a children's programme"

[teamsaint]

could have been worse...she could have said something like
"those of you old enough to remember, see if you can spot the theme tune from Crown Court."

A favourite of yours doubtless, Cals.

[amateur51]

could have been worse...she could have said something like
"those of you old enough to remember, see if you can spot the theme tune from Crown Court."

A favourite of yours doubtless, Cals.

You can tell that teams has been on a break recently

[Nick Armstrong]

could have been worse...she could have said something like
"those of you old enough to remember, see if you can spot the theme tune from Crown Court."

A favourite of yours doubtless, Cals.

'Twas indeed, in the 70s, you're not wrong, teamster! Why don't they repeat those? Rumpole's getting a daily airing on Ch. 20...

Actually I'm afraid LJ's 'Sinfonietta' is one of those pieces that got all wrung out by over-listening in the past. I switched off after La Peach's jaw-dropper - I'd hear the right band play it live, but not so interested otherwise and anyway, I was anxious to have another listen to my Mahler 7 CD (q.v.)

I tuned back in for the concerto, though

[Sir Velo]

I was going to comment on that...

Her final words introducing the piece: possible top prize-winner for "most patronising concert introduction ever not on a children's programme"

I get the feeling that SMP would be happier presenting Blue Peter; she's basically a primary school teacher manquee.

[amateur51]

'Twas indeed, in the 70s, you're not wrong, teamster! Why don't they repeat those? Rumpole's getting a daily airing on Ch. 20...

Actually I'm afraid LJ's 'Sinfonietta' is one of those pieces that got all wrung out by over-listening in the past. I switched off after La Peach's jaw-dropper - I'd hear the right band play it live, but not so interested otherwise and anyway, I was anxious to have another listen to my Mahler 7 CD (q.v.)

I tuned back in for the concerto, though

I heard Kubelik conduct it at the Barbican with the LSO in the 80s, followed by Bruckner symphony no 9 - a great occasion

[bluestateprommer]

I switched off after La Peach's jaw-dropper....I tuned back in for the concerto, though

While that was a genuinely weird comment from SM-P, I strongly suspect that it was off-the-cuff and not planned in advance, and she suddenly thought to say it in the context of the Bournemouth woodwind player who was featured in an interview excerpt before the concert began, the fellow who retired this summer and whose final concert as a Bournemouth SO player this Prom was. His name sadly escapes me, but he mentioned the thrill of being surrounded by all the brass going full blazes during performances of the Janacek, especially as he had relatively little to play in the work, so he could just enjoy the sonic wallow. Besides, one can't assume that everyone listening to the concert had heard the Janacek before, and thus was ready for what was to come. I thought that KK led the Janacek very well indeed, well paced and balanced.

That aside, this was another very good concert, and another indication of the fine work going on in Bournemouth with KK at the helm, which I'll admit is limited to various R3 broadcasts. Fine work from Sunwook Kim, and also in his encore. KK's relatively self-effacing, borderline mellow, approach had the perhaps unintended effect of showing Tchaikovsky 3 as, IMHO, the weakest of the 6, but again that's due to Tchaikovsky and not the interpretation.