Prom 51 - 20.08.13: Tippett, Britten & Sibelius

[Eine Alpensinfonie]

7.30pm – c. 9.45pm
Royal Albert Hall

Tippett
The Mask of Time ‒ Fanfare No. 5 (5 mins)
Tippett
Concerto for Double String Orchestra (23 mins)
Britten
Les illuminations (25 mins)
INTERVAL
Elgar
Symphony No. 2 in E flat major (55 mins)

Ian Bostridge tenor
London Symphony Orchestra
Daniel Harding Conductor

What was to have been the latest Proms appearance by Sir Colin Davis becomes, following his death earlier this year, a concert honouring his memory. Taking over as conductor, Daniel Harding performs music by the modern British composer with whom Sir Colin was perhaps most associated - Michael Tippett - including in his programme Tippett's wonderfully vigorous, energetic and inventive Concerto for strings. This year's Britten centenary is marked in his white-hot 1940 song-cycle to words by the precocious teenage poet, surrealist and libertine Arthur Rimbaud. Concluding the concert, the magisterial Second Symphony by the grandfather of 20th-century English music, Edward Elgar.

[Ferretfancy]

Prom 51 - changes

I've just received notice that Prom 51 with the LSO will now be conducted by Daniel Harding, replacing the late Sir Colin Davis. This will be a memorial concert, and the scheduled Sibelius 2nd will be replaced by Elgar's 2nd. The rest of the programme is unchanged.

[Barbirollians]

I think was announced some time ago FF . I must admit i find it odd that it was decided Elgar rather than Sibelius was a more appropriate composer with which to honour Sir Colin .

I cannot help thinking but that Berlioz would have been better .

[Pabmusic]

...I must admit i find it odd that it was decided Elgar rather than Sibelius was a more appropriate composer with which to honour Sir Colin .

I cannot help thinking but that Berlioz would have been better .

It still seems slightly odd to me. I can't recall Colin Davis ever having been an Elgar 'name' in the 60s, 70s and 80s (though I recall a live First Symphony from the RAH on RCA) but tributes, articles and interviews in recent years - not to mention recordings - seem to emphasise that he was always a devoted Elgarian. Strange.

[amateur51]

It still seems slightly odd to me. I can't recall Colin Davis ever having been an Elgar 'name' in the 60s, 70s and 80s (though I recall a live First Symphony from the RAH on RCA) but tributes, articles and interviews in recent years - not to mention recordings - seem to emphasise that he was always a devoted Elgarian. Strange.

I can still recall a marvellous Elgar concert with Sir Colin and the LSO and Heinrich Schiff at London's Barbican Hall a good few years back, including the cello concerto and symphony no 2. It was in this performance of the symphony that I first made the connection with Richard Strauss in this work.

A connection I should add that most other people don't seem to understand

[Pabmusic]

...Richard Strauss...A connection I should add that most other people don't seem to understand

Now that is strange. Strauss and Elgar were (sort of) friends from the early 1900s, the Elgar's holidaying with the Strausses in Garmisch. Difficult not to see a little Strauss in the works from - say - 1904 onwards. Don't forget though that Bizet, Delibes and Massenet are greater influences. (Now that's contrversial!)

[Ferretfancy]

Sorry if my post was old news. Am I alone in finding Daniel Harding's podium manner almost impossible to watch ? Usually the posturings of conductors doesn't bother me if the results are fine, but Mr Harding's flailing arms are an exception. Again, what are his credentials as an Elgarian?

[Eine Alpensinfonie]

A great choice for replacement conductor.

[Eine Alpensinfonie]

It still seems slightly odd to me. I can't recall Colin Davis ever having been an Elgar 'name' in the 60s, 70s and 80s (though I recall a live First Symphony from the RAH on RCA) but tributes, articles and interviews in recent years - not to mention recordings - seem to emphasise that he was always a devoted Elgarian. Strange.

Sir Colin was the first conductor to recording all "3" Elgar Symphonies on the same label.

But Harding for Tippett -

[mrbouffant]

The Concerto for Double String Orch is just so jolly isn't it? A favourite of mine..

[ferneyhoughgeliebte]

The Concerto for Double String Orch is just so jolly isn't it? A favourite of mine..

[BBMmk2]

The Concerto for Double String Orch is just so jolly isn't it? A favourite of mine..

Quite so!

A vedry good programme this. A fitting memorial for Sir Colin.

[OldTechie]

Maybe the thread title should be changed - it still has Sibelius in there.

[Flosshilde]

I do like Les illuminations', but unfortunately I can't stand Ian Bostridge's voice. It always sounds rather thin, without much substance.

[Mary Chambers]

I do like Les illuminations', but unfortunately I can't stand Ian Bostridge's voice. It always sounds rather thin, without much substance.

I rather like his voice, but he's better at small-scale works with piano. He has the intelligence to sing Britten, but not always the poetic expressiveness. it sounded a bit contrived on the radio, though obviously the demands of the RAH and the demands of radio are very different. His French didn't sound as good as I'd expect from him, either.

Super piece, though! I always enjoy it.