Prom 75 - 7.09.13: Last Night of the Proms

[Stunsworth]

I was talking about his 'image', as suggested by my use of the word 'image'

What is it about his image that makes him look as if he hasn't showered? He may not have shaven on the day, but that's not the same thing as looking dirty. Does Gergiev look un-showered?

[David-G]

Why do people like Ms Di Donato's voice?

Because she is magnificent - and not just in Rossini. If you don't appreciate her, I am sorry for you. I saw her as The Lady of the Lake six times at Covent Garden, and was pleased to have another opportunity this evening.

[greenilex]

This particular punter had a lovely evening by her own fireside and enjoyed every note. I felt sorry for the Titanic slipway people, poised in pouring rain above the disastrous deeps, but Hyde Park seemed happy, and I adore Dame Edna.

I wish I had a tatty black silk embroiderd jacket just like Nige's.

[greenilex]

PS Nobody has mentioned the political content of the programme, which seemed carefully chosen to me. It was by way of a Peace Prom, I think...

[salymap]

Probably one for another thread but there are parts of Rheingold (and Siegfried too) that have a lot of humour in them and I've always been surprised that this aspect hasn't attracted more commentary. There are some laugh out loud moments in text and music in both dramas.

There's always Anna Russell....

[Hornspieler]

They gave me electrocution lessons so that I could sing all the anthem solos in school chapel in received pronunciation. I can imagine something similar befalling Nigel Kennedy at posh music school.

You must have been a rotten conductor.

HS

[amcluesent]

American conductor had no intuition about the works in second half, plus gave us the benefit of lengthy party political broadcast.

[Eine Alpensinfonie]

Exactly. What matters is that his playing is very, very good, and he's an engaging performer who draws in the crowds.

Does it matter if he's wearing a Villa shirt?

Perhaps he should wear a bin liner, or perhaps nothing at all. That would draw the crowds too. Before he went ridiculous, he also drew respect.

[marvin]

I, fortunately had recorded both parts of the TV output and waited about 45 minutes before starting to view each half. This followed the introduction to the 2013 season of Strictly Come Dancing on BBC1.

I am tired of the LNOTP now, an institution that probably shoud be discontinued but I am not then sure how you would end the Prom season.
I skipped a lot but was initially struck by the magnificent voice of Ms Di Donato's voice and its dexterity and range but then she kept on re-appearing and her rendition of 'Danny Boy' and 'Over a Rainbow' seemed totally unsuited to her and at times her voice seemed shaky or perhaps there was too much vibrato, I don't know. Her 'Rule Britannia' was awful.
I thougth our Nige was good but as outlandish as you would expect and so don't know how anyone, unless very po-faced, cannot find him fascinating and entertaining. At least he was no worse than anyone else performing in what was, otherwise, a very bitty LNOTP.
Each year I always sat to myself, why do I bother to watch it and probably won't in the future if it continues in the current vein.

[salymap]

All I heard of the Last Night was Nige and the Lark - allowing for present hearing problems I had to check that the sensitive playing WAS NK.

We should never moan that this RVW masterpiece is played too much. It's our own faults if we overdo listening to it.

Radio is best for Nige IMHO.

[Eine Alpensinfonie]

Radio is best for Nige IMHO.

Definitely, just as long as there are no interviews.

[Mr Pee]

I, fortunately had recorded both parts of the TV output and waited about 45 minutes before starting to view each half. This followed the introduction to the 2013 season of Strictly Come Dancing on BBC1.

I am tired of the LNOTP now, an institution that probably shoud be discontinued but I am not then sure how you would end the Prom season.
I skipped a lot but was initially struck by the magnificent voice of Ms Di Donato's voice and its dexterity and range but then she kept on re-appearing and her rendition of 'Danny Boy' and 'Over a Rainbow' seemed totally unsuited to her and at times her voice seemed shaky or perhaps there was too much vibrato, I don't know. Her 'Rule Britannia' was awful.
I thougth our Nige was good but as outlandish as you would expect and so don't know how anyone, unless very po-faced, cannot find him fascinating and entertaining. At least he was no worse than anyone else performing in what was, otherwise, a very bitty LNOTP.
Each year I always sat to myself, why do I bother to watch it and probably won't in the future if it continues in the current vein.

Agree with the above entirely. I watch it because I feel I should, somehow. And I always look on it as marking the start of autumn.

I thought "Over the Rainbow" was cringe-making; whoever came up with that piece of programming should be forced to listen to Il Divo for perpetuity- and Danny Boy wasn't much better. To my complete surprise and discombobulation I actually quite enjoyed Nige's Charred Arse, although he's clearly still a bit of a knob.

I switched over to the Sky F1 Channel for the Monza GP Qualifying report at about 10pm, which provided some temporary relief, the sound of an F1 engine being infinitely preferable to that of Joyce Di Donato torturing poor Danny, and re-tuned in time for Pomp and Circumstance and a bit of Ms.Alsop's speechifying, but really, like you, I watch every year and then wonder why I bother.

[Mary Chambers]

Definitely, just as long as there are no interviews.

Hear hear. Nige is a caricature now. I don't think it's the job of a soloist to draw more attention to himself than to the music.

I always watch the Last Night, though I'm not sure why. Just habit, I think. There is some good music in there among the junk, and I quite enjoy the ritualistic element.

Iestyn Davies was the high point for me, though I suspect not for most of the audinece. What a singer.

[Nachtigall]

I, fortunately had recorded both parts of the TV output and waited about 45 minutes before starting to view each half. This followed the introduction to the 2013 season of Strictly Come Dancing on BBC1.

I am tired of the LNOTP now, an institution that probably shoud be discontinued but I am not then sure how you would end the Prom season.
I skipped a lot but was initially struck by the magnificent voice of Ms Di Donato's voice and its dexterity and range but then she kept on re-appearing and her rendition of 'Danny Boy' and 'Over a Rainbow' seemed totally unsuited to her and at times her voice seemed shaky or perhaps there was too much vibrato, I don't know. Her 'Rule Britannia' was awful.
I thougth our Nige was good but as outlandish as you would expect and so don't know how anyone, unless very po-faced, cannot find him fascinating and entertaining. At least he was no worse than anyone else performing in what was, otherwise, a very bitty LNOTP.
Each year I always sat to myself, why do I bother to watch it and probably won't in the future if it continues in the current vein.

So many grumblers in this thread! So should the Last Night be discontinued because you're tired of it? I'm ambivalent about it but far too many people genuinely enjoy it.

But you're right about Nige. I used to be a bit snooty about his 'image', but he's an exceptional violinist, he does a lot of good in bringing people together through his music – and he's a genuine English eccentric. People here who remain snooty about him should – as they say – get over it.

And Mary, he did not draw attention to himself while performing The Lark. His absorption in the music was total.

[DracoM]

Di Donato was for me entirely the wrong choice for this 'event' - it's not in any real sense a concert, is it?

LNOTP this year was a trackless, hopeless mish-mash, and felt as if they were all just desperate to get it over, get to the end and get the hell out of that place.