Prom 75 - 7.09.13: Last Night of the Proms

[pilamenon]

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.

In agreement with every word of that. Many of the comments about Nigel's appearance range from po-faced to downright insulting. It's meant to be a party as well, and not a stiff occasion.

Equally, his interviews may not be the last word in enlightenment, but after nearly two months of repetitive and bland Q & As about isn't it exciting to be appearing, isn't this a great piece, wasn't that a wonderful performance etc etc, I would far rather hear someone with something different or even outlandish to say than the predictable and tedious drivel.

[amac4165]

I've just found my old collection of Proms Prospectuses. How's this for a good Last Night:

Brian - Festival Fanfare
VW - Serenade to Music
Walton - Belshazzar's Feast
Britten - Piano Concerto
Elgar - Pomp and Circumstance No 1
Holst - The Perfect Fool
Arne - Rule Britannia
Parry - Jerusalem

A perfect programme, I'd say, with real substance (and no Sea Songs). This was 1974 and was conducted by Sir Charles Groves.

Indeed - I was there ! aged 11. I thought Charles Groves was Sir Henry wood !

I can actually remember it quite well - the first half was pretty "normal" and I don't think flags even came out until the second half. I also seemed to remember quite a few encores of Land of hope and glory and rule Britannia. The rule Britannia was the full Sargent version so not that much shorter the the sea songs.

I next went around 1980 - and the thing had got a bit silly by then.

[french frank]

A perfect programme, I'd say, with real substance (and no Sea Songs). This was 1974 and was conducted by Sir Charles Groves.

That could have had the hand of Glock, who gave up in 1973, or the new Controller from 1974, Robert Ponsonby (who has already been mentioned for his all night Indian classical programmes).

[Alain Maréchal]

Having now watched my recording of last night's event, (fast-forwarding through the Bette Midler impersonator), may I ask two tangential questons?

Why does Mr Kennedy support a football team with which, as far as I can tell from his fascinating and informative Wikipedia article, he has no connection at all?

It was broadcast on France Musique, American Public Media, and probably lots of other places. Does the BBC make an awful lot of money from that? If it does then I understand the need to make it popular, if it doesn't, why not?

[amac4165]

I fear that day could be not too far away.

Well the John Wilson Orchestra is a very fine Orchestra - but the main problem is what is played not how it is played. I doubt the Berlin Phil could do much better.

The trouble is that the whole event has assumed a proportion that has far out grown the very event it is supposed to be connected with - and has become to all intents and purposes completely divorced from the actual proms. Both in content and audience.

I doubt the BBC make as much money the ticket touts - on Friday there were offering at least £500 for any seat and around £100 for standing. I guess they would double their "Investments".

[Flosshilde]

I'm looking forward to the day when Thomas Arne's music for the masque Alfred is performed during the first night - it concludes (as I'm sure you know ) with the song Rule Britannia.


That'd confuse 'em

[Flosshilde]

the whole event has ... has become to all intents and purposes completely divorced from the actual proms. Both in content and audience.

Indeed - I'm sure that a large part of the population would recognise 'The Last Night of the Proms', but would have no idea what 'the Proms' actually is. (Given the Americanisation of so much of our culture they'd probably think that it relates to the end of year dance at school)

[Petrushka]

I doubt the BBC make as much money [as] the ticket touts

I'd think that the BBC makes its money from the Last Night from selling the broadcast to a multitude if countries as well as from ticket sales. Presumably this subsidises the rest of the season.

[Petrushka]

Indeed - I'm sure that a large part of the population would recognise 'The Last Night of the Proms', but would have no idea what 'the Proms' actually is. (Given the Americanisation of so much of our culture they'd probably think that it relates to the end of year dance at school)

Colleagues at work used to think that every Prom I went to was the same as the Last Night (like a theatre run) until I explained.

[Eine Alpensinfonie]

Why does Mr Kennedy support a football team with which, as far as I can tell from his fascinating and informative Wikipedia article, he has no connection at all?

It does seem a little strange. He doesn't have a fake Brummie accent. But then, think of the number of Manchester United supporters who have never been near Manchester. Football support is a strange thing. For many, it is the team you first watched as a child. For me it was Stockport County (1-1 draw against Crewe) and I've supported them ever since. But unlike Nige, I lived only 4 miles from the football ground.

[Sir Velo]

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.

How does any season end? You start with a big work; you end with a magnum opus.

In this case, we started with the Sea Symphony and, given the standard of musical fare on offer this year, you end with a suite from Titanic.

[amac4165]

Having now watched my recording of last night's event, (fast-forwarding through the Bette Midler impersonator), may I ask two tangential questons?

Why does Mr Kennedy support a football team with which, as far as I can tell from his fascinating and informative Wikipedia article, he has no connection at all?

It was broadcast on France Musique, American Public Media, and probably lots of other places. Does the BBC make an awful lot of money from that? If it does then I understand the need to make it popular, if it doesn't, why not?

(fast-forwarding through the Bette Midler impersonator)


Well I would guess the principle performers would be on a percentage of the revenue too.

Overall the proms series costs far more than they generate in sales - and I assume that the "last night" generates income which offsets this loss. Over the last few years a pattern of "international soloists" has been established which no doubt helps the sales.

As for wearing of football shirts - I do not believe this conforms to any rational explanation. Far more people wear Man Utd shirts than have every lived in Manchester let alone been to Old Trafford ! (edit someone go to that fact before me - damm my slow typing !)

[EdgeleyRob]

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.

Hi Saly.

I've just watched this on I player,what a superb performance.
Doesn't bother me how he dresses or what he says if he can play the violin like that.

Time for my poem again,sorry folks!

My beautiful ascending lark.
Your critics are wide of the mark.
It's not your fault it seems to me.
Overworked by Radio three.
When you rise and begin to round.
I love that silver chain of sound.
Over the course of many years.
You've brought sheer delight to my ears.
And so much pleasure still to give.
I'll love you as long as I live.

[salymap]

Thanks Rob, yes it did sound good last night.

bestio, saly

[Flay]

Hi Saly.

I've just watched this on I player,what a superb performance.
Doesn't bother me how he dresses or what he says if he can play the violin like that.

I have just done likewise and agree that this was a very good performance (ignoring his ragged garb and appearance).

Likewise I thought that his rendition of Csárdás was perfect for the occasion. His rapport with audience and orchestra was a delight.

But aren't you getting a little too old to be dressing as a rebellious teenager now, Nigel? My kids would say that you were "sad." It shouldn't be too difficult to look different from the herd, if that is what you want, but you don't need to look like a vagrant.