Prom 2 - 19.07.14: China PO, Zhang / Balsom / Long Yu

[ardcarp]

I'm now enjoying the 'Chinese Restaurant' music encore

.

I have to admit to a very naughty but spontaneous urge to spirit some tubular bells playing in parallel fifths during the admirably straightforward P&C March, eg

Dah dee diddle dee dee (bing bong bing bong bing bong bing) Dah dee diddle diddle dee, etc

[visualnickmos]

Not rubbish at all, visual, that's what the Forum is for....people writing as they find.
Refreshing, IMO.

Thanks ..ardcap... 'Refreshing' - that is the key word. These fora (or can we now say 'forums' which actually sounds much nicer) are a great source of knowledge with fun and humour thrown in, as well as debate, controversy and wit. Love it.....

[grandchant]

Well...
At the end of the Elgar I thought 'once again please, with feeling'
The other pieces (apart from the ones I mention below) were a bit bland in interpretation by what you might call 'western' standards. I thought the Ravel/Mussorgsky brought out some textures more clearly than usual. They seem drawn to romantic music; where's the flexible beat and exagerated dynamics? I guess the way they did it goes down well in Beijing. But, both of these attributes were abundent in the two encores (at the end of the second half).
The trumpet piece I thought was good but unlikely to take hold.
The variations on the national anthem were a spectacular final encore. I hope they don't throw those parts away. Anytime we need a feelgood nationalistic piece they'll do fine. Last night of the proms?

[visualnickmos]

Well...
At the end of the Elgar I thought 'once again please, with feeling'
The other pieces (apart from the ones I mention below) were a bit bland in interpretation by what you might call 'western' standards. I thought the Ravel/Mussorgsky brought out some textures more clearly than usual. They seem drawn to romantic music; where's the flexible beat and exagerated dynamics? I guess the way they did it goes down well in Beijing. But, both of these attributes were abundent in the two encores (at the end of the second half).
The trumpet piece I thought was good but unlikely to take hold.
The variations on the national anthem were a spectacular final encore. I hope they don't throw those parts away. Anytime we need a feelgood nationalistic piece they'll do fine. Last night of the proms?

Bits in bold - yes, absolutely agree.

[kernelbogey]

Both the Liszt and the encore sounded to me rather flashy. Looking forward to other comments. Have not bothered with Part Two.

What struck me was the soloist's very free rubato, which seemed excessive to me. Mind you, I tend to think of Liszt as fundamentally flashy. Listening to his music is like eating a whole box of chocolates in anticipation of a feast and feeling disappointed afterwards.

[Ferretfancy]

I had no problems with the orchestral sound as heard from the Arena, but it was very uncomfortable because of the heat. There were perhaps a few shortcomings in co-ordination, but I suspect that was more due to the conductor rather than the musicians. It must be difficult for any orchestra to play in the RAH for the first time.
I did notice that most of the string instruments looked very new, maybe from the same manufacturer ? In any case they were well played.

I thought that the Liszt came off best, with excellent playing from the young pianist Haochen Zhang, his rubato didn't worry me at all, it is after all a high romantic piece. There were quite a few young Chinese in the Arena, some of them promming for the first time, lots of goodwill.

Zhang's encore was Liszt again, La Campanella from the Paganini Etudes.

After Pictures at an Exhibition, the conductor Long Yu presented us with two encores, a short folk based piece, and a rather austere sounding Duo for Violin and Cello which led into a rousing version of 'God Save the Queen' followed by some witty variations.

Not a memorable evening, but very enjoyable, it's nice to be back.

[Roehre]

What struck me was the soloist's very free rubato, which seemed excessive to me. Mind you, I tend to think of Liszt as fundamentally flashy. Listening to his music is like eating a whole box of chocolates in anticipation of a feast and feeling disappointed afterwards.

Looks like you only have listened to a very small range of his output then so far, I'm afraid.

[kernelbogey]

Looks like you only have listened to a very small range of his output then so far, I'm afraid.

I'm willing to be enlightened on what I may have missed, Roehre: over the years I've heard a lot of the piano music, but always end up feeling that it is rooted so much in a demonstration of formidable technique that it leaves me unmoved. The box of chocolates metaphor isn't all that accurate, perhaps: but I've never really been touched.

[Ferretfancy]

I'm willing to be enlightened on what I may have missed, Roehre: over the years I've heard a lot of the piano music, but always end up feeling that it is rooted so much in a demonstration of formidable technique that it leaves me unmoved. The box of chocolates metaphor isn't all that accurate, perhaps: but I've never really been touched.

Do you have to be touched to enjoy? There's lots of music that is not profound, but hits the spot on the right occasion, and Liszt's Concerto No. 1 is in that category.

I once worked on a documentary about Sir Michael Tippett in which he remembered earlier days watching silent cinema with a piano accompanist. I remarked that a lot of the improvisation for old films sounded like bad Liszt. He said yes, and there was a lot of bad Liszt, but what about the late piano works or the Sonata ?

We can feel a little lost in the huge piano output of a composer like Liszt, but his music will last -perhaps not all the tone poems though, Hunnenschlact in particular !

[Tevot]

I had no problems with the orchestral sound as heard from the Arena, but it was very uncomfortable because of the heat. There were perhaps a few shortcomings in co-ordination, but I suspect that was more due to the conductor rather than the musicians. It must be difficult for any orchestra to play in the RAH for the first time.
I did notice that most of the string instruments looked very new, maybe from the same manufacturer ? In any case they were well played.

I thought that the Liszt came off best, with excellent playing from the young pianist Haochen Zhang, his rubato didn't worry me at all, it is after all a high romantic piece. There were quite a few young Chinese in the Arena, some of them promming for the first time, lots of goodwill.

Zhang's encore was Liszt again, La Campanella from the Paganini Etudes.

After Pictures at an Exhibition, the conductor Long Yu presented us with two encores, a short folk based piece, and a rather austere sounding Duo for Violin and Cello which led into a rousing version of 'God Save the Queen' followed by some witty variations.

Not a memorable evening, but very enjoyable, it's nice to be back.

Hello there,

Thanks Ferret for your first hand account... It persuades me to give it a spin on I-player - if and when it is working

Looking at the programme itself - it does appear to be conservative with a small "c" - though I can well imagine back home - Chinese State Television will report on and relay the concert - showcasing the artistry of the orchestra and musicians involved in their advocacy of established classical repertoire / masterpieces. It certainly seems to be a platform for the China PO - and indeed kudos to the Proms for hosting them

Best Wishes,

Tevot

[kernelbogey]

Chinese State Television will report on and relay the concert - showcasing the artistry of the orchestra and musicians involved in their advocacy of established classical repertoire / masterpieces.

Was it televised here? I tried to find out if I could see it on iPlayer but the whole BBC website appears to be having technical problems.

[Bryn]

Was it televised here? I tried to find out if I could see it on iPlayer but the whole BBC website appears to be having technical problems.

http://iplayerhelp.external.bbc.co.uk/tv/iPlayer_19072014

*** Update 20 July ***

Intermittent technical issues are still affecting BBC Online. These are under investigation.

Something of an understatement, what?!

[mercia]

Was it televised here? I tried to find out if I could see it on iPlayer but the whole BBC website appears to be having technical problems.

the televised China Philharmonic prom will be broadcast on BBC4 Sunday 27th July 7pm........... followed, I notice, by a documentary about classical music in China

[Bryn]

Just managed to get Parts 1 and 2 of last night's Prom (China Phil), but not he interval feature, from the iPlayer in "HD Sound"

[Must have caught a 'lucky window'. Both parts are missing again now.]

Anyone desperate for Prom 1 or 2 should feel free to PM me. I might well be able to offer an interim solution.

[Aotearoa]

I listened to this Prom via the internet (the only way for us antipodeans - and it is at 8 in the morning, so chomping corn flakes and the Prom). It was, as people have remarked, a bit of a crowd-pleaser for an orchestra probably 'coming out' on the international stage here in Europe.

It may have been the reception, but I sensed the strings sounded 'oriental', especially in the Pictures piece. This was reinforced when they played the Chinese encore piece. They seemed far more comfortable playing this, though the oriental style did add a tone to Mussorgsky piece which does have allusions to the East. Am I imagining this given I have no musical training, just the same passion we all share?

On a separate note I see a number of orchestras coming out on the Proms stage; The Singapore and Qatar (!!??) orchestras also get an airing.