Prom 4 - 20.07.14: Mahler 6 etc, World Orchestra for Peace, Gergiev

[Eine Alpensinfonie]

Sunday 20 July
7.30 p.m. – c. 10.00 p.m.
Royal Albert Hall

Roxanna Panufnik: Three Paths to Peace (European premiere)
Richard Strauss: Die Frau ohne Schatten, Op. 65 - symphonic fantasia

Mahler: Symphony No. 6 in A minor

World Orchestra for Peace
Valery Gergiev, conductor

This celebrated orchestra marks Strauss's 150th anniversary with the colourful, fairy-tale soundscapes of his operatic masterpiece Die Frau ohne Schatten. Fantasy gives way to reality in the prescient tragedy of Mahler's Sixth Symphony, the glorious agony of its final movement foreshadowing the composer's own personal heartbreaks.
Roxanna Panufnik's Three Paths to Peace, commissioned by tonight's orchestra, meshes Christian, Jewish and Islamic musical traditions to tell the story of Abraham and Isaac.

[Eine Alpensinfonie]

I heard somewhere that this is the orchestra's only UK concert this year.

[Barbirollians]

Ironic that it is being conducted by Putin's pal .

[pastoralguy]

Isn't it?!

[Hornspieler]

Ironic that it is being conducted by Putin's pal .

Music is an international language. There is no place in it for politics, sexual discrimination or religious conflict.

HS

[Barbirollians]

Music is an international language. There is no place in it for politics, sexual discrimination or religious conflict.

HS

I am afraid that strikes me as glib. An orchestra supposedly dedicated to peace is being conducted by a man who sailed in to conduct in South Ossetia after it had been occupied by Russian tanks . He has no place conducting any such orchestra and should stick to orchestras that do not have any such purpose.

[Honoured Guest]

Music is an international language. There is no place in it for politics, sexual discrimination or religious conflict.HS

I read this gnomic post as being in agreement with Barbirollians. This "classical supergroup" is to be conducted by someone who uses music to support political goals achieved by the use of force, as in the example in South Ossetia which Barbirollians reminded us of. It's absolute Newspeak that Valery Gergiev has any involvement with something called the World Orchestra for Peace! Does anyone know any facts about this orchestra? Who founded it? Who funds it? What are its goals? On the face of it, it seems that the "Peace" which it is "for" is the end of conflict by brutal subjugation of all opposition. I suppose this may be one definition of "Peace", but surely not the usual one, outside totalitarian regimes. How the **** are this orchestra and conductor permitted to enter the UK, let alone be invited to perform at the BBC Proms? Any facts, anyone, please?

[Bryn]

I believe it was a Solti project. I agree it has fallen in to entirely the wrong hands.

The World Orchestra for Peace's own site appears to be broken.

[Honoured Guest]

I believe it was a Solti project. I agree it has fallen in to entirely the wrong hands.

The World Orchestra for Peace's own site appears to be broken.

Thanks for that. I've found their Facebook page which states:

"Founded by Sir Georg Solti in 1995 for the 50th Anniversary of the UN - Designated UNESCO Artist for Peace in 2010 in recognition of its work"

"Founded in 1995. To mark the 50th anniversary of the United Nations, Sir Georg Solti, formed the World Orchestra for Peace, which consisted of 81 musicians from 40 nations. The orchestra has continued to perform after his death, under the conductorship of Valery Gergiev."

[doversoul1]

I believe it was a Solti project. I agree it has fallen in to entirely the wrong hands.

The World Orchestra for Peace's own site appears to be broken.

...and this?

2014 Unesco Peace Concert
We have just learned of the cancellation of the World Orchestra for Peace's tour which was scheduled to perform in the Festival d'Aix-en-Provence. We apologise for this programme change.

http://www.festival-aix.com/en/node/2067

[EnemyoftheStoat]

In that case, if the Proms gig is affected no doubt the LSO will be able to provide a band. They don't seem to be in any great hurry to terminate their association with VG.

[MrGongGong]

Music is an international language. There is no place in it for politics, sexual discrimination or religious conflict.

HS

Yeah right

[Honoured Guest]

...and this?

2014 Unesco Peace Concert
We have just learned of the cancellation of the World Orchestra for Peace's tour which was scheduled to perform in the Festival d'Aix-en-Provence. We apologise for this programme change.
http://www.festival-aix.com/en/node/2067

"Roxanna Panufnik’s Three Paths to Peace, commissioned by tonight’s orchestra, meshes Christian, Jewish and Islamic musical traditions to tell the story of Abraham and Isaac."

How could this be performed while the Israelis continue their bombing?

[jean]

I suppose there are no Jews other than Israelis?

And that adherents of Islam or Christianity never bomb anyone?

[teamsaint]

whether, or how far, politics should be "allowed" to affect the performance of music is a huge question.

But Gergiev is really responsible for dragging it into the arenas in which he operates, and can have no complaints if others follow suit.

FWIW , I'll find other music to listen to that night.