Prom 16 - 29.07.14: Borusan Istanbul PO, Hope / Goetzel

[Eine Alpensinfonie]

Tuesday, 29 July
6.30 p.m. – c. 8.55 p.m.
Royal Albert Hall

Balakirev: Islamey (orch. Lyapunov)
Holst: Beni Mora, Op 29/1
Gabriel Prokofiev: Violin Concerto (BBC commission: world premiere)

Mozart: Die Entführung aus dem Serail, K 384 - overture
Handel: Solomon, HWV 67 - overture (arr. Beecham)
Respighi: Belkis, Queen of Sheba (first performance at The Proms)

Daniel Hope, violin
Borusan Istanbul Philharmonic Orchestra (Proms debut ensemble)
Sascha Goetzel, conductor (Proms debut artist)

Violinist Daniel Hope joins the Borusan Istanbul Philharmonic Orchestra, which makes its Proms debut with a classical celebration of the Orient. Sneak into Mozart's harem, witness the magnificent Queen of Sheba in portraits by both Handel and Respighi, and enjoy the insistent rhythms and swaying hips of Balakirev's oriental fantasy Islamey. The concert also features a new violin concerto from Gabriel Prokofiev, commemorating the First World War centenary.

[Eine Alpensinfonie]

This may not be everyone's cup of tea, with politically incorrect arrangements, but I love it.

[Ferretfancy]

They are a good band. I have an excellent CD of them playing the Hindemith Symphonic Metamorphoses, among other works. Apparently they are not a full time orchestra, but appear several times a year, drawing on talent from all over the region.

If you've ever seen the Janissary Band in full fig playing in the military barracks in Istanbul, you might wish that they could come along as well!

I'm looking forward to this one.

[Pabmusic]

This may not be everyone's cup of tea, with politically incorrect arrangements, but I love it. :rem:

I doubt that any of the composers saw them as 'politically correct'. Nor are they. Stereotyped maybe, but for want of a deep multi-cultured understanding rather than anything else. To think anything else might be to take the first step towards banning them as 'racist'.

[Roehre]

...If you've ever seen the Janissary Band in full fig playing in the military barracks in Istanbul, you might wish that they could come along as well!

I'm looking forward to this one.

As I am, as well as to TtN coming Wednesday
"Percussionist Burhan Öçal, the Istanbul Oriental Ensemble and the Orchestra della Svizzera Italiana join forces for a concert of Turkish-inspired music "

[ferneyhoughgeliebte]

I doubt that any of the composers saw them as 'politically correct'. Nor are they. Stereotyped maybe, but for want of a deep multi-cultured understanding rather than anything else. To think anything else might be to take the first step towards banning them as 'racist'.

I understood Alpie's comment to refer to the un-HIPP Beecham arrangements of the Handel.

[Eine Alpensinfonie]

I understood Alpie's comment to refer to the un-HIPP Beecham arrangements of the Handel.

Quite correct!

[Il Grande Inquisitor]

This may not be everyone's cup of tea, with politically incorrect arrangements, but I love it.

Agreed. One of my picks of the week: http://bachtrack.com/proms-preview-highlights-week2

[Eine Alpensinfonie]

Agreed. One of my picks of the week: http://bachtrack.com/proms-preview-highlights-week2

Hmm. According to that link, the Proms opened with a performance of The Apostles by Elgar.

[Il Grande Inquisitor]

Hmm. According to that link, the Proms opened with a performance of The Apostles by Elgar.

Which it did... in 1980. Duly corrected...

[Eine Alpensinfonie]

Which it did... in 1980. Duly corrected...

Wasn't that Andrew Davis also.

[Il Grande Inquisitor]

Wasn't that Andrew Davis also.

In 1980, it was Gennady Rozhdestvensky - before I started tuning into the Proms, but now I'm intrigued. I wonder if it sounded anything like Svetlanov's Elgar 2 in approach?

[Petrushka]

In 1980, it was Gennady Rozhdestvensky - before I started tuning into the Proms, but now I'm intrigued. I wonder if it sounded anything like Svetlanov's Elgar 2 in approach?

It never took place! Those with long memories will recall that 1980 was the year when a Musicians Union strike caused the cancellation of 19 Proms. The season actually began with Prom 20 and I'm not sure of Rozhdestvensky ever did conduct the Apostles.

Anyway, as usual, we've wandered way off topic.

[Eine Alpensinfonie]

Anyway, as usual, we've wandered way off topic.

...which is my fault. Is the highlight of the concert going to be the Gabriel Prokofiev concerto?

I wonder...

[Pabmusic]

I understood Alpie's comment to refer to the un-HIPP Beecham arrangements of the Handel.

Quite correct!

Oh! "Dad", would say my daughter, "an Asperger's moment" … getting the wrong end of the stick comes very easily sometimes.