Prom 28 - 7.08.14: BBC SO, Oramo

[Serial_Apologist]

Great post Jayne. Thanks.

I have been very wary of soundbathing since reading Wiliam Schuman's thoughts on the subject.
But now I am confused on the issue

Yes one has to be wary in case anyone else is around when one removes ones ears

[jayne lee wilson]

No 14 continued....


Always fascinating to hear a new piece for the 2nd time, especially if it formed a vivid impression upon the mind's ear; a more sensational piece can reveal as no more than its most brilliant gestures, a subtle piece might be just a bit dull after all...

Second time around, Brett Dean's Electric Preludes seemed at least as rivetting - and more expansive in both sonority and imagination; it seemed to grow out into the vast space around it; the pieces aren't long yet range widely in their moods and textures. I also felt a surer sense of shape to the work, with the stop-start No.1 more clearly preludial, and the 6th, Berceuse, as it sweeps from low to high and back again (covering all sonorities from cello to stratospheric violin to viola) poignantly recalling the Berg Violin Concerto as it comes beatifically to rest; a real sense of an ending. The 5th, most expansive and wideranging, now seemed more climactic; and those Clangers in No.4 certainly come down with quite a crunch.

It's very surprising, given the nature of the RAH, that we don't hear live electronics at the Proms more often; but all too obvious why, as serious or genuinely modern creation tends to fall into the silent abyss between Brahms and Paloma, Bach and The Pet Shop Boys.
But 25 minutes isn't long to give to such an exciting, compelling piece; take the chance while you can, and if you do hate it - think how much fresher the Three Bs will seem afterwards...

Electric Preludes pulses with Duende, and El Duende too... that wicked little sprite was here after all, shapeshifted into a body with six strings....

[teamsaint]

Jayne's inspiring commentary ensured a listen.


Exciting stuff.

trains, and an (allegorical?) journey surely? Sounds like that to me.

The blurb on the BBC says this was inspired by visual stimuli including Aboriginal art.

[VodkaDilc]

Oedipus Rex is always a stunning work to hear live and this performance lived up to expectations. The chorus was especially vivid throughout and the orchestra was on great form, especailly the woodwind contributions. From my seat, the soloists did not always project through the massed choral and orchestral sounds: Jocasta was less exciting than in some performances and Creon seemed to have an off-night. All in all, a very dramatic performance.

I was less sure about the first half. For me, amplified sounds do not work well with a string orchestra. Judging from what I have read above, it could have worked better on radio. The programme does not mention an afternoon repeat on R3. Too challenging for an afternoon radio audience, perhaps.

[Bax-of-Delights]

I wasn't at all impressed by Brett Dean's Electric Preludes (I was listening on the radio) but will seek it out on Iplayer to give it a second go. Paradoxically when I was listening to it I recalled Jimmy Page's electric - in every sense - cello bow solo on his Les Paul guitar during Led Zeppelin's Dazed and Confused at the RAH.

45 years ago - and still stunning.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JeDdp6q-AkQ

The solo starts at 3.30 and runs through to 7.30

[Lento]

I'm afraid Oedipus Rex is one of the most impenetrable pieces ever written, for me

It was my first hearing and I felt it hard to react strongly to, either way. I did not feel it entirely lacked drama, but Stravinsky does seem to be saying "first the music, then the words" in some respects, then perhaps rather falling between two stools. I'm wondering if there is a sort of cold indifference in Stravinsky's neo-classicism, which may threaten to provoke the same in his audience. This is only a first impression, though, and quite, possibly, utter garbage.

[VodkaDilc]

It was my first hearing and I felt it hard to react strongly to, either way. I did not feel it entirely lacked drama, but Stravinsky does seem to be saying "first the music, then the words" in some respects, then perhaps rather falling between two stools. I'm wondering if there is a sort of cold indifference in Stravinsky's neo-classicism, which may threaten to provoke the same in his audience. This is only a first impression, though, and quite, possibly, utter garbage.

Give yourself a few years to get to know it. I've loved the piece for 45+ years - one of Stravinsky's finest for me, alongside Symphony of Psalms and Les Noces.

[jayne lee wilson]

Oedipus Rex is always a stunning work to hear live and this performance lived up to expectations. The chorus was especially vivid throughout and the orchestra was on great form, especailly the woodwind contributions. From my seat, the soloists did not always project through the massed choral and orchestral sounds: Jocasta was less exciting than in some performances and Creon seemed to have an off-night. All in all, a very dramatic performance.

I was less sure about the first half. For me, amplified sounds do not work well with a string orchestra. Judging from what I have read above, it could have worked better on radio. The programme does not mention an afternoon repeat on R3. Too challenging for an afternoon radio audience, perhaps.

Dean's Electric Preludes did sound really excellent on the HDs webcast, yes - beautifully balanced violectro solo/electronics/stringband, amplification effects very clear, spacious yet atmospheric. A sonic spectacular at home!
Have you tried Saariaho's Nymphea, for String Quartet & electronics? There a paraphrase called Nymphea Reflection, for String Orchestra alone. Fascinating comparative listening! How it works live is another matter though, yes...

[jayne lee wilson]

I wasn't at all impressed by Brett Dean's Electric Preludes (I was listening on the radio) but will seek it out on Iplayer to give it a second go. Paradoxically when I was listening to it I recalled Jimmy Page's electric - in every sense - cello bow solo on his Les Paul guitar during Led Zeppelin's Dazed and Confused at the RAH.

45 years ago - and still stunning.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JeDdp6q-AkQ

The solo starts at 3.30 and runs through to 7.30

Well yeah, but the 5th Electric Prelude has all that and more in less time, in a wildly pseudo-Baroque/modernist context. I think it works brilliantly...just great to get it from a former member of the Berliner Philharmoniker too...

[Lento]

Give yourself a few years to get to know it.

Thanks: I won't give up on it!

[grandchant]

I've only listened to Oedipus Rex so far, and I found it fascinating. Perhaps not so 'in your face' as many performances, the textures and harmonies were clear and engaging in a way I haven't heard before. This really shows how an HD broadcast can bring out new perspectives on a work; and it uses (by far) the best translation of the narration.

[Tevot]

Hello there,

Haven't yet heard the Stravinsky - but am currently listening to the concert relay on the Prom Website. Really enjoyed the Brett Dean.

Best Wishes,

Tevot