Brilliant Idea? - Maybe. New directions for Proms

[Petrushka]

I've got a brilliant idea - stuff the gimmicks and let's get back to proper proms and a last night without the false bonhomie in the park.

As a matter of interest despite all the 'popular' Proms, I believe that the VPO/Rattle Dream of Gerontius was the first to sell out - sorry, Mr GG.

A problem with a Proms 'fringe' is that, as in Edinburgh, most people will think of it as the main Festival.

[Eine Alpensinfonie]

As a matter of interest despite all the 'popular' Proms, I believe that the VPO/Rattle Dream of Gerontius was the first to sell out - sorry, Mr GG.

I know.

A problem with a Proms 'fringe' is that, as in Edinburgh, most people will think of it as the main Festival.

I knew there'd be catch.

[ferneyhoughgeliebte]

A problem with a Proms 'fringe' is that, as in Edinburgh, most people will think of it as the main Festival.

Would that matter? The quality and attendance at the "scalp" Edinburgh Festival events remain enviable - is public perception that important?

I think Alpie's idea has many things going for it - spread the "BBC Proms" across the entire BBC network (after all, most people already think of "The Proms" as "The Last Night" and " ... in the Park", if not " ... on the Farm") over the eight/nine weeks.

[Beef Oven!]

I take the bus home from the Proms. How am I supposed to get home?

[french frank]

I take the bus home from the Proms. How am I supposed to get home?

You would probably have to do what a lot of 'out of towners' have to do now: book a hotel for a few nights.

[Beef Oven!]

You would probably have to do what a lot of 'out of towners' have to do now: book a hotel for a few nights.

Doesn't get my vote. It's not like the DVLA where it can be done by letter.

Also, the current set up gives people a chance to come and see London and get a feel for how we are running the country for them.

Many overseas tourists attend the Proms, that would be drastically reduced if it was relocated to Glasgow.

[cloughie]

Would that matter? The quality and attendance at the "scalp" Edinburgh Festival events remain enviable - is public perception that important?

I think Alpie's idea has many things going for it - spread the "BBC Proms" across the entire BBC network (after all, most people already think of "The Proms" as "The Last Night" and " ... in the Park", if not " ... on the Farm") over the eight/nine weeks.

Fine, let's sell out completely. Call me a backwoodsman but I think the Proms has not been improved by the populism over the last few years and most of the above suggestions would further dilute them.

[french frank]

Many overseas tourists attend the Proms, that would be drastically reduced if it was relocated to Glasgow.

Glasgow? I didn't think the suggestion involved moving the current Proms out of London, just establishing a 'Fringe' somewhere.

[ferneyhoughgeliebte]

Call me a backwoodsman

As you wish, Woody.

most of the above suggestions would further dilute them.

"Most"? There was one - and that was what Alpie himself had suggested in the OP.

[ferneyhoughgeliebte]

Glasgow? I didn't think the suggestion involved moving the current Proms out of London, just establishing a 'Fringe' somewhere.

Which I understood as including other venues in London.

[french frank]

Which I understood as including other venues in London.

Yes - an expansion to places like King's Place (and Cadogan Hall), if possible - given that they have their own programmes. But an annual 2-month booking for specific days (not the whole time) might work. A planner's nightmare, of course

The Roundhouse used to present the short-lived 'Electric Proms', didn't it?

[Eine Alpensinfonie]

I didn't think the suggestion involved moving the current Proms out of London, just establishing a 'Fringe' somewhere.

No, that wasn't part of the conception. A while ago, I did suggest making the Proms truly national, but this time, I would stick to London, just as the Edinburgh Festival sticks (I think) to Edinburgh.

[MrGongGong]

I believe that the VPO/Rattle Dream of Gerontius was the first to sell out

I know.

Why not get rid of the whole thing and get Grubby Ramone to do 4 weeks of Classical Spectacular ?

I love the way that folks like to play fantasy games, like the "fantasy orchestral management" one we had a while ago

[VodkaDilc]

Yes - an expansion to places like King's Place (and Cadogan Hall), if possible - given that they have their own programmes. But an annual 2-month booking for specific days (not the whole time) might work. A planner's nightmare, of course

The Roundhouse used to present the short-lived 'Electric Proms', didn't it?

There were some Proms at the Roundhouse around the early 70s, mostly 'new music'. I took part in one conducted by Boulez. It was televised and extracts still crop up occasionally in programmes about Ligeti or Boulez.

[VodkaDilc]

A problem with a Proms 'fringe' is that, as in Edinburgh, most people will think of it as the main Festival.

I am going to the Edinburgh Festival this year. I am surprised that the reaction of many friends, when I say I'm going to Edinburgh, has been "Are you going to the Fringe?"