Prom 9: Andsnes/Mahler CO (23.07.15)

[Eine Alpensinfonie]

7.30 p.m.
Royal Albert Hall

Leif Ove Andsnes and the Mahler Chamber Orchestra live at the BBC Proms embark on the Beethoven piano concerto cycle, and Stravinsky's classically inspired ballet Apollon musagète


Beethoven: Piano Concerto No.1 in C major
Stravinsky: Apollon musagète
Beethoven: Piano Concerto No.4 in G major

Mahler Chamber Orchestra Leif Ove Andsnes piano/director

Norwegian pianist Leif Ove Andsnes embarks on his Proms cycle of Beethoven piano concertos, directing the dynamic Mahler Chamber Orchestra. Each concert features a work by Stravinsky (in this case the composer's classically inspired ballet Apollon musagète ('Apollo, Leader of the Muses') - music, the impresario Diaghilev claimed, 'not of this world, but of somewhere above.'

[Eine Alpensinfonie]

In terms of time balance might it not have been better to switch the two Beethoven concertos?

As it stands, Part 1 of the concert is rather long, and Part 2 is over almost as soon at it begins. (I'm only nit-picking - it's a good programme really.)

[Ferretfancy]

Twelve piano concertos in just over a week, I hope my knees can stand it!

[ferneyhoughgeliebte]

Twelve piano concertos in just over a week, I hope my knees can stand it!

You play the piano with your knees?!

[VodkaDilc]

In terms of time balance might it not have been better to switch the two Beethoven concertos?

As it stands, Part 1 of the concert is rather long, and Part 2 is over almost as soon at it begins. (I'm only nit-picking - it's a good programme really.)

Developmentally (is that the word?) it makes sense as it is. I would want to hear the more mature concerto last.

[Ferretfancy]

You play the piano with your knees?!

Yes, but not as well Mr Andsnes ( When in rock'n roll mood)

[ferneyhoughgeliebte]

Yes, but not as well Mr Andsnes ( When in rock'n roll mood)

His nephew's pretty good, too.







(Knees and knephew)












.... ooooh, look! Tumbleweed!

[Eine Alpensinfonie]

I'd prefer 5 piano concertos by a single composer being spread over 5 concerts. However, for a visiting orchestra and conductor, this may not be practical.

[bluestateprommer]

I'd prefer 5 piano concertos by a single composer being spread over 5 concerts. However, for a visiting orchestra and conductor, this may not be practical.

When Paul Lewis performed his LvB concerto cycle during the 2010 Proms, it was a closer arrangement to EA's idea:
(1) Prom 6, Concertos Nos. 1 & 4, BBC SO & Jiří Bělohlávek
(2) Prom 16, Concerto No. 2, CBSO & Andris Nelsons
(3) Prom 27, Concerto No. 3, Hallé & Mark Elder
(4) Prom 69, Concerto No. 5, RSNO & Stéphane Denève

Given that it is one orchestra, on a tight touring schedule, 5 concerts is indeed not practical, unless it really were to be a one-week residency. I would expect, in a theoretical situation of 5 Proms with 5 piano concertos, one concerto each, if one wanted a single orchestra, then it would have to be a BBC ensemble, which means by default the BBC SO.

But back to the main event on hand; if LOA's recordings are anything to go by, his LvB should be pretty straight, no chaser. I lean to VodkaDilc's opinion that it's better to feature the 4th concerto later. Will be interesting to hear. (Plus, I wouldn't put it past the artists potentially to offer an encore in one of their concerts, something on the order of the finale of a Mozart concerto. LOA did this once in Chicago on tour with the Norwegian Chamber Orchestra, if memory serves.)

[Tony Halstead]

But back to the main event on hand

I'm sure I just heard a short while ago Mr Rafferty say, on 'In Tune' that the Stravinsky would be conducted Matthew Truscott, the fairly recently appointed leader ( 'concertmaster') of the Mahler Chamber Orchestra. I do know Mr Truscott's work as a superb violinist in both 'modern' and 'period' ensembles ( he is one one of the leaders of the OAE).
I am wondering whether he will actually 'conduct' or maybe 'direct from the violin?

[Eine Alpensinfonie]

...if one wanted a single orchestra, then it would have to be a BBC ensemble, which means by default the BBC SO.

I'm quite certain that the BBC SSO, BBC NOW or the BBC PO would do the job just as well. The choice does not have to limited to London Orchestras. It is, after all, a series run by the BBC, not the LBC.

[Tony Halstead]

Oh dear oh dear, why does LOA do a 'ritenuto' (even a 'teeny weeny' one) at the end of each of the Rondo tunes in Movement 3?

[Alison]

Oh dear oh dear, why does LOA do a 'ritenuto' (even a 'teeny weeny' one) at the end of each of the Rondo tunes in Movement 3?

[bluestateprommer]

I'm quite certain that the BBC SSO, BBC NOW or the BBC PO would do the job just as well. The choice does not have to limited to London Orchestras. It is, after all, a series run by the BBC, not the LBC.

I should have clarified my earlier point (I sort of knew that the moment I hit "post"). The reason I mentioned the BBC SO in particular is not for reasons of orchestra quality, but of logistics. On average, the BBC SSO, BBC NOW, and the BBC PO get around 4-6 Proms per season. Thus to do one Beethoven piano concerto (or Prokofiev, for that matter) per Prom for an orchestra which might do 5 Proms in a summer would straitjacket programming flexibility for that one ensemble considerably. By comparison, since the BBC SO gets around 12 Proms per season, so to feature the 5 Beethoven concerti in 5 BBC SO Proms is somewhat less of a "straitjacket" that way. I certainly meant no ill comment on the capabilities of the other BBC ensembles.

Just listened to LvB 1; pretty much a straight ahead rendition, as I expected, with trimmed vibrato and crisp ensemble. (BTW, the ritenuti didn't bother me, which may put me in the minority, in the overall sweep of the whole work.) The question of Matthew Truscott and what he will do as leader for Apollon Musagete; I suspect that he'll 'direct' from the first chair. (Just heard SM-P mention that the the violins and violas will be performing standing. This should change the 'leadership' style from the front desk.)

[Eine Alpensinfonie]

I should have clarified my earlier point (I sort of knew that the moment I hit "post").

Don't worry. I'm a touchy northerner.