Prom 9: Andsnes/Mahler CO (23.07.15)

[Ferretfancy]

Stravinsky is having a great Proms season!

And as you can see above, all the repeats are included!

[Stanfordian]

Clearly, it's remained in your memory , Charles Villiers, and it's my bet that you'll find their performances have got even better!

Hiya edashtav,

Sadly not the case as the playing of Leif Ove Andsnes rather leaves me cold and the Stravinsky Apollon musagète is a work that I don't get on with. I'm not nornally the type that dislikes this or hates that and I feel awful for being negative. Even though I have the Beethoven set by Leif Ove Andsnes and the MCO on CD I look to other recordings of the Beethoven concertos.

[Roehre]

Stravinsky is having a great Proms season!

Russian and Neoclassical Stravinsky, that is

[Eine Alpensinfonie]

Russian and Neoclassical Stravinsky, that is

Very true, but half a glass is better than an empty one.

[Rolmill]

This was easily the best Prom so far, and it sounded wonderful from my place about twenty five feet back from the rail. For the benefit of listeners I should say Leif Ove Andsnes sat with the keyboard facing the audience, in the same way that Aimard did a couple of years back, but without the baffles that Aimard used.

The Stravinsky was wonderful, with the cellos in a tight semi-circle with the firsts on the left, seconds behind them, and violas with the single bass on the right.
All the violins and violas played standing, and yes, Matthew Truscott did direct from the violin, Every detail throughout the evening was perfectly clear, and the antiphonal effect during the Stravinsky was very telling, Superb music making

I'm itching to get there for the rest of the cycle.

Yes, this was my first prom of the season and I will consider myself lucky if it turns out not to be the best. Beethoven 4 is my favourite piano concerto and received a lovely performance, IMV combining sensitivity and delicacy (noted by Edashtev) with strength and incisiveness when appropriate. My only quibble was that I thought the strings in the slow movement were perhaps rather 'tailored' and under-powered when taming the Furies. Nonetheless, it was a very beautiful performance overall.

However, it was the Stravinsky that made the deepest impression on me, possibly because I know it less well - I marvelled at the cohesion and rapport demonstrated by the MCO, who really watched and listened to each other all the way through. What wonderful playing and music-making indeed (though I saw two basses from my tier 2 seat!).

[Roehre]

Very true, but half a glass is better than an empty one.

especially Vodka

[VodkaDilc]

However, it was the Stravinsky that made the deepest impression on me, possibly because I know it less well - I marvelled at the cohesion and rapport demonstrated by the MCO, who really watched and listened to each other all the way through. What wonderful playing and music-making indeed (though I saw two basses from my tier 2 seat!).

There was something else which I noticed; perhaps someone who was there can confirm or otherwise. I thought I saw three male members of the orchestra, who were not involved in the Stravinsky, take three seats in the side stalls to listen to the piece. If I am correct, what a fine (and rare) gesture this was. I was not close enough to pick out the exact players involved, but they could well have been brass players. Not conforming to stereotype on this occasion. I certainly took this to be an indication of the quality and mutual support of this exceptional group of players.

[Cockney Sparrow]

Yes, 3 orchestra members (one of them, at least, I recall was one of the trumpet players) took stalls seats for thr Stravinsky. I was lucky enough to be 2 rows behind. The programme listed the nationality of the players. Orchestra drawn from many countries, but the trumpets and horns, four players, were from the UK. Locally recruited for the Proms engagements, I wonder?