Prom 16: Ibiza/Cobblers Prom (29.07.15)

[Norrette]

Ooh er, it's seems I'm wrong. Reading twitter this evening I see this concert seems to have been a success and 'well justifies the licence fee.' Some posters are clamouring for more of this sort of thing, some for - 'every night of the week'. Need we petition to prevent further expansion into the classical programme?

[Tapiola]

Did anyone actually listen to the concert?

I watched last night via Red Button and very much enjoyed the experience. There were some serious audibility issues with the singers at various points but I wonder if this was an issue in the hall or something specific to the tv transmission.

Overall though, a thumbs up here. It took me back...

(perhaps others here are still in the chillout room, "coming down" from the night... )

[ferneyhoughgeliebte]

I heard about half-an-hour of it. Better than I was expecting (I was never a fan twenty years ago) but not exactly my glass of tea ... and probably not the best listening conditions.

[Tapiola]

I heard about half-an-hour of it ... and probably not the best listening conditions.

You should've been round my gaff fhg. Smoke machines, Vicks billowing out of the aircon, sticky carpets, the lot!

[french frank]

I've only found one review so far, from a definitely non-hostile 'one among the crowd' reviewer. Enthusiasm of the audience not in doubt but the message I got, reading between the lines, was that, musically it didn't really work as an RAH Prom

http://www.theartsdesk.com/new-music/prom-16-late-night-radio-1-pete-tong

[ferneyhoughgeliebte]

You should've been round my gaff fhg. Smoke machines, Vicks billowing out of the aircon, sticky carpets, the lot!

Ah; the smell of Vicks! I was teaching at a Sixth-Form College at the time and did wonder why suddenly so many of the students seemed to be having so many colds for such long times!

[Stunsworth]

I listened to it driving home in the car, so not ideal circumstances and certainly not a system with a good bottom end.

I enjoyed it. As I said earlier it's not a style of music I know anything about, so I was curious to hear the concert.

Perhaps I should add that at almost 60 I'm probably not among the target audience for this concert, but I hope they try something similar next year. One or two late night concerts (which I believe didn't formally exist) shouldn't frighten the horses as this one seems to have done in this forum.

[Tapiola]

Ah; the smell of Vicks! I was teaching at a Sixth-Form College at the time and did wonder why suddenly so many of the students seemed to be having so many colds for such long times!

[Tapiola]

One or two late night concerts (which I believe didn't formally exist) shouldn't frighten the horses as this one seems to have done in this forum.

Agreed wholeheartedly Steve.

[Beef Oven!]

I listened to it driving home in the car, so not ideal circumstances and certainly not a system with a good bottom end.

I enjoyed it. As I said earlier it's not a style of music I know anything about, so I was curious to hear the concert.

Perhaps I should add that at almost 60 I'm probably not among the target audience for this concert, but I hope they try something similar next year. One or two late night concerts (which I believe didn't formally exist) shouldn't frighten the horses as this one seems to have done in this forum.

Very well put.

[french frank]

Very well put.

Except the bit about 'frightening the horses' which is a putdown which ignores quite reasonably put arguments. Though I can see that it seems 'well-put' if you agree with the substance!

Here, once again (as there were no comments) are some more arguments put by a broadly sympathetic reviewer:

http://www.theartsdesk.com/new-music/prom-16-late-night-radio-1-pete-tong

[doversoul1]

I listened to it driving home in the car, so not ideal circumstances and certainly not a system with a good bottom end.

I enjoyed it. As I said earlier it's not a style of music I know anything about, so I was curious to hear the concert.

Perhaps I should add that at almost 60 I'm probably not among the target audience for this concert, but I hope they try something similar next year. One or two late night concerts (which I believe didn't formally exist) shouldn't frighten the horses as this one seems to have done in this forum.

So how successful do you think the prom was on the whole for introducing classical music to a new audience? Or was this not the point of this prom and the recent policy of Radio3 to include the music that appeals to the listeners of Radio2 or 6 Music? Or has all that been forgotten and as long as the audience enjoys it, that is all that matters?

This is not to say you shouldn’t have enjoyed it. I am quoting your post for the sake of the discussion.

[Stunsworth]

So how successful do you think the prom was on the whole for introducing classical music to a new audience?

I have no idea, I don't think any of us do.

[jean]

I think we do - whatever it achieved, it couldn't have been that!

[Sir Velo]

I have no idea, I don't think any of us do.

Oh I should think the RAH does.

Their e-commerce system (unless hopelessly unsophisticated) will be able to establish whether those buying tickets have bought tickets for other proms.

Also, not beyond the bounds of technology these days to follow up with a survey to enquire whether those going are: (a) regular classical music goers or (b) not classical music lovers and, if b, whether they have been encouraged to attend more classical concerts or listen to Radio 3.

Therefore, if the BBC at some point tells us that it has no way of knowing the impact of this concert, this will be disingenuous and almost certainly an indication that those attending have no interest, nor will have in attending classical concerts.