Prom 17: Hallé – Debussy/VW/Elgar (30.07.15)

[Eine Alpensinfonie]

7.30 p.m.
Royal Albert Hall

Sir Mark Elder and the Hallé orchestra, live at the BBC Proms, with a programme of Debussy, Vaughan Williams and Elgar.

Debussy: Prélude à l'après-midi d'un faune
Vaughan Williams: Sancta civitas
Elgar: Symphony No. 2 in E flat major, Op 63

Robin Tritschler (tenor)
Iain Paterson (baritone)
Hallé Youth Choir
Trinity Boys Choir
Hallé Choir
London Philharmonic Choir
Hallé Orchestra
Mark Elder (conductor)

Sir Mark Elder and the Hallé champion Vaughan Williams's neglected oratorio Sancta civitas - an ecstatic vision of post-apocalyptic salvation. It's a piece made for the huge space of the Royal Albert Hall, where its heavenly trumpets and choirs can swell to full force. Described by Elgar's wife as 'vast in design and supremely beautiful', his Second Symphony took a while to win public affection, but is now almost as cherished as Debussy's evocative tone-poem depicting the lascivious thoughts of a sleepy faun - a work the composer Pierre Boulez has hailed as signalling the beginning of modern music.

[Eine Alpensinfonie]

It's good to have the Hallé Youth Choir back at the Proms.

[EdgeleyRob]

Really looking forward to this one.
First Proms performance of the RVW,unbelievable !

[BBMmk2]

Really looking forward to this one.
First Proms performance of the RVW,unbelievable !

Blimey! I can't believe this!

Any other work that could being included in a Prom programme? Herbert Howells's music comes to mind.

[ferneyhoughgeliebte]

First Proms performance of the RVW,unbelievable !

It is surprising - Hodie and the Fantasia on Christmas Carols have never been Prommed, either; for probably the same reason that Britten's St Nicolas hasn't. (Although Bach's Christmas Oratorio has been done - once [1972]).

[Eine Alpensinfonie]

St Nicholas isn't all about Christmas. (I know he became Father Christmas, but there's no hint in Britten's work that St. N. moved to Lapland.)

But the V.W. Carol Fantasia is unlikely ever to make it to the Proms.

[mrbouffant]

Anyone going to this one?

Is it just me or is the Elgar completely s p r a w l i n g .....

[Suffolkcoastal]

Yes I'm going, not got the greatest seat, as the 3 hour wait to log in to the RAH website meant it was nearly sold out. But I had to hear Sancta Civitas live. Late night for me though, last train back to Norwich (the Norwich to London line must be the worst in the country for delays & problems) might be in bed by 2am!

[Eine Alpensinfonie]

Yes I'm going, not got the greatest seat, as the 3 hour wait to log in to the RAH website meant it was nearly sold out. But I had to hear Sancta Civitas live.

Well worth the effort, SC. I wish I could be there.

[Eine Alpensinfonie]

Anyone going to this one?

Is it just me or is the Elgar completely s p r a w l i n g .....

It's just you.

[ferneyhoughgeliebte]

It's just you.

My thoughts (smileys included), too. It can "sprawl" in the hands of a conductor who doesn't really "get" the work, but then so can the Eroica or K440 - but with an empathetic conductor it is as finely taut a symphonic drama as any. (Elgar's greatest work, IMO - and, with RVW#5, the finest Symphony produced from these islands.)

[edashtav]

Whether the Elgar can be said to sprawl or not, RVW's Santa Civitas is amongst the more concise of oratorios, and I feel it may be too short. In terms of reputation, I'm glad that Ralph didn't have the gall to call his work "The Holy City"!

[mrbouffant]

My thoughts (smileys included), too. It can "sprawl" in the hands of a conductor who doesn't really "get" the work, but then so can the Eroica or K440 - but with an empathetic conductor it is as finely taut a symphonic drama as any. (Elgar's greatest work, IMO - and, with RVW#5, the finest Symphony produced from these islands.)

I'm looking fwd to hearing it tonight then in the capable hands of Sir Elder. Will report back in due course...

As for the finest Symphony produced from these islands, well..... Arnold 7, surely?!

[silvestrione]

As for the finest Symphony produced from these islands, well..... Arnold 7, surely?!

A tie between Tippett Sym 2 and Rubbra Sym 5!

(Sorry, in danger of getting off topic. I love Elgar 2, but it does sprawl just a little, I fear.)

[Eine Alpensinfonie]

My thoughts (smileys included), too. It can "sprawl" in the hands of a conductor who doesn't really "get" the work, but then so can the Eroica or K440 -

Yes, but even then it's going to be a matter for debate. I would point the finger at Haitink and Sinopoli, but I'm sure others will see their interpretations as taut and symphonic.

(K440 is an incomplete Mozart aria.)