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

[edashtav]

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.)

Tiny twist : Tippett#2 & Rubbra#6 for me

[BBMmk2]

Great! :)

[VodkaDilc]

This was high on my list of Proms I definitely had to go to. Wonderful programme from a set of performers who excel in this repertoire.

I hope that none of the audience will be foolish enough to arrive late or to use an electronic device. Sir Mark is at his scariest on such occasions.

[mrbouffant]

Why the Debussy though? Doesn't it seem out of place sat next to the rest of the programme? Would a British overture have been a better starter e.g. Alwyn Derby Day, Arnold Beckus, Lloyd John Socman, Ireland London ?

[VodkaDilc]

Why the Debussy though? Doesn't it seem out of place sat next to the rest of the programme? Would a British overture have been a better starter e.g. Alwyn Derby Day, Arnold Beckus, Lloyd John Socman, Ireland London ?

I had not noticed the Debussy. Certainly an odd bed-fellow. Cockaigne would have been good, especially from the Hallé. Or Portsmouth Point.

[marvin]

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.)

You have never listened to Mahler or Bruckner then? Hmmmmmm

[silvestrione]

You have never listened to Mahler or Bruckner then? Hmmmmmm

Are we talking about sprawl or best English symphonies?!

Plenty of sprawl in Mahler and Bruckner, no question.

[ferneyhoughgeliebte]

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

No.

And my name isn't Shirley.

[ferneyhoughgeliebte]

A tie between Tippett Sym 2 and Rubbra Sym 5!

Still no.

I love Elgar 2, but it does sprawl just a little, I fear.

No it doesn't - and don't be frightened.

[ferneyhoughgeliebte]

Plenty of sprawl in Mahler and Bruckner, no question.

No there isn't - ask questions.

[silvestrione]

No there isn't - ask questions.

Yes sir, sorry I spoke

[Eine Alpensinfonie]

Yes sir, sorry I spoke

Well, for my two pennyworth, I'd say that neither Elgar nor Mahler sprawl.

But Bruckner?

[ferneyhoughgeliebte]

But Bruckner?

Where?

[cloughie]

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 reckon K550 is a better symphony - K440 is an aria In te spero - not one of Mozart's more recorded works.

Elgar 2 sprawling - nah - the likes of Barbirolli and Thomson didn't rush it - but didn't sprawl it!

Bax and Rubbra probably sprawled as much as any and Payne sprawled Elgar for England!

[edashtav]

I'd stick up for Edmund being sprawl-free, but I agree that Bax luxuriated in sprawl.