Prom 73: VPO/Bychkov (10.09.15)

[Eine Alpensinfonie]

19:00
Royal Albert Hall

Brahms: Symphony No. 3 in F major
Schmidt: Symphony No. 2 in E flat major

Vienna Philharmonic Orchestra
Semyon Bychkov (conductor)

The first of two consecutive nights with the Vienna Philharmonic under two different conductors. Here, Semyon Bychkov showcases Franz Schmidt's neglected Second Symphony - a work he has passionately championed. A bold piece of Brucknerian ambition, it has more than a hint of Richard Strauss about it. It's paired with Brahms's Third Symphony - the work that saw the composer finding his true musical identity, stepping out from behind his influences to create something lyrical yet strangely unresolved.

[Eine Alpensinfonie]

I know I gush about this orchestra, but I continue to think of it as the greatest in the world, and if there is such a place as heaven, it will be the Vienna Philharmonic playing non-stop, and I will be amongst them, playing one of those funny oboes.

[BBMmk2]

That being said about the greatest orchestra in the world. I have always felt that it's the Berliner Philharmoniker?

[ferneyhoughgeliebte]

That being said about the greatest orchestra in the world. I have always felt that it's the Berliner Philharmoniker?

Not since 1988, Bbm.

[Eine Alpensinfonie]

Not since 1988, Bbm.

I never thought of you as a Karajan fan.

[richardfinegold]

I'm not sure that program would work for me. I would need something lighter than Brahms 3 to contrast Schmidt.
And BBM, everyone here knows the World's Greatest Orchestra (WGO henceforth) resides on the shores of Lake Michigan

[Darkbloom]

I know I gush about this orchestra, but I continue to think of it as the greatest in the world, and if there is such a place as heaven, it will be the Vienna Philharmonic playing non-stop, and I will be amongst them, playing one of those funny oboes.

When they are in the mood they are wonderful, and in the right repertoire of course. I wouldn't hurry to hear them perform the Rite again any time soon after the Mehta abomination of a few years ago. Are their oboes still as funny as all that? They don't seem to quite have the rusticity that they used to, and that's not necessarily a bad thing for me. For all the talk of 'which one is the greatest orchestra', the VPO certainly sound the most human, where the BPO impress rather than move.

[ferneyhoughgeliebte]

I never thought of you as a Karajan fan.

I think I might have mentioned it a couple of times over the years - but that is, perhaps, a separate Thread. I don't really subscribe to the "WGO" idea these days - given the right repertoire and conductor, even ensembles once regarded as "Third Division" are nowadays capable of the very best standards. But with Schmidt and Bychkov and the VPO, this looks set to being one of the stand-out events of this Season. (The Brahms might be pretty good, too!)

[Prommer]

Schmidt 2 is ace!

[ferneyhoughgeliebte]

Schmidt 2 is ace!

No - that's a tritone out.

[Eine Alpensinfonie]

And BBM, everyone here knows the World's Greatest Orchestra (WGO henceforth) resides on the shores of Lake Michigan

That one isn't at all bad, I must admit.

[Serial_Apologist]

"Chi-cago, Chi-cago, the home of the blues - the real home, that is!": Memphis Slim, 1967.

[Tony Halstead]

I'm not sure that program would work for me. I would need something lighter than Brahms 3 to contrast Schmidt.
And BBM, everyone here knows the World's Greatest Orchestra (WGO henceforth) resides on the shores of Lake Michigan

Hmmm... I didn't know that Severance Hall was situated somewhere on the shores of Lake Michigan

[BBMmk2]

I'm not sure that program would work for me. I would need something lighter than Brahms 3 to contrast Schmidt.
And BBM, everyone here knows the World's Greatest Orchestra (WGO henceforth) resides on the shores of Lake Michigan

Hmmmmm RFG!! :) In that case I claim the LSO! :)

[richardfinegold]

Hmmm... I didn't know that Severance Hall was situated somewhere on the shores of Lake Michigan

No, that's on another Great Lake, in a city commonly referred to as "The Mistake On The Lake"