Prom 75: VPO/Rattle - Elgar Dream of Gerontius (11.09.15)

[Simon B]

It has been a lifetime's ambition to hear the VPO playing Elgar live.

I'm going to this (the Prom, rather than Birmingham since though it's nearer the atmosphere can't begin to compete). Mostly since it fits the bill as a suitable LNoP and for the novelty value.

The above stance does intrigue me slightly. Isn't the likelihood that it won't be particularly idiomatic? Rattle hasn't done much Elgar and the VPO almost none. Interesting perhaps but I'm not expecting it to be particularly memorable for the right reasons.

On the evidence of previous years the choir will probably be very good though!

[Eine Alpensinfonie]

The VPO has recorded the Enigma Variations with Solti and JEG, the latter adding In the South (a superb reading) & the Introduction and Allegro. Rattle has already performed Gerontius with them in Vienna.

[verismissimo]

I'm greatly looking forward to the Birmingham prequel. As I leave tomorrow morning for this stunning experience, I'll be off-line for a couple of days.

Be good, and have fun. (The two are compatible.)

Perhaps unknown I'll see you there, Alpie. Of course, Brum was the scene of the near disastrous premiere of Gerontius, but it's associations with the city run deep. Newman lived there (and is buried there). Elgar was first professor of music at the university.

While the atmosphere won't match the Proms (not much given to standing ovations, Brummies), the sound itself will be near ideal.

[ferneyhoughgeliebte]

I always think it's the soloists who count in this work. I've never known a conductor harming it.

Well, I did attend a performance in the RFH back in the early '80s in which Janet Baker was the Angel (and was superb) but which nearly fell to pieces in the Praise to the Holiest fugue - rather than premature applause, the audience gasped in horror at the near-catastrophe. The conductor was Mr Simon Rattle - at around the time he made his recording of the work.

Only 2 recorded Angels hack it for me: Janet Baker and Yvonne Minton, though Alice Coote isn't bad. The rest are too wobbly, especially Felicity Palmer and Helen Watts.

[Anastasius]

I'm in the hall for this one (in the Grand Tier - not my favoured option) and am greatly looking forward to it.

Perhaps we should all wear a red carnation. I'm in Stalls M.

[MrGongGong]

Perhaps we should all wear a red carnation. I'm in Stalls M.

This might be more appropriate?



BUT (somewhat "seriously") I hope you all enjoy it.

[VodkaDilc]

I'm looking forward to this one, though I don't expect it to match my first Prom Gerontius on 22 July 1970. (I've just found the programme):

Alfreda Hodgson, John Mitchinson, Forbes Robinson, New Philharmonia Chorus and Orchestra, conducted by Boult.

AND four Byrd Motets to start the evening. (Sung by Cantores in Ecclesia, rather than the New Philharmonia Chorus.)

[Eine Alpensinfonie]

Having just returned from Symphony Hall to the nearby Novotel, I can say with confidence that Friday's repeat will be a highlight of the season.

[pastoralguy]

Having just returned from Symphony Hall to the nearby Novotel, I can say with confidence that Friday's repeat will be a highlight of the season.

[Bryn]

... Friday's repeat will be a highlight of the season.

Ah, the Bernstein on the box. Not for me, thanks, (nor the DoG in the Hall or on Radio 3).

[Nick Armstrong]

Having just returned from Symphony Hall to the nearby Novotel, I can say with confidence that Friday's repeat will be a highlight of the season.

Excellent! Does he do it relatively 'straight' - not too much fiddling around, over-fussy slowings-down and the like?

[Eine Alpensinfonie]

Excellent! Does he do it relatively 'straight' - not too much fiddling around, over-fussy slowings-down and the like?

I can only say that I wasn't aware of any fussiness. I was following the vocal score and all the subtle tempo changes appeared to be marked in the score.

[Nick Armstrong]

I can only say that I wasn't aware of any fussiness. I was following the vocal score and all the subtle tempo changes appeared to be marked in the score.

[gradus]

Aren't the VPO sniffy about Elgar I seem to remember JEG commenting that they asked where the other parts were when he first took them through the Introduction and Allegro?
A personal quirk I know but I admit to being equivocal in my admiration for the orchestra.

[Eine Alpensinfonie]

They may be sniffy about Elgar, but I've never heard any other orchestra matching yesterday's rendition of the Gerontius prelude.