Prom 1: 15.07.16 - First Night of the Proms

[Eine Alpensinfonie]

(PS: On the radio presentation, while Petroc and CBH can be a bit much, in the grand scheme of things, they're fundamentally decent people, and I wouldn't direct any ill feelings at them.

The issue there was BBC over-manning - two presenters agreeing with one other, when one would have been better and cheaper.

[bluestateprommer]

The issue there was BBC over-manning - two presenters agreeing with one other, when one would have been better and cheaper.

Fair point, and quite true. I've become used to Petroc flying solo at the First Night for the past few years, which he does reasonably OK on his own. So I did admit to a mild double-take when Jonathan Swain announced that both voices would be present. Still, when the music starts, that's what ultimately matters.

[Vile Consort]

The problem with double-acts doing the presentation is that it has to be ruthlessly scripted and all spontaneity is lost.

If we must have double-acts, I recommend engaging Geoffrey Boycott.

[MrGongGong]

Re the TV broadcast, why is KD telling us the following?

The audience is still applauding;
The conductor his returning to the platform;
The soloist was magnificent.



Aaaaaaaaargh!





Such a good concert, but we don't need a wittering presenter to tell us what we can already see and hear.

Not everyone can see
If all you want to do is hear then radio is great

[Stanfordian]

If I'd have been in the RAH I'd have stood without a moment's hesitation. It was about solidarity not jingoism.

Hiya Stunsworth,

Well said!

The performance of the 'Romeo and Juliet' overture was lacklustre but I enjoyed the Elgar as I expected as Gabetta is a very fine player.

[Eine Alpensinfonie]

Not everyone can see

Are you seriously suggesting that KD was doing audio description?
Or are you just being deliberately annoying.

If all you want to do is hear then radio is great

Bear in mind that Radio 3 had two wittering presenters (talking chummily to one another - not to the radio audience).

[MrGongGong]

Are you seriously suggesting that KD was doing audio description?
Or are you just being deliberately annoying.

I was just thinking about someone I know who is a very accomplished musician but is totally blind
I thought he would appreciate being told what was happening visually

that's all

I don't think many R3 presenters are capable of audio description

[Eine Alpensinfonie]

I was just thinking about someone I know who is a very accomplished musician but is totally blind
I thought he would appreciate being told what was happening visually

that's all

I don't think many R3 presenters are capable of audio description

They would do video description.

[Carlos V]

I'm back home, still beaming. I enjoyed the concert enormously. I can only complain of some really intrusive coughing. Other than that it was brilliant and emotional. I'm really happy I got to be a part of this. Glad you guys enjoyed the broadcast.

[Nick Armstrong]

If I'd have been in the RAH I'd have stood without a moment's hesitation. It was about solidarity not jingoism.

[Pianorak]

I was sorely tempted to switch off after that disappointing Romeo and Juliet, especially as I had never heard of Sol Gabetta. Thank god I didn't! What magnificent playing of the Elgar cello concerto!

[BBMmk2]

I thought the Tchaik was very good! Each to their own!

[CallMePaul]

Can I put in a dissenting note regarding the Elgar? I was very disappointed with the performance, especially the last two movements. Sol Gabetta pulled the music about in a manner that would have done Mischa Maisky, let alone Jacqueline DuPré proud. I may be in a minority but I prefer Elgar to be performed in a "straight" way. I have heard many performances and recordings of the cello concerto and Paul Watkin's is my favourite of recent recordings. He and Paul Tortelier show that the piece works as written!

[ferneyhoughgeliebte]

I may be in a minority but I prefer Elgar to be performed in a "straight" way. I have heard many performances and recordings of the cello concerto and Paul Watkin's is my favourite of recent recordings. He and Paul Tortelier show that the piece works as written!

"In a minority", but certainly not "unique" CMP - whilst not agreeing with "straight" (at least not in the sense of "rigid") I also didn't really care for this performance - nor those in the DuPré view of the work. André Navarra (whose recording with Barbirolli I heard earlier in the week, which probably made me even less disposed towards SG's interpretation) is far from unbending, but it enables me to get far more involved in the work by its greater "distancing" (the same is true of Beatrice Harrison's secfond recording with the composer). I greatly admire Tortelier, too - haven't heard the Watkins; his Proms performance referred to earlier had such poor intonation (exacerbated by trying too hard to project the sound over that of the orchestra) that I didn't bother investigating.

I also share Ed's low opinion of the Prokofiev - I listened with every intention of wishing to be "converted", and ended up just wishing I'd watched The Dark Knight on ITV3, instead.

I also shared Alpie's low opinion of KD's announcements - and didn't much care for the performance of the Tchaikovsky.


Still - I'm greatly looking forward to Boris Godunov tonight!

[Eine Alpensinfonie]

I also shared Alpie's low opinion of KD's announcements - and didn't much care for the performance of the Tchaikovsky.

I suggest she be replaced.