Prom 5: 19.07.16 - Beethoven: Missa Solemnis

[Eine Alpensinfonie]

18:30 Tuesday 19 Jul 2016
Royal Albert Hall

Ludwig van Beethoven: Missa solemnis

Camilla Nylund (soprano)
Birgit Remmert (mezzo-soprano)
Stuart Skelton (tenor)
Hanno Müller-Brachmann (bass)
Hallé Choir
Manchester Chamber Choir
BBC Philharmonic
Gianandrea Noseda

In 1819 Ludwig van Beethoven was stirred by a new creative energy. Sketched over the next four years, on specially enlarged sheets of paper, was the work Beethoven himself came to admire above all others: his grand solemn mass, the Missa solemnis. Using every means of musical imagery available, Beethoven demonstrated his supreme mastery of the orchestral-choral model in this musical glimpse of heaven. The BBC Philharmonic, along with the Hallé Choir and Manchester Chamber Choir, bring Beethoven's vision to life under the orchestra's dynamic Conductor Laureate, Gianandrea Noseda.

http://www.bbc.co.uk/programmes/b07jmsj6

http://www.bbc.co.uk/programmes/b07jm3n6 (repeat)

[Eine Alpensinfonie]

I note the staggering interest in this Proms season.

[antongould]

I note the staggering interest in this Proms season.

So excited we find typing difficult .... very much looking forward to this one - and others of course ....

[EdgeleyRob]

I note the staggering interest in this Proms season.

Don't want to start a war or anything.......but it is a bit same old this year....again..only IMO

[Eine Alpensinfonie]

Don't want to start a war or anything.......but it is a bit same old this year....again..only IMO

There are still many fine concerts worth discussing. In previous years we've discussed most of them in considerable detail, before and after, but now musical discussion has gone at the expense of … the referendum.

[EdgeleyRob]

There are still many fine concerts worth discussing. In previous years we've discussed most of them in considerable detail, before and after, but now musical discussion has gone at the expense of … the referendum.

Yes EA,the referendum does seem to have taken over everything else

[Darkbloom]

Yes EA,the referendum does seem to have taken over everything else

It's just as well the referendum wasn't held during the Proms season, or the Brexiteers would have gone berserk when they heard that Beethoven 9 was being programmed, as a deliberate attempt to stir up pro-EU support, obviously!

[edashtav]

I'm looking forward to the Missa Solemnis this evening: Beethoven at the peak of his powers and one of the summits of the choral repertoire. Needless to say, it's one of my favourite pieces.

[gurnemanz]

Getting ready to listen. They seem to like off centre programme times for this stupendous work. Two years ago we set off about this time for the very impressive John Eliot Gardiner late evening Prom performance. Quite something for Lucy Crowe to take part while heavily pregnant. I believe she gave birth only a few days later.

[Alison]

Start time caught me out. Grumpy now!

On another note, I was a bit surprised to see Noseda's recent LSO appointment.

On the other hand he can turn in some very good performances.

[Sir Velo]

On another note, I was a bit surprised to see Noseda's recent LSO appointment.

On the other hand he can turn in some very good performances.

Already looking forward to those all Liszt/Respighi concerts at "Barbican" (sic), Alison!

[Stanfordian]

Start time caught me out. Grumpy now!

On another note, I was a bit surprised to see Noseda's recent LSO appointment.

On the other hand he can turn in some very good performances.

I've seem Noseda conduct some 30 times and I have always been highly satisfied with his conducting and often captivated. In 2013 I recall an inspiring Verdi Requiem with the Orchestra e Coro del Teatro Regio di Torino at Kreuzkirche, Dresden. This year he won the International Opera Awards Conductor of the Year 2016.

[Prommer]

It's just as well the referendum wasn't held during the Proms season, or the Brexiteers would have gone berserk when they heard that Beethoven 9 was being programmed, as a deliberate attempt to stir up pro-EU support, obviously!

Daft comment, and perpetuating the issue.

So: MS? Not listening currently, so can only mention Gardiner and Davis's of recent years. The latter was glorious.

[jonfan]

Daft comment, and perpetuating the issue.

So: MS? Not listening currently, so can only mention Gardiner and Davis's of recent years. The latter was glorious.

This performance stands comparison with the best. Thoroughly enjoyed it. Sopranos scaled the heights magnificently throughout. Wonderful violin solo. A typical committed, passionate reading from Noseda. He's usually in a lather of sweat on a cool evening. Goodness knows what he's like tonight.

[ferneyhoughgeliebte]

Daft comment, and perpetuating the issue.

Possibly not so much as resurrecting a comment that's a week old and which has otherwise not been commented upon? (Not that the "issue" had gone away to be perpetuated.)

So: MS? Not listening currently, so can only mention Gardiner and Davis's of recent years. The latter was glorious.

A remarkably good performance from conductor, orchestra, and choirs (I'll not comment on the soloists) - I was more engaged in it than with the Colin Davis (which I found intriguing and absorbing, but felt distanced from). If I prefer HIPP timbres and forces, this was as good as any modern instrument Live performance as I've ever heard.

And praise to SM-P, too - obviously impressed and genuinely moved, but avoiding "gushing" and totally professional.