Prom 8: 21.07.16 - Strictly Prom

[french frank]

Sure, but were that believed to be the case, we might as well have every Prom presented in the manner of KD!

No, because every Prom is not aimed at that same audience: the SCD is the exception, not the rule. It's believed by people who enjoy that type of programme, but for most of the season they're not watching/attending the Proms anyway. I would defy even KD to present every …

[Bryn]

Actually, it was on BBC 4 last night and blooming good it was too.

Indeed, and context I do not find the cheesey presentation aspect that much out of place.

[Eine Alpensinfonie]

I might copy it downstairs e.g. temporarily on the Referendum thread as that doesn't get spidered.

I listened to some of this concert again today, because I had the niggling feeling KD had made a "tabloid Brexit" claim during the concert. My time was not wasted.

When she introduced the Viennese Waltz, there was lots of embarrassing giggling, presumably for effect, and then the historical bombshell: "The Viennese took the classic English slow waltz, turned up the speed, adding some extra helpings of glamour. . ."

That's a statement worthy of the Daily Express at its worst.

[Bryn]

I listened to some of this concert again today, because I had the niggling feeling KD had made a "tabloid Brexit" claim during the concert. My time was not wasted.

When she introduced the Viennese Waltz, there was lots of embarrassing giggling, presumably for effect, and then the historical bombshell: "The Viennese took the classic English slow waltz, turned up the speed, adding some extra helpings of glamour. . ."

That's a statement worthy of the Daily Express at its worst.

My grasp of the history of settlement of what is now Austria is not that strong, but were the Angles possibly involved somewhere along the line?

[Daniel]

FWIW, hearing it on the car radio, I think this Prom seems to fit well enough into the season, plenty of orchestral craft and inspiration on display, a happy go lucky cousin to some of the other fare. I used to find music presented in this way homogenised and claustrophobic, and it seemed to come with a baggage I wasn't sure about. These days I enjoy it more, its open and melodic nature, and sheer joie de vivre can be winning. Not sure I'd put on a cd of it too often, but inwardly smile along if it turns up.

Perhaps only connected in the thickets of my brain, but in my early twenties I lived for a while in a bedsit awash with naughty people and arcane substances, and it was not uncommon for the two to become entangled and stage impromptu discos to Bach violin concertos for example, pretty hilarious and joyful really ( we made our own fun in them days ...) and it strikes me now that the loopy, peacock nature of some 'Strictly' music might have fitted in well on such occasions (sadly evenings like that don't seem to happen anymore, the most I can hope for is a spot of clog dancing to Turangalila in the patio).

[Eine Alpensinfonie]

FWIW, hearing it on the car radio, I think this Prom seems to fit well enough into the season, plenty of orchestral craft and inspiration on display, a happy go lucky cousin to some of the other fare. I used to find music presented in this way homogenised and claustrophobic, and it seemed to come with a baggage I wasn't sure about. These days I enjoy it more, its open and melodic nature, and sheer joie de vivre can be winning. Not sure I'd put on a cd of it too often, but inwardly smile along if it turns up.

I have no problem whatever with the music, but from a presentational point of view, this was the worst Prom broadcast I've ever heard. Simply dire.

[Nick Armstrong]

FWIW, hearing it on the car radio, I think this Prom seems to fit well enough into the season, plenty of orchestral craft and inspiration on display, a happy go lucky cousin to some of the other fare. I used to find music presented in this way homogenised and claustrophobic, and it seemed to come with a baggage I wasn't sure about. These days I enjoy it more, its open and melodic nature, and sheer joie de vivre can be winning. Not sure I'd put on a cd of it too often, but inwardly smile along if it turns up.

Perhaps only connected in the thickets of my brain, but in my early twenties I lived for a while in a bedsit awash with naughty people and arcane substances, and it was not uncommon for the two to become entangled and stage impromptu discos to Bach violin concertos for example, pretty hilarious and joyful really ( we made our own fun in them days ...) and it strikes me now that the loopy, peacock nature of some 'Strictly' music might have fitted in well on such occasions (sadly evenings like that don't seem to happen anymore, the most I can hope for is a spot of clog dancing to Turangalila in the patio).

Post of the month so far for me!

The coupling of La Derham with Tchaikovsky flogging that downward scale to death (sorry Heldenleben - #60 - ... it's a musical allergy of mine) is enough for me to take the view that life is too short to shoehorn this into the schedule... but pleased others have enjoyed, and to hear the orchestra is on great form at the moment.

[ahinton]

Actually, it was on BBC 4 last night and blooming good it was too.

I didn't realise that, so I apologise and stand duly corrected.

[ahinton]

No, because every Prom is not aimed at that same audience: the SCD is the exception, not the rule. It's believed by people who enjoy that type of programme, but for most of the season they're not watching/attending the Proms anyway. I would defy even KD to present every …

Well, I wasn't recommending that, as I'm sure you realise(!) but, even if it is or was an intended exception, does that necessarily mean that it was thought to require that kind of presentation in a way that no other Prom did, just because of the music in the programme; can't see that meself...

[Pianorak]

Simply dire.

SCD did not transfer well to the Royal Albert Hall, IMV. To work it needed either Blackpool or a TV studio. I'm sure the dancing was excellent but needed a more "glamorous" setting for full effect, although the audience seemed to love it.

[french frank]

Well, I wasn't recommending that, as I'm sure you realise(!) but, even if it is or was an intended exception, does that necessarily mean that it was though to require that kind of presentation in a way that no other Prom did, just because of the music in the programme; can't see that meself...

Interesting to temporarily disregard those (here!) who hated the very thought of this kind of concert, and look at what those who enjoyed it felt about the presentation. ????

[ahinton]

Interesting to temporarily disregard those (here!) who hated the very thought of this kind of concert, and look at what those who enjoyed it felt about the presentation. ????

I suppose; the programme itself, though obviously very lightweight, might have been performed well but I can't see why, just because it was marketed as a Strictly Prom, it has to be presened in a way that directed so much attention towards the presenter doing her presenting as though that was somehow a necessary condition for it to work successfully; for sheer authenticity's sake, perhaps in addition to the sound of hoofing they ought also to have had some of the hysterical screaming from the audience (real or canned, I don't know which) that is apparently a necessary part of the content of actual Strictly programmes and, had that been so, one could have had HIPP movement input as well as hip movement input...

[pastoralguy]

I didn't realise that, so I apologise and stand duly corrected.

[Beef Oven!]

An absolutely fabulous Prom.

More like this please.

[zola]

Ballroom dancing prom : 118 replies ( 119 with this ) and 2,721 views.

Gospel prom : 0 replies and 32 views.

Not sure what that tells us, just curious. Oh, and I think we have realised by now that certain prolific posters do not warm to Katie Derham. Need this furrow be ploughed any deeper ?