Prom 16: 27.07.16 - Prokofiev: Romeo and Juliet

[Eine Alpensinfonie]

19:00 Wednesday 27 Jul 2016
Royal Albert Hall

Paul Dukas: La Péri – Fanfare and Poème dansé
Michael Berkeley: Violin Concerto (BBC commission: world premiere)
Sergei Prokofiev: Romeo and Juliet

Chloë Hanslip (violin)
Diego Espinosa (tabla)
BBC National Orchestra of Wales
Jac van Steen (conductor)

Paul Dukas's brief, intoxicating ballet La Péri opens tonight's Prom, before Chloë Hanslip gives the world premiere of a new Violin Concerto by Michael Berkeley.
Jac van Steen conducts excerpts from one of the most dramatic and colourfully scored of all ballets, Prokofiev's Romeo and Juliet, a highlight of our series marking 400 years since the death of Shakespeare.

http://www.bbc.co.uk/programmes/b07lg587

[Eine Alpensinfonie]

[Eine Alpensinfonie]

Good to note that Michael Berkeley continues to produce new works, though I find his output variable.

[bluestateprommer]

Caught out by the start time, so I need to give the Dukas a re-listen from the start. Regarding the new Michael Berkeley Violin Concerto, given what I recall of much of MB's music as being rather 'crunchy' and densely chromatic, much of this new concerto struck me as very lyrical, almost sweet. Admittedly, the electric violin/vocal section was a jolt, and definitely not lyrical or sweet, before the return of the opening mood. The circumstances behind its composition are sad, of course, the death of his wife Deborah Rogers. On its own, however, overall, I think that it stands up well on a first hearing, in a more "accessible" vein compared to some of his earlier works.

[Eine Alpensinfonie]

Regarding the new Michael Berkeley Violin Concerto, given what I recall of much of MB's music as being rather 'crunchy' and densely chromatic, much of this new concerto struck me as very lyrical, almost sweet. Admittedly, the electric violin/vocal section was a jolt, and definitely not lyrical or sweet, before the return of the opening mood.

Must catch up on this

[Eine Alpensinfonie]

Only six posts (5 of 'em mine), but 150 to date on the Strictly Prom.

I thought this was a quite staggering performance of Romeo & Juliet. I was totally hooked from beginning to end.

The Berkeley was indeed lyrical, and well worth repeated hearings.

[Bryn]

Only six posts (5 of 'em mine), but 150 to date on the Strictly Prom.

I thought this was a quite staggering performance of Romeo & Juliet. I was totally hooked from beginning to end.

The Berkeley was indeed lyrical, and well worth repeated hearings.

Well tbe dancers failed to turn up for R and J. As for the Berkeley, I found it quite dispeptic, more like repeating herrings.

[Serial_Apologist]

I thought this was a quite staggering performance of Romeo & Juliet. I was totally hooked from beginning to end.

Yes indeed, performancewise - and for once (and one can only wish for all time) the compression problem was completely solved, giving us a lovely, clear dynamic range.

All those things said, I was a bit perplexed by the selection of one or two duff movements, and unexpected edits to the original Prokofiev missing out some of the best music! If this version had been my introduction to the work I don't think I would have stayed with it - 45 minutes being just too long for something not amounting much to more than a succession of nice tunes with the odd interesting bit!

[alywin]

All those things said, I was a bit perplexed by the selection of one or two duff movements, and unexpected edits to the original Prokofiev missing out some of the best music!

Are you referring to the shortened version of the balcony scene? Unfortunately, that's the version which appears in a lot of suites.

I've heard way more than my fair share of Romeo & Juliets over the years, but this performance would certainly have been up there in the top 10%.

[Serial_Apologist]

Are you referring to the shortened version of the balcony scene? Unfortunately, that's the version which appears in a lot of suites.

Quite possibly; (I don't know to follow the plot, see) - the movement in question stopped abruptly on the first staccato chord of the section immediately following like a punto final, and I really missed that minor brass theme in its bold contrapuntal lines against those repeating staccato chords.

I've heard way more than my fair share of Romeo & Juliets over the years, but this performance would certainly have been up there in the top 10%.

It certainly sounded fantastic; and when the engineers get it so right for once, it's maybe a shame not to have it for keeps! I'll have another listen before deciding.