Prom 59: 29.08.16 - Leipzig Gewandhaus Orchestra – Beethoven

[Eine Alpensinfonie]

19:30 Monday 29 Aug 2016
Royal Albert Hall

Ludwig van Beethoven: Overture 'Leonore' No 2
Ludwig van Beethoven: Piano Concerto No 5 in E flat major, 'Emperor'
Ludwig van Beethoven: Symphony No 7 in A major

Leipzig Gewandhaus Orchestra
András Schiff piano
Herbert Blomstedt conductor

Tonight's all-Beethoven Prom culminates in the composer's most fascinating and bold symphony, a piece shaped by irresistible rhythmic drive, whether in the inevitable tread of its slow march or the propulsive energy of its outer movements.
One of the world's oldest orchestras, along with one of its closest collaborators, lights the fuse on Beethoven's Seventh and his excitable Leonore Overture No. 2, while 'pianist's pianist' Sir András Schiff performs the composer's most commanding piano concerto.

http://www.bbc.co.uk/programmes/b07qbnvz

[Eine Alpensinfonie]

Certain to be a sell-out, but I continue to have reservations about one-composer concerts (when there's more than a single work involved).

[pastoralguy]

Certain to be a sell-out, but I continue to have reservations about one-composer concerts (when there's more than a single work involved).

We have the Mendelssohn 'Scottish symphony here at the Edinburgh Festival on Saturday nite. This is the EIF concert I've really been looking forward to.

[Petrushka]

No objection to one composer programmes from me especially when both music and artists are of this quality. I'll be in the hall for this one.

[richardfinegold]

Certain to be a sell-out, but I continue to have reservations about one-composer concerts (when there's more than a single work involved).

even for Beethoven?

[Alison]

even for Beethoven?

[richardfinegold]

should be an interesting Concert Blomstedt must be close to 90 years of age now and that is a fairly demanding program

[edashtav]

should be an interesting Concert Blomstedt must be close to 90 years of age now and that is a fairly demanding program

Thank goodness that Herbert has three sources of support: great music, a fine orchestra and a brilliant soloist.

I first heard Blomstedt in an all Nielsen concert in what I still regard as the finest acoustic in the world, tucked away in Blackburn. It's unlikely that I shall experience a finer musical revelation before I perish.

[gurnemanz]

Reminds me that in the 70s quite a few music lovers in Leipzig were not big fans of Kurt Masur at the Gewandhaus and were jealous of Dresden who had Blomstedt at the Staatskapelle.

[pastoralguy]

We're just back from the Edinburgh leg of their UK appearances and, believe me, you're in for a treat! Absolutely fantastic playing from both soloist and orchestra with Blomstedt pushing his players to heights of which I've not heard for a long time. (Well, at least not since the Minnesota Orchestra on Tuesday!)

Superb, trumpet playing in Leonora No. 2 which was up first. Schiff, who has appeared many times at the EIF, was inspirational in the Emperor Concerto. (Every noted seemed like a highly polished Jewel and justifies why he takes his own pianoforte with him!)

A word to the wise. Blomstedt played both the concerto and the symphony with very little times between movements. For me, this was the only slight blot since the start of slow movement of the concerto was obliterated by coughs! (One of my favourite pieces of music of all time).

After the interval, we in Edinburgh got Mendelssohn's 'Scottish' symphony which was played with incredible attention to detail. The encore was the 'Egmont' overture which was played with tremendous commitment and zeal.

A terrific evening of music making.

[richardfinegold]

We're just back from the Edinburgh leg of their UK appearances and, believe me, you're in for a treat! Absolutely fantastic playing from both soloist and orchestra with Blomstedt pushing his players to heights of which I've not heard for a long time. (Well, at least not since the Minnesota Orchestra on Tuesday!)

Superb, trumpet playing in Leonora No. 2 which was up first. Schiff, who has appeared many times at the EIF, was inspirational in the Emperor Concerto. (Every noted seemed like a highly polished Jewel and justifies why he takes his own pianoforte with him!)

A word to the wise. Blomstedt played both the concerto and the symphony with very little times between movements. For me, this was the only slight blot since the start of slow movement of the concerto was obliterated by coughs! (One of my favourite pieces of music of all time).

After the interval, we in Edinburgh got Mendelssohn's 'Scottish' symphony which was played with incredible attention to detail. The encore was the 'Egmont' overture which was played with tremendous commitment and zeal.

A terrific evening of music making.

Sounds wonderful!

[pastoralguy]

Sounds wonderful!

It was!

[pastoralguy]

Looking forward to hearing this on the radio tonight.

[LeMartinPecheur]

This week I've particularly enjoyed the compressed version of Beethoven 7 in all the trailers for this prom. Saves so much time: now I needn't bother listening to the whole thing with all those boring repeats and fill-in link passages

[S'pose I'd better put in a as well so as not to provoke a furious response...]

[Alison]

Is it my imagination or is Leonore No 2 more common in the concert hall these days?

An ideal opener IMHO.