Prom 67: 4.09.16 - Simón Bolívar Symphony Orchestra/Gustavo Dudamel

[Lat-Literal]

There were definitely no television cameras at this Prom. Considering the stir this orchestra made in the past, I find the low profile given to the concert very surprising.

Many thanks for your reply VodkaDilc.

That's kind of you.

What a pity it wasn't filmed. Perhaps that helps to explain Dudamel's demeanour. I will try to listen to it on I-Player.

It is not being shown. TV coverage of the proms this season is over ( well, there is Verdi's Requiem and the Last Night if either of those float your boat but I aim to give them a wide steer )

Thank you too zola.

[ferneyhoughgeliebte]

There were definitely no television cameras at this Prom. Considering the stir this orchestra made in the past, I find the low profile given to the concert very surprising.

The "Macaulay Culkin effect"? A feelgood story of kids saved from poverty to play marvellously in a Symphony Orchestra - now regarded as just another orchestra?

[gedsmk]

The "Macaulay Culkin effect"? A feelgood story of kids saved from poverty to play marvellously in a Symphony Orchestra - now regarded as just another orchestra?

The first half was interesting but ultimately had a bit of a "so what" feel for me. The first Ravel was very beautifully played though I've heard better, e.g. bbcso at the Barbican (with choir) and Dudamel didn't have much enthusiasm for anything.
Concert had none of the atmosphere of the Mahler 2 of happy ( or for many, unhappy) memory, which has huge number of views on YouTube. By the end, with just one encore, and given this is no longer a youth orchestra of rescued teenagers, the thought of "why bother" sprang to mind. Bruckner 9 by GMJO had more fizz.

[VodkaDilc]

………………..and Dudamel didn't have much enthusiasm for anything.

That was my impression too. I'm sure there is a story behind this; though I wonder if we will ever have the full picture. Somehow I don't expect to see this orchestra in next year's Proms.

[Lat-Literal]

Well, I have now listened to this concert and got my bearings. A 4.5 from me but only because I wasn't so struck on "La Valse". Everything else in my humble opinion merits a full 5. "Bachianas Brasileiras No 2" was wonderful. I know that this was supposed to be the South American Proms in line with the Olympics being in Brazil but there could have been more. What I would like to see is the Simon Bolivar, Sao Paulo and Teresa Carreño Youth Orchestras returning in a year or two to do all nine. Desenne's "Hipnosis Mariposa" was very good indeed with all kinds of things weaving in and out of its "colouring" including the sound of American series like "Starsky and Hutch" and "Kojak" - Dudamel has a Hollywood star now - and did I also hear hints of the slow bit from "A Song For All Seasons" by Renaissance? The composer they always used to cite as influential was Prokofiev.

There was plenty of distinctive colour in "Daphnis and Chloe" too which when it is considered alongside the encore, Terenzyo's "Parajillo y Alma Llanera", helps to illustrate the orchestra's dilemma. The latter was characteristic of its history, it especially delighted the audience and yet as has been discussed the Simon Bolivar is not a youth orchestra anymore. Given that it has performed a wide range of work now including in 2011 a symphony by Mahler, it shouldn't really need to feel it has to prove its serious international credentials. At the same time, everyone knows why it is so memorable and that isn't because of interpretations of European music. I think what was chosen here was about right, at least for now, in that it struck a decent balance. Yes, there was understatement in the performance. It was a little conservative but then there is also an "issue" as they say these days about South American music itself. While the orchestra has extended the reach and the popularity of that music, to be able to do so further requires not merely sticking to well known favourites but establishing first a few conservative foundations. That is - or should be - wholly in line with the advancing ages of its members even if they are still young.

One thing, though, that clearly hasn't worked is the orchestra's recent attempt to combine the two elements in one production. Its grim "West Side Story" in Salzburg - six nights - was almost universally panned. I now think this partially answers some of the points raised above. It wasn't Dudamel or the orchestra's fault but rather that they had accepted hook line and sinker what was essentially a dark and bizarre Cecilia Bartoli vehicle which she had designed so as to enable her 50 year old self to play one of two Marias. Consequently, there may have been just a little apprehension about this Prom with caution considered a better approach than exuberance to maintain its long term reputation. Possibly.....just possibly.....the BBC was asked not to televise it even though it was the orchestra's first performance at the Proms in five years. If not, then frankly the BBC just got it wrong.

A few other impressions flit in and out here. I think I want to overlook the Dudamel car with its personal number plate. It is hard not to comment on R3 teams racing to put their coats on after various performances as it sounds - I hope wrongly - like some are seeing it all as just another day in the office. Any disappointed looks on the faces of the audience as they left were probably about the very short encore as in the broadcast most seemed to be enthusiastic throughout. Finally - and personally - I still love this orchestra and Dudamel and the work they perform and believe that they still have huge amounts to offer, especially in terms of bringing a wider range of South American music to these shores.