Proms 2017

[Nick Armstrong]

some people ignore the Proms Planner and online deadline, wait a while and then book tickets nearer the time direct from the RAH site - presumably relying on returns and unutilised corporate tickets, but benefiting from being able to choose your seat. I'm tempted by this approach, as I can never start the online process until late morning and therefore am always way down the queue. Can anyone comment - how long do you wait before checking the ticket situation subsequently? Do you just keep checking the RAH site periodically for the concerts you are interested in? Does it always work, or do sold-out concerts remain sold out?

I've never done the planner/online/deadline thing; and I've never failed to get seats for a desired concert nearer the time, and in the area I wanted. Not remotely tempted by this morning's stampede!

Timing-wise, it depends when summer plans become clear as to when I'll start to have a look; but by and large, I save the link to a particular concert 2/3 weeks before the date, and look daily (approx) until the right returns pop up. I think this is a good approach because it seems to be within this time-frame that people or companies (or perhaps the Hall itself) realise the seats won't be needed and release them for re-sale.

The best example of this working was last year for the Mozart/Bruckner concerts by the two Staatskapelles - the relevant week became free here about 10 days' ahead of time, and after a few days' trying, I got perfect seats for the concerts 3 nights running, each time the same seats (a big corporate block for each night suddenly became available).

[Petrushka]

I've never done the planner/online/deadline thing; and I've never failed to get seats for a desired concert nearer the time, and in the area I wanted. Not remotely tempted by this morning's stampede!

Timing-wise, it depends when summer plans become clear as to when I'll start to have a look; but by and large, I save the link to a particular concert 2/3 weeks before the date, and look daily (approx) until the right returns pop up. I think this is a good approach because it seems to be within this time-frame that people or companies (or perhaps the Hall itself) realise the seats won't be needed and release them for re-sale.

The best example of this working was last year for the Mozart/Bruckner concerts by the two Staatskapelles - the relevant week became free here about 10 days' ahead of time, and after a few days' trying, I got perfect seats for the concerts 3 nights running, each time the same seats (a big corporate block for each night suddenly became available).

I did something similar in 2011 for the Dudamel Mahler 2 which 'sold out' while I was stuck in the queue on booking opening day. In that particular case I waited until round about June 24 when it looked like a whole tranche of M stalls seats had suddenly become available.

[Rolmill]

I've never done the planner/online/deadline thing; and I've never failed to get seats for a desired concert nearer the time, and in the area I wanted. Not remotely tempted by this morning's stampede!

Timing-wise, it depends when summer plans become clear as to when I'll start to have a look; but by and large, I save the link to a particular concert 2/3 weeks before the date, and look daily (approx) until the right returns pop up. I think this is a good approach because it seems to be within this time-frame that people or companies (or perhaps the Hall itself) realise the seats won't be needed and release them for re-sale.

The best example of this working was last year for the Mozart/Bruckner concerts by the two Staatskapelles - the relevant week became free here about 10 days' ahead of time, and after a few days' trying, I got perfect seats for the concerts 3 nights running, each time the same seats (a big corporate block for each night suddenly became available).

Thanks Caliban - it may have been previous comments from you that I was vaguely recalling!

I'm afraid I did succumb to temptation - got my wife to join the queue at 9.15 and arrived back home at 11.00 just in time to do the bookings (much happier experience than last year). Was very surprised to find that I was successful in booking Gurrelieder/Rattle, but that the I Fagiolini chamber music prom was already sold out! This was a real blow, so I might try your approach to getting a ticket nearer the time - but suspect that chances of success are much lower (doubt they have corporate tickets released into the wild from Cadogan Hall...).

[Rcartes]

I suspect that in the first few minutes after 09:00 the problem is not the size of the waiting room but the width of the door into it, i.e. the number of people that they can accept simultaneously. I managed to get into the waiting room at 09:04 at number 2062 in the queue, and was able to log in after 30 minutes. At the end of the booking process, I clicked on a button inviting me to give some feedback, but that opened a new window and took me into the waiting room queue at number 11500, so they won't get my feedback.

I tink you're exactly right about the 'door' to the queue, and you'd think the problem would be solvable.

On the other hand, having a huge queue for the feedback option is genius: then they can say that nobody complained!

[PhilipT]

On the other hand, having a huge queue for the feedback option is genius: then they can say that nobody complained!

In fairness to the RAH, there are other ways of submitting a complaint, and I have already had a reply to mine.

[Bryn]

If the Proms 2017 are going to be webcast in lossless FLAC, well......gamechanger.....!

With the start of the Proms less than 2 weeks away there seems to be no further information regarding the webcasting in FLAC format. Does anyone here know more about the plans? I do hope the Beeb does a bit more promotion regarding this before too long.

[maestro267]

Now that the season is almost upon us, I'm starting to look forward to it. Especially the first week. Interesting combinations of works I enjoy, like Sibelius VC/Elgar 1 in Prom 2.

[Dave2002]

Nice little "newsreel" video about the history of BBC broadcasting the Proms with Zeb Soanes on BBC2. Love the fake old film with scratchy video etc., and then colour comes, and stereo, and then finally goes back to B&W. 5 minutes of fun watching.

[DracoM]

Deleted

[seabright]

Apropos the lack of short 'starters' to many concerts, it will be interesting to know how many people arrive late at the RAH through no fault of their own, having been delayed on the bus by traffic, or having difficulty finding somewhere to park, or due to a tube hold-up, only to find they've missed all of the first movement (15 minutes) of the Sibelius VC. There are plenty of short pieces lasting 5 minutes or so, by both Elgar and Sibelius, that could serve as overtures, but to plunge straight into a concerto with no kind of warm-up seems very miserly to me, as does any 30-minute first half of a Prom.

[amcluesent]

Sadly the amount of inane chat on R3 Proms has reached a new high this year . Every piece seems to be topped and tailed by presenters (some of whom should know better) asking the soloist/conductor/composer how was it for them. I lose my temper listening live, instead using Listen Again and FF through the many, many minutes of blethering.

[Nick Armstrong]

using Listen Again and FF through the many, many minutes of blethering.

The only way to do it. Same goes for all broadcasting, TV as well as radio, I think.

[Hornspieler]

Ella and Dizzie - 5th August 2017

The Prom of the Century!

This is the way to get more interest in the best musical performers.

A lot of last night's promenaders would never dream of attending a "classical music" concert at The Royal Albert Hall, but I believe a lot of them would change their views after last night's prom by the BBC Concert Orchestra with international artistes in support.

This is what Sir Henry Wood's intentions were when he introduced his Promenade Concerts in The Royal Albert Hall.

" ... an opportunity for all to learn the joys of music and to introduce something new and exciting to the audience - many of whom would be attending such a venue for the first time."

I hope that the promoters and planners will take note of the attraction for first time attendies at these concerts (and broadcasts, of course)

A new experience for some and a relief for others from those First Broadcast Performance (BBC Commision)"*

* ...which should more properly be dubbed as "First (and Last] broadcast performance for nearly all of them. IMHO

If you did not hear (or see) this stunning performance by all of the participants, I urge you listen or watch what I would call "A gateway to the appreciation of ALL kinds of Music.

HS

[MrGongGong]

So HS
How do you rate James Morrison compared to Dennis or Pip or Arkady Shilkloper ?
And why doesn't he play the French Horn?

Not my favourite repertoire but his technique

[pastoralguy]

Sadly the amount of inane chat on R3 Proms has reached a new high this year . Every piece seems to be topped and tailed by presenters (some of whom should know better) asking the soloist/conductor/composer how was it for them. I lose my temper listening live, instead using Listen Again and FF through the many, many minutes of blethering.

I'm waiting for the day a soloist will reply 'Well, I don't really know about my performance. I'm incredibly jet lagged, my spouse is ill in hospital and I was only hoping it was the Brahms concerto and no the Sibelius 'cause I've not played it for a fortnight now. I just went on the stage and allowed the incredibly efficient machine to turn in a fantastic performance whilst the 'real me' wondered what might be on the menu in my hotel once I'd left the stage'.

I doubt it'll happen, but, maybe one day...