Prom 1 - 14.07.17: First Night of the Proms

[ferneyhoughgeliebte]

First post, I'll try to be genial. Wish I'd stuck to the third programme but deferred to KD on BBC4, which wasnt a great idea bearing in mind the gushing tripe she comes out with. I have to admit that I'm not the greatest fan of a lot of new music and maybe this first piece was a good example of why that may be so. A roughly ABA piece with the usual overblown percussion section, underused of course, an inaudible opening and sections which were suspiciously like the WSStory Mambo. Do correct my Luddism but I'm not sure that knowing the idea behind the piece helped much. And, right on cue, the ubiquitous instrumental novelty of a clarinet mouthpiece jammed on the bottom half of the instrument (losing the top joint and barrel). Maybe, just maybe my scepticism is understandable.
Anyhow, that over with (and apologies for inflicting it upon any with sensitivities and support for the 'modern muse'), on with the Beethoven (complete with a temporary transmission break here up t'north).
Greetings to you all!

And greetings to you, too, Bauxi - and welcome to the Forum.

Yes, the Coult was a bit predictable, wasn't it - a suitable party opener, I suppose, that wouldn't scare too many horses. Personally, I'd've let the orchestra had an extra half-hour at the bar, and let ELISION loose on Aaron Cassidy's Wreck of Former Boundaries for a real season opener ... but they haven't the nerve, so we have to put up with the pleasantly enjoyable and forgettable.

I greatly enjoyed the Beethoven, though.

[Bryn]

Harmonium:

Awaiting the performance on television with great expectations. Given the build up it should make the Gothic by Havergal Brian seem like Mary O'Hara by comparison.

Hmm. Bigger not necessarily better, what?

[bluestateprommer]

Harmonium just finished; the best was the last, with a terrific performance all around. Rather nice to hear, during the interval, Petroc talking with several members of the Youth Choir, in advance of their singing the John Adams, where several of them admitted that they weren't really "into classical", but they took this opportunity as a chance to stretch out their musical horizons. Also a nice touch to hear from some Prommers in the Arena, including the fellow from NYC (have to put in a plug for the Americans here) who hadn't planned to Prom on the First Night, but lucked into it, so to speak.

[Lat-Literal]

Hmm. Bigger not necessarily better, what?

I'm getting muddled, Bryn, and not for the first time with the BBC's timing on the Proms. For blues it has just finished. I'm in the middle of the second part and in another time zone. Bigger and shorter, yes, but no, not better. No one could have accused the wonderfully individual HB of minimalism in any context. But - and thank you for enabling me to enter into the conversation; it is the first time I have had the confidence to comment on a Prom 1 - I am for the American minimalists up to a considerable point. Plus I do like the beatboxers and especially the metal heads doing this sort of thing. Perhaps next time round we might get them all on Gordon Crosse. Apparently he is still alive - at least in terms of flesh, bone, blood.

[Bryn]

Anyone manage to catch the FLAC? I was rather delayed in getting home, so will probably have to make do with 'HD Sound' from the iPlayer.

[ferneyhoughgeliebte]

I'm getting muddled, Bryn, and not for the first time with the BBC's timing on the Proms. For blues it has just finished. I'm in the middle of the second act and in another time zone.

Are you watching on TV, Lats? (It's broadcast half-an-hour after the radio Live broadcast.)

[Bryn]

I'm getting muddled, Bryn, and not for the first time with the BBC's timing on the Proms. For blues it has just finished. I'm in the middle of the second act and in another time zone. Bigger and shorter, yes, but no, not better. No one could have accused the wonderfully individual HB of minimalism in any context. But - and thank you for enabling me to enter into the conversation; it is the first time I have had the confidence to comment on a Prom 1 - I am for the American minimalists up to a considerable point. Plus I like the beatboxers and the metal heads doing this sort of thing. Perhaps next time round we might get them doing Gordon Crosse.

I have it on BBC 2 HD. Not at all impressed with the audio engineering. It's pumping like badly set up Dolby C! Hopefully the Radio 3 HD Sound from the iPlayer 'listen agian' will be better.

[Bryn]

Has a pigion got into the RAH or has Ed. been blowing his nose on his jacket's right shoulder?

[Lat-Literal]

Are you watching on TV, Lats? (It's broadcast half-an-hour after the radio Live broadcast.)

Yes, ferney - and many thanks for the explanation. I know your views on Adams. The third movement works for me.

Sometimes I wonder how I would have been had I been listening to x rather than y. A 1981 premiere, by all accounts.

Eight months ahead of the big hit by the Human League. I would do a segway but I doubt any sane person would do.

[teamsaint]

Yes, ferney - and many thanks for the explanation. I know your views on Adams. The third movement works for me.

Sometimes I wonder how I would have been had I been listening to x rather than y. A 1981 premiere, by all accounts.

Eight months ahead of the big hit by the Human League. I would do a segway but I doubt any sane person would do.

Dare you......

[Lat-Literal]

Dare you......

Shush.

(https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=uPudE8nDog0)

Sorry. It's my testament to Roddy Rodwell. It was my first Christmas in work, employed by the finance industry for the princely sum of £3,201 pa. He was a 65 year old junior with a serious heart condition. When the very heavy bags of post arrived, the porters were on holiday. He was ordered to fetch them by the thirty-something managers . Half of a dozen of us eighteen year olds said no and brought them up ourselves. He died three months later, just as he was about to retire. Some say moments can lead to lifelong attitudes. That was one moment that informed my entire outlook in the eighties. Who knows? Maybe in a different world John Adams's "Harmonium" could have been the soundtrack to that event but, alas, no.

Anyhow, my favourite Adams piece is the obvious one - as previously documented I'm into re-introducing the "Oldham" Shakers into Britain, if push comes to shove by becoming one.

Now that's what I call real re-wilding:

John Adams - Shaker Loops - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=r0H2K07m01Y

[Braunschlag]

[QUOTE=ferneyhoughgeliebte;628926]And greetings to you, too, Bauxi - and welcome to the Forum.

Aha, episode 5 working now then?! I'm never going to open presents at Christmas again after this weeks Fargo

[Pulcinella]

Worth putting up with KD to see/watch the performers.
Pleased to know from post #33 what the shortened clarinet-like instrument used in the first piece was (a shortened clarinet, it would appear).
Does anyone know what Igor Levit's lapel badge was?
Possibly another 'statement', like his encore?

[Braunschlag]

Glad I could help with the woodwind curio. I had to look closely at the telly as I casually thought it was an Eb but the eye and ear got all of a muddle until I spotted the cork. I shall have to ask Frau Braunschlag to do me a demo, she being a klarinettischer, it'll all be very alles klar and interesting to see what one can play. I bet it was really a shortcut to getting over the legendary 'break'.

[edashtav]

Has a pigion got into the RAH or has Ed. been blowing his nose on his jacket's right shoulder?

NO, I have not, but I did notice the glistening patch.