Prom 1 - 14.07.17: First Night of the Proms

[Lat-Literal]

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 - I am generally in awe of the technical discussions.

I always envied the people who went out to record aircraft noise and who provided scientific advice before I simply reported on their recordings.

But I have a good ear - I expected a fuller bodied sound.

[Nick Armstrong]

Having excised Ms Derham and her friends, I'm listening to the Beethoven - not particularly enthused by the performance as it's coming across via the TV, hard-edged and not especially involving first movement...

One in the eye for Brexiteers with the encore.

I think that was certainly the intention - this is IG's address before a concert in Brussels last November, which continues to feature at the top of his social media pages:

[edashtav]

I have a comprehensive review lodged in my brain but my mother has suffered her third fall from her bed in three weeks and I've rung for an ambulance.

Whilst we wait , I'll pen some random thoughts.

Oh dear, Tom Coult's St John's Dance was over-hyped and did not deliver the promised "relentless" dances. Over-scored brass chords underpinned by percussion established a slow counter-pulse that destroyed, for me, much of the dancing superficial panache and glitter. It was an apprentice piece with manifold influences from his teacher and new knight, George Benjamin, spiced with Gerald Barry, Olivier Messaien and dear old Igor's early Fireworks. I'm told that Coult has talent so he will learn and I look forward to hearing more from him in the future.

The Beethoven was pure bliss from start to finish. Yes, it didn't resemble Annie Fischer's interpretation but was none the worse for that. I always feel sorry for the soloist having to enter cold after such a long, complex and, ultimately, stentorian introduction from the orchestra in the first movement. It's necessary for the pianist to pick up and run with the orchestra's baton. Many pianists fall at this first hurdle and never recover. Igor Levit was straight into his stride, in command and with every phrase newly minted and polished. What I liked most was the balance he struck between Poet and Peasant - there was rough humour aplenty, excellent rhythmic articulation, great forward drive, balanced by sublime moments of ripose and quiet introspection: what is sometimes referred to as "innigkeit". If I had a worry it was that his control of pianissimo feathered his sound to nothing. Great for those listening on radio, but I have sat in seats in the RAH where such refinement has been inaudible. I await reports not "from the front" but, maybe from the back rows if the Circle. This was a word-class performance of a great work in a programme lacking any other pieces of stature. Levit's choice of Liszt's arrangement of Beethoven's "Hymn of Joy" was unexpected but strangely satisfying.

What of Harmonium? I've heard it too often and now hear only its tawdry, meretricious vacuity. Full marks for the dedication of the performers, and the commitment of Ed Gardner who sang every Choral line, appreciated every nuance that the singers added and ensured that his beat was crystal clear and that entries were signalled with precision.

[jayne lee wilson]

Best of all possible wishes to you and your Mother, Ed - I hope the night is not too long, or too exhausting. We've been there, don't worry (the 4am, oddly cathartic, ambulance mercy dash) - more than once. Here, 95-year old Frances is OK... independent in the broadest sense... but needs increasing help from me of course....Once she's settled before Supervet (or tonight, A Streetcat named Bob) and a good meal, we're OK! I'm with you Ed., all the way.

More from me on the music (and the fine, lossless Radio 3 Concert Sound) later...

***

(Caliban - thank you for posting that wonderful speech from Igor Levit. Agree with his every word, my admiration for him all the greater.)

[ferneyhoughgeliebte]

Yes - edash's #63 sums up my own reaction pretty much, too, especially the Beethoven.

And best wishes to your mother, ed.

[Bryn]

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

Not you, Ed. G. I was watching on BBC2.

[teamsaint]

If we are going to bypass the music and major on for political posturing and virtue signalling by those in the limelight,( and in comfortable state supported positions ) for the next however many weeks, lets remember to discuss, as well as the benefits of the EU , the wider protectionism that is anti free trade, ever increasing wealth and income inequality, support for economic wars outside Europe, support of land grabs by the already wealthy in africa and elsewhere , QE that pours money into the pockets of the big banks, the destruction of the Greek economy, and so on and so on. You know, for balance and and proper discussion. The odd handwringing " Oh yes well we all make mistakes" won't do, really. Art is deeply political, but politics requires tough, uncomfortable engagement.

If politics is the thing, perhaps they could get Corbyn and Cable in for a live on air pre Prom Q and A on how they intend to try to shape change. Now that might actually be interesting.

[Alison]

Are radio listeners to be continually bombarded with references the Radio 3 'Loggia' - not sure if I have the right word!

You fancy Tom Coult would write more interestingly and originally for the Nash Ensemble.

[Bryn]

Are radio listeners to be continually bombarded with references the Radio 3 'Loggia' - not sure if I have the right word!

You fancy Tom Coult would write more interestingly and originally for the Nash Ensemble.

Has it not, in previous years, been simply referred to as the Radio 3 box?

[Mary Chambers]

What of Harmonium? I've heard it too often and now hear only its tawdry, meretricious vacuity. Full marks for the dedication of the performers, and the commitment of Ed Gardner who sang every Choral line, appreciated every nuance that the singers added and ensured that his beat was crystal clear and that entries were signalled with precision.

I don't know whether this is fair, but it made me think of Karl Jenkins.

[jean]

Has it not, in previous years, been simply referred to as the Radio 3 box?

That's what it was called when I sat in it one Last Night some time in the 1980s. Unless they're talking about something else.

[EnemyoftheStoat]

I don't know whether this is fair, but it made me think of Karl Jenkins.

Jenkins takes tawdry, meretricious vacuity to another level (please excuse the bake-off speak!). The day that he gets performed at FNOP, all will truly be lost.

[ferneyhoughgeliebte]

You fancy Tom Coult would write more interestingly and originally for the Nash Ensemble.

My own fancy was that he could write more interestingly and originally for orchestra.

But anyone who wishes to listen to anything else that he's written (and remember that this wasn't his first Proms appearance) a selection is available on Soundcloud:

https://soundcloud.com/tomcoult

Alison is, I think, right - there is better stuff here than the bonbon commissioned for the opening of the Festival. But nothing, for me, with that "crickey! factor" that makes me want to listen to a work again and again.

[Ein Heldenleben]

Apologies if this is on another thread but as this is the most active of the Proms I thought I'd post here. Following the constant plugging of the live FLAC stream on BAL I've been on the site . It appears it only works on a desktop running Firefox. Bit of a poser as the iMac is currently in the attic and the hi fi on the ground floor . Getting back on thread a FLAC stream might have been useful to pick the ultra quiet start of the Largo Levitt/ Beethoven last night. I see from a previous post there were audibility problems in the hall as well..

[Nick Armstrong]

Sorry to hear of the family issues, Ed; but v glad to see you back here.

What of Harmonium? I've heard it too often and now hear only its tawdry, meretricious vacuity.

I gave it a try; I'd never listened to it before, but that's all I heard too.