Prom 6 - 18.07.17: Nicola Benedetti plays Shostakovich’s Violin Concerto No. 1

[Barbirollians]

Well, for those familiar with the old RPO/Barbirolli, the bar is set so high.

Very true !

[Alison]

Well, for those familiar with the old RPO/Barbirolli, the bar is set so high.

Very true Nethersage.

I wonder if the welsh orchestra isn't just a shade hacked off with their chief's imminent departure to Scotland.

[edashtav]

A sound but not a thrilling Sibelius 2 so far for me .

spot on!
Neat and tidy, Sibelius dressed in his Sunday best waving a tiny Finnish Flag. I was neither shaken nor stirred.

[Maclintick]

Oh yes. I first heard her as a 14 year old playing the Mendelssohn. (I loaned her an A string when she broke one during the rehearsal!)

It's been great to see her rise and rise and develop as a violinist and an artist. Of course she's nearly 30 now so she's past the 'youngster' phase but I can still hear her playing getting better every time I hear her. (She plays a lot with the RSNO here in Scotland).

And, she's a genuinely lovely person with a passion for teaching. We in Scotland are extremely proud of her!

Agree 100 % with comments by yourself, PG, Alison & Pet re DSCH Violin Concerto 1. Nicola B has come on tremendously in recent years, & this was a performance to rank with the best -- that passacaglia...

[ferneyhoughgeliebte]

One other reason for 7 PM starts could be also for people who need to take trains to the suburbs to get home at a reasonable hour.

I don't think so, bsp - the "suburbs" are well served by trains from London after concerts (I was a frequent London concert-goer when I lived in Eastbourne) - it's people who live outside the Home Counties who have to book overnight accommodation if they want to attend such events. (And, even if this was [one of] the reasons for earlier concert start times, why don't they do it every night?)

[Barbirollians]

Sheffield concerts are now always at 7 - I much prefer 7.30 for a concert as is the case normally in Manchester and Birmingham but I suspect the elderly demographic in Sheffield means earlier concerts and early to bed are preferred .

[Bryn]

The "suburbs" are well served by trains from London after concerts (I was a frequent London concert-goer when I lived in Eastbourne) - it's people who live outside the Home Counties who have to book overnight accommodation if they want to attend such events. (And, even if this was [one of] the reasons for earlier concert start times, why don't they do it every night?)

Hmm. Until about 3 years ago I could get the last bus home from just up the road from the RAH at around 10.45 pm. Now the last bus is at around 7.15 pm. Why Greenline has not sought out a replacement for First Berkshire to run the 702 service is a mystery.

[ferneyhoughgeliebte]

Hmm. Until about 3 years ago I could get the last bus home from just up the road from the RAH at around 10.45 pm. Now the last bus is at around 7.15 pm. Why Greenline has not sought out a replacement for First Berkshire to run the 702 service is a mystery.

Darn - of course, I was presuming that public transport was at the same level in the capital as it had been in the early '90s. But bsp did specify "trains", so that's my excuse!

[Petrushka]

I wonder if the reason for an earlier than usual start is more prosaic. Do orchestral players still get overtime paid if playing after 10pm?

If so, there's your answer.

[teamsaint]

I don't think so, bsp - the "suburbs" are well served by trains from London after concerts (I was a frequent London concert-goer when I lived in Eastbourne) - it's people who live outside the Home Counties who have to book overnight accommodation if they want to attend such events. (And, even if this was [one of] the reasons for earlier concert start times, why don't they do it every night?)

In a moment of idle curiosity, (Bradshaws was made for people like me !) I discovered the other day that a very reasonably priced day return to London can be had , if booked well in advance from certain N Yorks towns , that would easily accommodate a return train journey after the evening prom on the 22.57.
( £16 tomorrow night for the return leg before railcard discount if you book now !!)

Which doesn't answer your point about why not every night.

[BBMmk2]

Great concert last night but why is it nearly always, Shostakovich 's VC 1 and not the equally as good No.2?

[Bryn]

Great concert last night but why is it nearly always, Shostakovich 's VC 1 and not the equally as good No.2?

I actually prefer the 2nd, possibly because I got to know it before the 1st. With the Cello Concertos its about even stevens. Though I got to know and love the 1st long before the 2nd.

[ferneyhoughgeliebte]

In a moment of idle curiosity, (Bradshaws was made for people like me !) I discovered the other day that a very reasonably priced day return to London can be had , if booked well in advance from certain N Yorks towns , that would easily accommodate a return train journey after the evening prom on the 22.57.
( £16 tomorrow night for the return leg before railcard discount if you book now !!)

Curiously enough, when I was checking Train times last night, I noticed that there were a couple of late night London-Leeds trains that would enable (at least some) West Yorkshire passengers to attend evening concerts in London. I've never noticed this service when I've checked at other times - mebbe it's a Summer thing. Very useful to know, of course. It would mean finding a safe Car Park in Leeds that stays open after midnight - or an additional Taxi fare - so if the "N Yorks town" happens to be Skipton, I'd be VERY interested to hear where these offers can be found, ts

[teamsaint]

Curiously enough, when I was checking Train times last night, I noticed that there were a couple of late night London-Leeds trains that would enable (at least some) West Yorkshire passengers to attend evening concerts in London. I've never noticed this service when I've checked at other times - mebbe it's a Summer thing. Very useful to know, of course. It would mean finding a safe Car Park in Leeds that stays open after midnight - or an additional Taxi fare - so if the "N Yorks town" happens to be Skipton, I'd be VERY interested to hear where these offers can be found, ts

The ones I saw were to York, but I'm sure there were similar times and deals to Leeds.

I'm not very expert, but as of right now, ( chosen a bit at random) there are advance fares from and back to Leeds for next tuesday from £44 total , without railcard. leaving for example at 1.15, and returning on the 23.30. ( and getting into leeds just after 2.00 AM.......)

The 22.57 requires a change, and actually doesn't get you in much quicker, but on any given day might be cheaper .

I only ever use National Rail Enquiries, though it might be worth checking the Virgin site.

http://ojp.nationalrail.co.uk/service/timesandfares/LDS/KGX/260717/1300/dep/260717/2230/dep#returnJump

[ferneyhoughgeliebte]

The ones I saw were to York, but I'm sure there were similar times and deals to Leeds.

I'm not very expert, but as of right now, ( chosen a bit at random) there are advance fares from and back to Leeds for next tuesday from £44 total , without railcard. leaving for example at 1.15, and returning on the 23.30. ( and getting into leeds just after 2.00 AM.......)

Cheers. ts - those are the same sort of deals that I noticed for the first time last night. I greatly welcome the opportunity to be able to visit the capital without having to stay overnight: a museum/gallery in the afternoon, a concert in the evening - all for around £100 - a real treat. The Car Park thingy must surely be superable.