Prom 21 - 30.07.17: Beethoven – Symphony No. 9, ‘Choral’

[Eine Alpensinfonie]

19:00 Sunday 30 July 2017 ON TV
Royal Albert Hall

Sir James MacMillan: A European Requiem European première
Ludwig van Beethoven: Symphony No 9 in D minor, 'Choral'

Erin Wall soprano
Sonia Prina mezzo-soprano
Iestyn Davies counter-tenor
Simon O'Neill tenor
Jacques Imbrailo baritone
Alexander Vinogradov bass
CBSO Chorus
BBC National Chorus of Wales
BBC National Orchestra of Wales
Xian Zhang conductor

Freedom, hope and brotherhood are the notions that underpin both Beethoven's Ninth Symphony and Sir James MacMillan's new choral work A European Requiem - a plea for unity in a troubled world. Xian Zhang and the BBC NOW perform this European premiere.

[Eine Alpensinfonie]

Please stick to the music!


Re Beethoven 9 - how long is it since the "tradition" of having it on the Penultimate Night was dropped?

[BBMmk2]

I hope there won't be any!

[ferneyhoughgeliebte]

Please stick to the music!

I hope there won't be any!

????

[Pulcinella]

????

You got in first!
I thought that it was only the last movement that (some) people (me included!) had problems with.

[Petrushka]

Please stick to the music!


Re Beethoven 9 - how long is it since the "tradition" of having it on the Penultimate Night was dropped?

The first time the Choral didn't appear on the penultimate night (at least in modern times) was, as far as I know, in 1982 when Solti conducted the Missa Solemnis instead. I was there and will never forget it. The 9th has appeared on the penultimate night since but is now much more of a moveable feast.

I've heard some incandescent Prom Chorals over the years but also one or two deadly dull ones which, for whatever reason never took wing.

[Darkbloom]

The first time the Choral didn't appear on the penultimate night (at least in modern times) was, as far as I know, in 1982 when Solti conducted the Missa Solemnis instead. I was there and will never forget it. The 9th has appeared on the penultimate night since but is now much more of a moveable feast.

I've heard some incandescent Prom Chorals over the years but also one or two deadly dull ones which, for whatever reason never took wing.

My memories of Colin Davis live were usually always positive, but his Ninth with the LSO in the 90s was not one of his best. Very routine. I think Brendel played Mozart in the first half so perhaps more time was spent in rehearsal on that.

[Petrushka]

My memories of Colin Davis live were usually always positive, but his Ninth with the LSO in the 90s was not one of his best. Very routine. I think Brendel played Mozart in the first half so perhaps more time was spent in rehearsal on that.

Yes, that was one of those I had in mind!

[Petrushka]

There are two truly great Prom LvB 9's that come to mind: VPO/Abbado in 1987, the very night after Bernstein's unforgettable Mahler 5, and Solti and the Chicago SO in 1996.

Another duff one was Ferdinand Leitner and the LSO (again!) in 1983.

[Darkbloom]

There are two truly great Prom LvB 9's that come to mind: VPO/Abbado in 1987, the very night after Bernstein's unforgettable Mahler 5, and Solti and the Chicago SO in 1996.

Another duff one was Ferdinand Leitner and the LSO (again!) in 1983.

Haitink's Ninth with the BBCSO was another misfire. There is often a fine line with BH where it all sounds accomplished, but if he's off his game it is a little flat and disengaged. I mainly remember it for the leader getting something in his eye and having to stop and wipe it with a hanky mid-performance.

[Bryn]

Just a quick mention that this is one of the Proms included in the binaural Taster project.

[EdgeleyRob]

I thought that it was only the last movement that (some) people (me included!) had problems with.

For years I thought it was just me until I joined this forum.

[pastoralguy]

Does the 'problems' with the last movement of Beethoven's 9th mean the whole or just the vocal bits? I have to say that I LOVE listening and playing the big fugue in the middle. Great fun!

[jayne lee wilson]

Does the 'problems' with the last movement of Beethoven's 9th mean the whole or just the vocal bits? I have to say that I LOVE listening and playing the big fugue in the middle. Great fun!

You'll have to ask someone who doesn't love and admire it as much as I do...!

(Pity that my local taxi-service uses the first two phrases of the 9th's scherzo as its driver-callsign... but at least it didn't happen today, serenaded down to Sainsburys by Steve Miller and Gerry Rafferty.. ..oh, you know the ones....)

[Alison]

Haitink's Ninth with the BBCSO was another misfire. There is often a fine line with BH where it all sounds accomplished, but if he's off his game it is a little flat and disengaged. I mainly remember it for the leader getting something in his eye and having to stop and wipe it with a hanky mid-performance.

Symphony of Psalms in first half?

Yes mediocre by BH standards thought not as dire as the Davis. I think the BBC orchestra were a crusty bunch especially towards the end of a season.