Prom 62 - 30.08.17: Chineke!

[Eine Alpensinfonie]

22:15 Wednesday 30 August 2017 ON TV
Royal Albert Hall

Hannah Kendall: The Spark Catchers BBC commission: world première
Antonín Dvořák: Rondo in G minor, Op 94
David Popper: Hungarian Rhapsody, Op. 68 (orch M. Schlegel)
George Walker: Lyric for Strings
George Frideric Handel: Julius Caesar – 'Da tempeste il legno infranto'
Joseph Boulogne, Chevalier de Saint‐Georges: Au penchant qui nous entrâine
George Frideric Handel: Messiah – 'Rejoice greatly'
Nikolai Rimsky-Korsakov: Capriccio espagnol, Op 34

Sheku Kanneh-Mason cello
Jeanine De Bique soprano
Chineke!
Kevin John Edusei conductor


Hailed by critics as 'fresh' and 'brilliant', Chineke! makes its Proms debut in a programme including works by Pulitzer Prize-winning George Walker and young British composer Hannah Kendall, whose The Spark Catchers takes inspiration from the urgent energy of Lemn Sissay's poem of the same name.
Cellist Sheku Kanneh-Mason, winner of the 2016 BBC Young Musician competition, soprano Jeanine De Bique and conductor Kevin John Edusei all make their Proms debuts too.

[CallMePaul]

I am going to put the cat among the pigeons by suggesting that this orchestra, to which entry is restricted to those of certain ethnicities, reeks of Apartheid-era South Africa. I have never been involved with the classical music business, but from what I can gather there has never been a bar to anyone, whatever their skin colour, making a career in classical music - just look at the number of black and mixed-race opera and concert singers. I agree that it has been rare until very recent times for members of ethnic minorities to take an interest in western classical instrumental music, but I am not aware of any racism, overt or institutional, shown towards them. Sheku Kanneh-Mason's win in last year's BBC Young Musician competition is a case in point, and as readers of The Times will be aware, all his siblings are gifted classical musicians as well. The orchestra's mentor, Chi-Chi Nwanoku, has enjoyed a successful career as a double-bass player.

Unfortunately, political correctness sdeems to be taking over and criticism of the ethos behind this orchestra is unwelcome, or so it seems. Writing in the current Gramophone, Mark Pullinger says that "This isn't a performance to hold up against a ... favourite recording but that would be to miss the point, reviewing their recent recording of Dvorak and Sibelius. He also describes the orchestra as " a terrrific initiative". I beg to disagree, although I am not disputing the talents of the orchestra members.

The politically correct senior mangers of the BBC have chosen this programme of short works for TV rather than the earlier concert with theRoyal Stockholm Phil and Renee Fleming as soloist, with a far more interesting programme. However, I note that the conductor and soloist in that concert are white. I cannot comment on the ethnic make-up of the orchestra. Perhaps it is time to be colour-blind again, as I always understood classical music to have been.

[Eine Alpensinfonie]

I am going to put the cat among the pigeons by suggesting that this orchestra, to which entry is restricted to those of certain ethnicities, reeks of Apartheid-era South Africa. I have never been involved with the classical music business, but from what I can gather there has never been a bar to anyone, whatever their skin colour, making a career in classical music - just look at the number of black and mixed-race opera and concert singers. I agree that it has been rare until very recent times for members of ethnic minorities to take an interest in western classical instrumental music, but I am not aware of any racism, overt or institutional, shown towards them. Sheku Kanneh-Mason's win in last year's BBC Young Musician competition is a case in point, and as readers of The Times will be aware, all his siblings are gifted classical musicians as well. The orchestra's mentor, Chi-Chi Nwanoku, has enjoyed a successful career as a double-bass player.

Unfortunately, political correctness sdeems to be taking over and criticism of the ethos behind this orchestra is unwelcome, or so it seems. Writing in the current Gramophone, Mark Pullinger says that "This isn't a performance to hold up against a ... favourite recording but that would be to miss the point, reviewing their recent recording of Dvorak and Sibelius. He also describes the orchestra as " a terrrific initiative". I beg to disagree, although I am not disputing the talents of the orchestra members.

I do agree with this. It's probably another example of so-called "positive discrimination" which is just negative discrimination viewed from a different angle.

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Two_wrongs_make_a_right

[gradus]

Enjoyed what I heard of the concert - the Handel aria and Rimsky's Capriccio Espagnol, the latter not often programmed these days. It always brings to my mind the late great John Curry who used it in his gold medal winning Olympic and World Championship routines.

[Tony Halstead]

I am going to put the cat among the pigeons by suggesting that this orchestra, to which entry is restricted to those of certain ethnicities, reeks of Apartheid-era South Africa. I have never been involved with the classical music business, but from what I can gather there has never been a bar to anyone, whatever their skin colour, making a career in classical music - just look at the number of black and mixed-race opera and concert singers. I agree that it has been rare until very recent times for members of ethnic minorities to take an interest in western classical instrumental music, but I am not aware of any racism, overt or institutional, shown towards them. Sheku Kanneh-Mason's win in last year's BBC Young Musician competition is a case in point, and as readers of The Times will be aware, all his siblings are gifted classical musicians as well. The orchestra's mentor, Chi-Chi Nwanoku, has enjoyed a successful career as a double-bass player.

Unfortunately, political correctness sdeems to be taking over and criticism of the ethos behind this orchestra is unwelcome, or so it seems. Writing in the current Gramophone, Mark Pullinger says that "This isn't a performance to hold up against a ... favourite recording but that would be to miss the point, reviewing their recent recording of Dvorak and Sibelius. He also describes the orchestra as " a terrrific initiative". I beg to disagree, although I am not disputing the talents of the orchestra members.

The politically correct senior mangers of the BBC have chosen this programme of short works for TV rather than the earlier concert with theRoyal Stockholm Phil and Renee Fleming as soloist, with a far more interesting programme. However, I note that the conductor and soloist in that concert are white. I cannot comment on the ethnic make-up of the orchestra. Perhaps it is time to be colour-blind again, as I always understood classical music to have been.

I absolutely agree with you. As you say, classical music has always been colour-blind.

[MrGongGong]

I do agree with this. It's probably another example of so-called "positive discrimination" which is just negative discrimination viewed from a different angle.

No it isn't

People who have traditionally been in positions of power will always make stuff up to justify their position.

[MrGongGong]

I absolutely agree with you. As you say, classical music has always been colour-blind.

I would suggest that the founders of this orchestra have a different experinece to you which I wouldn't dismiss.

[Eine Alpensinfonie]

I know, it's terrible isn't it
I mean, I read something where someone did a survey of CEO's of multinational companies to try and find out whether there was any gender bias. All the responses said that there wasn't, but there again all the respondents were men !
I don't know about your background BUT I do know people in this ensemble and i'm not going to dismiss their experience in this way.

People who have traditionally have had power will always make up things to justify their position.

Just because you aren't aware of something doesn't mean it doesn't exisit.
It's great to be "colour-blind" as long as you are the right colour.

Clearly this ensemble is deliberately not colour blind. Two wrongs do not make a right. Apartheid is Apartheid however you like to dress it up and does nothing to address the issues involved.

[Eine Alpensinfonie]

No it isn't

People who have traditionally been in positions of power will always make stuff up to justify their position.

That is indeed the case, but it in no way justifies more racism.

[MrGongGong]

That is indeed the case, but it in no way justifies more racism.

Said the person speaking from a position of privilidge
GET off your high horse chum

[MrGongGong]

Apartheid is Apartheid

No it isn't

And it's not for YOU to judge

does nothing to address the issues involved.

Would you like the email address of the founders of this ensemble so you can put them right?
I'm sure they would love to learn from your extensive experinece of these issues which i'm sure have had a big impact on your life.

[Tony Halstead]

That is indeed the case, but it in no way justifies more racism.

agreed!
Let's say... I want to start/ found an orchestra, e.g. devoted to 'music of the WW1 composers' . Would it be Ok if I stipulated that 'only white, british-born musicians need apply'?

[french frank]

I would see two advantages:

It draws the attention of a particular sector of the population to an area of potential achievement for them which they may never have considered before.

It provides reassurance in a more encouraging, non threatening environment.

When 'sectors' are greatly under represented, be it women or ethnic groups, it is a good thing to encourage participation.

http://paraorchestra.com/

[Richard Barrett]

When 'sectors' are greatly under represented, be it women or ethnic groups, it is a good thing to encourage participation.

Exactly.

[MrGongGong]

It draws the attention of a particular sector of the population to an area of potential achievement for them which they may never have considered before.

Spot on
Unless "people like me" are visible then many folks won't even consider participating.