Proms 2018

[MrGongGong]

I thought it was quite bold-foolish to appoint Jonny Greenwood as Composer in Association to - was it the Concert Orchestra? - to let him dabble and learn something in the process because he had already shown talent. I think he had already been stepping outside the Radiohead pop catagory which is why he, as distinct from Radiohead, was offered this role and the commissions which followed. The 2014 concert was sold as "Pet Shop Boys", presumably to attract the desired audience; Proms of 2009 and 2011 weren't sold as "Jonny Greenwood".

I'm not sure that "box-ticking" should always be derided (depends what it is). It sounds a bit like criticising "political correctness".

How on earth could someone from a "band" know anything about orchestral music anywa?

Erm

As a boy in Oxford, England, Greenwood played in youth orchestras. Along with his elder brother, Radiohead bassist Colin Greenwood, he attended Abingdon School, where he met the other members of the band. The youngest of the group, Greenwood was the last to join, at first playing keyboards and harmonica but soon becoming lead guitarist. He is the only Radiohead member to have studied music theory. He abandoned a degree in music when the band was signed to Parlophone; their debut single "Creep" was distinguished by Greenwood's aggressive guitar work. Radiohead have since achieved critical acclaim and have sold over 30 million albums.

A multi-instrumentalist, Greenwood plays bass guitar, piano, viola, and drums, among other instruments, and is a prominent player of the ondes Martenot, an early electronic instrument.

[french frank]

How on earth could someone from a "band" know anything about orchestral music anywa?

Erm

Oh, he might know quite a lot. That's not to say he couldn't learn something by having his "own orchestra" to work with, don't you think?

Though that kind of biography is often described as being "classically trained" (meaning he had viola lessons when he was at school). He abandoned his degree in music. All this suggests is that he had potential and that was probably why he was appointed CiA - to see what he could do.

[MrGongGong]

Oh, he might know quite a lot. That's not to say he couldn't learn something by having his "own orchestra" to work with, don't you think?

Though that kind of biography is often described as being "classically trained" (meaning he had viola lessons when he was at school). He abandoned his degree in music. All this suggests is that he had potential and that was probably why he was appointed CiA - to see what he could do.

Actually I know that he does know a lot
But "abandoning" ones music degree doesn't mean abandoning music


I'm not a huge fan
BUT I do think he was an interesting appointment and not a token gesture etc etc

[Stanley Stewart]

Delighted to receive my copy of the PROMS 2018 brochure, yesterday, from the river people, with its £2 reduction on the asking £7 retail price. A heavy glossy tome of 186 pages. Sat in a shady nook for a couple of hours and felt quite rejuvenated by many of the seasonal programmes, some scheduled for BBC 4/BBC 2, too. Alas, my personal visits are over but I still have pleasant memories of my Prom years when I was a Lunnoner for 3 decades! £6 is still good value for the Prommers but the price bands are now a bit of an eye- opener. The booking fee is a bit cheeky, 2% of the total value -plus £2 per ticket up to a total value of £25. Mmm. However, the music, like the play's the thing! Pleased, too, to acquire a knowledge of what is meant by the Rausing Circle - several rows of seats above the 2nd Tier Boxes, near the concert platform. A separate useful wall chart is also included in the programme, handy for quick reference. Lots of fascinating editorial material, too. After a harsh winter and the tedium of Britexit and a shreds and patches approach on R3 ,the Proms season is particularly appealing for this listener.

[ferneyhoughgeliebte]

Delighted to receive my copy of the PROMS 2018 brochure, yesterday, from the river people, with its £2 reduction on the asking £7 retail price. A heavy glossy tome of 186 pages.

This is, therefore, probably an insensitive moment to mention:

https://www.psbooks.co.uk/BBC-Proms-2018?eid=bccaf2d9-a1a2-4ac3-8601-17586ae70a20&utm_source=bronto&utm_medium=email&utm_term=BBC+Proms+2018+Guide&utm_content=Postscript%27s+Spring+Sale+Catalogue&utm_campaign=292+Sale+Catalogue+final&_bta_tid=36560117295476397485631291315212599534311770001587924649294162222116458377683664186530311060905745241864

[Stanley Stewart]

"Then comes my fits again..."

[LMcD]

This is, therefore, probably an insensitive moment to mention:

https://www.psbooks.co.uk/BBC-Proms-...60905745241864

If you're signed up to Amazon Prime, it would seem to be £3.49 including postage (and would very probably arrive the next day).

[french frank]

The new Proms 2018 board will soon replace this Proms 2017, which will be moved down with the General Proms boards (all except these latest threads). All previous years remain viewable.

[Anastasius]

...one that comes immediately to mind would be Kabalevsky's Violin Concerto, whose slow movement offers an earworm to die for.

Thanks SA for the recommendation. So far not succumbed to the earworm but perhaps a few more listens on Qobuz will do it

Many thanks, Andrew for the better Proms listing.

[Constantbee]

Many thanks indeed for this far more friendly listing of the 2018 season!

The Proms brochure contains an at-a-glance fold out A2 poster (420mm x 594mm) of the season, a bit easier on the eyes, I thought.

[Pulcinella]

The Proms brochure contains an at-a-glance fold out A2 poster (420mm x 594mm) of the season, a bit easier on the eyes, I thought.

But it doesn't list the works.

[patricia1066]

I received the Proms brochure from Amazon but it doesn't have the poster. Nor does it mention a poster. I wonder if that explains the cheaper price?

[Arnold Bax]

Well, I've just received my Proms guide here in Germany from Amazon, very promply, and there indeed is an accompanying poster included, which takes pride of place on our wall. Not a bad season, all told, though we could have done without yet another hauling out of the Rite of Spring, La Mer and Holst's Planets Suite, even if it is an anniversary or other Looking forward to the 'Pelleas' though, and the Lily Boulanger

[Conchis]

This year's season features ALMOST NOTHING OF INTEREST!

[ferneyhoughgeliebte]

This year's season features ALMOST NOTHING OF INTEREST!

Mmnyer - if I lived in/near London, there are about six concerts I wouldn't mind going to; but nothing at all that I find exciting/enticing/attractive enough to go to through the hassle and expense of train travel and overnight accommodation to attend. Broadcasts will do.