Prom 1: First Night of the Proms - 13.07.18

[Eine Alpensinfonie]

20:15
ON TV
Royal Albert Hall

Ralph Vaughan Williams: Toward the Unknown Region
Gustav Holst: The Planets
Anna Meredith: Five Telegrams BBC co-commission with 14–18 NOW and Edinburgh International Festival: world première

National Youth Choir of Great Britain
BBC Symphony Chorus
BBC Proms Youth Ensemble
BBC Symphony Orchestra
Sakari Oramo conductor

An all-British season launch, featuring two major figures who composed responses to the First World War. Holst's much-loved The Planets (premiered in 1918) and Vaughan Williams's choral masterpiece Toward the Unknown Region contrast with a new work by Anna Meredith, featuring the National Youth Choir of Great Britain and the BBC Proms Youth Ensemble. Five Telegrams draws on communications sent by young soldiers in 1918, taken from a British Field Service Postcard.

Five Telegrams is a unique collaboration between Anna Meredith, one of the country’s most exciting contemporary composers – widely acclaimed for her album Varmints, which seamlessly crosses classical and pop – and 59 Productions, the Tony Award-winning design company whose work includes the London 2012 Opening Ceremony and the National Theatre smash hit War Horse. Part of 14-18 NOW, Five Telegrams will be presented at the BBC Proms and as the Standard Life Opening Event at the Edinburgh International Festival – the first time these two major cultural organisations have worked together in this way.

[Eine Alpensinfonie]

Toward the Unknown Region was one of the first VW works I ever heard. It was on a Sargent LP, containing this work, The Wasps Overture, Serenade to Music and the Greensleeves Fantasia. The composer had been dead for only two years, so his music was then regarded as "modern".

[Serial_Apologist]

I would leave before the Ann Meredith, whose music I do not like at all. Problem is, we know the other two pieces like the backs of our hands, don't we???

[LMcD]

I would leave before the Ann Meredith, whose music I do not like at all. Problem is, we know the other two pieces like the backs of our hands, don't we???

I'm not sure that the Vaughan Williams is that familiar to that many people - indeed, I'm not sure that I've ever heard it even though I'm a great admirer of his work.

[Eine Alpensinfonie]

I'm not sure that the Vaughan Williams is that familiar to that many people - indeed, I'm not sure that I've ever heard it even though I'm a great admirer of his work.

It's very much in the style of his Sea Symphony, even to it being a Walt Whitman setting.

http://www.choirs.org.uk/prognotes/Vaughan%20Williams%20Towards%20Unknown.htm

[french frank]

I would leave before the Ann Meredith, whose music I do not like at all. Problem is, we know the other two pieces like the backs of our hands, don't we???

Since the First Night is traditionally televised, it seems as if the thinking has been for a soft 'starter' Prom, rather than give the season a really fizzing launch.

[DracoM]

Love the RVW irony: maybe sub-titled 'into-Brexit'?

[Serial_Apologist]

Love the RVW irony: maybe sub-titled 'into-Brexit'?

Thanks for cheering me up today, DracoM!

[LMcD]

Perhaps there'll be an encore in the form of the main theme from the Peter Sellers film 'A Shot in the Dark'.

[Eine Alpensinfonie]

Since the First Night is traditionally televised, it seems as if the thinking has been for a soft 'starter' Prom, rather than give the season a really fizzing launch.

The First Night used to be a lightweight concert, when it was on a Saturday night, but then the idea of starting the season with one really big work on the Friday Night resulted in notable performances of works like Mahler 8., with the second night holding on to its lighter status. Nothing wrong with that, but at some stage, it was watered down.

[VodkaDilc]

The First Night used to be a lightweight concert, when it was on a Saturday night, but then the idea of starting the season with one really big work on the Friday Night resulted in notable performances of works like Mahler 8., with the second night holding on to its lighter status. Nothing wrong with that, but at some stage, it was watered down.

I remember being dragged by my then girlfriend to hear Mahler 8 at the First Night in about 1971. All I can remember is that it was long and loud - and that the hall was hot. It was another ten years before I was really ready for Mahler. My affection for the composer grew, though I can't say the same for my companion that evening.

[Cockney Sparrow]

My first acquaintance with Mahler 8 was a R3 relay of a CUMS/Willcocks performance from Ely Cathedral. Followed by a vinyl disc and then Colin Davis (a rock solid interpreter) at the Albert Hall. I hope Sondergard has, firstly, adequate soloists together with an inspired interpretation. I wait in hope!

[BBMmk2]

Been looking forward to this Prom ever since it was first announced, apart from the commission!

[Barbirollians]

Been looking forward to this Prom ever since it was first announced, apart from the commission!

If the time estimate for the Meredith is right it is a very short programme. I think they should have added VW8 - if only to get people to stay for the commission.

[Eine Alpensinfonie]

If the time estimate for the Meredith is right it is a very short programme. I think they should have added VW8 - if only to get people to stay for the commission.

What is the time estimate?