Prom 1: First Night of the Proms - 13.07.18

[LMcD]

What is the time estimate?

87 minutes, apparently (13 + 52 +22)

[LMcD]

I've just watched the 2013 Proms performance of the Vaughan Williams. I must say it's a rather splendid piece.
I've not yet managed to get a grip on the Sea Symphony. (Note to self: try harder!)

[Eine Alpensinfonie]

87 minutes, apparently (13 + 52 +22)

I see! So why isn't the commission in part 1, I wonder?

[LMcD]

The BBC Proms website definitely has the Meredith after the interval. Perhaps it's something to do with special facilities/equipment required for the new piece that might pose problems if it came first?

[ferneyhoughgeliebte]

The BBC Proms website definitely has the Meredith after the interval. Perhaps it's something to do with special facilities/equipment required for the new piece that might pose problems if it came first?

I think that this is probably so. The new work is also opening this year's Edinburgh International Festival (the first time that a work has been so jointly-commissioned) and there is a little more information about the work here:

http://www.thenational.scot/culture/16339286.big-name-choir-collaboration-is-coming-to-edinburgh-international-festival/

"Each will incorporate significant local elements" - which, if I've understood it correctly, include different costumes and designs at the two performances (and perhaps even different texts).

It seems as if the programming in Edinburgh is more "sensible" than that for the Proms - the performance is a feature in its own right, performed outside the Usher Hall.

[ferneyhoughgeliebte]

It seems as if the programming in Edinburgh is more "sensible" than that for the Proms - the performance is a feature in its own right, performed outside the Usher Hall.

Ah! There is a similar event - billed as the "Proms Curtain Opener" - taking place in Hyde Park on the Thursday before the opening night.

https://www.bbc.co.uk/events/edrz3d

[Lat-Literal]

Anna Meredith and Roxanna Panufnik were on R4's Today programme this morning discussing their WW1 compositions for the first and the last Proms respectively.

[PhilipT]

Ah! There is a similar event - billed as the "Proms Curtain Opener" - taking place in Hyde Park on the Thursday before the opening night.

Oooh! I wonder if any of the residents of the nearby flats will come out and complain about the noise?

[ucanseetheend]

pretty pathetic first night! but then could say it for majority of the concerts 13 52 and 22 mins. big yawn

[EnemyoftheStoat]

Oooh! I wonder if any of the residents of the nearby flats will come out and complain about the noise?

How will they hear it from Russia?

[maestro267]

pretty pathetic first night! but then could say it for majority of the concerts 13 52 and 22 mins. big yawn

Ah! You must be from the future then! Otherwise how else would you be able to give such a judgement about a concert that hasn't happened yet?

[LMcD]

Reminds me of the woman - was it Lady Dartmouth? - at the Lady Chatterley trial, who said that she hadn't read the book but was sure that she would disapprove of it. I shall watch or record the First Night (depending on events at Wimbledon - it could be a VERY late finish!) with what I hope will be an open mind.

[edashtav]

Oh dear, short measure (to fit TV schedules?). And... I cannot accept the assessment of the RVW in the Proms Prospectus : Vaughan Williams's choral masterpiece. It's an apprentice piece written at the tender age of 35. The start is so full of Parry that I'm surprised that Hubert didn't sue for plagiarism. It's an exercise en route to the Sea Symphony. How did Ralph react? He rushed to Ravel to learn how to orchestrate.
By the way, it was programmed in the Proms only two years ago and received a fine performance. Time to replace it on its dusty shelf.

[oddoneout]

Ah! There is a similar event - billed as the "Proms Curtain Opener" - taking place in Hyde Park on the Thursday before the opening night.

https://www.bbc.co.uk/events/edrz3d

I think it may have been Georgia Mann who mentioned it this morning, having seen the light show and thought it something special.

[ferneyhoughgeliebte]

Reminds me of the woman - was it Lady Dartmouth? - at the Lady Chatterley trial, who said that she hadn't read the book but was sure that she would disapprove of it.

A Pedant writes: Possibly said at around the time of the trial, but not actually at the trial* itself - the prosecution called no witnesses to support its case, and the 35 witnesses who were called spoke on behalf of the defence.

(* = I know I've repeated "the trial", but substituting a pronoun would result in the CarryOnesque "at it", which might be deemed inappropriate in context. Or not.)