Prom 42: Grieg's Piano Concerto – 13.08.18

[Bryn]

Presumably, Tubin, whose Toccata was down to be performed during the 2005 season but was withdrawn due to a change of conductors. It's just possible that Tüür was intended but neither is much of an improvement on Pärt, as far as I am concerned.

[Ah, not Tüür, his Flamma was performed last year.]

[Suffolkcoastal]

Correct Bryn, Eller & Tormis would have been good too.

[Lat-Literal]

Correct Bryn, Eller & Tormis would have been good too.

Not sure about greatness but I like Eller very much and also Tubin. I wouldn't have any more of an expectation of them being performed than I would have of a hundred other composers from across the globe. Part - he is alive and he could attend; there was that period when he was "the CFM thing" along with Gorecki - I can easily see why they did it.

I cannot believe what I have been reading here.

The concert began with what I can only describe as a non-event.

Symphony?- I think not.

Then one of my favourite and most loved piano concertos destroyed by the worse display of self conceit by a so-called prize winning soloist.

Dame Myra Hess must have been turning in her grave to hear the way that Edvard Grieg's masterpiece was savaged and distorted by this dreadful display self aggrandisement.

So,after a period of recovery, I was happy to enjoy a very reassuring rendition of Sibelius ' Fifth Symphony..

Neat and tidy - not mindboggling but acceptable to the listener.

I can see a promising future for this orchestra and Estonia has done well to assemble this mixed bunch of players to join the group of Scandinavian orchestras.

Good luck to them. I'm glad that I had the courage to return to this performance for an acceptable close to the evening.

HS

* Like father, like son? On the evidence of tonight's conducting?
Unfortunately not in my opinion

You and Marvin are not, actually, a million miles from my earlier post although you have taken it out wide.

I just raised a few questions.

As for Tom Service, I can understand the criticisms.

He is not someone with whom I would always expect to agree but he does get me to think about things differently.

I quite like him.

[Richard Tarleton]

I must apologise, and throw myself on the mercy of forumites, for an appalling and I hope uncharacteristic post on this thread, since deleted. Partly responsible were a prolonged session of food preparation with wine, coinciding with the receipt of some bad news, which had together left me in a fragile emotional state and no condition to go anywhere near a keyboard. I had no business saying what I said. I won't trouble you with my memories of a much loved concerto, and for what it's worth did quite enjoy the Pärt and of course the Sibelius - but I think I'll steer clear of the rest of the Proms season.

[marvin]

Not sure about greatness but I like Eller very much and also Tubin. I wouldn't have any more of an expectation of them being performed than I would have of a hundred other composers from across the globe. Part - he is alive and he could attend; there was that period when he was "the CFM thing" along with Gorecki - I can easily see why they did it.


You and Marvin are not, actually, a million miles from my earlier post although you have taken it out wide.

I just raised a few questions.

As for Tom Service, I can understand the criticisms.

He is not someone with whom I would always expect to agree but he does get me to think about things differently.

I quite like him.

Believe it or not but I like him, usually but on Friday he was speaking and shouting in an hysterical manner which was very off-putting. And let's not mention Ms Dereham (Sp?) on Proms Extra!

[LMcD]

Believe it or not but I like him, usually but on Friday he was speaking and shouting in an hysterical manner which was very off-putting. And let's not mention Ms Dereham (Sp?) on Proms Extra!

Well, I don't like him, but I suppose it could be argued that he was 'on message' if, as some of us believe, the 'message' comprises hyperbolic, overexcited and frankly sometimes ludicrous promotion of this year's Proms, what with a conductor and orchestra who are people ripping up the rule book and a Beethoven overture (Coriolanus, I think) that apparently inflicts physical violence on the listener. We've also been encouraged to listen to a 'maverick' harpsichordist and a 'maverick' violinist, the implication being that mavericks are by definition in some way better, or at least more interesting, than more orthodox performers.
Excessive enthusiasm and exaggerated claims always lead me to wonder there might be something dodgy about what the presenter is trying to sell - I choose my verb carefully.
Examples, past and present, of 'how to do it': Petroc Trelawny, Martin Handley. James Naughtie, Charles Hazelwood, Sarah Mohr-Pietsch, Alan Titchmarsh (yes, really...) and Sir Mark Elder, the last-named before, rather than during, the work(s) in question.

[jonfan]

I must apologise, and throw myself on the mercy of forumites, for an appalling and I hope uncharacteristic post on this thread, since deleted. Partly responsible were a prolonged session of food preparation with wine, coinciding with the receipt of some bad news, which had together left me in a fragile emotional state and no condition to go anywhere near a keyboard. I had no business saying what I said. I won't trouble you with my memories of a much loved concerto, and for what it's worth did quite enjoy the Pärt and of course the Sibelius - but I think I'll steer clear of the rest of the Proms season.

Sorry to hear this Richard and hope music can add some solace but we badly need your measured contributions to counter some of the stuff written immediately above.

[jayne lee wilson]

I must apologise, and throw myself on the mercy of forumites, for an appalling and I hope uncharacteristic post on this thread, since deleted. Partly responsible were a prolonged session of food preparation with wine, coinciding with the receipt of some bad news, which had together left me in a fragile emotional state and no condition to go anywhere near a keyboard. I had no business saying what I said. I won't trouble you with my memories of a much loved concerto, and for what it's worth did quite enjoy the Pärt and of course the Sibelius - but I think I'll steer clear of the rest of the Proms season.

What matters much more is that you're big enough, self-aware and generous-spirited enough to say this, Richard. Hey, it's not the crime of the century (and possibly not the most excessive post on this thread alone)... God knows I've made a fool of myself on here more than once, said things I regretted and yes- it was sometimes under the influence of both alcohol and a dislocated mood... (don't drink and surf - you know it makes sense!).

So please do continue to enjoy listening, to the music you love and to this wonderful Proms Season, whether to not you choose to comment further. Seek refuge in the natural world you love and know so much about, as I always do when things are tough. Trees swaying in the wind, Jackdaws and Parakeets screeching and cackling, gathering at dusk.... the tame Wood pigeon eating nuts on the kitchen yard wall. Always puts our overwrought human affairs into perspective, doesn't it?

[eighthobstruction]

....the part....young....chest deep....maintaining....sustaining....Fabulous....

[BBMmk2]

What matters much more is that you're big enough, self-aware and generous-spirited enough to say this, Richard. Hey, it's not the crime of the century (and possibly not the most excessive post on this thread alone)... God knows I've made a fool of myself on here more than once, said things I regretted and yes- it was sometimes under the influence of both alcohol and a dislocated mood... (don't drink and surf - you know it makes sense!).

So please do continue to enjoy listening, to the music you love and to this wonderful Proms Season, whether to not you choose to comment further. Seek refuge in the natural world you love and know so much about, as I always do when things are tough. Trees swaying in the wind, Jackdaws and Parakeets screeching and cackling, gathering at dusk.... the tame Wood pigeon eating nuts on the kitchen yard wall. Always puts our overwrought human affairs into perspective, doesn't it?

Concur! Richard Tarleton, please do listen and enjoy! It's a fabulous season this.

[gradus]

Ms Buniatishvilli plays very very quickly when the opportunity presents and can play whisper quiet. Her pianism reminds me of Lang Lang at his most wilful; some player, but not yet a pianist I would add to my must-hear list.

[edashtav]

Concur! Richard Tarleton, please do listen and enjoy! It's a fabulous season this.

Let Lord Byron provide the Chorus, Richard:

“Tis strange the mind, that very fiery particle,
Should let itself be snuffed out by an Article."

[vinteuil]

Let Lord Byron provide the Chorus, Richard:

“Tis strange the mind, that very fiery particle,
Should let itself be snuffed out by an Article."

... while recalling that it was thought that Croker's article contributed to Keats' early death.

.

[edashtav]

... while recalling that it was thought that Croker's article contributed to Keats' early death.

.

Hands UP!

I did not know that context, vinteuil.
I took the quote from Arnold Bax’s autobiographical sketch “Farewell My Youth”

[Alison]

Ms Buniatishvilli plays very very quickly when the opportunity presents and can play whisper quiet. Her pianism reminds me of Lang Lang at his most wilful; some player, but not yet a pianist I would add to my must-hear list.

Very much my view too. Benjamin Grosvenor plays the Grieg with far more subtlety and depth.