Prom 65: Stravinsky, Ravel & Berio – 31.08.18

[Beef Oven!]

Another one for the "surprising lack of attention here" comment...

I guess the Stravinsky is just played too often for many, but this and the Berio were relayed with marvellously sharp-cut vividness, with an impressively wide and well-focussed soundstage on HDs. Sonically and musically one of the best this year.

Jayne, I have just listened this through on iPlayer. I see (hear) what you mean! I guess I was just too close to catch the voices properly, especially the men (I was slightly close to the women). And I suppose that the producers/engineers made sure the live relay was spot on. I still think the performance lacks that exciting and wonder element that the best performances have.

I'm still not convinced by the performance of La Valse, but I would say that I really enjoyed this concert and I'm glad that people listening at home received a fabulous relay of outstanding music.

[Keraulophone]

I was standing about 3/4 back in the arena, where the voices came over very clearly. The loudspeakers are hanging quite far above the floor, so one is unlikely to hear the ideal balance from the front of the arena.

Re #8, tonight there was none of last night’s ‘double vision’ from the Berlin timpani and bass drum, which were positioned further away from the screens behind them.

[Beef Oven!]

I was standing about 3/4 back in the arena, where the voices came over very clearly.

Are you in my photo?

[Keraulophone]

Are you in my photo?

No I’m not in it as I was three-quarters of the way back from the stage, not in rows 3 or 4 of prommers. I’ve been trying to post a photo from tonight but can’t get a decent bb code; imgur don’t seem to provide them any longer and the code from tinypic.com reproduced only half the photo’s width. What do you use?

[Beef Oven!]

No I’m not in it as I was three-quarters of the way back from the stage, not in rows 3 or 4 of prommers. I’ve been trying to post a photo from tonight but can’t get a decent bb code; imgur don’t seem to provide them any longer and the code from tinypic.com reproduced only half the photo’s width. What do you use?

Strange, I have just posted a picture of the Petrassi CD cover on the what u listening to thread using imgur as well as a picture of the Farage book on the what u reading thread. I'm getting bb codes no problem. I have used imgur for years with no problems (although I can't get it to work on my iPhone or iPad).

Ah, 3/4 back, not 3/4 rows. Mea culpa. And apropos Jayne's comments, I think that the voices went over my head and perfectly back to you, on the night!


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[ostuni]

I was rather more impressed with Friday's La Valse than many seem to have been; I was in the front row of the choir seats, so had a good view of Bychkov, and the way he was controlling the performance. I don't think I've heard the piece in concert before, though I know it well from recordings - and a couple of years ago, I played in a performance with a pretty good amateur orchestra directed by an enthusiastic but inexperienced conductor. And I thoroughly enjoyed watching just how much Bychkov did to shape this performance, and the way the BBCSO responded.

It was definitely the first time I'd heard the Berio live, and the vocal balance from my seat wasn't too great, unsurprisingly. But I did think that the top soprano (Joanna Forbes L'Estrange) made some ravishing sounds: beautifully effortless in those various vocal echoes of the 3rd movement's Mahler orchestral underpinning.

It was a fascinating experience watching and hearing The Rite from just behind the percussion. I've always enjoyed, from following the score many times, moments like the anarchic quadruplets of the guiro at the end of the Procession of the Sage - but having the (two) guiro players standing just a couple of feet in front of me was something quite else! It really brought home a feeling that I've had for some time: listening to a recording at home can give you something close to perfection in both aural balance and flawless performance. But if you go to live concerts in London venues, and don't want to pay silly prices, a perfect balance is rarely achievable. Instead, you have the opportunity to get really close to (some of) the musicians, and hear aspects of the score that are often obscured.

Not that Friday's Rite sound was totally percussion-dominated, even from right behind the guiros, tam-tam, and bass drum. There was some particularly gorgeous alto flute from Michael Cox (uncredited in the programme, but also playing 1st flute in the Ravel & Berio), a beautiful initial bassoon solo (totally undirected by Bychkov) and, as others have noted, some excellent string tuttis.