Proms 2019 your lowlight concerts

[Rcartes]

We're very disappointed with the Proms programme this year: too much stuff that doesn't belong in "the greatest classical music festival on the planet," as the BBC claims: (https://www.bbc.co.uk/…/welcome-to-t...ms-2019-season), especially these:

11: "1969: Sound of [dreary pop] music,"
16: African pop,
27: SciFi film music,
29/30: "The Warner Bros Story,"
45: Nina Simone tribute (why?) and
54: Duke Ellington's "sacred" (ugh) music.

In fact, we only found two that we want to go to: 34 (Barenboim/Argerich?West-East Divan Orchestra) and 60 (Haitink/Vienna Phil).
Anyone else agree, or am I just acting my age (at last)?

[cloughie]

We're very disappointed with the Proms programme this year: too much stuff that doesn't belong in "the greatest classical music festival on the planet," as the BBC claims: (https://www.bbc.co.uk/…/welcome-to-t...ms-2019-season), especially these:

11: "1969: Sound of [dreary pop] music,"
16: African pop,
27: SciFi film music,
29/30: "The Warner Bros Story,"
45: Nina Simone tribute (why?) and
54: Duke Ellington's "sacred" (ugh) music.

In fact, we only found two that we want to go to: 34 (Barenboim/Argerich?West-East Divan Orchestra) and 60 (Haitink/Vienna Phil).
Anyone else agree, or am I just acting my age (at last)?

I see what you mean - 1969 - the year the (pop) music died. I assume this is what the Great British Menu meal is all for!
At least Nina Simone was classically trained, but who have they got to sing her repertoire? Ledisi - never heard of her - Cassandra Wilson would have been a good choice!

[VodkaDilc]

We're very disappointed with the Proms programme this year: too much stuff that doesn't belong in "the greatest classical music festival on the planet," as the BBC claims.
In fact, we only found two that we want to go to: 34 (Barenboim/Argerich?West-East Divan Orchestra) and 60 (Haitink/Vienna Phil).
Anyone else agree, or am I just acting my age (at last)?

I sat down with the Proms Prospectus as usual, with my pen and paper for my list of essential bookings. I got to the Last Night and my sheet was still blank. This was the first time since I started going to Proms again after my retirement; usually I have a list of six or seven unmissable Proms. Further searches have been no different. An occasional work I'd like to hear, but a tedious programme to go with it. And on this occasion, no artists or orchestras I simply can't miss hearing.

It could be age or the greater discrimination which comes as a result of age. At least I will be spared the tedium of Saturday morning booking at 9am. I had kept these opinions to myself, but Rcartes's views really coincided with mine, so I "spoke up".

(PS If you go to the Barenboim Prom, be sure to sneak out the minute he returns to the platform wih a microphone - or you could miss your train.)

[jayne lee wilson]

I'm surprised by the negativity here, now that I've got the Proms Guide itself.... first weekend is stronger than usual with the Janacek Mass (with the terrific Cannellakis directing) and the Smetana Ma Vlast (complete! For which relief...and with Bamberg SO/Hrusa, a real treat..))....

Across the first two weeks we have Mozart/Ben-Haim/Schoenberg/Schumann (Prom 7), Brahms 1 (prom 9), and the second weekend brings us the Messiaen Canyons, then Prom 14 with Haydn's Creation, Beethoven 2/DSCH 10 with Jansons (Prom 15)... not to mention a number of fascinating-looking Proms Premieres.......Prom 20 has the almost never-heard original Sibelius 5th...(only ever one recording allowed to date...)....Prom 22 with DSCH 11, Rach's Isle of the Dead and another premiere...

Excellent visiting orchestras too. As a dedicated Home-Concert-Hall listener, it doesn't look too bad at all.....
(These Proms threads are a little confusing.... lowlights, highlights.... agreeing with some, debating with others........well ,you've gotta post them somewhere...so I doubled up....)

[teamsaint]

I'm surprised by the negativity here, now that I've got the Proms Guide itself.... first weekend is stronger than usual with the Janacek Mass (with the terrific Cannellakis directing) and the Smetana Ma Vlast (complete! For which relief...and with Bamberg SO/Hrusa, a real treat..))....

Across the first two weeks we have Mozart/Ben-Haim/Schoenberg (Prom 7), Brahms 1 (prom 9), and the second weekend brings us the Messiaen Canyons, then Prom 14 with Haydn's Creation, Beethoven 2/DSCH 10 with Jansons (Prom 15)... not to mention a number of fascinating-looking Proms Premieres.......Prom 20 has the almost never-heard original Sibelius 5th...(only ever one recording allowed to date...)....Prom 22 with DSCH 11, Rach's Isle of the Dead and another premiere...

Excellent visiting orchestras too. As a dedicated Home-Concert-Hall listener, it doesn't look too bad at all.....
(These Proms threads are a little confusing.... lowlights, highlights.... agreeing with some, debating with others........well ,you've gotta post them somewhere...so I doubled up....)

There’s a dynamic at play. In our mind we have the things we’d love to hear. And the programme inevitably contains many items we aren’t so fussed about, or know will be on the programme.
But as summer approaches, and the rest of the orchestral season comes to a close, we are left with things that suddenly seem interesting, appealing, unmissable.

A bit like seeing the Burnley fixture is on the 13th of November when the lists are published in balmy June. But as a cold November Saturday arrives, and the alternative is housework or shopping, it suddenly seems like a sporting feast. And then you win a 3-2 thriller.......

[Barbirollians]

I think this is a good season .

[Once Was 4]

With regard to the 'original version of Sibelius 5'. Does anybody remember a few years ago when, in the same season, the Minnesota Orchestra did the original version of Bruckner 4 and another orchestra the original Bruckner 8? This proved why there were newer versions: No 4 kept stopping and starting again for no apparent reason and No 8 had huge holes in it - not pregnant pauses - just huge holes. The number 4 reminded me of a cartoon (still extant) drawn by a now-deceased composer/conductor/trumpet player who could not stand Bruckner and which likened No 4 to an old, battered steam train constantly having to stop at signals. I love Bruckner's music and could not help thinking that these orchestras had done the old boy a grave injustice.

Mind you: I have played the original version of Boris Godunov (including at the Proms) and also the original Schumann 4th Symphony, both of which, in their much sparer orchestrations, came over as much more vital works so I suppose hard and fast rules and prejudicies cannot be taken.

[Bryn]

With regard to the 'original version of Sibelius 5'. Does anybody remember a few years ago when, in the same season, the Minnesota Orchestra did the original version of Bruckner 4 and another orchestra the original Bruckner 8? This proved why there were newer versions: No 4 kept stopping and starting again for no apparent reason and No 8 had huge holes in it - not pregnant pauses - just huge holes. The number 4 reminded me of a cartoon (still extant) drawn by a now-deceased composer/conductor/trumpet player who could not stand Bruckner and which likened No 4 to an old, battered steam train constantly having to stop at signals. I love Bruckner's music and could not help thinking that these orchestras had done the old boy a grave injustice.

Mind you: I have played the original version of Boris Godunov (including at the Proms) and also the original Schumann 4th Symphony, both of which, in their much sparer orchestrations, came over as much more vital works so I suppose hard and fast rules and prejudicies cannot be taken.

So how do you like your Bruckner? Picked and mixed by Haas (in the case of the 8th) or only like the first time you heard the composer's revisions (in the case of the 4th). For my part, I'd rather the Haas 8th was laid to rest (both the Nowak editions suit me) and am all too pleased that we are able to hear the composer's original intentions re. the 4th. Or was it just the particular performances you baulked at?

[Once Was 4]

So how do you like your Bruckner? Picked and mixed by Haas (in the case of the 8th) or only like the first time you heard the composer's revisions (in the case of the 4th). For my part, I'd rather the Haas 8th was laid to rest (both the Nowak editions suit me) and am all too pleased that we are able to hear the composer's original intentions re. the 4th. Or was it just the particular performances you baulked at?

Yup: Nowak for me too.

[Zucchini]

As a dedicated Home-Concert-Hall listener ...

How sad. When did you last hear a musical instrument played?

[jayne lee wilson]

How sad. When did you last hear a musical instrument played?

Between about 0700 and 0800 this morning: the Philadelphia Orchestra/Ormandy in Sibelius Legends....
then....the Malmo SO/Darrel Ang in D'Indy's gorgeous Saugefleurie...
In the afternoon....Philharmonia/D'Avalos in Brahms Serenades.....

There were quite a lot of musical instruments playing on those.

Wonderful what adventures in time and space hifi can offer you.... so - you haven't discovered the delights and thrills of recorded music yet?
Wow my little vegetable, you're in for a treat.... I envy you the voyage of musical discovery that awaits....!

There's a little-known magazine called Gramophone which I suggest you investigate - it will help you on your fantastic voyage!

[cloughie]

Between about 0700 and 0800 this morning: the Philadelphia Orchestra/Ormandy in Sibelius Legends....
then....the Malmo SO/Darrel Ang in D'Indy's gorgeous Saugefleurie...
In the afternoon....Philharmonia/D'Avalos in Brahms Serenades.....

There were quite a lot of musical instruments playing on those.

Wonderful what adventures in time and space hifi can offer you.... so - you haven't discovered the delights and thrills of recorded music yet?
Wow my little vegetable, you're in for a treat.... I envy you the voyage of musical discovery that awaits....!

I don’t always agree with you Jayne, but yes the joy that sings out from our speakers gets you here, there and everywhere!

[Stanfordian]

Between about 0700 and 0800 this morning: the Philadelphia Orchestra/Ormandy in Sibelius Legends....
then....the Malmo SO/Darrel Ang in D'Indy's gorgeous Saugefleurie...
In the afternoon....Philharmonia/D'Avalos in Brahms Serenades.....

There were quite a lot of musical instruments playing on those.

Wonderful what adventures in time and space hifi can offer you.... so - you haven't discovered the delights and thrills of recorded music yet?
Wow my little vegetable, you're in for a treat.... I envy you the voyage of musical discovery that awaits....!

There's a little-known magazine called Gramophone which I suggest you investigate - it will help you on your fantastic voyage!

When you mentioned Gramophone magazine! It reminded me of what George Galloway once said on his radio show about the Daily Express - "Is that still going?"

[Anastasius]

We're very disappointed with the Proms programme this year: too much stuff that doesn't belong in "the greatest classical music festival on the planet," as the BBC claims: (https://www.bbc.co.uk/…/welcome-to-t...ms-2019-season), especially these:

11: "1969: Sound of [dreary pop] music,"
16: African pop,
27: SciFi film music,
29/30: "The Warner Bros Story,"
45: Nina Simone tribute (why?) and
54: Duke Ellington's "sacred" (ugh) music.

In fact, we only found two that we want to go to: 34 (Barenboim/Argerich?West-East Divan Orchestra) and 60 (Haitink/Vienna Phil).
Anyone else agree, or am I just acting my age (at last)?

Completely agree. Dismal programme. I've even stopped listening to them on the radio as it now seems mandatory for the audience to clap whenever there is a pause in the music.

[peterthekeys]

Try the internet radio station Audiophile Classical - endlessly fascinating output (they're currently playing something by Manuel Manrique de Lara - rather good. And no, I hadn't heard of him either.) And just complete works and no announcements, apart from occasional pleas for donations (the composer, work and performers come up on the display.)

Maybe someone should start an internet radio station called "Not Radio 3".

And whilst we're on the subject of ideas - why not a Proms Fringe? I've never understood why there isn't one - there must be any number of venues in London whose normal audiences are depleted by the Proms, and who would be only too glad to put on supplementary (or even competing) events. Particularly given the catastrophic and apparently inexorable decline in quality of the Proms themselves.

Between about 0700 and 0800 this morning: the Philadelphia Orchestra/Ormandy in Sibelius Legends....
then....the Malmo SO/Darrel Ang in D'Indy's gorgeous Saugefleurie...
In the afternoon....Philharmonia/D'Avalos in Brahms Serenades.....

There were quite a lot of musical instruments playing on those.

Wonderful what adventures in time and space hifi can offer you.... so - you haven't discovered the delights and thrills of recorded music yet?
Wow my little vegetable, you're in for a treat.... I envy you the voyage of musical discovery that awaits....!

There's a little-known magazine called Gramophone which I suggest you investigate - it will help you on your fantastic voyage!