Prom 34: West–Eastern Divan Orchestra - 12.08.19

[Sir Velo]

I again seem to be dissenting from the crowd, in admittedly mild ways (but not in one, of which more anon). The opening of Tchaik 1 from MA actually shocked me, with a fair portion of dropped phrases and notes, almost as if she were in a bit of a bad mood. Granted, technical perfection isn't everything, and far be it from me to tell MA what to do. But some of the basics from her were missing at the start, although she seemed to settle down as things went along. Perhaps that's why she didn't give an encore, as much as the audience would have loved it.

Nevertheless, pretty remarkable digital dexterity from a septuagenarian I would say! Overall, not the greatest Tchaikovsky PC1 (partly down to the lacklustre accompaniment as if Barenboim and his band were going through the motions) but the fact that at her age she is still willing to take on the challenge of this distinctly leonine concerto is a testament to her phenomenal powers.

[gedsmk]

Nevertheless, pretty remarkable digital dexterity from a septuagenarian I would say! Overall, not the greatest Tchaikovsky PC1 (partly down to the lacklustre accompaniment as if Barenboim and his band were going through the motions) but the fact that at her age she is still willing to take on the challenge of this distinctly leonine concerto is a testament to her phenomenal powers.

From the scowls towards the keyboard it seemed that things were rather amiss. Still plenty of reminders of glories of yesteryear. Not at all a performance for the ages, but a moving farewell to a great magician of music. The lack of coordination with the orchestra made me wonder if they had actually taken the rehearsal seriously? I’ll be surprised if she comes back.

[underthecountertenor]

From the scowls towards the keyboard it seemed that things were rather amiss. Still plenty of reminders of glories of yesteryear. Not at all a performance for the ages, but a moving farewell to a great magician of music. The lack of coordination with the orchestra made me wonder if they had actually taken the rehearsal seriously? I’ll be surprised if she comes back.

I love it when musicians scowl at their instruments. Always reminds me of the great Muppet saxophonist Zoot, peering disapprovingly down the bell of his instrument after the plonking wrong note at the end of each episode.

[Eine Alpensinfonie]

Well - I missed the concert itself, but I've listened to the Tchaikovsky this morning, expecting a lacklustre performance with multiple gaffs from MA, but I thought it was remarkable by any standards - the best I've heard in years.

[Ein Heldenleben]

I would agree - although there were dropped notes and the octaves not as reliable as a few decades back her performance had tremendous energy . Though to be honest I don’t mind if I never hear the work again .

[jayne lee wilson]

To be fair, listening again this morning, she had little more than about a minute to introduce the work before Barenboim made his on stage entrance. In the short space of time allotted to her I think she probably did as well as could be expected. Clearly a lot more could have been said, but she was not given the opportunity.

She could have said "Schubert left the scherzo in sketch form, check out the completions, they're fascinating..." etc.....

(BTW, the Jade Goody documentary running on C4 is pretty fascinating too...as a study of aspects of UK culture in the 21st C....)

Anyway do seek out the devastating CMW/Gottfried (Aparté) recording of the Samale/Cohrs Completion of the D759 Symphony. It really does change the game!

https://www.qobuz.com/gb-en/album/schubert-symphony-no-7-unfinished-lieder-florian-boesch-concentus-musicus-stefan-gottfried/d0rnij48a9f8b

[zola]

There is no sinister ulterior motive to this question, just a genuine curiosity. Does anyone know why this orchestra now automatically gets a prom every year ?

[Edgy 2]

Is it too obvious to suggest leaving the level low until you hear applause for leader/conductor etc...?
Then at least you wouldn't have to miss the music... (this is, believe it or not, usually the best bit...)..

Babies, bathwater, etc....

Remember when we didn’t have to do this because we were excited about the whole experience,including the presentation,of listening to a much anticipated prom,70s,80s and 90s ?

[Alison]

Remember when we didn’t have to do this because we were excited about the whole experience,including the presentation,of listening to a much anticipated prom,70s,80s and 90s ?

When I first started recording Proms concerts I included the presentation and the tuning, the very last thing I would do now.

[jayne lee wilson]

Remember when we didn’t have to do this because we were excited about the whole experience,including the presentation,of listening to a much anticipated prom,70s,80s and 90s ?

Point very well taken Edge, but.... there were still one or two presenters back then I didn't care for very much....("twas ever thus" etc)....

But I think I got into the habit of waiting for the welcoming applause a long time ago....probably because I was a home taping obsessive, and usually timed hitting RECORD for the brief silence between such applause and musical commencement....

I liked to have the back-announcement and applause on the tape though... and I always enjoyed a personal response to the music from the presenter too...

[Darkbloom]

There is no sinister ulterior motive to this question, just a genuine curiosity. Does anyone know why this orchestra now automatically gets a prom every year ?

Probably a combination of factors. Their touring schedule matches up with the Proms. The WED has a 'buzz' about it that sets it apart from other orchestras (rightly or wrongly). And Barenboim is a draw for many people. I can't recall an occasion when the RAH hasn't been packed for their concerts. They must have developed a strong relationship with the Proms some time ago because I can't recall an entire Beethoven cycle being given to one orchestra before.

[LMcD]

Probably a combination of factors. Their touring schedule matches up with the Proms. The WED has a 'buzz' about it that sets it apart from other orchestras (rightly or wrongly). And Barenboim is a draw for many people. I can't recall an occasion when the RAH hasn't been packed for their concerts. They must have developed a strong relationship with the Proms some time ago because I can't recall an entire Beethoven cycle being given to one orchestra before.

This was the 1st such cycle in one season since Sir Henry Wood's in 1942.

[kernelbogey]

There is no sinister ulterior motive to this question, just a genuine curiosity. Does anyone know why this orchestra now automatically gets a prom every year ?

I would assume that those who make the decisions about artists to be booked consider the existence of this orchestra to be symbolically a Good Thing, and worth supporting for that reason.

[Constantbee]

I would assume that those who make the decisions about artists to be booked consider the existence of this orchestra to be symbolically a Good Thing, and worth supporting for that reason.

Also, Martha Argerich is 78 (yes, seventy eight) years old She has faced and overcome more than her fair share of health issues in her lifetime How many women do you know who could still perform with that intensity, and face an audience of critics, at that age? How do you suppose that feels? To me, she is an unqualified inspiration for the rest of us OK, so she made a few mistakes, and maybe she was rushing ahead of the orchestra in a couple of places, but so what. I've heard worse. You’d better get used to the idea of older women soloists playing the big concertos at big festivals because there’s going to be an awful lot more of them in the future as life expectancy for younger generations of performers increases. I look forward to seeing her again.

[Darkbloom]

Not forgetting the influence of Barenboim himself. He must exert the power of a latter-day Karajan in the musical world these days and I doubt there are many around who are going to refuse him. I'm sure organisers have to be aware that if they upset him they are likely to risk upsetting other artists on Team Barenboim.