Prom 34: West–Eastern Divan Orchestra - 12.08.19

[PhilipT]

I immediately thought of John Gardiner, shorn of his Eliot.

Never, NEVER, omit the Eliot. He's touchy about it.

[Maclintick]

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.

Bravo, Constantbee ! You have encapsulated my sentiments more eloquently than I could have done. I feel that a certain generosity of spirit towards artists is often lacking on these boards & in the reviewing community. Critics must be critical & "do what it says on the tin", etc, but the remarks about Argerich,& sexist bile directed at Dalia Stasevska, are frankly disgusting.

[Darkbloom]

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.

They might be around longer but there will also be plenty of new, eager soloists around the corner if the older ones aren't up to scratch. I don't think any artist deserves bile but if a performance isn't good enough isn't it a shade patronising not to point it out, and ultimately rather unkind to the performer? The decision when to end a great career is rarely easy but I don't think it's disrespectful to judge someone on how they are rather than how they were.

[gedsmk]

They might be around longer but there will also be plenty of new, eager soloists around the corner if the older ones aren't up to scratch. I don't think any artist deserves bile but if a performance isn't good enough isn't it a shade patronising not to point it out, and ultimately rather unkind to the performer? The decision when to end a great career is rarely easy but I don't think it's disrespectful to judge someone on how they are rather than how they were.

Imagine the sensation if Malofeev had been soloist with the young players!

[Anastasius]

I just wish KM would stay quiet.

[Barbirollians]

Darkbloom, one of the most unfortunate Proms disappointments I've ever felt was a few years back: first I discovered that there was going to be a complete Ring, then I learned who was conducting.

But I don't want to dwell on what is really just a matter of personal taste: I'm pleased that the audience both there and here enjoyed the concert, especially the second half which I wasn't able to catch. And I'm pleased that the announcer enjoyed it too, though I do wish that she'd kept that to herself.

That Walkure nearly won me over to Wagner.

[Eine Alpensinfonie]

They might be around longer but there will also be plenty of new, eager soloists around the corner if the older ones aren't up to scratch. I don't think any artist deserves bile but if a performance isn't good enough isn't it a shade patronising not to point it out, and ultimately rather unkind to the performer? The decision when to end a great career is rarely easy but I don't think it's disrespectful to judge someone on how they are rather than how they were.

I thought it was a great performance. A few slips didn't change that. Schnabel and Cortot did far worse in this regard, and they have been revered for decades.