Prom 14: The Creation - 29.07.19

[Eine Alpensinfonie]

19:30 Monday 29 July 2019
Royal Albert Hall

Joseph Haydn: The Creation (sung in German)

Sarah-Jane Brandon soprano
Benjamin Hulett tenor
Christoph Pohl baritone
BBC Proms Youth Choir
BBC Philharmonic

Haydn's colourful oratorio returns to the Proms for the first time in a decade. The BBC Philharmonic is joined by the BBC Proms Youth Choir to perform Haydn's late masterpiece. From its opening Representation of Chaos, through the creation of stars, seas and storms, a magnificent musical sunrise and of course every animal from whales to eagles and even a worm, the Creation is one of the great musical dramas, teeming with life and energy.

[Eine Alpensinfonie]

It's always good to hear the BBC Proms Youth Choir

[Tony Halstead]

19:30 Monday 29 July 2019
Royal Albert Hall

Joseph Haydn: The Creation (sung in German)

Sarah-Jane Brandon soprano
Benjamin Hulett tenor
Christoph Pohl baritone
BBC Proms Youth Choir
BBC Philharmonic

Haydn's colourful oratorio returns to the Proms for the first time in a decade. The BBC Philharmonic is joined by the BBC Proms Youth Choir to perform Haydn's late masterpiece. From its opening Representation of Chaos, through the creation of stars, seas and storms, a magnificent musical sunrise and of course every animal from whales to eagles and even a worm, the Creation is one of the great musical dramas, teeming with life and energy.

Are they by any chance performing it in 'authentic style'? i.e. not with a conductor, but led by the principal 1st violin/ 'leader'?

[Eine Alpensinfonie]

Are they by any chance performing it in 'authentic style'? i.e. not with a conductor, but led by the principal 1st violin/ 'leader'?

I doubt whether they'll be arriving by stagecoach or anything like that.

[bluestateprommer]

Are they by any chance performing it in 'authentic style'? i.e. not with a conductor, but led by the principal 1st violin/ 'leader'?

OMW said that he is directing from the harpsichord in Part I (just completed), and from fortepiano for the rest. He said that he would ask for minimal vibrato in Part I. Everyone sounded in pretty good form in Part I (one unfortunate cougher aside), but I'm far from the most knowledgeable regarding Haydn.

Very enjoyable interval discussion right now, and it's good that Louise Fryer is still in action, here as the discussion moderator.

[edashtav]

Very enjoyable interval discussion right now, and it's good that Louise Fryer is still in action, here as the discussion moderator.

By the time, I switched on, it was the Interval... it was unmissable!

So far, Part 2 has been sung and played with affection and plenty of characterisation.

[Tony Halstead]

Maybe 'it's me' but I'm finding the twiddling, somewhat manic and gratuitous trilling of the fortepiano just a bit too OTT and intrusive.
And the soprano's vibrato/ wobble is simply occluding much of her 'pitching'. Oh dear...

[edashtav]

Maybe 'it's me' but I'm finding the twiddling, somewhat manic and gratuitous trilling of the fortepiano just a bit too OTT and intrusive.
And the soprano's vibrato/ wobble is simply occluding much of her 'pitching'. Oh dear...

Yes, I felt that 'the knobs' had not been reset after the harpsichord was replaced:with the fortepiano so far forward, orchestral stretches sounded like a concerto.

I wasn't worried by the soprano, but I have liked a stronger lower register from the baritone, Christoph Pohl. The Choir was fresh-toned and very enthusiastic.

Not a great performance but a warm, homely interpretation.

[Darkbloom]

I wasn't worried by the soprano, but I have liked a stronger lower register from the baritone, Christoph Pohl. The Choir was fresh-toned and very enthusiastic.
.

I don't know who originally sang the bass part but they must have had a remarkable range because it gets very low at one particular spot and the poor singer usually comes up with a feeble growl. The last time I heard The Creation at the Proms we had John Relyea who could actually manage it but it can often be a bit embarrassing.

[cloughie]

The Creation is not a work I’ve ever really liked - switched on R3 after choir last night and immediately switched to CFM - to hear C V Stanford’s Irish Rhapsody 3 - much more pleasant for my journey home!

[ARBurton]

Maybe 'it's me' but I'm finding the twiddling, somewhat manic and gratuitous trilling of the fortepiano just a bit too OTT and intrusive.
And the soprano's vibrato/ wobble is simply occluding much of her 'pitching'. Oh dear...

Agree entirely. I adore The Creation, but this performance will not remain in my collection! I didn`t like the twiddling of the harpsichord or the fortepiano, and I didn`t like the soprano`s vibrato. Maybe it was an effect of the R3 soundbalance but the choir seemed a tad feeble at times. And overall the performance smacked of gimmickry. Delete button this way...

[BBMmk2]

Enjoyed this Prom, very much!