Prom 13: ‘From the Canyons to the Stars …’ - 28.07.19

[Eine Alpensinfonie]

19:30 Sunday 28 July 2019
Royal Albert Hall

Olivier Messiaen
Des canyons aux étoiles

Martin Owen horn
David Hockings percussion
Alex Neal percussion
Nicolas Hodges piano
BBC Symphony Orchestra
Sakari Oramo conductor

The ‘wild and colourful beauty’ of Utah and Arizona was the inspiration for one of the 20th century’s most singular and extraordinary works, a musical act of ‘praise and contemplation’ painted in the brightest and most vivid of sounds.
Olivier Messiaen’s mighty Des canyons aux étoiles … (‘From the Canyons to the Stars …’) is a sonic meditation in which birdsong mingles with desert winds, and the rustling of sand.
Sakari Oramo conducts the BBC SO, with pianist Nicolas Hodges and horn player Martin Owen taking the demanding solo parts.

[Eine Alpensinfonie]

So nothing whatsoever to do with outer space?
Good! This obsession is becoming tiresome, whereas this concert is one to relish.

[Bryn]

So nothing whatsoever to do with outer space?

Apart, that is, for the 3rd, 6th and 8th movements.

[Eine Alpensinfonie]

Apart, that is, for the 3rd, 6th and 8th movements.

Oops.

[Serial_Apologist]

Oops.

But, to be fair, you were only following the script!

[Stanfordian]

So nothing whatsoever to do with outer space?
Good! This obsession is becoming tiresome, whereas this concert is one to relish.

It's driving me bonkers too! But we know what the BBC is like once it gets the bit between its teeth!

[Bryn]

It's driving me bonkers too! But we know what the BBC is like once it gets the bit between its teeth!

I'm surprised they did not lumber us with Philip Glass's The Making of the Representative for Planet 8, what with it having both outer space and planetary catastrophe as its themes.

[Eine Alpensinfonie]

But, to be fair, you were only following the script!

Exactly, but I should know better with the current Radio 3 regime.

[Bryn]

Exactly, but I should know better with the current Radio 3 regime.

Though there is something of a clue in the title of the work.

[Boilk]

So nothing whatsoever to do with outer space?
Good! This obsession is becoming tiresome, whereas this concert is one to relish.

Indeed. After witnessing (on BBC Four) the travesty of tiresome musical blandness that comprised most of Prom 10, I thought the band should rename themselves Public Disservice Broadcasting.

[Joseph K]

I just might tune in for this.

[ferneyhoughgeliebte]

I just might tune in for this.

I shall certainly be listening - one of the year's Highlights for me.

[DracoM]

[sidneyfox]

e-ticket in my iPhone wallet, hip-flask brimming with Jim Beam Double Oaked. Will mosey on down to to the bus stop about 18.30. So looking forward to this gig - the diamond in this year's festival, IMVHO (and not so long after the "The Rest Is Noise" festival performance).

We are blessed.

[teamsaint]

e-ticket in my iPhone wallet, hip-flask brimming with Jim Beam Double Oaked. Will mosey on down to to the bus stop about 18.30. So looking forward to this gig - the diamond in this year's festival, IMVHO (and not so long after the "The Rest Is Noise" festival performance).

We are blessed.

There are buses from Hackney on a Sunday?

Oh well , enjoy the show when you get there.