Prom 2: Bohemian Rhapsody - 20.07.19

[Goon525]

And Lahti?

[Gabriel Jackson]

I don't know offhand which is the smallest orchestra-supporting municipality, but I don't think Stavanger's that large - and doesn't Trondheim also have its own orchestra?

Liepāja has a population of 70,000 http://lso.lv/en/orchestra/history

[LMcD]

Liepāja has a population of 70,000 http://lso.lv/en/orchestra/history

Tromso's population is just under 60,000.
Just out of interest … I wonder which is the LARGEST city in the world not to support an orchestra?

[Ein Heldenleben]

Google and wiki suggest it is Karachi ( 18 million pop) if by orchestra we mean professional classical symphony orchestra playing the standard symphonic repertoire. The largest city in the UK without a symphony orchestra would be Leeds which has an amateur orchestra ...unless you count the orchestra of Opera North.
All corrections and quibbles gratefully received...

[Bax-of-Delights]

The Bournemouth Symphony Orchestra has gone in for this sort of catchpenny concert titling for some time. I find it irritating.

(Perhaps soloist and conductor will wear Freddy Mercury look-alike white costumes....?)

Well, Katie Derham has donned a Freddie Mercury costume so you weren’t wrong!

[Once Was 4]

Google and wiki suggest it is Karachi ( 18 million pop) if by orchestra we mean professional classical symphony orchestra playing the standard symphonic repertoire. The largest city in the UK without a symphony orchestra would be Leeds which has an amateur orchestra ...unless you count the orchestra of Opera North.
All corrections and quibbles gratefully received...

I think that most people these days WOULD count the Orchestra of Opera North. Leeds has AN amateur orchestra? Like all large cities possibly apart from Bradford it's got several of which the Leeds Symphony Orchestra is probably the most longstanding and the Sinfonia of Leeds (formed as a chamber orchestra but now of full symphonic strength) is reckoned to be possibly the best amateur orchestra in Yorkshire. Then there's the White Rose Orchestra, Leodian Concert Orchestra etc., etc. The Airedale Symphony is basically Leeds-based although it does most of its concerts in Ilkley.

Somebody mentioned Lahti though; how about this:https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=X8Brs_8SY3c

Or this: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=XIIfMjRMqRs&t=1853s

[kernelbogey]

I did not listen to the whole of this Prom on R3, though I did hear the first couple of movements of Ma Vlast.

I have just watched most, and heard all, of it off the television broadcast.

Let's get Freddie Mercury out of the way first. Rarely have I felt so witheringly patronised by Proms presenters as I did with KD and poor Jess. Whoever had a hand in their script should be quietly shipped to report for BBC World Service from - oh, Kazakstan maybe. Jess is being abused [sic] by the BBC in the interests of providing some sort of young audience bait. The sooner she cottons on to how she is being used and goes back to doing what she does well, playing sax, the better. (And BTW, I think someone should have told her that Smetena is a name having three and not two syllables, poor lass.)

I have never heard Ma Vlast all the way through, although of course Vltava and From Bohemia's Woods and Fields are familiar. My attention lapsed in some of the other movements - although Hrusa and his band gave it their all. (He was graciously unfazed by KD's interval gush, bless him - even when, to paraphrase a Caliban witticism, she gave his name the full dumplings and stew with a Stein of Staropramen treatment.)

I didn't listen to or watch the whole of the Dvorak concerto, but by the end (which I did observe) Bell looked absolutely soaked. Surely someone in BBC television is paid to advise performers on dress? Without wishing to be unkind to Mr Bell, that was not the shirt to wear under tv lights.

[Apologies to Czech speakers and fellow-pedants for the lack of accents: I don't have the resources to provide them properly atm.]

[ferneyhoughgeliebte]

I think that most people these days WOULD count the Orchestra of Opera North.

Absolutely, and none finer in the country - though it's a great shame (for - and on - Leeds) that it does most of its non-Opera concerts in Huddersfield.

Incidentally, is Edinburgh the only European capital without a resident Symphony Orchestra?

[LMcD]

And Lahti?

98413

[pastoralguy]

Absolutely, and none finer in the country - though it's a great shame (for - and on - Leeds) that it does most of its non-Opera concerts in Huddersfield.

Incidentally, is Edinburgh the only European capital without a resident Symphony Orchestra?

Well, The Scottish Chamber Orchestra is based in Edinburgh but the Royal Scottish National Orchestra are our main source of symphonic music although they are Glasgow centred.

[ferneyhoughgeliebte]

Well, The Scottish Chamber Orchestra is based in Edinburgh but the Royal Scottish National Orchestra are our main source of symphonic music although they are Glasgow centred.

That's what I was thinking.

[Darkbloom]

I did not listen to the whole of this Prom on R3, though I did hear the first couple of movements of Ma Vlast.

I have just watched most, and heard all, of it off the television broadcast.

Let's get Freddie Mercury out of the way first. Rarely have I felt so witheringly patronised by Proms presenters as I did with KD and poor Jess. Whoever had a hand in their script should be quietly shipped to report for BBC World Service from - oh, Kazakstan maybe. Jess is being abused [sic] by the BBC in the interests of providing some sort of young audience bait. The sooner she cottons on to how she is being used and goes back to doing what she does well, playing sax, the better. (And BTW, I think someone should have told her that Smetena is a name having three and not two syllables, poor lass.)

I have never heard Ma Vlast all the way through, although of course Vltava and From Bohemia's Woods and Fields are familiar. My attention lapsed in some of the other movements - although Hrusa and his band gave it their all. (He was graciously unfazed by KD's interval gush, bless him - even when, to paraphrase a Caliban witticism, she gave his name the full dumplings and stew with a Stein of Staropramen treatment.)

I didn't listen to or watch the whole of the Dvorak concerto, but by the end (which I did observe) Bell looked absolutely soaked. Surely someone in BBC television is paid to advise performers on dress? Without wishing to be unkind to Mr Bell, that was not the shirt to wear under tv lights.

[Apologies to Czech speakers and fellow-pedants for the lack of accents: I don't have the resources to provide them properly atm.]

I have passed through the pain barrier when it comes to execrable presenters. Now I find myself looking forward to the whole excruciating business. KD possesses a unique anti-talent that doesn't get its due on here. I particularly enjoy her over-articulated way with foreign words and her assumption that the listening audience are all suffering from serious brain injuries. It's an unforgettable combination of arrogance and ignorance.

I found myself wondering how someone like Furtwangler would have approached Ma Vlast. Maybe the best conductor for this kind of music would be a first-rate interpreter of Richard Strauss, who can balance the inspired sections with the weaker parts to form a satisfying whole.

[cloughie]

I have passed through the pain barrier when it comes to execrable presenters. Now I find myself looking forward to the whole excruciating business. KD possesses a unique anti-talent that doesn't get its due on here. I particularly enjoy her over-articulated way with foreign words and her assumption that the listening audience are all suffering from serious brain injuries. It's an unforgettable combination of arrogance and ignorance.

I found myself wondering how someone like Furtwangler would have approached Ma Vlast. Maybe the best conductor for this kind of music would be a first-rate interpreter of Richard Strauss, who can balance the inspired sections with the weaker parts to form a satisfying whole.

No recording of the whole Ma Vlast, but some idea from his Vltava, his recording is coupled with Till, Tod and DJ - he was indeed a fine interpreter of R St!

[Bryn]

No recording of the whole Ma Vlast, but some idea from his Vltava, his recording is coupled with Till, Tod and DJ - he was indeed a fine interpreter of R St!

Surely Die Moldau, if Furtwängler.

[Bryn]

http://www.for3.org/forums/showthread.php?16961-What-Are-You-listening-to-Now-III&p=747662#post747662