Prom 17 (30.07.20) Halle/Elder

[Eine Alpensinfonie]

Works inspired by the sea and night-time, plus Beethoven’s barnstorming ‘Eroica’ Symphony - Mark Elder conducts the Hallé in a classic BBC Prom from August 2014.
The sunshine glitters on the waves in Berlioz’s overture Le Corsaire, while the ocean ebbs and flows in Elgar’s Sea Pictures. Human rather than natural drama is what drives Beethoven’s ‘Eroica’ Symphony, however – a stirring musical meditation on heroism and valour.

Berlioz: Overture ‘Le corsaire’
Elgar: Sea Pictures, Op. 37
Helen Grime: Near Midnight (London premiere)
Beethoven: Symphony No 3 in E flat major, ‘Eroica'

Hallé Orchestra
Alice Coote
Sir Mark Elder

(From BBC Proms 2014, 9 August)

The sea lies the centre of tonight’s concert from Sir Mark Elder and the Hallé. Berlioz composed his swashbuckling overture Le corsaire on holiday by the Mediterranean Sea in Nice.

A celebrated Elgar champion, Elder is joined by British mezzo-soprano Alice Coote for Sea Pictures: Elgar’s only orchestral song-cycle, which explores the fascination and fear inspired by the sea. While Helen Grime’s Near Midnight explores a nocturnal theme, Beethoven created a storm of human drama in his ‘Eroica’ Symphony.

[Eine Alpensinfonie]

PS

I didn't write any of the above.

[Tony Halstead]

PS

I didn't write any of the above.

'barnstorming'? The Eroica?

[bluestateprommer]

FWIW, the original thread from 6 years back is here. Giving this a new listen now, I'll admit that the Helen Grime work didn't grow on me on a 2nd hearing. However, Alice Coote did a very fine job indeed with the Elgar, so that the initial hostile reactions at the time puzzle me again all the more.

It was a nice touch to get SME to look back at the concert with Hannah French, who also allowed him a chance to speak about the current overall situation, gingerly using the soapbox opportunity. Looking ahead (assuming that we all get through this OK), SME is currently at 21 years with the Halle. Anyone think that he might dare to stay for 27 years, to match Barbirolli?

[cloughie]

FWIW, the original thread from 6 years back is here. Giving this a new listen now, I'll admit that the Helen Grime work didn't grow on me on a 2nd hearing. However, Alice Coote did a very fine job indeed with the Elgar, so that the initial hostile reactions at the time puzzle me again all the more.

It was a nice touch to get SME to look back at the concert with Hannah French, who also allowed him a chance to speak about the current overall situation, gingerly using the soapbox opportunity. Looking ahead (assuming that we all get through this OK), SME is currently at 21 years with the Halle. Anyone think that he might dare to stay for 27 years, to match Barbirolli?

Alice Coote’ s Sea Pictures is excellent - but there will be those who think otherwise - singers and their sound will always have their devotees and detractors!