Prom 69 (8.09.20) American Dreams

[Eine Alpensinfonie]

California-born Ryan Bancroft makes his debut as Principal Conductor of the BBC National Orchestra of Wales, and at the Proms, with this programme which has a focus on America and its music. Martinů’s Jazz Suite perfectly complements John Adams’s Chamber Symphony; the sound-world of which arose for the composer when he viewed his study of Schoenberg's Chamber Symphony through the lens of cartoon music coming from the next room. An exciting new commission by British composer Gavin Higgins entitled Rough Voices follows, before two American classics: Barber’s nostalgic evocation of a balmy Tennessee night and Copland’s exhilarating ballet suite inspired by early-19th-century pioneer settlers in Pennsylvania, in its less-heard original chamber version.

Martinů: Jazz Suite
Adams: Chamber Symphony
Higgins: Rough Voices
Barber: Knoxville - Summer of 1915
Copland: Appalachian Spring

Ryan Bancroft (conductor)
BBC National Orchestra of Wales
Natalya Romaniw (soprano)

[bluestateprommer]

Thread bump for today's BBC NOW Proms broadcast from Cardiff. The Martinů sounded a bit tentative at the start, at least IMHO, but if everyone in the orchestra has just been getting used to playing live together again for the first time in months, quite understandable. RB got things to cut loose a bit more with the John Adams just now.

On the presenter front, no surprise that Nicola Heywood Thomas is in charge, and a good thing, as she is one of the most solid presenters around, and a welcome tonic compared to KM and TS, to be sure.

[Ein Heldenleben]

The Adams sounded to me
A) very difficult to play
B) very well played ...

[Bryn]

The Adams sounded to me
A) very difficult to play
B) very well played ...

A most enjoyable playing out of his love/hate relation with Schoenberg's music. One of my favourite Adams works.

[Ein Heldenleben]

A most enjoyable playing out of his love/hate relation with Schoenberg's music. One of my favourite Adams works.

Enjoying this concert - music well off the beaten track and clearly meticulously rehearsed.The Adams sounded a good deal more edgy to me than his usual fare - quite rocky in places.

[nersner]

Knoxville summer 1915 - switch off and listen to Dawn Upshaw toot sweet.

[jonfan]

Enjoying this concert - music well off the beaten track and clearly meticulously rehearsed.The Adams sounded a good deal more edgy to me than his usual fare - quite rocky in places.

Agree in spades. All the music sounds very challenging to me and very well played. ‘Rough Voices’ an attractive and easy to understand piece. On iplayer everyone seems bathed in sweat. Is there no air conditioning in HH?

[Ein Heldenleben]

Agree in spades. All the music sounds very challenging to me and very well played. ‘Rough Voices’ an attractive and easy to understand piece. On iplayer everyone seems bathed in sweat. Is there no air conditioning in HH?

Suspect it’s a combination of the TV lights and the fact that because of social distancing there’s no helpful make up person with a compact. ( or , at the risk of appearing ungallant ) some hairspray for the otherwise impeccable NHT....

[jonfan]

The Copland had one rough ensemble passage (probably had the least rehearsal considering the challenging music in the rest of the programme). A beautiful otherworldly ending. Thank you BBC NOW.

[Pulcinella]

The Copland had one rough ensemble passage (probably had the least rehearsal considering the challenging music in the rest of the programme). A beautiful otherworldly ending. Thank you BBC NOW.

Worth pointing out perhaps that it was the original 13-instrument version (though only the suite).

I didn't take to the soloist in Knoxville, though; a shame, as it's a Desert Island piece for me.

[edashtav]

Thread bump for today's BBC NOW Proms broadcast from Cardiff. The Martinů sounded a bit tentative at the start, at least IMHO, but if everyone in the orchestra has just been getting used to playing live together again for the first time in months, quite understandable. RB got things to cut loose a bit more with the John Adams just now.

[…]
.

The BBC NOW orchestra has come on in leaps and bounds over the last two or three years and its recent performances have equalled those of the BBC Symphony and Philharmonic orchestras.
The Martinü was great fun despite being a little loose.

Adams' Chamber Symphony starts as music on speed: it's driven forward by Father Time playing fast and loose with what we call a Drum Kit but JA refers to as a Trap Set. Velocity, Vigour and Virtuosity were key to tonight's performance of a work that could become as popular as the ubiquitous Short Ride in a Fast Machine, although being the bastard child of Schönberg's Chamber Symphony may act as its millstone.

[jonfan]

The BBC NOW orchestra has come on in leaps and bounds over the last two or three years and its recent performances have equalled those of the BBC Symphony and Philharmonic orchestras.

A tad patronising here Ed. They’ve been the equal of any orchestra in the UK for many years IMHO.

[Pulcinella]

A tad patronising here Ed. They’ve been the equal of any orchestra in the UK for many years IMHO.

The Chandos Rubbra symphony set under Hickox springs immediately to mind.

[Ein Heldenleben]

A tad patronising here Ed. They’ve been the equal of any orchestra in the UK for many years IMHO.

Yes some superlative clarinet playing in particular last night I thought. They must have been burning the midnight oil over some of those Adams’ licks. I have a theory that lockdown has meant some musicians are really putting in the practice hours.

[edashtav]

A tad patronising here Ed. They’ve been the equal of any orchestra in the UK for many years IMHO.

Perhaps my timescale wasn't long enough. The last time I heard the orchestra in the flesh at a Prom in the RAH, its Eroica Symphony was distinctly lacklustre.