Prom 74 (12.09.20) Last Night of the Proms

[LMcD]

Sorry, I thought it was limp, sentimentalised crap. And actually deeply embarrassing.

Well worth missing, by the sound of it.... We were watching the wonderful Frances McDormand.

[oddoneout]

Sorry, I thought it was limp, sentimentalised crap. And actually deeply embarrassing.

Well that element of it isn't new. I have a feeling that the pared back version will have highlighted all those aspects which cause most irritation/dislike, but it has for a good few years now I think been a somewhat divisive event. Changing views of patriotism and its implications, equality in its various guises, questions about elitism/inclusivity, etc have altered the previous generally unquestioning acceptance of the format and content.

[oddoneout]

Can’t stand it!

Fast-forwarded through much of the LNOTP, failed to engage (and the manufactured enthusiasm of the chat bits was cringeworthy... only Rev. Richard Coles raised the level above dire)... although the soprano soloist is a bit special, I thought, mainly from her first appearance (the Strauss didn’t quite work).

The chat (and emoting) was why I had the TV sound turned off - and why I tried to avoid looking between the music items.

[jonfan]

Predictably divided on this thread, as in previous years, re Last Night. It’s supposed to be a party and not a continuation of the previous weeks’ concerts, two this year. Stand out ones for me were the organ concert, BBC Phil, Aurora, LSO and Sheku wearing trainers and red socks in his recital with his sister.
There were more moving moments last night than celebratory for me, a top class Lark from NB, which was up with the best, and ‘You’ll never walk alone’ strangely appropriate. Great to hear Tom Bowling without added noise and pretend weeping, and the rest of the Sea Songs clearly heard.
Odd why a full orchestra couldn’t be accommodated. The heavy brass were almost decimated. Couldn’t the choir stalls be used to fit in an Elgar orchestra? There could have been three times the number of singers in the stalls to give a bit more oomph.
Great tunes to sing, but what is all that about in Rule Britannia anyway? We don’t have any ‘Glory’ now and not much ‘Hope’. There is Hope in Jerusalem, but only for the English and when the Satanic mills of the established church have been eclipsed.
A trick, literally, was missed by the Beeb in not singing verse 2 of the National Anthem, the bit about ‘confounding politics’ and ‘frustrating knavish tricks’.

[oddoneout]

Predictably divided on this thread, as in previous years, re Last Night. It’s supposed to be a party and not a continuation of the previous weeks’ concerts, two this year. Stand out ones for me were the organ concert, BBC Phil, Aurora, LSO and Sheku wearing trainers and red socks in his recital with his sister.
There were more moving moments last night than celebratory for me, a top class Lark from NB, which was up with the best, and ‘You’ll never walk alone’ strangely appropriate. Great to hear Tom Bowling without added noise and pretend weeping, and the rest of the Sea Songs clearly heard.
Odd why a full orchestra couldn’t be accommodated. The heavy brass were almost decimated. Couldn’t the choir stalls be used to fit in an Elgar orchestra? There could have been three times the number of singers in the stalls to give a bit more oomph.
Great tunes to sing, but what is all that about in Rule Britannia anyway? We don’t have any ‘Glory’ now and not much ‘Hope’. There is Hope in Jerusalem, but only for the English and when the Satanic mills of the established church have been eclipsed.
A trick, literally, was missed by the Beeb in not singing verse 2 of the National Anthem, the bit about ‘confounding politics’ and ‘frustrating knavish tricks’.

I've long thought the words and sentiments of Land of Hope and Glory problematic - "wider still and wider shall thy bounds be set", with the implications of empire building, didn't seem either appropriate or desirable in modern times.
In the National Anthem we did have "may she defend our laws" which seemed rather more topical last night than it would have been when that setting was chosen - so perhaps we needed both of those verses?

[cloughie]

I struggle to get used to this new usage of the word "curate". It means - or used to mean - rather more than simply "organise".

I thought the curate ie Richard Coles in his comments was good - overall I enjoyed the evening and I thought the orchestral playing and direction was exceedIngly good - the lack of audience gave a chamber-like quality to the sound. I missed the first bit and only listened to the RSt afterwards and found it rather insecure but the rest of Golda Schultz’ singing was good but the gospel arrangement of Jerusalem suited her voice more than it did my taste - I would like her to have done the solo verses in ‘Rule Britannia’! The regional interruptions were for me the usual irritation and I don’t think that ‘You’ll never walk alone’ adds to the last night fayre. Nicola was a top super sub for the Lark. I missed the organ in the Elgar. ****

[Darkbloom]

I struggle to get used to this new usage of the word "curate". It means - or used to mean - rather more than simply "organise".

I agree, although it's hard to put your finger on why there is the distinction. It would be appropriate for an exhibition of early Picasso, less so for a village jumble sale. In Australia the person responsible for preparing the cricket pitches is called the 'curator' for some reason. We're happy with 'groundsman'.

[Nick Armstrong]

I thought the curate....

Oh, very good, cloughie!

[Serial_Apologist]

I struggle to get used to this new usage of the word "curate". It means - or used to mean - rather more than simply "organise".

Eggsactly!

[LHC]

I agree, although it's hard to put your finger on why there is the distinction. It would be appropriate for an exhibition of early Picasso, less so for a village jumble sale. In Australia the person responsible for preparing the cricket pitches is called the 'curator' for some reason. We're happy with 'groundsman'.

To me, it is inextricably linked with the idea of museums and galleries. Using it in the context of concerts and musical performances, as the BBC is now wont to do, suggests that we are being presented with the pieces of music as if they are interesting cultural artifacts to be examined and assessed, but not necessarily to be enjoyed. It implies a sense of detachment from the music as a live and present performance that I don’t find at all helpful.

[kernelbogey]

Eggsactly!

There seems to be wide agreement that the LNOTP was good in parts.

[Bryn]

Searching, using the criteria "curated modern use" (perhaps I will next try "usage") I came across this: http://thecuratedmodern.com/about/

It appears that the Collins English Dictionary includes the modern, more general, usage. It does make some sense, etymologically.

[Maclintick]

There seems to be wide agreement that the LNOTP was good in parts.

...& in that way certainly no worse than many another LNOTP. I listened to R3 (320 kbs AAC) & paid intermittent attention to the TV spectacular, but loved Golda Schultz & Nicola Benedetti, & was mightily impressed with Dalia holding it all together. Cracking pace in the Elgar (arr. Dudley) P&C 1, & I'd hazard a guess that it was faster than it's usually performed at the Last Night ...but then EE did mark it "Allegro, con molto fuoco", the marking observed by both arranger & conductor.

[cloughie]

...& in that way certainly no worse than many another LNOTP. I listened to R3 (320 kbs AAC) & paid intermittent attention to the TV spectacular, but loved Golda Schultz & Nicola Benedetti, & was mightily impressed with Dalia holding it all together. Cracking pace in the Elgar (arr. Dudley) P&C 1, & I'd hazard a guess that it was faster than it's usually performed at the Last Night ...but then EE did mark it "Allegro, con molto fuoco", the marking observed by both arranger & conductor.

Yes it was faster I was singing along and keeping up was more difficult than usual! Ann Dudley, a very talented musician, composer and arranger.

[LMcD]

There seems to be wide agreement that the LNOTP was good in parts.

So .... something of a curate's egg then?