Prom 10 (7.08.21) - Nicola Benedetti and the NYOGB

[DracoM]

Perhaps I was just too tired but I'm afraid I didn't enjoy that Eroica at all, too mannered. I switched off just after the final movement started and went early to bed instead.
So, two ends of the spectrum of opinion, I wonder how others found it.

Me too.
Plodding stuff. Like to have heard them play something more enlivening and original - and written for them to show off in. Sounded too much like an A-level exam.

[LMcD]

Would it have helped, do you think, if somebody had inserted a 't'?

[Ein Heldenleben]

Me too.
Plodding stuff. Like to have heard them play something more enlivening and original - and written for them to show off in. Sounded too much like an A-level exam.

I’m struggling to think of a more “enlivening and original “ piece than the Eroica but you are absolutely right about the commission and the other 21st century piece - both of which could have been written in the nineteen fifties !

[jayne lee wilson]

I thought the Eroica benefited hugely from being on an orchestra of 60. As I said large-Chamber-Orchestral-sized. In the past, the very large NYOs have been well, very loud and spectacular but often seemed to lack character and individuality.

As for lacking energy, the first movement was just about as fast as it can go - easily uptospeed with the quickest on record from Scherchen to Norrington, Zinman to Adam Fischer, and with some Toscaninian whiplash accents. It made a stunning impact here. I'm puzzled by the remark that it was "mannered", as I heard few excessive tempo modifications and rubato was subtle. It was a very direct, often driven, performance, but not too fast in the marcia which had an impressively weighty impact.

I did listen to the last two movements again later, and other excerpts, before posting the review. These only confirmed my initial responses.
(Including the soundbalancer capturing some remarkable whisper-soft pianissimos, deep in the vast acoustic...some of the quietest sounds I've ever heard from the RAH...)

[oddoneout]

I thought the Eroica benefited hugely from being on an orchestra of 60. As I said large-Chamber-Orchestral-sized. In the past, the very large NYOs have been well, very loud and spectacular but often seemed to lack character and individuality.

As for lacking energy, the first movement was just about as fast as it can go - easily uptospeed with the quickest on record from Scherchen to Norrington, Zinman to Adam Fischer, and with some Toscaninian whiplash accents. It made a stunning impact here. I'm puzzled by the remark that it was "mannered", as I heard few excessive tempo modifications and rubato was subtle. It was a very direct, often driven, performance, but not too fast in the marcia which had an impressively weighty impact.

I did listen to the last two movements again later, and other excerpts, before posting the review. These only confirmed my initial responses.
(Including the soundbalancer capturing some remarkable whisper-soft pianissimos, deep in the vast acoustic...some of the quietest sounds I've ever heard from the RAH...)

As I said, I was probably too tired and I think that although I probably would still not have liked the performance very much if less so, the individual touches wouldn't have snagged my ear to the same extent. It's those differences of performance and opinion though, among other things, that make music so rewarding to my way of thinking.

[jayne lee wilson]

As I said, I was probably too tired and I think that although I probably would still not have liked the performance very much if less so, the individual touches wouldn't have snagged my ear to the same extent. It's those differences of performance and opinion though, among other things, that make music so rewarding to my way of thinking.

Absolutely .

I'll take a look at the TV recording (much) later, the TV-System isn't really sound-critical but interested to see it anyway...

[Lordgeous]

Not enjoying this Eroica. As someone else said maybe not a good choice for the NYOGB? Sorry not to sound more positive as we've had some superlative concerts from them in the past. At least the first movement repeat was done. Will be ready with the mute switch at the end before Jess pipes up as she has done, spoiling the previous pieces. Aaargh!!!

[kernelbogey]

I was disappointed* - but should signal that I was listening via a poor sound source (don't ask), so perhaps my perceptions were clouded by that. There was for me a lack of energy in the first two movements. It seemed to take off with the third movement, but again in iv I believe I heard some ensemble difficulties, though the latter half of this movement had great schwung, to use Jayne's word. The horns were terrific, and there were some lovely woodwind solos.

Andrew mentioned in his post-performance remarks that the band was only 60 strong (as opposed to the 160ish of the time of his own membershp) and I wondered whether this smaller ensemble struggled with the necessity to observe social distancing - or had the other works stolen the best of rehearsal time?

*Edit: I was disappointed in the Eroica: I did not hear the first half.

Having tonight watched and listened to the whole Prom on BBC4 I have to contradict most of what I wrote above after listening to this Prom via poorer quality sound from R3. I thought the performance of the Eroica vibrant, and much more in keeping with Jayne's commentary than I had thought last night. I again enjoyed the woodwind solos and the horns. This time I heard no ensemble problems, so cannot explain my earlier comment on this.

The Prokoviev was new to me so I won't comment.

The television presentation was competent - yet oddly unmusical in some of the choices of shot. I became irritated (not only for this Prom) with the camera in the gallery swooping down in a long shot, when I wanted to watch musicians! Jonathon Heyward is an inspiring conductor, I imagine, from watching him. Seeing these young players perform is inspiring and moving.

I too wish Jess Gillam would gush less, and at least halve the number of superlatives she uses. This over-enthusiastic commentary is now ubiquitous with the Prom tv broadcasts, and doubtless producer-driven: so unnecessary.

[alywin]

Having tonight watched and listened to the whole Prom on BBC4 I have to contradict most of what I wrote above after listening to this Prom via poorer quality sound from R3. I thought the performance of the Eroica vibrant, and much more in keeping with Jayne's commentary than I had thought last night. I again enjoyed the woodwind solos and the horns. This time I heard no ensemble problems, so cannot explain my earlier comment on this.

Watching the TV broadcast tonight, I thought the concert was a good one - although sadly it was having to compete, frequently unsuccessfully, with the bass thud from what must have been some excessively high-powered amplifiers from a gig going on in the park half a mile away, which made concentrating on the music properly rather difficult :(

[ardcarp]

Just got round to seeing the NYO Prom. Nicola Benedetti wonderful, and the NYO + conductor responded superbly to her tempo shifts...which she signalled well with her body language. Not an easy job for any orchestra, and the NYO coped admirably. Despite comments above, I was actually blown away by the Eroica. Much was probably faster than I would have liked, but my goodness, the technique of some of those young players (esp. 1st violins) was absolutely fabulous. Had I listened with 'an innocent ear' I would not have guessed it was a youth orchestra.

The short encore piece was great fun.

[gradus]

Just got round to seeing the NYO Prom. Nicola Benedetti wonderful, and the NYO + conductor responded superbly to her tempo shifts...which she signalled well with her body language. Not an easy job for any orchestra, and the NYO coped admirably. Despite comments above, I was actually blown away by the Eroica. Much was probably faster than I would have liked, but my goodness, the technique of some of those young players (esp. 1st violins) was absolutely fabulous. Had I listened with 'an innocent ear' I would not have guessed it was a youth orchestra.

The short encore piece was great fun.

Not quite as keen on the Eroica as Ardie but I enjoyed the Sounds recording and have nothing but unreserved admiration for the orchestra and its conductor.

[antongould]

Just got round to seeing the NYO Prom. Nicola Benedetti wonderful, and the NYO + conductor responded superbly to her tempo shifts...which she signalled well with her body language. Not an easy job for any orchestra, and the NYO coped admirably. Despite comments above, I was actually blown away by the Eroica. Much was probably faster than I would have liked, but my goodness, the technique of some of those young players (esp. 1st violins) was absolutely fabulous. Had I listened with 'an innocent ear' I would not have guessed it was a youth orchestra.

The short encore piece was great fun.

Just seen Nicola and Prokofiev …… wonderful performance I thought …..,

[cloughie]

Just seen Nicola and Prokofiev …… wonderful performance I thought …..,

Just heard the Eroica on the afternoon repeat - what an excellent ‘traditional’ performance.

[Barbirollians]

Listening to it now and the first movement puts me in mind of the legendary VPO/Kleiber recording - no higher compliment for me.

The funeral March may not quite have the extraordinary gravity and pain of Erich Kleiber’s version but the approach is similar.

A very fine account all round and some lovely woodwind playing in particular. Heyward very much a conductor to watch.

Benedetti really very much a mature artist now . I really enjoyed her Prokofiev2 if it did not quite have the impact of Ibramigova’s Prom with the First of the other year.