Prom 25 (22.08.21) - Sir Simon Rattle Conducts the London Symphony Orchestra

[edashtav]

For a live performance this is really sensational …

Yes,however, I was worried by the start of the ‘Symphonies…’ as I found it a bit too smooth and chromium plated. Gosh, I thought, has Sir Simon morphed into Herbert von ‘KAHRY-on’ ? I was soon disabused by the acerbic, rasping middle section which was all the more electric in the context of what had gone before. A Splendid work and a terrific performance.

The Symphony in C was, as others on this thread have opined, the finest live performance that I’ve experienced. Everything was in its place and the transparency of the orchestral sound allowed details to emerge that I hadn’t noted before.

I’m probably elitist when I comment that the packed house was drawn more by its love of the stellar conductor than its admiration of Stravinsky’s symphonies. My evidence is twofold: clapping between symphonic movements plus respectful rather than thunderous applause at the end of works.

The Symphony in Three Movements was magnificent.

For me, this was the best Prom thus far in the 2021 season.

[kernelbogey]

I watched some of this on television, while having to do other things. Although I was unable to fully concentrate on the music, it did sound great, so I will listen on Sounds.

I liked what I saw of Clive Myrie's presentation*: so good to watch a professional, used to the camera and unafraid of it, and resisting any blandishments from the producer to grin all the way through.

* But who was his guest 'Jonathan'? I thought he was good, but there was no identifcation in the credits.

[ucanseetheend]

What is Myries musical background ? He's a news reporter and about to take on mastermind

[Bryn]

I watched some of this on television, while having to do other things. Although I was unable to fully concentrate on the music, it did sound great, so I will listen on Sounds.

I liked what I saw of Clive Myrie's presentation*: so good to watch a professional, used to the camera and unafraid of it, and resisting any blandishments from the producer to grin all the way through.

* But who was his guest 'Jonathan'? I thought he was good, but there was no identifcation in the credits.

https://www.music.ox.ac.uk/about/people/academic-staff/university-lecturers-and-college-fellows/jonathan-cross/

[LHC]

What is Myries musical background ? He's a news reporter and about to take on mastermind

He's interviewed in this months Gramophone about his musical tastes. He played violin and Trumpet at school (to a reasonable level IIRC), and his main musical interests are Jazz and Opera. He studied Law at University so I would say he's an enthusiast. Certainly, he's no less qualified than some of the other presenters of the Proms, and he is at least a very professional broadcaster and presenter.

[kernelbogey]

https://www.music.ox.ac.uk/about/peo...onathan-cross/

Thanks, Bryn: I missed whatever introduction to Jonathan Cross there was from Clive Myrie, and although there was plenty of opportunity for the producer to flash his name on screeen - in news programmes this is often done more than once - this never happened: nor was his astute presence and contribution acknowledged in the closing credits (which I watched with the sound turned off! ).

I also noticed a more relaxed and, dare I say it, more musical approach to how the shots of the orchestra were chosen. A good producer behind all this!

[BBMmk2]

I’ll be catching up on this.

[Alison]

I’ll be catching up on this.

Me too, it is the sort of stuff Rattle does best.

[gurnemanz]

I watched on TV and found the experience very rewarding. For me the visual element does add valuable insight into what us going on. I wish I'd been in the Hall. I first heard the Symphony in Three Movements about 50 years ago in a R3 concert which included Schoenberg's Survivor from Warsaw. It made huge impression on me and having taped it on my reel-to-reel, I was able to listen many times.

[Lordgeous]

Stunning concert, if a little short. Couldn't they have squeezed in a brief encore?? Symphonies of Wind Instruments has been a favourite since my teen days. What wonderful sonorities IS created here.

[Barbirollians]

He's interviewed in this months Gramophone about his musical tastes. He played violin and Trumpet at school (to a reasonable level IIRC), and his main musical interests are Jazz and Opera. He studied Law at University so I would say he's an enthusiast. Certainly, he's no less qualified than some of the other presenters of the Proms, and he is at least a very professional broadcaster and presenter.

Very polished put me in mind of Richard Baker presenting the Proms.

[Serial_Apologist]

Very polished put me in mind of Richard Baker presenting the Proms.

He introduced the Nubya Garcia Prom, and certainly impressed me with his background on her and the Jazz Warriors and demeanour as a presenter.

[LHC]

He introduced the Nubya Garcia Prom, and certainly impressed me with his background on her and the Jazz Warriors and demeanour as a presenter.

Earlier this year he presented a 10 part series on the history of Jazz in Britain for Jazz FM, as this is another passion of his. I think he’s an excellent addition to the rosta of Proms presenters.

[LHC]

Stunning concert, if a little short. Couldn't they have squeezed in a brief encore?? Symphonies of Wind Instruments has been a favourite since my teen days. What wonderful sonorities IS created here.

The last time Rattle conducted an all Stravinsky concert with the LSO, they performed the complete Firebird, Petrushka and Rite of Spring in one evening! (Perhaps understandably) there was no encore then either. Oddly enough, that concert was shown again on SkyArts just a few days ago.

This concert was certainly a little shorter than their previous effort, but there was no drop off in quality at all.

[jayne lee wilson]

He introduced the Nubya Garcia Prom, and certainly impressed me with his background on her and the Jazz Warriors and demeanour as a presenter.

Off-beat Guardian interview with Myrie a few days ago.....

https://www.theguardian.com/lifeandstyle/2021/aug/16/clive-myrie-on-politics-personality-mastermind

"Classical Music is something that's very dear to my heart, from Bach and Handel through to Messiaen and Stockhausen".
Gramophone 9/21.