Prom 42 (7.09.21) - Benjamin Grosvenor Performs Beethoven’s Piano Concerto No. 4

[Belgrove]

A notable Beethoven PC4. I thought the piano persona overpowered the orchestral accompaniment from the start, it was not an equal struggle between both elements, it was unbalanced. But I don’t care; Grosvenor’s performance was sensational and the cadenzas in the first and third movements were entirely new to me. His articulation was so crisp and precise. A top draw and entirely original and fresh performance of a war-horse.

[Alison]

That could be interesting!

Issued last Friday, extremely impressive. Suits the Ely instrument very well.

[silvestrione]

I honestly think that is one of the greatest performances of that work I have ever heard and I have heard hundreds . I am finding it difficult to control my emotions . The genius of that work.

My thoughts exactly. Exhilarating

And the imagination at work in that performance of the encore!

[Ein Heldenleben]

My thoughts exactly. Exhilarating

And the imagination at work in that performance of the encore!

Just to get your fingers round that piece is something. He played it superbly. There is an incredible Richter recording..

[jonfan]

I've come late to this well on in the symphony and wow, a blistering performance. A great deal of detail clearly heard, especially the pianos which often get lost.

[Ein Heldenleben]

Best concert of the Proms ? That last c major chord would have raised the proverbial…

[cloughie]

I do like S-S 3 ! What a lovely organ sound from the RAH!

[Nick Armstrong]

I do like S-S 3 !

So do I! A war-horse I’m always happy to hear. Can’t wait to hear this performance (and the concerto!)

[jayne lee wilson]

Oh My Heaven....did you ever hear a Saint-Saens 3 quite so glorious as that?

A HiFi spectacular too, the Organ massively powerful (with striking image height in the soundstage) but perfectly balanced against this wonderful orchestra.
The last part is so overwhelming it is easy to forget the tonal delicacy, the beauty and rhythmical originalities earlier on; which were gorgeously done tonight. Such warmth with discipline, such power with control. I found myself standing before the marvel, arms spread wide, head thrown back, as the Organ and Orchestra rode the last huge wave... daringly on and on....

****

Yet another contender for Prom of the Season (with Special Commendation to the Soundbalancer). I've already already lost count of those, but I think tonight's is the New Number One. Wait a minute, just look at tomorrow!
Could the Proms Festival Orchestra, in Mahler, summon similar wonders to Lucerne?

The Hallé sounded inspired; by the music, the soloists, their devoted conductor, but most of all, like so many performers this year, by the Great Occasion: the Proms themselves, the live music-making before the raptly attentive RAH crowd.

"Those listeners in England now abed
Shall think themselves accursed they were not here!"

[Ein Heldenleben]

Oh My Heaven....did you ever hear a Saint-Saens 3 quite so glorious as that?

A HiFi spectacular too, the Organ massively powerful (with striking image height in the soundstage) but perfectly balanced against this wonderful orchestra.
The last part is so overwhelming it is easy to forget the tonal delicacy, the beauty and rhythmical originalities earlier on; which were gorgeously done tonight. Such warmth with discipline, such power with control.

****

Yet another contender for Prom of the Season. I've already already lost count of those, but I think tonight's is the New Number One. Wait a minute, just look at tomorrow!
Could the Proms Festival Orchestra, in Mahler, summon similar wonders to Lucerne?

The Hallé sounded inspired; by the music, the soloists, their devoted conductor, but most of all, like so many performers this year, by the Great Occasion: the Proms themselves, the live music-making before the raptly attentive RAH crowd.

"Those listeners in England now abed
Shall think themselves accursed they were not here!"

I can’t imagine what it sounded like through your speakers . Mine are in rehab…

[silvestrione]

Just to get your fingers round that piece is something. He played it superbly. There is an incredible Richter recording..

Rachmaninoff too. But Grosvenor had his own gnomic, playful approach.

The piano was forward in the concerto, but I didn't mind, you could hear the detail in the piano and the orchestra

[Bryn]

Oh My Heaven....did you ever hear a Saint-Saens 3 quite so glorious as that?

A HiFi spectacular too, the Organ massively powerful (with striking image height in the soundstage) but perfectly balanced against this wonderful orchestra.
The last part is so overwhelming it is easy to forget the tonal delicacy, the beauty and rhythmical originalities earlier on; which were gorgeously done tonight. Such warmth with discipline, such power with control. I found myself standing before the marvel, arms spread wide, head thrown back, as the Organ and Orchestra rode the last huge wave... daringly on and on....

****

Yet another contender for Prom of the Season. I've already already lost count of those, but I think tonight's is the New Number One. Wait a minute, just look at tomorrow!
Could the Proms Festival Orchestra, in Mahler, summon similar wonders to Lucerne?

The Hallé sounded inspired; by the music, the soloists, their devoted conductor, but most of all, like so many performers this year, by the Great Occasion: the Proms themselves, the live music-making before the raptly attentive RAH crowd.

"Those listeners in England now abed
Shall think themselves accursed they were not here!"

I fell asleep early into the Channel 4 News, (very late night, last night) so missed the start of this Prom. Not wishing to join as a latecomer, I will await its on-demand availability. Looking forward to listening to it, based on the comments here.

[Simon B]

The Last Night of this most unusual Proms season for me and I chose well I think!

I did worry briefly at the start of the last movement of the Saint Saens that clarity and good taste might take precedence. There's no place for subtlety in the last moments and fortunately we didn't get it! If you are in the side stalls and can hear anything much other than timps and trumpets over the organ on the last chord then fire the organist :). No need this time!

In all seriousness what we actually got was the near perfect combination of clarity and differentiation and floor shaking blaze at the right moments. Tremendous stuff.

Mark Elder clearly likes a big occasion and made the most of this one. Don't think I've ever heard anyone hang onto the final blast quite that long before. Catharsis rather than simple triumph. How appropriate.

[DracoM]

Not often that the perf of a smack-on central much repeated repertoire piece can glue me to the radio.
Tonight's Beethoven Piano 4 did.
Thx, Mr Grosvenor, for reminding me how important the piece has always been for me.

[Ein Heldenleben]

Not often that the perf of a smack-on central much repeated repertoire piece can glue me to the radio.
Tonight's Beethoven Piano 4 did.
Thx, Mr Grosvenor, for reminding me how important the piece has always been for me.

Echoed - that performance really touched me.