Prom 26: Semyon Bychkov and the Labèque Sisters (5.08.22)

[Eine Alpensinfonie]

19:30 Friday 5 August 2022
Royal Albert Hall

Julian Anderson: Symphony No. 2, ‘Prague Panoramas’ (BBC co-commission: world première of complete symphony)
Bohuslav Martinů: Concerto for Two Pianos
Sergey Rachmaninov: Symphonic Dances

Katia & Marielle Labèque pianos
BBC Symphony Orchestra
Semyon Bychkov conductor

Distance and enchantment: whenever Julian Anderson creates a new work, we’re in for a musical experience that ruffles through memories as it ravishes the ears. His keenly awaited Second Symphony takes its cue from old photographs of Prague: a city dear to conductor Semyon Bychkov, and to the exiled Czech composer Bohuslav Martinů, whose exuberant double concerto falls into the hands of sisters Katia and Marielle Labèque. As for Rachmaninov’s Symphonic Dances – well, it’s been described as a secret ballet score, a concerto for orchestra and a symphony by any other name. But every note glows with the sorrow of exile, and the undimmed energy of a composer whose inspiration burned fiercer than ever in this last, bittersweet masterpiece.

[Eine Alpensinfonie]

It's many years now since I first saw the very young Labèque sisters at their first Prom concert.

[Joseph K]

I enjoyed the Anderson piece. Stupidly forgot about it so missed the first ten minutes though...

[Pulcinella]

Martinu unfamiliar to me but great fun, and unmistakably Martinu.

[Maclintick]

I enjoyed the Anderson piece. Stupidly forgot about it so missed the first ten minutes though...

So did I, but Like you I enjoyed what I heard. Thank goodness for SOUNDS. Looking forward to hearing our own Makropulos in the interval...

[pastoralguy]

Looking forward to hearing them perform the Martinu with the Czech Philharmonic at this year’s Edinburgh Festival.

[edashtav]

Martinu unfamiliar to me but great fun, and unmistakably Martinu.

The Martinu Double Concerto is a terrific find - all (ten?) of Martinu’s fingerprints are present : propulsive rhythms, Jazz inflections, bell sounds, fast cross-cutting-as-in-films, sudden ‘distant’ hushes, exuberance, joy without end, open Stravinsky-like textures, dream evocations, insectarium ‘busyness’ and great climaxes cut off in their prime. I found the middle movement to be complex and enigmatic on first hearing whereas other commentators, including our own Nigel Simeone, have stressed its serenity and tranquillity. For my money, Martinu’s manifold concerti are more important and revealing of his personality than the first five of his symphonies.

This Prom performance was full of virtuosity, fun and electricity from both of the soloists and the orchestra. There’s so much that could go wrong and it was great to feel that Semyon Bychkov knew the score backwards, clearly rated it as masterful, and he possessed the necessary flair and conducting technique to ‘sell the piece’.

A great discovery, given a super-charged interpretation and performance : an unforgettable occasion.
‘

[Maclintick]

This Prom performance was full of virtuosity, fun and electricity from both of the soloists and the orchestra. There’s so much that could go wrong and it was great to feel that Semyon Bychkov knew the score backwards, clearly rated it as masterful, and he possessed the necessary flair and conducting technique to ‘sell the piece’.

A great discovery, given a super-charged interpretation and performance : an unforgettable occasion.
‘

You've put it into words far better then I could, Ed, in highlighting BM's exuberance and plain joyfulness -- a precious commodity in art. Forgive me for referencing U2's frontman Bono, who in a recent Desert Island Discs episode, in which his thoughtfulness and wide frame of reference belied the rather generic, stadium rock associations of U2, vouchsafed his opinion that "miserabilism" in art was a much easier proposition to sell as a reach-me-down, applause-generator (Morrissey, anyone `? ) than the positivism of say, JSB, WAM, LVB, or indeed Stevie Wonder or many Motown artists, for example.

[DracoM]

Cracker of a Prom

[Joseph K]

vouchsafed his opinion that "miserabilism" in art was a much easier proposition to sell as a reach-me-down, applause-generator (Morrissey, anyone `? ) than the positivism of say, JSB, WAM, LVB, or indeed Stevie Wonder or many Motown artists, for example.

I would say the exact opposite, actually. From what I recall of my days as a young person when I briefly paid attention to such things, the pop charts are not exactly stuffed full of sad songs.

[Andrew]

I'm just listening to yesterday's (Friday 5th Aug) Prom and I must say the "Prague Panoramas" piece was both delightful and very atmospheric. Having lived & worked there I can attest to the bells sounding throughout the city, as mimicked in the piece. Martinû's "Concerto for Two Pianos" not only sounded great, it also sounded extremely difficult to play! I think an oblique reference to its inherent difficulty was made in the introduction. "Hats off" to the pianists-brilliant!

[ucanseetheend]

The symphonic dances was awful..it's 'dances" Bychkov! Turgid and no life

[jonfan]

The symphonic dances was awful..it's 'dances" Bychkov! Turgid and no life

Tend to agree.

[gedsmk]

Tend to agree.

I prommed for this one.
Tend to disagree. perfect "non allegro" tempo to start. v strong "last composition/missing mother Russia" dies irae vibe throughout.
Stupendous playing in all departments. perfectly controlled by the conductor. the "in memoriam 1st symphony" moment in the first movement as heartfelt as I can ever remember.

Didn't care for the Glass encore. complete waste. Something by Rach would have been perfect.

[ucanseetheend]

I prommed for this one.
Tend to disagree. perfect "non allegro" tempo to start. v strong "last composition/missing mother Russia" dies irae vibe throughout.
Stupendous playing in all departments. perfectly controlled by the conductor. the "in memoriam 1st symphony" moment in the first movement as heartfelt as I can ever remember.

Didn't care for the Glass encore. complete waste. Something by Rach would have been perfect.

Prepared to give it another go . Wasn't it televised ? I remember reading all Friday and Saturday proms are recorded for later viewing