Prom 36: Marin Alsop conducts the Vienna Radio Symphony Orchestra (13.08.22)

[Eine Alpensinfonie]

19:30 Saturday 13 August 2022 ON TV
Royal Albert Hall

Béla Bartók: The Miraculous Mandarin – suite
Sergei Prokofiev: Piano Concerto No. 3 in C major
Hannah Eisendle: Heliosis (UK première)
Antonín Dvořák: Symphony No. 7 in D minor

Benjamin Grosvenor piano
Vienna Radio Symphony Orchestra
Marin Alsop conductor

Viennese orchestral playing is a byword for excellence, rooted in generations of tradition. But under its distinguished (and adventurous) American Music Director Marin Alsop, the Vienna Radio Symphony Orchestra takes that tradition as a starting point to look outwards – to explore. Bartók’s bloodcurdling ballet suite prepares the way for Prokofiev’s Third Piano Concerto: energising, unsentimental brilliance, brought to life by former BBC Radio 3 New Generation Artist Benjamin Grosvenor. And then, two very different facets of the Central European tradition: the windswept drama and dancing Bohemian melodies of Dvořák’s magnificent Seventh Symphony, and the UK premiere of Heliosis – written specially for Alsop and the Vienna RSO by a young Viennese composer with a flair for drama.

[Eine Alpensinfonie]

Viennese orchestral playing is a byword for excellence, rooted in generations of tradition.

I think that's a different orchestra.

But that needn’t demean this one.

[edashtav]

I think that's a different orchestra.

But that needed demean this one.

Ha ha.

I’ve listened to Hannah Eisendle’s Heliosis on Youtube in a transcription of its f.p. by the same forces in March:

https://youtu.be/rKp55uU9-NE

It’s about 6.5 minutes in length and mainly a study in rhythm and texture. Harmless, and mildly engaging.

[richardfinegold]

19:30 Saturday 13 August 2022 ON TV
Royal Albert Hall

Béla Bartók: The Miraculous Mandarin – suite
Sergei Prokofiev: Piano Concerto No. 3 in C major
Hannah Eisendle: Heliosis (UK première)
Antonín Dvořák: Symphony No. 7 in D minor

Benjamin Grosvenor piano
Vienna Radio Symphony Orchestra
Marin Alsop conductor

Viennese orchestral playing is a byword for excellence, rooted in generations of tradition. But under its distinguished (and adventurous) American Music Director Marin Alsop, the Vienna Radio Symphony Orchestra takes that tradition as a starting point to look outwards – to explore. Bartók’s bloodcurdling ballet suite prepares the way for Prokofiev’s Third Piano Concerto: energising, unsentimental brilliance, brought to life by former BBC Radio 3 New Generation Artist Benjamin Grosvenor. And then, two very different facets of the Central European tradition: the windswept drama and dancing Bohemian melodies of Dvořák’s magnificent Seventh Symphony, and the UK premiere of Heliosis – written specially for Alsop and the Vienna RSO by a young Viennese composer with a flair for drama.

I have both Alsops Mandarin and Dvorak Seven on Blu Ray Audio discs. Great sounding dull performances

[edashtav]

I have both Alsops Mandarin and Dvorak Seven on Blu Ray Audio discs. Great sounding dull performances

I’m afraid that Dvorak’s D minor symphony is not a favourite of mine: it’s sombre tone coupled to a form that is a model of rule taking but so low on naughty excursions plus its excessive obeisance to Brahms makes it a piece that I conscously avoid.

[Master Jacques]

I’m afraid that Dvorak’s D minor symphony is not a favourite of mine: it’s sombre tone coupled to a form that is a model of rule taking but so low on naughty excursions plus its excessive obeisance to Brahms makes it a piece that I conscously avoid.

I know what you mean ... it can seem a slightly, safe fustian piece these days. Though when poor old Dvorak did make "naughty excursions" in his (staggering) 8th Symphony, he was criticised for deviating from "the tradition"! As for the 7th, I'm sure you've tried Harnoncourt's approach to freshening it up?

[edashtav]

I know what you mean ... it can seem a slightly, safe fustian piece these days. Though when poor old Dvorak did make "naughty excursions" in his (staggering) 8th Symphony, he was criticised for deviating from "the tradition"! As for the 7th, I'm sure you've tried Harnoncourt's approach to freshening it up?

No, I’ve not encountered Harnoncourt’s version. In fact, it’s failed to register on my radar. I hope to make amends. Thank you for bringing it to my attention.

[bluestateprommer]

BB's MM just completed. In keeping with RF's comment above, the Vienna RSO is certainly on fine form, but Marin Alsop kind of played it safe with her reading here. Nice of Ian Skelly to give the organist a shout-out. (Wonder if the Vienna RSO Konzertmeister was made aware in advance of the "Heave! Ho!" and applause after the A traditions.)

[edashtav]

I felt that Marin had rehearsed the Bartok rebarbative Suite to within an inch of the Mandarin’s life. Speeds were often plodding, perhaps to allow her orchestra a safety margin, room to negotiate the tricky bits. It was good but not excellent.

[Alison]

Phenomenal pianism here and no safety margins!

[Joseph K]

Phenomenal pianism here.

[Ein Heldenleben]

Phenomenal pianism here and no safety margins!

That first movement was absolutely staggering.The band could barely keep up. The crispness of Ben’s articulation in those scales and then the sudden transitions in touch.

[Joseph K]

Hints of Scriabin in this slow movement, very sensuous (first time listening to this piece).

[bluestateprommer]

Phenomenal pianism here and no safety margins!

Indeed, and BG's choice of Ravel encore is very appropriate here. Fine support from the Vienna RSO and Alsop in Prokofiev 3, where they did manage to keep up :) .

[Ein Heldenleben]

Jeu D’Eaux as an encore strikes me as both generous and appropriate….
Whatever happened to the arena fountain?