Prom 42: Sibelius, Beethoven and Nielsen (18.08.22)

[Eine Alpensinfonie]

19:30 Thursday 18 August 2022
Royal Albert Hall

Jean Sibelius: Symphony No. 7 in C major
Ludwig van Beethoven: Piano Concerto No. 4 in G major
Carl Nielsen: Symphony No. 4, ‘The Inextinguishable’

Francesco Piemontesi piano
BBC Scottish Symphony Orchestra
Thomas Dausgaard conductor

‘Music is life – and like it, inextinguishable.’ Two giants of the symphony take the 20th century head-on, with shattering results. Sibelius seems to concentrate all the forces of air, earth and water in a Seventh Symphony that feels like it could have been wrought from the elements themselves. Nielsen confronted the brutality of the First World War in music that absolutely refuses to lie down and die – crowned by a life-or-death duel for two sets of drums. An epic evening from the BBC Scottish Symphony Orchestra under its Danish-born Chief Conductor Thomas Dausgaard: Beethoven’s lyrical Fourth Piano Concerto will form the eye of the storm, with Francesco Piemontesi (‘tremendous’: The Times) as soloist.

[Eine Alpensinfonie]

A brilliant programme, in my opinion. Even the BBC blurb seems okay.

[LHC]

There has been a late change to the performers. Jan Lisiecki will now be playing the Beethoven PC, replacing Francesco Piemontesi.

[edashtav]

There has been a late change to the performers. Jan Lisiecki will now be playing the Beethoven PC, replacing Francesco Piemontesi.

Jan has form:

“In March 2013, Lisiecki substituted at short notice for Martha Argerich, performing Beethoven's Piano Concerto No. 4, Op. 58 in Bologna with the Orchestra Mozart under Claudio Abbado.” [Wikipedia]

[Norrette]

Hello, can some kind soul advise me if Picadilly westbound tubes now stop at South Ken?

[Serial_Apologist]

Hello, can some kind soul advise me if Picadilly westbound tubes now stop at South Ken?

They do.

[Norrette]

Thank you 'apologist'. Saves the longer walk to Gloucester road, and the lifts

[Bryn]

Thank you 'apologist'. Saves the longer walk to Gloucester road, and the lifts

Just to reinforce the status: https://tfl.gov.uk/info-for/media/pr...in-from-1-june

[Andrew]

I thought this concert was superb, and somewhat better than some other recent one. The Carl Nielsen piece, in particular, I thought was very good!

[LHC]

I thought this concert was superb, and somewhat better than some other recent one. The Carl Nielsen piece, in particular, I thought was very good!

As you appear to be a visitor from the future Andrew, could you also tell us this weeks lottery numbers?

(I think you meant to comment on last night’s concert rather than tonight’s)

[Pulcinella]

As you appear to be a visitor from the future Andrew, could you also tell us this weeks lottery numbers?

(I think you meant to comment on last night’s concert rather than tonight’s)

Very much looking forward to this.

In Italy, Pantaleon gives favourable lottery numbers, victories and winners in dreams. A phial containing some of his blood was long preserved at Ravello. On the feast day of the saint, the blood was said to become fluid and to bubble.

I have it on good authority that the blood did indeed miraculously liquefy on his feast day this year.

As I will be in Ravello at the end of the month, I am confident that, since I intend to visit the cathedral there, where this phial is preserved, my Premium Bonds will come up stumps on 1 September.

[kernelbogey]

As I will be in Ravello at the end of the month, I am confident that, since I intend to visit the cathedral there, where this phial is preserved, my Premium Bonds will come up stumps on 1 September.

I assume you are hoping for an increase in your liquidity.

[Pulcinella]

I assume you are hoping for an increase in your liquidity.

I imagine that our liquid consumption (the local wine?) will be quite a significant part of our stay there!

(Apologies for straying from the thread topic!)

[edashtav]

Jean Sibelius: Symphony No. 7 in C major
It’s curious to think that this taut construct started in the composer’s mind as a Symphonic Fantasy.
I was pleased the opening rising scale of C major had shape, direction and purpose. Its tension and intensity were key to the rest of the interpretation which grew in an organic manner. It was controlled with every atomic adding to the growing molecular structure. The playing by the BBC SO was assured, satisfying and well-balanced.
Thomas Dausgaard’s tempi were well chosen and the whole was just what he would have wanted for his farewell
Concert as the orchestra’s chief conductor. Compelling!

[bluestateprommer]

Fine start to this Prom with Sibelius 7 just now. TD stretched out a few passages, but the work can stand it (mostly). He's recalling highlights with Martin Handley now, including concerts like the Rachmaninov Prom mentioned in the other thread. Amusing to hear Jan L. tell the story of how quickly he got the call.