Prom 62: Berliner Philharmoniker and Kirill Petrenko – Mahler’s Seventh (3.09.22)

[King_Ouf_I]

Can anyone tell me what instrument played the part designated inthe score as 'tenor horn'? In my experience it can be a euphonium, tenor saxhorn or tenor wagner-tuba (all in Bflat).

Confusingly, in England 'tenor horn ' is the common name of the alto saxhorn, in E flat, played in brass bands.

Looked like a Euphonium to me.

[edashtav]

Looked like a Euphonium to me.

I’ve just seen the image that Nick Armstrong posted and, I agree, the instrument in front of the bass tuba looks like a euphonium.

[Bryn]

[Historian]

What you think of as incoherence and ramshackleness might alternatively be thought of as a composition in the form of a many-coloured mosaic that contains enormous diversity within itself, which refuses to be pigeonholed into one or another category of expressiveness, something very modern.

This seems to express my feelings after my first 'live' Mahler 7, thank you Richard. There is so much to take in and I will need to listen to this work many times before I can begin to comprehend it as a whole. That said, I can't imagine it being better done. This was also my first time hearing the BPO for real and all I can say is that they more than lived up to my expectations.

(Petrenko seemed to move very easily during the concert and was happy to tour the orchestra shaking section principals' heads at the end. Hopefully he will be fully recovered soon.)

[Bryn]

This seems to express my feelings after my first 'live' Mahler 7, thank you Richard. There is so much to take in and I will need to listen to this work many times before I can begin to comprehend it as a whole. That said, I can't imagine it being better done. This was also my first time hearing the BPO for real and all I can say is that they more than lived up to my expectations.

(Petrenko seemed to move very easily during the concert and was happy to tour the orchestra shaking section principals' heads at the end. Hopefully he will be fully recovered soon.)

I have yet to listen to this performance (this afternoon, maybe) but have you heard the live recording of the same orchestra (or, rather an earlier manifestation of it) conducted by Michael Gielen (it can be found on a Testament CD)? I find it rather special. The 7th has been a favourite of mine since my late teens, when the Maurice Abravanel recording was my way in (I could not afford the NYPO/Bernstein at the time).

[Historian]

I have yet to listen to this performance (this afternoon, maybe) but have you heard the live recording of the same orchestra (or, rather an earlier manifestation of it) conducted by Michael Gielen (it can be found on a Testament CD)? I find it rather special. The 7th has been a favourite of mine since my late teens, when the Maurice Abravanel recording was my way in (I could not afford the NYPO/Bernstein at the time).

No, I haven't Bryn, thank you for the recommendation.

[smittims]

Thanks for those tenor horns. Norman del Mar is informative (as always) in his 'anatomy of the orchestra'. It seems that sometimes even the 'tenor tuba' in 'The Planets' is played on a Wagner Tuba.

[jonfan]

Thanks for those tenor horns. Norman del Mar is informative (as always) in his 'anatomy of the orchestra'. It seems that sometimes even the 'tenor tuba' in 'The Planets' is played on a Wagner Tuba.

Looks like a Wagner tuba in Bryn’s Picture.

[Nick Armstrong]

From all accounts, I’m kicking myself for missing this

.

Quite a review here: https://www.theguardian.com/music/20...ing-brilliance

[Serial_Apologist]

From all accounts, I’m kicking myself for missing this

.

Quite a review here: https://www.theguardian.com/music/20...ing-brilliance

Thank heavens then for the iplayer!!!

[Bryn]

Thank heavens then for the iplayer!!!

Though it can't help you to attend the performance in the Hall.

[gedsmk]

From all accounts, I’m kicking myself for missing this

.

Quite a review here: https://www.theguardian.com/music/20...ing-brilliance

Surprising number of tickets available on the RAH site for this evening's concert, I notice. I would definitely have bought one if they'd stuck to the original programme.
Mahler 7 was stupendously well played. The music overall however has never moved me in the way 1,2,3,5,6 and 9 does. Too many moments of irritation caused by trite melodies and a finale that feels like poor Walton.

[PhilipT]

Stool also had a footrest… but he only sat on it between movements and never put his foot up! He also walked on and off stage without a stick.

Sorry to be picky, but I beg to differ. The footrest was for the right foot only, and he certainly did place his foot on it. And yes, I was in the front row and did get a good view.

[Nick Armstrong]

Surprising number of tickets available on the RAH site for this evening's concert, I notice. I would definitely have bought one if they'd stuck to the original programme.

There were still lots for the Mahler before I went away earlier in August, but none in the areas I favour in the hall. I did look several times yesterday after my return home, and there were odd seats popping up round the auditorium but for £70+ I decided to hold out on the off-chance of a plum return cropping up… - none did. Perhaps I should have been less fussy… but I have recollections of concerts being spoiled by being in the wrong place in Prince Albert’s enormous bathroom. Still…

[Bryn]

Now listening, just one comment, so far, "magical"! Heading towards the end of the opening movement. Eagerly anticipating the transition to the first Nachtmusik.