Anybody been watching/listening to the Proms this year?
Any strong recommendations for catching on the iPlayer before they vanish?
I’ve only seen three so far: first night was a game of two halves; prog prom discussed elsewhere; and the John Wilson/Sinfonia of London concert was well worth the entry fee, for the Walton concerto alone.
Any more good ‘uns?
I’ve only seen first night and the Sinfonia of London so far and I concur with your assessment.
The televised ones will be on iPlayer for a week or so after broadcast.
Every single one in the series is or will be on Radio 3 and on BBC Sounds for 67 days.
I’ve listened to a few so far with mixed results.
Tonight’s “Under African Skies” tribute to Paul Simon’s Graceland with Ladysmith Black Mambazo and Nu Civilisation Orchestra, plus guest singers, was mostly good, I thought.
To be shown on TV on the 15th.
Regarding the John Wilson/Sinfonia of London Prom, the Respighi Roman Trilogy was brilliantly played. I just love the final part, Pines of Rome, summoning an image of Roman legions’ remorseless march up the Appian Way. I downloaded this and other Proms from BBC Sounds, but plan to watch it on iPlayer. I also recommend Bolero at The Proms which is now on iPlayer. The Spanish National Orchestra’s performance of Ravel’s best known work was superb. Star of the show was 1st snare drummer who played all 18 minutes of the piece; 2nd joined in about half way. My classical guitar friends (guitarnotes.com. – please look them up and leave a like, it’ll make their day) were very impressed by Rafael Aguirre’s performance of Rodrigo’s Concierto de Aranguez.
Thanks for that, I’ll seek it out. And I agree about the whole Roman Trilogy, really – although the highlight for me was the Walton, the whole concert was superb. Clumsy phrasing in the OP!
Also, I hadn’t heard the Roman Festivals movement before, so that was interesting.
I love Respighi so it was catnip for me.
As everything I would have mentioned already has been I have nothing to add other than I enjoyed hearing Korngold’s violin concerto played by Alena Baeva accompanied by the BBC Scottish Symphony. Mostly though I’m dipping in on BBC Sounds and iPlayer rather than tuning in live so I’m not across all of the performances by a long chalk.
Excellent! Korngold goes on the list. It does seem to be gaining some popularity lately, with a few new recordings by young players.
Yes, It’s refreshing to hear some lesser known pieces. As much as it’s always good to hear the Sibelius or Tchaikovsky it can get a bit if it’s Tuesday it must be Belgium. I recently picked up a disc of Sueye Park playing Karl Goldmark’s violin concerto in A minor with the Rundfunk-Sinfonieorchester Berlin, Valentin Egel conducting and it’s refreshing to hear this stuff. It’s coupled with some short bits and pieces by Sibelius. All very pleasing.
Funnily enough – I saw the Sibelius played by Sueye Park with the BBC Phil / John Storgårds. It was very good, a bit slower and less chilly than I’m used to.
The Beeb put it out on telly as a portmanteau programme on violin, with two performances from previous years – not sure what it was coupled with live on the night.
We went last night, for a lovely rendition of Rachmaninov’s 2nd.
Anyone in the country can now see or listen to the Proms. It blows my mind a bit. The BBC is brilliant.
The John Wilson concert was great – the Rome trilogy was hugely enjoyable and whilst the Walton cello concerto isn’t my favourite piece in the world, Jonathan Aaagaard’s performance of it was supremely good.
I don’t know why, but it pleased me greatly to learn that he was the principal cellist of the Sinfonia – rather than the latest jet-setting international soloist.
Agreed. He was also Principal Cello in the Royal Liverpool Philharmonic for over 20 years, so he has more than paid his dues. Was very impressed that having played the Walton he didn’t stay in his dressing room sipping a well earned glass of something, but came straight back out with the orchestra to lead the cello section in the Respighi.
Yes, indeed!
BTW: are the TV chaps chopping up the gigs and putting them together in a different arrangement? They never used to do that…did they?
I watched the Strauss/Weir/Ravel programme last night – three different orchestras and conductors – so originally played on three different nights?