September 1st, 2010
Last week we took a group of Classical Partners to The Proms.
Before the concert we had a meal in the newly refurbished Elgar Room and I have to say they have done a great job. It is now a contempory and stylish place yet it is still comfortable. Quite a feet, as I find most “modern” dining spaces just too hard. Clean lines and sparse furnishings often make for an attractive but inhospitable environment. The menu was not too big but offered a good selection of meat and fish. I would recommend you check it out next time you are in the Albert Hall.
The concert was not bad either. The Prommers showed their delight with extended stomping and whistling. I agree wholeheartedly with them for Osmo Vanska and the Minnesota Orchestra’s rendition of Beethoven’s Ninth, but not the Berg Violin Concerto. It is not a piece I particularly like so that’s no real surprise.
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July 27th, 2009
What a fantastic concert on Saturday at the Albert Hall. I realised that I should have referred to it as roast beef when I mentioned I was looking forward to all the meat in the programme after the insubstantial first night.
A group of Classical Partners met before the concert for a very enjoyable meal in Cafe Consort. Who on earth thought it would be a good idea to close the Elgar Restaurant for refurbishment during the Proms?
Then it was on to the music:
Elgar’s “Cockaigne” set the tone for this evening of English music. Unmistakeably English, unmistakeably Elgar with just a touch of Wagner. A slightly sugar coated view of London in the early part of the last century but I like a bit of optimism.
Next we had Delius, The Song of the High Hills. For me this turned into the highlight of the evening. For about twenty minutes I was no longer in the Albert Hall but was transported to the great outdoors and revelled in sharing Delius’ love of nature. How strange that this man could claim to loathe England and yet write something as pastoral as this. I have never been to Norway but based on this, a visit is long overdue.
Holst’s The Planets was quite simply stunning. Despite the familiarity of the piece it was performed with a freshness that enlivened the whole audience. Venus in particular raised my spirits.
Hats off to the often overlooked provincial BBC Philharmonic whose vituosity was outstanding and to Sir Charles Mackerras in particular whose understated performance brought a great deal of joy to this member of the audience.
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July 22nd, 2009
At last summer’s here and the Proms are underway. Actually summer starts with Wimbledon but that is a distant memory now along with a glimpse of the sun.
I never intended to go to the first night. The programme did not appeal. I did however watch the whole thing on the TV. I can only assume that the programme was an attempt to please all of the people all of the time. As any sane person knows this is never possible and was certainly not achieved in Prom 1. Bits of it were OK but there was no meat in this particular sandwich.
The worst thing though was having to put up with Mr Anderson on the TV. First off someone needs to explain the difference between a violin and viola to him. Secondly his flustered buffoonery is just fine for one of the many very good panel games he appears on but is not right here. Or am I alone in this?
Well, that is as good a reason as any for going along in person to experience it all live. See you there on Saturday. I can not wait for the Holst, there is plenty of meat in that!
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