BBC Proms 2015

bnt · 13-07-2015 10:19AM #1

It's that time of year again: Proms. First Night is this coming Friday:

Sakari Oramo conducts this year’s opening concert, in a programme that includes Walton’s pithy choral masterpiece 'Belshazzar’s Feast' and Mozart’s Piano Concerto No. 20 with soloist Lars Vogt. Broadcast live on BBC Two on Friday 17 July.

I won't be over in the UK myself, so I'll be limited to what the BBC shows on TV, but that'll be plenty across their channels. I'm particularly interested in Baroque and Classical periods at the moment, and was a bit disappointed how little there was of them last year, but so far this year is looking better: for example, Haydn is featured in Proms 5 and 6, next Monday & Tuesday (to be broadcast later).

I'm also looking forward to number 50: Sir András Schiff performs Bach's Goldberg Variations (Sep 3, BBC Four). Yo Yo Ma is back for Bach's Six Cello Suites on 10 September, Prom 68 (BBC Four).

I'm still digging through the program for other highlights - is anyone else looking forward to anything in particular?

The Black Oil · 21-07-2015 09:05PM

I'd like to go some year. I often miss it on the TV, but bits often end up on Youtube. Some of the stuff is just breathtaking.

dibkins · 21-07-2015 09:45PM

There is a lot of stuff there alright, makes me wish i knew more. I'll catch what i can on youtube afterwards for sure.

If i was able to get tickets then The Planets (13) would be epic to see. 32 could be interesting. I love the concert band version of Equus, and Rhapsody in Blue is probably the piece that did the most in getting me interested in classical music (for some reason i had an mp3 of the last 5 mins or so and not the start, someone asked me one day did i like the clarinet at the start and i didn't know aht they were talking about). I would love the see the Evelyn Glennie set also! (Proms Chamber Music 4). The Firebird (36) and Rite of Spring (56) would be epic.

bnt · 11-08-2015 08:57AM

I'm enjoying the Proms Extra programs too, discussing various works played that week. Katie Derham presents, and she made the mistake of asking Dame Kiri te Kanewa about a percussion concerto:

Me? I'm lost. Completely lost. I couldn't find a tune, and I'm thinking "over to you" (next guest).
...
40 years ago, when I came over here, I listened to modern music. I really thought "I must listen to it", and I heard (sings) "ding" ... "dong" ... "tong" - and I thought "my goodness, it's very similar, 40 years on I'm hearing sort-of the same thing". But I'm being very irreverant to this wonderful person. Modern music is difficult, I'm finding it very difficult.

The Dame is Old School. :pac:

The Black Oil · 16-08-2015 02:06PM

Eric Whitacre's efforts seem to have gone across well, from what I read.

Gheadphone · 11-03-2016 12:41PM

I went across last year and saw Leif Ove Andsnes and the Mahler Chamber Orchestra play Beethovens 1st and 4th Piano concerto.

It was a fantastic experience and i can't wait to see what is on the 2016 bill, I'm hoping to get over for a couple of concerts this time.