Shaking the Albert Hall - Prom 24: Foskett, Beethoven & Berlioz

[Philidor]

Despina, Florestan, Herzeleide and I went to a Prom last night: a new work by Ben Foskett, Beethoven's Symphony No.4, and Berlioz's floor-shaking Te Deum.

It was all great. The BBC Symphony orchestra was workmanlike. The conductor, Susanna Mälkki, was vigorous, had the vast forces under control (3 choirs!) and bore more than a passing resemblance to Madam Hooch from Harry Potter.

Ms. Malkki is a joy to watch and a technical whiz; the two go hand in hand. Rail-thin and exuding energy, she conducts with kinetic gestures and incisive cues. In her extra-long, stylishly tailored jacket, she looked like the Little Prince’s cool older sister.

NY Times

The star was Berlioz. Three choirs including many children, Simon Preston on the gigantic Albert Hall organ, a well-padded tenor (Jörg Schneider) combining to cut through the stodgy acoustics and shake the walls. Great to see Despina and Herzeleide. We picnicked in Hyde Park and, if there'd been more time, might have boated on the Serpentine.



The Prom Queue



View from the Arena



Breaking the no photography rule



Madam Hooch

[Despina41]

Yes, posting from London this morning, I have to say the Prom experience is pretty good. The waiting in line was timed perfectly - we got our queue numbers then had time to leave and get beer, or cranberry juice, what have you. This was not as complicated as getting standing room seats in Vienna, which involved tying various pieces of clothing to the rail in front of you to reserve your place. The Proms mosh pit is also a lot of fun, even if the acoustic isn't the best. However, our Berlioz piece defintiley cut through any acoustic weaknesses we might have noticed in the little Beethoven.
I guess when you have about 550 performers, it's possible to make a lot of noise.

[Philidor]

Originally Posted by Despina41

This was not as complicated as getting standing room seats in Vienna...

BRITISH BETTER AT QUEUEING THAN AUSTRIANS SHOCK!!

[micrologus]

Originally Posted by Philidor

BRITISH BETTER AT QUEUEING THAN AUSTRIANS SHOCK!!

The least you can say is that the British know what queueing means
They are the best in this sport

[Philidor]

It's true. The British love to queue.





Susanna Malkki talked to Sean Rafferty (BBC R3: In Tune) last Thursday (30 July 2009) - starts @ 1:49:10. She's clearly a Berlioz fiend.

[Florestan]

The Berlioz was completely awesome but it was all great, as Phili has said. It is a sad fact of the RAH that without four choirs, a full orchestra and the mighty organ, the sound can be underhwelming.

It was wonderful to meet Despina and to see Herz again. We had an absolutely lovely picnic, with sandwiches made by philidor.

During an outbreak of scattered clapping after the first movement of the Beethoven, Despina muttered incredulously 'It is OK to clap between movements here?' (I hissed 'Let's not even get startedon that one', which caused sniggering from the people in front.) Then the lady who fell off her seat last year somehow managed to fall off the floor. It's a special knack.

[Philidor]

Originally Posted by Florestan

Then the lady who fell off her seat last year somehow managed to fall off the floor. It's a special knack.

I couldn't believe my eyes! There was this loud smacking noise, like a fishmonger dealing with a large cod, and there she was again: spread-eagled on the floor. Poor lady!

Originally Posted by Florestan

During an outbreak of scattered clapping after the first movement of the Beethoven, Despina muttered incredulously 'It is OK to clap between movements here?' (I hissed 'Let's not even get startedon that one', which caused sniggering from the people in front.)

Oh Lordy. From the BBC Radio 3 forums:

Clapping Between Movements

[Florestan]

Originally Posted by Philidor

Oh Lordy. From the BBC Radio 3 forums:

Clapping Between Movements

For ****'s sake. It doesn't ruin anything. It just makes sane people in the audience roll their eyes at each other and mutter 'Oh god, the Buftons are going to be moaning like fury about this...' And sure enough....

[Florestan]

Actually, what is remarkable is that we have got to Prom 24 before the clapping debate was reignited on the R3 boards.

Have the Great Unwashed really managed to behave themselves and not clap between movements for 23 whole proms? If so, I am hugely impressed.

ETA: Oh no, sorry, I see now that, according to DracoM

But I have been to a sprinkling of Proms this year, seen the SAME five or six people not only clap, but turn round as they are clapping and smile to others as if encouraging them to do so.

The avada kedavra curse is too good for them.

[Herzeleide]

It was a great day.