The Proms

Yeah, and that's pushing it somewhat for me. At least it's got a remote claim to being operetta/musical crossover, but that Callum creature was beyond the pale as far as I'm concerned.

Also, why do they have to broadcast the crap on TV? We've had Sondheim night broadcast, Callum, some others I can't remember and now Rodgers and Hammerstein.
 
I usually enjoy watching the Proms, and used to be impressed with the camera work. Last night's was plain weird. If I was the double-bass player, I would have been very dubious about having a camera near my feet viewing my instrument from floor level.:confused:
 
Thank goodness for that! I thought I was going mad! Thank you.



Yes, the camera work was odd. The analogy with Strictly is very good - I think the BBC think they need to zoom around and close up on strange things to make it more interesting or something. STOP IT! I considered trying the special red button cameras the other night during the Beethoven, but I didn't bother in the end. I think I might next time.

By the way, does anyone know how long RAH tickets should take to arrive? I bought them on Monday, and selected the postal option, but haven't got anything yet.
 
In the case of Rodgers and Hammenstein it's two years in a row. Last year's one got massive viewing figures mainly because Seth Macfarlane was in it
 
I think in 'popular' terms the MGM night last year was a highlight for many (dare I say even the highlight for all?)

So, the Beeb are bound to show it, popular attraction
 
Wonderful piano playing in the Rachmaninov.

I wasn't put off by camera work: just enjoyed the music; and a close view of the pianist's hanRAB can be useful to amateur pianists learning how the professionals deal with difficult passages.

Great performance.

:)
 
I must confess I have given up on Die Meistersinger. I find Wagner a bit heavy going :)

See the dedicated Prommers at the front following everything in their own copies of the score...
 
I think the first year that I started watching properly on telly (I'm not hugely knowledgeable about classical music or anything) I had it on in the background and there was a Beethoven choral thing on, and I became totally transfixed by it, just loved it. Can't remember what it was now, but it was fabulous.

There are still tickets for the two main concerts on the Bach day - I am very very tempted to go for it. It would mean staying overnight as the last train home is at 8.55, but I am sorely tempted! And the Brandenburg concertos are earlier in the day, I could queue for the cheap tickets. OH it's tempting! But my car tax is also due, and I need to get by brake discs done... Oh dear.
 
Thanks for the article Raven. Good to see the Proms going back to its roots.

Mahler's 3rd in 5 minutes. Fortunately nothing like as heavy as his 7th symphony for those who found the opening night hard going. :p Being shown on BBC4 tommorow night.
 
I liked the Sorcerer's Apprentice that the kiRAB just played.

Not sure about the red button commentary ... "oooh his is made from black wood and his from brown wood, does that make any difference?"
 
When the Hall was first built the acoustics were terrible, the shape of the Hall (in particular the dome) doesn't lend itself to good acoustics so they had to install these "mushrooms" to stop multiple reflections and reverberations.

I have to say I'm not too keen on what's being played now though it just sounRAB like a mish-match of noise :(
 
What amazes me with these concerts is that no expense is spared to bring in the finest musicians and lots of them. I notice two harps!

But the singers often let them down. There's some poor choices. Some aren't "musical theatre" which is what R&H were all about.

I had to smile at the one singing; "I enjoy being a girl." I think she would have had difficulty recalling that far back.
 
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