BBC Proms 2014: Prom 18 - Ravel: Concerto for the Left Hand; Mahler: Symphony No. 5 (Tharaud / BBC Philharmonic / Mena)

30th July 2014
Royal Albert Hall, London, United Kingdom

BIRTWISTLE Night's Black Bird
RAVEL Piano Concerto for the Left Hand
MAHLER Symphony No. 5

Alexandre Tharaud (piano)
BBC Philharmonic
Juanjo Mena (conductor)



Alexandre Tharaud played the Ravel LH with his signature grace and elegance, though at an unbelievably lightning speed for this concerto (massive credits to the bassoonist who kept up with him in the 6/8 section), thus depriving it of the spiritual depth and tragedy it requires, which is a bit disappointing. The lightness of the playing, as amazing as it is, does not carry in the RAH. Standing through the Birtwistle in this packed hall is an absolute torture and I have very little interest in Mahler 5 so I am going to Marks and Spencer now.

BBC Proms 2014: Prom 15 - Dove: Gaia Theory; Mozart: Piano Concerto No. 23; Ravel: Daphnis et Chloe (Fliter / BBC SO / Pons)

28th July 2014
Royal Albert Hall, London, United Kingdom

JONATHAN DOVE Gaia Theory
MOZART Piano Concerto No. 23
RAVEL Daphnis and Chloe

Ingrid Fliter (piano)
BBC Symphony Chorus
BBC Symphony Orchestra
Josep Pons (conductor)



There are certain pieces of music one is grateful to be alive to be able to hear, and the divine "Daphnis et Chloé" in its original form with the vocalise choir is definitely one of them. What brilliant woodwind playing at the Sunrise section. As if that is not enough, it was preceded by Mozart PC23 (the middle movement is the only F# minor piece he wrote apparently). The classical elegance was complimented by the gigantic work "Gaia Theory" by the Cambridge graduate Jonathan Dove. The portrayal of the goddess of Earth began with his signature fantastic/dream-like writing. Lush harmonies and sumptuous orchestration throughout. A real musical treat.

BBC Proms 2014: Prom 14 - Ravel: Valses; Simon Holt: Morpheus Wakes; Duruflé: Requiem (Pahud / BBC NOW / T Fischer)

27th July 2014
Royal Albert Hall, London, United Kingdom

RAVEL Valses nobles et sentimentales
SIMON HOLT Morpheus Wakes
RAVEL La Valse
DURUFLE Requiem

Emmanuel Pahud (flute)
Gerald Finley (baritone)
Ruby Hughes (soprano)
BBC National Chorus of Wales
National Youth Choir of Wales
BBC National Orchestra of Wales
Thierry Fischer (conductor)



The revival and death of the waltz in the form of Ravel's "Valses nobles et sentimentales" and "La valse" - a bit too rushed tonight. The legendary Emmanuel Pahud, principal flute of the BerlinPhil, premiered an odd flute concerto which required him to switch flutes in the last movement, and the performance was jaw-droppingly good. The concert ended with a concert performance of the poignant Duruflé "Requiem" - overly dramatic "Pie Jesu" but incredibly powerful "Libera me". Lacking in spiritual depth, if you ask me, but it is rare to hear it outside a religious setting.

BBC Proms 2014: Prom 10 - Moeran: Violin Concerto; Elgar: Enigma Variations (Little / BBC Philharmonic / Mena)

25th July 2014
Royal Albert Hall, London, United Kingdom

WALTON Variations on a Theme by Hindemith
MOERAN Violin Concerto
DAVID HORNE Daedalus in Flight
ELGAR Enigma Variations

Tasmin Little (violin)
BBC Philharmonic
Juanjo Mena (conductor)



After battling Graph Theory all afternoon, I (literally) ran to see a very British programme - the Walton "Hindemith Variations" is very fine; the Moeran concerto is slightly dubious and forgettable though brilliantly performed by Tasmin Little and the Elgar "Enigma Variations" is top-notched.

BBC Proms 2014: Prom 8 - Pet Shop Boys: A Man from the Future

23rd July 2014
Royal Albert Hall, London, United Kingdom

PET SHOP BOYS Overture to 'Performance' (arr. R. Niles)
PET SHOP BOYS Four Songs in A minor (orch. A. Badalamenti)
('Vocal', 'Love is a Catastrophe', 'Later Tonight', 'Rent')
PET SHOP BOYS A Man from the Future (orch. S. Helbig)

Pet Shop Boys
Chrissie Hynde (vocalist)
Juliet Stevenson (narrator)
BBC Singers
BBC Concert Orchestra
Dominic Wheeler (conductor)



Thus beginneth le Proms binge 2014! I could not make it in time for Prom 7, but I thought I should stay for the Pet Shop Boys Prom anyway, as I have a tiny bit of interest in the Alan Turing work. Sadly, it was musically vacuous, conceptually thin and linear and completely relentless. They have done better stuff - perhaps the orchestra is not the right medium for them. It was particularly painful to listen to an amplified orchestra when you are facing one.