BBC Proms 2011: The Briefing

BBC Proms 2011: The Briefing | reviews, news & interviews

BBC Proms 2011: The Briefing

Mouth-watering prospectus promises both youth and choral blockbusters

by David NiceSaturday, 16 April 2011

In 2010, the prospectus didn't excite but the concerts turned out better than ever. "Let's hope it's not the other way round this year," commented Proms Director and Radio 3 Controller Roger Wright on Thursday afternoon as we milled around with our tea and biscuits under the eaves of the Royal College following a very jolly press briefing. For what's on offer looks, this time, very promising indeed, to me at any rate. (See theartsdesk's full listings.}

The ultimate Albert Hall blockbuster this year is Havergal Brian's "Gothic" Symphony - this is indeed where the colosseum of Albertopolis comes into its own

Explore topics

Share this article

...

Permalink Submitted by HH (not verified) on Sun, 17/04/2011 - 16:58

Without wishing in any way to diss the Proms, I'd say that 4-euro standing places at the at the back of the stalls in the Vienna State Opera surely take the prize for 'best bargain in the whole world of quality music-making'. Ok, now I'll 'shut up, look forward and enjoy'...

...

Permalink Submitted by David Nice on Wed, 27/04/2011 - 09:32

Fair enough, HH, and how I benefited from them on a student interail holiday. But that's still the back, isn't it? Here we're talking the only decent place to be in the Albert Hall, plum stalls position. Even if I have a seat I often wander down into the Arena for a second half and usually enjoy myself much more. As for the season ticket - yes, I had a half-season all those years ago - the nice people at the Proms office have kindly computed for us that it works out at £2.57 a concert.

Add comment

more Classical music

Classical CDs: Symphonies, suppers and knitting needles Two conductors celebrated, plus accordion, bass trombone and string quartet

Jansen, LSO, Noseda, Barbican review - hearts of darkness Pain offset by sheer beauty in communicative Beethoven, Sibelius and Prokofiev

Castalian String Quartet, Wigmore Hall review - genius in works and performance Colossal finales by Beethoven and Britten don’t seem to tire these amazing string players

Belcea Quartet, Wigmore Hall review - a riveting new string quartet This Guillaume Connesson UK premiere is a fine companion to Schubert and Beethoven

Sound Unwrapped Launch, Kings Place review - ravishing combination of ancient and modern Moonscapes, drums and viola da gamba in a dizzying opening mini-festival

First Person: Kings Place Artistic and Executive Director Helen Wallace on a year of 'Sound Unwrapped' 'A wild swim through celestial sounds': this year's innovative programme runs the gamut

Watts, BBCSO, Wigglesworth, Barbican review - clarity, control and focus A major new song cycle, and distinctive Mahler

Yevgeny Sudbin, World Heart Beat Embassy Gardens review - phenomenal pianism in close-up A recital with contrast and balance

Lowe, The Mozartists, Page, Wigmore Hall - an education, not quite a triumph Curate’s-egg focus on the year 1773 finds first-rate performers sometimes in trouble

Faust, Tamestit, EBS, Gardiner, St Martin-in-the-Fields review - countless shades of brilliant Two great communicative soloists up the joy factor of an already dazzling evening

Classical CDs: Musical saws, keyed fiddles and kestrels Czech symphonies, contemporary chamber music and a well-matched quartet coupling

Benedetti, Hallé, Elder, Bridgewater Hall, Manchester review - essays in transparency Taking Szymanowski's Second Violin Concerto to a near-capacity house

Follow @theartsdesk