Tilbury, BBC Scottish Symphony Orchestra, Volkov, Royal Albert Hall

Experimentalists Cage, Cardew, Feldman and Skempton given rare Proms slot

by Igor ToronyilalicSunday, 22 August 2010

John Cage preparing a piano: 'My mind was always drawn back to the unforgettable metallic clatter of the Cage, which after the initial roar took on the shape of a fanfare'

A metallic shower rained down upon us as five percussionists of the BBC Scottish Symphony Orchestra's percussion sextet unleashed the meteoric potential of five huge metal thundersheets on our unsuspecting ears, and percussionist number six, a pianist, encouraged her muzzled instrument (a metal brace lying across its stringed body) to gnash away rhythmically and to dance amid the downpour. 1939 was when John Cage came up with this breathtakingly original, endlessly exhilarating work, First Construction (in Metal), that opened this late-night Prom. It was the most invigorating 10 minutes I've had at the Proms so far.

Treatise Project, Goldsmiths review - potent symbols reveal rich music potential

Explore topics

Share this article

The future of Arts Journalism

You can stop theartsdesk.com closing!

We urgently need financing to survive. Our fundraising drive has thus far raised £33,000 but we need to reach £100,000 or we will be forced to close. Please contribute here: https://gofund.me/c3f6033d

And if you can forward this information to anyone who might assist, we’d be grateful.

Subscribe to theartsdesk.com

Thank you for continuing to read our work on theartsdesk.com. For unlimited access to every article in its entirety, including our archive of more than 15,000 pieces, we're asking for £5 per month or £40 per year. We feel it's a very good deal, and hope you do too.

To take a subscription now simply click here.

And if you're looking for that extra gift for a friend or family member, why not treat them to a theartsdesk.com gift subscription?

more Classical music

Gigashvili, Hallé, Cox, Bridgewater Hall, Manchester review - beauty and style from a winning pianist Music and ‘noise’ come together as new music meets Mozart and Tchaikovsky

Giltburg, Pavel Haas Quartet, Wigmore Hall review - into the labyrinth of a Martinů masterpiece Fierce Czech first half followed by more storm but also balm in Brahms

Tiffin Youth Choir, London Philharmonic Orchestra and Chorus, Jurowski, RFH review - perfect detachment suits public statements Poised Haydn and John Adams in a surprising sequence

Celtic Connections: Orchestral Qawwali Project, GRIT Orchestra review - two concerts showcasing the cross-genre power of an orchestra Orchestral music imagined in many ways in Glasgow's global music festival

Sun Rings, Sacconi Quartet, Festival Voices, Kings Place review - lift-off for an exhilarating voyage into the unknown A suitably radiant interpretation of a Terry Riley epic

Simón Bolívar Symphony Orchestra, Dudamel, Barbican review - an epic journey from gossamer-like intimacy to apocalyptic rage An orchestra on top form in Mahler's Third Symphony despite swirling controversies

German National Orchestra, Marshall, Cadogan Hall review - sheer youthful exuberance Teenagers on tour bring effusive music-making

Leif Ove Andsnes, Wigmore Hall review - colour and courage, from Hardanger to Majorca Bold and bracing pianism in favourite Chopin and a buried Norwegian treasure

Chamayou, BBC Philharmonic, Wigglesworth, Bridgewater Hall, Manchester review - Boulez with bonbons Assurance and sympathy from Mark Wigglesworth for differing French idioms

Classical CDs: Antiphons, ale dances and elves Big box sets, neglected symphonies and Norwegian songs

Liepe, National Youth Orchestra of Ireland, Cottis, NCH, Dublin review - a spirited shot at Shostakovich All energy devoted to a symphonic epic, played with total commitment

Davis, National Symphony Orchestra, Maloney, National Concert Hall, Dublin review - operetta in excelsis World-class soprano provides the wow factor in fascinating mostly-Viennese programme

Follow @theartsdesk