Monthly Archives: August 2017

Prom 60: Petrenko and the Oslo Philharmonic wind up the decibel meter in Shostakovich

Posted on August 30, 2017 by Mark Pullinger

Oslo Philharmonic/ Vasily Petrenko **** Prom 60, Royal Albert Hall, 29th August 2017 There could hardly be a noisier way to commemorate the centenary of the Russian Revolution than a performance of Dmitri Shostakovich’s mighty Twelfth Symphony. The composer had planned … Continue reading →

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Prom 51: Hearty Elgar from Oramo and the BBCSO

Posted on August 23, 2017 by Mark Pullinger

BBCSO/ Oramo *** Prom 51, Royal Albert Hall, 22nd August 2017 Is traditional English pub grub popular in Helsinki? Perhaps Sakari Oramo got a taste for it during his Birmingham years for there was something “stout and steaky” – to borrow the … Continue reading →

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Prom 42: An exotic banquet to savour from François-Xavier Roth and Les Siècles

Posted on August 17, 2017 by Mark Pullinger

Les Siècles/Roth ***** Prom 42, Royal Albert Hall, 16th August 2017 My reputation in certain quarters for having a sweet tooth is done no favours by delectable concerts like this one. French composers led the orientalist charge in the 19th century, … Continue reading →

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Proms 37/38: A whiff of incense as Dausgaard and the Latvians explore Rachmaninov and religion

Posted on August 14, 2017 by Mark Pullinger

Rachmaninov **** Proms 37-38, Royal Albert Hall, 13th August 2017 “The sound of church bells dominated all the cities of Russia I used to know,” said Sergei Rachmaninov. “They accompanied every Russian from childhood to grave, and no composer could escape their … Continue reading →

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Prom 29: Twilight of the Old Believers as Semyon Bychkov leads a majestic Khovanshchina

Posted on August 7, 2017 by Mark Pullinger

Mussorgsky: Khovanshchina **** Prom 29, Royal Albert Hall, 6th August 2017 At the end of Götterdämmerung, Brünnhilde rides her horse onto a pyre. Although his opera’s not quite as long, Mussorgsky trumps Wagner by sending a whole chorus to their immolation as Act … Continue reading →

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