Prom 9: Thursday 21st July, 2011 at 7.30 p.m. (Sibelius, Bartók, Janácek)

[Eine Alpensinfonie]

Presented by Martin Handley

Two works by Sibelius begin this concert with Sir Mark Elder and the Hallé. Scènes Historiques Suite No 2 reveals the composer's lighter side, opening with The Chase, in which horns are heard through the mist, followed by a wild chase, with impelling rhythms. The great Seventh Symphony has long been admired for its intensity and concision; its conclusion has been called "the grandest celebration of C major there ever was".

Bartók's last completed concerto was written in conditions of great poverty and adversity during the composer's exile in New York, but none of this is apparent from the work itself., which is generally melodic, mellow, even nostalgic in tone. It is championed tonight by András Schiff, appearing at the Proms for the first time since his 2006 solo recital. And, to close, a joyous sequence of sonic snapshots: Janácek's Sinfonietta is his typically bold evocation of a beloved city, the Moravian regional capital, Brno.

Sibelius: Scènes historiques - Suite No. 2
Sibelius: Symphony No. 7 in C major
Bartók: Piano Concerto No. 3
Janácek: Sinfonietta

András Schiff (piano)
Hallé
Sir Mark Elder (conductor)

[Bryn]

Bartók's last completed concerto ...

Completed, yes, but not by Bartók, who did not quite manage the task. The final few bars were the work of Serly et al, IIRC.

[makropulos]

Serly tout seul, I think, Bryn? I don't have my score handy, but I seem to remember it was the last 17 bars that Serly orchestrated/completed. Nice job he made of it too, though I don't know how extensive Bartók's sketches were.

Heck of a nice programme, this one.

[Tevot]

Fully agree with you Makropulos about the programme - and I'll certainly be tuning in. When the schedules were first published I frankly (admittedly on cursory reading) was underwhelmed. However just looking through this forum now I must say there are some interesting concerts that have been programmed - and that's just this coming week :-) !

Best Wishes,

Tevot

[Caliban]

This is going to be my first prom in the hall - what an exciting programme. It suggests to me those programmes of the past which seemed not to conform as much tp the overture-concerto-symphony mould. Can't wait

[salymap]

This is going to be my first prom in the hall - what an exciting programme. It suggests to me those programmes of the past which seemed not to conform as much tp the overture-concerto-symphony mould. Can't wait

Caliban, you mean your first Prom in the hall this year I presume?

[Caliban]

Caliban, you mean your first Prom in the hall this year I presume?

Oooops I do indeed saly!

[Eine Alpensinfonie]

It's on BBC4. The interval "special guests" are more object and less gushing than usual, which can only be a good thing.
The interview with Schiff was interesting. He suggested that there was only one way to play Bartok - the way the composer himself played it. Does that mean I should ditch all but 2 of my CDs of Elgar's Enigma Variations, and 25 Alpensinfonies? :sadface
THERE's some sparkling playing from Schiff tonight, but he's safe as Barto never recorded it.

[LHC]

I could do without the permanent text in the corner of the screen telling me which piece of music we are listening to. Yes I now it's Bartok's piano concerto no 3, that's why I'm watching!

[Bryn]

I forgot all about it being on BBC4. Fortunately there is an early hours repeat. Recorder duly programmed.