Prom 21: Saturday 30th July at 7.30 p.m. (Strauss, Walton, Prokofiev)

[Eine Alpensinfonie]

Presented by Rob Cowan

A Prom full of orchestral spectacle and panache. The centrepiece is Prokofiev's patriotic cantata based on music he wrote for Eisenstein's film about the epic struggles of the medieval Russian hero, Alexander Nevsky. Richard Strauss's hero, Don Juan, is less bloodthirsty but every bit as colourful, while Salome is one of Strauss's most seductive heroines. Violinist Midori joins the CBSO and Andris Nelsons for Walton's Concerto - a dramatic and lyrical work that makes huge technical demands on the soloist.

R.Strauss: Don Juan
Walton:Violin Concerto
Prokofiev:Alexander Nevsky - cantata
R.Strauss: Salome - Dance of the Seven Veils


Midori (violin)
Nadezhda Serdiuk (mezzo-soprano)
CBSO Chorus
City of Birmingham Symphony Orchestra
Andris Nelsons (conductor)

[Boilk]

Delayed relay on BBC 2 (same evening) if you need an excuse not to go!

[Mahlerei]

I have a feeling this will be a cracking Nevsky. Will definitely watch this Prom. Only heard Nelsons once, in a very compelling performance of DSCH 8, which can be found in The Digital Concert Hall's expanding archive.

[Tevot]

It is good to see Nevsky surviving in its own right as music and at least to my ears is an improvement on the score that accompanied the Eisenstein Film which with its ham acting, ill fitting Teutonic helmets that look like buckets and polystyrene foam masquerading as ice hasn't imo survived the test of time all that well. Looking forward to the Strauss too.

Best Wishes,

Tevot

[Eine Alpensinfonie]

Walton's Violin Concerto has long been a personal favourite, having heard it initially in a live concert. The artificial close miking of many recorded versions has meant that it has been difficult to re-live that live concert experience, but Kyung Wha Chung's Decca recording seems to press all the right buttons.

[Roehre]

Walton's Violin Concerto .... Kyung Wha Chung's Decca recording seems to press all the right buttons.

I bought that LP for the Stravinsky violin concerto. But it didn't take much time to take it from the shelve (where it was placed under Stravinsky) and place it under the W of Walton. I agree fully that Kyung Wha Chung's recording (with Walton present, what a lovely pictures of him and Chung on the LP sleeve) is one of the most sensual (don't know a better word for what I mean here) available.

Certainly looking forward to the Nevsky-cantata.

[EdgeleyRob]

Walton's Violin Concerto has long been a personal favourite,

A favourite of mine too. I am looking forward to this concert (I don't know the prokofiev so will listen with interest).

[Pianorak]

. . . Kyung Wha Chung's Decca recording [of Walton/Stravinsky] seems to press all the right buttons.

For me as well - although it's the only recording of the Walton I have, so can't compare.
Just bought the Strauss/Respighi Violin Sonatas with her and K. Zimerman (on CD though).

[Ferretfancy]

I watched the DVD of Eisenstein's famous film recently, parts of it are still amazing, especially the Battle on the Ice. Prokofiev worked very closely with the director, using a kind of storyboard to outline the dramatic elements in the shooting script. It's a great pity that the original Soviet era sound techniques were rather poor, it's quite difficult to hear much detail in the music, and this has lead to a few screenings with a real orchestra taking over, but I haven't been lucky enough to catch one. I'm just off to find a good spot in the Arena, it should be a great evening.

[Serial_Apologist]

one of the most sensual (don't know a better word for what I mean here) available.

How about ESsensual - to chime with "Classics"?