Prom 13: Sunday 24th July: Verdi Requiem

[mercia]

I thought Donald Macleod’s quiet words of condolence to the people of Norway after the performance was very apt.

I agree. I thought Mr Macleod sounded close to tears. I wish either he or Mr Cowan could introduce all the proms ............ pigs might fly.
I'm looking forward to the television broadcast of this performance, not least to see the cimbasso in action. The tenor was the stand-out soloist for me, a gorgeous voice. How did Mr Bychkov maintain that silence? Did his arms remain aloft?

[Chris Newman]

How did Mr Bychkov maintain that silence? Did his arms remain aloft?

He just stood with his head bowed towards the score.

I am not sure Furlanetto was on top form - as he kept holding his nose ! but he still managed to convey the operatic element of the part better than i have ever heard.

I am pretty sure it was a gesture (not quite a cross) each time he heard the word "Domine". I may be wrong.

IGI, thank you for that beautiful review (Message 3).

[Mahlerei]

Operatic? Hell, yes! It was a magnificent performance. My review is already up on the website:

http://www.opera-britannia.com/index...iews&Itemid=16

Good one, IGI Will definitely listen to this on the iPlayer tonight.

[NickWraight]

Bychkov's baton hand was against his chest at the end and after a few seconds he began to slowly lower it with a bowed head - well judged and thoughtful. Given the number of times he has conducted the BBCSO lately I can't help thinking he may well be in line for replacing Beholavek in 2012...

[perfect wagnerite]

I've just been catching up with this on iPlayer and I agree that it was an extraordinarily fine and moving performance. Yes, Bychkov is often slow (with a generous sprinkling of ritardando to boot) but it worked. For me this was a performance that achieved greatness in the quiet, contemplative moments with a quartet of soloists who really sang as an ensemble and whose soft singing was very beautiful. I'm not a huge fan of Calleja, whose fast vibrato can IMO come dangerously close to a bleat, but he sang gorgeously here.

[Chris Newman]

Nick Wraight,

A little bird told me the BBCSO really love Bychkov who is a free agent at present (and Manfred Honeck, though they have lost him to Pittsburg). In the past Boulez and Rozdhestvensky were got in by the orchestral players' requests so it is not unknown. On the other hand is JB due to go in 2012? He takes over the Czech Phil then but is quite used to having two orchestras on the go. I reckon the BBC are also after Lionel Bringuier for one of their outfits if a vacancy occurs at the right time.

[Prommer]

As I have said before, sadly there is not a chance in hell that Bychkov would take over the BBCSO...Berlin Phil more like!

[EnemyoftheStoat]

According to a Czech news report of Dec 2010 which I am unable to link to here for some reason:

"A year ago he [JB] received an offer to extend his contract but he did not accept it, saying his work with the orchestra was sufficiently long and it fulfilled both parties' expectations. However, he will be returning to the BBC Orchestra as a guest conductor.
Belohlavek will end in his current position in London with the last concert of the BBC Proms festival on September 8, 2012."

[Chris Newman]

A few early reviews:


Classical Source: http://www.classicalsource.com/db_co...ew.php?id=9403

Daily Telegraph: http://www.telegraph.co.uk/culture/m...ll-review.html

Evening Standard:http://www.thisislondon.co.uk/music/...ll---review.do

The Guardian: http://www.guardian.co.uk/music/2011...requiem-review

[Il Grande Inquisitor]

Good one, IGI Will definitely listen to this on the iPlayer tonight.

Thanks mahlerei and Chris. It was such a staggeringly good performance, it was worth writing through the night to get the review up.

I don't think anyone who heard Lebrecht's R3 interview with Bychkov last Monday would imagine he'd be remotely interested in becoming chief conductor of the BBCSO. He said that he enjoys travelling around different orchestras, rehearsing them, making music together and then moving on; that way you have no reason to make enemies of musicians. He was obviously badly burnt by the O de Paris experience.