Prom 45 (15.8.12): São Paulo Symphony Orchestra

[Eine Alpensinfonie]

Wednesday 15 August at 7.30 p.m.
Royal Albert Hall

Dvorák: Symphony No. 9 in E minor, 'From the New World' (45 mins)
Copland: Fanfare for the Common Man (4 mins)
Joan Tower: Fanfare for the Uncomman Woman (3 mins)
Villa-Lobos: Momoprécoce (28 mins)
Ginastera: Estancia – suite (12 mins)

Nelson Freire piano
São Paulo Symphony Orchestra
Marin Alsop conductor

Music from both American Hemispheres features tonight. First the masterpiece through which the Bohemian Dvorák, resident in New York, sought to establish an American musical identity, a symphony exuding nostalgia for his own native woods and fields. Later comes Copland's iconic Fanfare and highlights from Ginastera's best-known score. Joan Tower, whose childhood was spent partly in Bolivia, celebrates 'women who take risks and are adventurous', while distinguished Brazilian pianist, Nelson Freire, returns to the Proms to play one of Villa-Lobos's most attractive compositions.

[Lateralthinking1]

Wednesday 15 August at 7.30 p.m.
Royal Albert Hall

Dvorák: Symphony No. 9 in E minor, 'From the New World' (45 mins)
Copland: Fanfare for the Common Man (4 mins)
Joan Tower: Fanfare for the Uncomman Woman (3 mins)
Villa-Lobos: Momoprécoce (28 mins)
Ginastera: Estancia – suite (12 mins)

Nelson Freire piano
São Paulo Symphony Orchestra
Marin Alsop conductor

Music from both American Hemispheres features tonight. First the masterpiece through which the Bohemian Dvorák, resident in New York, sought to establish an American musical identity, a symphony exuding nostalgia for his own native woods and fields. Later comes Copland's iconic Fanfare and highlights from Ginastera's best-known score. Joan Tower, whose childhood was spent partly in Bolivia, celebrates 'women who take risks and are adventurous', while distinguished Brazilian pianist, Nelson Freire, returns to the Proms to play one of Villa-Lobos's most attractive compositions.

Very much looking forward to this one tonight.

[OldTechie]

Well, that was fun.

[Alison]

Fresh.

[Lateralthinking1]

Fresh.

A triumph!

Oddly, "fresh" was the word I had for the Dvorak. The largo is so familiar that it can easily sound stale but this didn't. A good opener.

I love Copland's FFTCM and they did it very well, although I have heard better. The Joan Tower response (retort?) was fascinating enough.

But then it got really interesting. The Villa-Lobos was absolutely fantastic - I'd never heard it before and was stunned by its intricacy - and the Ginastera was very good indeed. Both were fun. So too the encore.

Have to say that I am not a great fan of a lot of banging and crashing in classical music but there was real panache to it all and tender moments interwoven.

It was also helpful to have some context via Proms Plus.

Is this on BBC2 or not on Saturday? I am getting very confused about the TV coverage.

[prokkyshosty]

I suppose these days the Villa Lobos would be considered dated, but I too thought it was really fantastic. Such cheerful music! It reminded me quite a bit of Milhaud's Carnival d'Aix... and now I read that Villa Lobos and Milhaud were fast friends when the latter visited Brazil in 1918.

And whenever the concert is repeated on TV, it will be worth watching just for Marin Alsop's dancing during Estancia (conducted without score, as well!)

There was a second unannounced encore in the hall only; perhaps someone will be able to fill us in on what it was?

[Caliban]

Oh dear. I'd better not say much or I'll be called a misery. Back from the hall, and...



... the first encore was great!

(Call me upbeat!)

[prokkyshosty]

But Caliban, with your smiling shostakovian avatar, how could you ever be considered a misery?

[Caliban]

But Caliban, with your smiling shostakovian avatar, how could you ever be considered a misery?

[rodney_h_d]

.....Is this on BBC2 or not on Saturday? I am getting very confused about the TV coverage.

Yes - at least it is according to the Radio Times Proms Guide!