Prom 32: Mahler 3, BBC NOW/ONB/BBC NCW/CBSO Children's Chorus, B. Taylor / Bancroft

[bluestateprommer]

Monday 11 August 2025
19:00
Royal Albert Hall

Mahler: Symphony No. 3 in D minor

Beth Taylor, mezzo-soprano
CBSO Children’s Chorus
BBC National Chorus of Wales (upper voices)

BBC National Orchestra of Wales
Orchestre National de Bretagne (Proms debut ensemble)

Ryan Bancroft, conductor

https://www.bbc.co.uk/events/evvhj5

https://www.royalalberthall.com/tickets/proms/bbc-proms-2025/mahlers-third

https://www.bbc.co.uk/programmes/m002gr4m

[french frank]

‘A symphony should be like the world. it should embrace everything.’

[Roger Webb]

I notice that this Mahler Symphony is to be played by an orchestra made up of members of the BBC Nat. Orch. of Wales and their Celtic cousins the Orchestre de Bretagne.

I'm not sure this orchestra has played at the Proms before....I know some of their recordings on the Timpani label, mainly Breton composers: Ropartz, Cras and one of my favourites Paul le Flem, his 1st Symphony I have a real soft-spot for. It has to be said that on this recording (Timpani 1C1123) the orchestral sound is, on first hearing, not great - it reminds me of 1950s film sound, and, as such works quite well!....a soundtrack for an imaginary documentary featuring the Breton coastline, perhaps!

[Ein Heldenleben]

I notice that this Mahler Symphony is to be played by an orchestra made up of members of the BBC Nat. Orch. of Wales and their Celtic cousins the Orchestre de Bretagne.

I'm not sure this orchestra has played at the Proms before....I know some of their recordings on the Timpani label, mainly Breton composers: Ropartz, Cras and one of my favourites Paul le Flem, his 1st Symphony I have a real soft-spot for. It has to be said that on this recording (Timpani 1C1123) the orchestral sound is, on first hearing, not great - it reminds me of 1950s film sound, and, as such works quite well!....a soundtrack for an imaginary documentary featuring the Breton coastline, perhaps!

They’re sounding pretty good so far…

[jonfan]

They’re sounding pretty good so far…

Yes really very good, in superb sound.

[edashtav]

They’re sounding pretty good so far…

Mahler may have to their joint rescue.
lGustave Mahler, the director of the Vienna Royal Opera, lately saved a man from drowning. When praised for his courage, Mahler said I couldn't afford to let him drown. a first-class clarinet-player, and there’s vacancy in orchestra now.”

Report in Birmingham Gazette during 1901.

Yes, the orchestras have sounded big, confident and thrilling in the climaxes throughout the first movement at, possibly, the expense of subtlety.
After another movement, I shall remove my question mark over subtlety as it was as airy and light as a good soufflé. Ryan Bancroft is controlling his mongrel forces with flair and aplomb. I’m really enjoying this performance!

[Ein Heldenleben]

Yes really very good, in superb sound.

The sound balance is truly excellent - that distant snare drum and now offstage trumpet creating a very vivid and convincing sound picture,

[Roger Webb]

lGustave Mahler, the director of the Vienna Royal Opera, lately saved a man from drowning.

A curious parallel with the Breton composer I mention above in #3, as Jean Cras once dived into the sea to save a man from drowning (his memorial in Brest reminds us of this)......in fact he may have saved many from drowning in another way, as he was the inventor of the Régle Cras, a protractor for laying off a course at sea accurately - an instrument still used today....although GPS is probably making inroads!

[Roger Webb]

The sound balance is truly excellent - that distant snare drum and now offstage trumpet creating a very vivid and convincing sound picture,

Yes, the snare caught my attention too, listening on the Quads its location was deep at the back....perfectly engineered.

And the two orchestras have jelled well....I wonder if the trumpet soloist was of the school of John Wallace or Maurice André!!

[edashtav]

I doubt that Ryan Bancroft is such a martinet. / stickler for detail. Here is Gustav throwing his weight around in the Autumn of 1991, according to the Gossip Column of the Yorkshire Evening Post:

BAD FOR FALSTAFF.

The director of the Imperial Opera at Vienna, Gustav Mahler, is a strict discip!inarian. In the rehearsal for Nicolai’s ‘ Merry Wives of Windsor,’ Herr Grenge, who plays the role of Falstaff, returned to the stage, after having been ejected from the clothes basket into the water.
The director cried, “Herr Grenge. Herr Grengg! What cloak are you wearing?” “My usual Falstaff mantle,” answered the artist.
“But you are just out of the water, your cloak must be dripping.”
The confreres of Herr Grengg wish him the. joy of the nightly wetting, which he hopes the director will be persuaded to excuse.

I wrote that whilst Ryan was extremely accommodating with his mezzo soloist, Beth Taylor. No martinet, he!
on … to the Bim Bam chorus which always makes me lol.

[Ein Heldenleben]

Yes, the snare caught my attention too, listening on the Quads its location was deep at the back....perfectly engineered.

And the two orchestras have jelled well....I wonder if the trumpet soloist was of the school of John Wallace or Maurice André!!

I’m on Harbeth’s. The sound perspective on the various trumpet sections was truly magical.

[edashtav]

Some wonderful string band ensued. Gosh, this performance is one of the stand-out gems of this Proms season. Long live the entente cordiale.

[Roger Webb]

I’m on Harbeth’s. The sound perspective on the various trumpet sections was truly magical.

Yes, and the positional detail on the boys' 'bim bams' truly exceptional.....whoever did the sound can be pretty pleased with him or herself.

[edashtav]

A curious parallel with the Breton composer I mention above in #3, as Jean Cras once dived into the sea to save a man from drowning (his memorial in Brest reminds us of this)......in fact he may have saved many from drowning in another way, as he was the inventor of the Régle Cras, a protractor for laying off a course at sea accurately - an instrument still used today....although GPS is probably making inroads!

Goodness gracious me, you know your French onions, Roger!

[Roger Webb]

Goodness gracious me, you know your French onions, Roger!

I've just finished the red wine, so I'll take the Cognac Ed! Cheers!

Tremendous concert....I should have been there....