BBC Proms – Down At The Front

Saturday Matinee Prom 4 – Pierre Boulez at 90

Paul Hudson — Wed, 16 Sep 2015 11:25:56 +0000

I’ve not been enthralled by the main Proms this year. But I have in the main enjoyed the Saturday afternoon Proms at Cadogan Hall. Today’s was part of the celebration of Pierre Boulez’s 90th Birthday. Somebody, I have to admit, I haven’t really listened to. These Proms for me are a better mix than the main Proms. They concentrate on shorter pieces and mix in new composers and I’ve found most these new pieces interesting and challenging. Today’s was no exception. I walked away with a new found respect for Boulez.

Prom 48 and Prom 50

Paul Hudson — Thu, 27 Aug 2015 20:58:29 +0000

Prom 48: Late-night Bach

Prom 50: Goldberg Variations

Prom 19: Alina Ibragimova plays Bach

Paul Hudson — Sun, 09 Aug 2015 21:55:44 +0000

A late night Prom of Bach. Played by beautifully by the soloist, Alina Ibragimova

Prom 14 and 15

Paul Hudson — Sun, 09 Aug 2015 21:52:34 +0000

My first two nights at the main Proms. Prom 14: Prokofiev – the piano concertos, and Prom 15: Prokofiev, Qigang Chen & Rachmaninov.

Prom 14 turned out to be a bit of torturous prom. Five piano concertos from Prokofiev was probably two, too many. 3 1/2 hours of Prokofiev is probably enough for anyone. Don’t get me wrong. Some of the playing was sublime. The third piece especially was a bit special. But by the time the fifth started. There were a lot of people around me (including me) struggling stay attentive.

Proms Saturday Matinee 1: Birmingham Contemporary Music Group at Cadogan Hall

Paul Hudson — Fri, 07 Aug 2015 16:43:17 +0000

First Prom of 2015 was a Saturday afternoon Prom at Cadogan Hall playing music from Boulez, Betsy Jones and new pieces from Shiori Usui and Joanna Lee. All music and composers I’m not familiar with. So it was an interesting programme of music. The Boulez I like a lot. I wasn’t overly taken by Betsy Jones piece or the Joanne Lee piece. But I did like the new piece from Shiori about fungi.

Eclectic Night

Paul Hudson — Wed, 08 Oct 2014 21:28:00 +0000

First up, my first 2014 Prom for an evening of Shostakovich, Bartok and Tavener

Then hotfooting across London using a combination of buses and Tube I made it to the Lexington to catch the end of the Mammoth Penguin set. The two songs I caught I thought were really good.

Next up were Allo Darlin’, a band I like on record. But wasn’t overly impressed by them live. However, as I was meeting some friends I thought I’d give them another try. But tonight I felt the same as the first time. I guess I’ll stick to listening to them on record.

Nigel Kennedy at the BBC Proms

Paul Hudson — Fri, 19 Aug 2011 20:24:14 +0000

Prom 4: Brian – The Gothic Symphony

Paul Hudson — Fri, 19 Aug 2011 20:20:19 +0000