Elgar's 'Pomp and Circumstance March No 1' contains the tune which is sung as "Land of Hope and Glory". In the Last Night of the Proms this section of the piece was described as "the trio". How is it a trio? It doesn't seem to be a tune for three performers, that's certain! So what does 'trio' mean here?

Hi Fred,

www.elgar.org explains it as follows:

"A trio was originally the central section of a dance tune, so called because it was played by three instruments. It is normally in a different key from a work’s main melody."

Incidentally, how did you find the Proms this year? I know you had tickets for several concerts this time round, but haven't seen you submit any write-ups since the First Night...

http://www.elgar.org/3pomp-a.htm

quote:

Originally posted by Colin, Paris,

Incidentally, how did you find the Proms this year? I know you had tickets for several concerts this time round, but haven't seen you submit any write-ups since the First Night...

Of the half a dozen or so, the first night Elgar cello concerto was dull. The experts say that this is technically easy to play.So it may be but that doesn't make it easy to perform Most performances lack something. Not everyone approves of Du Pre's first recording of it but she did bring a certain youthful paasion to it without 'hamming it up'.This man's performance played as though he'd learnt the notes and could read the time signatures. That was it.

The Last Night was marked by the performance of a Russian soprano prancing mischievously around the stage flirting and giving flowers to the prommers and the orchestra in mid aria Very refreshing. It was, as usual, spoiled by the nonsense of having 'national' songs in the sea shanties. 'Tom Bowling' and a hornpipe are not improved by adding a choir singing 'All through the Night' or 'Londonderry Air' to them. This always jars.These 'national' songs were introduced to make the evening less English, apparently. I always thought it was British, not English. The only non-English sentiment in it would be if they sang that bit of the National Anthem about crushing the rebellious Scots

The two highlights for me were 1) the European Youth Orchestra teamed with our youth orchestra to play Sibelius' 5th under Colin Davis.A man in his eighties conducting players in their twenties They can certainly play ! The whole piece worked beautifully

2) not at the Albert Hall but in that newish hall, the Cadogan. This was a church off Sloane Square and is now converted to a fine venue for chamber and small orchestral works.It was Angela Hewitt [swoon!] playing Bach partitas et al.Can't say that I'm a great fan of Bach but this pianist makes it all work so well.(Her recording of Chopin Nocturnes is one of the best I've ever heard: it's a pity, in a way, that she is such a Bach specialist) It such a nuanced performance, not that you are conscious of the art involved in it.You only notice the art if you listen very carefully to her recordings a few times and have the benefit of her own commentary.Ars est celare artem could be her motto. Her skill is, indeed, in concealing the skill.She is amusing to watch. She sings along. Happily she does so silently: she's no Glenn Gould

Note: Angela Hewitt has a geriatric fan club She was in the foyer, to sign copies of her latest cd . The queue of over a hundred was at least 70% over sixty All her performances are over-subscribed. Her next concert in London is in December and sold out already. She has an enormous work load. Her current tour (this sounds more and more like a rock band ) is something like 150 concerts all over the world.

Thanks for this extensive report, Fred. But telle me - what was the first name of the guy who conducted the European Youth Orchestra so impressively? Something to be proud of, I'm sure

quote:

Originally posted by Colin, Paris, France:
Thanks for this extensive report, Fred. But telle me - what was the first name of the guy who conducted the European Youth Orchestra so impressively? Something to be proud of, I'm sure

The night I was there, for the Sibelius, it was Sir Colin Davis. Not sure who their regular conductor is, if they have one. A check suggests that they have a number of eminent guest conductors for big occasions: in the past they've had Abbado and Ashkenazy, for example.Colin Davis was another on that night.

quote:

Originally posted by FredPuli:
Note: Angela Hewitt has a geriatric fan club She was in the foyer, to sign copies of her latest cd . The queue of over a hundred was at least 70% over sixty All her performances are over-subscribed. Her next concert in London is in December and sold out already. She has an enormous work load. Her current tour (this sounds more and more like a rock band ) is something like 150 concerts all over the world.

I am obviously doing something right here in choosing the classical music I listen to, because I have had
Angela Hewitt's Bach piano arrangements on loan from the library for several weeks. I can't bear to return it, it's so beautiful.
Then, last week I was listening to the CBC and heard an interview with Angela Hewitt, who is Canadian. Apparently she is in the middle of a world tour, but stopped off at her mother's nursing home in Ottawa to play for the residents:

Angela Hewitt is one of Canada's most celebrated musicians. The pianist has garnered international acclaim for her talent, particularly for her interpretation of the work of Johann Sebastian Bach. During the course of her career, Ms. Hewitt has played in some of the world's most important recital halls. But today, she played a venue that was decidedly more low-key - but no less special. Ms. Hewitt was in her hometown of Ottawa this afternoon, performing a free concert for residents of her mother's long-term care home at the Elizabeth Bruyere Health Centre. CBC

Here's the full article from the Ottawa Citizen.

Well, dg, now try to get her Chopin nocturnes and see what you think !