A Night at the Proms

The Proms or more accurately as it is now known “BBC Proms” is an institution and something that I’ve had on my bucket list for quite a while. As it says in Wikipedia most people if asked would cite The Last Night as their view of the Proms. This appears to me to be a jingoistic, rabble rousing event that isn’t what I was after. Instead we chose an event that as part of the programme inluded The Planets.

RAH

The Royal Albert Hall is the most beautiful building both inside and out and the most perfect place for the Proms to be held. I’ve seen a number of rock gigs here over the years (Steven Wilson, Marillion and Steve Hackett) and even seen Cirque du Soleil here once but seeing classical music here seems the most appropriate.

The concert did have something most unexpected and something that I would have thought more appropriate for a rock gig – the flat area was all standing! ( ˶°ㅁ°) !! Were the first violinist’s groupies at the front and would there be a mosh pit? (No and No). This wasn’t the only place people were standing. Up on the 5th floor there is a wide walkway and people were stood here looking down onto the action below. We, meanwhile, were sat on the tiered seating on the first level which had an excellent view.

One hand clapping

The programme for tonight was: Jean Sibelius, The Wood Nymph, a new piece by Laura Poe and Gustav Holst, The Planets. The Sibelius was enjoyable, the Poe was, *ahem*, challenging and the Holst absolutely sublime.

Nothing beats the sound of a full orchestra strings and tonight this one had about 50 violins along with another 25 odd cellists and bassists. The Planets is also a spectacular piece of music to watch as all the strings saw back and forth. Especially during the first movement – Mars, the Bringer of War.

But when to clap? The desire to clap at the end of a movement is overwhelming and I found myself having to work very hard and concentrate not to bring my hands together at the end of each movement. Having been to so many contemporary music gigs where clapping at the end of each song is the norm this was all very alien.

As the suite progressed it reminded me of two things: Star Wars and school. There were so many themes and motifs in The Planets that had more than a passing similarity to Williams’ score for Star Wars that I’m surprised Williams didn’t sue (it’s a joke).

Jupiter, the Bringer of Jollity, of course, has a section taken from it that’s used as the music for the hymn “I vow to Thee, my Country” one of the only things I remember fondly from school. I still know the words to this verse and remember signing them with gusto at assembly.

I vow to thee, my country, all earthly things above,
Entire and whole and perfect, the service of my love;
The love that asks no questions, the love that stands the test,
That lays upon the altar the dearest and the best;
The love that never falters, the love that pays the price,
The love that makes undaunted the final sacrifice.

I throughly enjoyed the experience and would happily go back again if we found the right piece of music. Tonight, for example, is the Doctor Who Prom which I am sure would be an excellent choice. In the meantime I can relive the event by watching it on iPlayer here.