First Night of the Proms

Friday 15 July
Prom 1: First Night of the Proms
7.30pm – c. 9.40pm
Royal Albert Hall

Judith Weir
Stars, Night, Music and Light (c4 mins)
BBC Commission, World Premiere

Brahms
Academic Festival Overture (11 mins)

Liszt
Piano Concerto No. 2 in A major (20 mins)

INTERVAL

Janáček
Glagolitic Mass (45 mins)

Benjamin Grosvenor piano
Hibla Gerzmava soprano
Dagmar Pecková mezzo-soprano
Stefan Vinke tenor
Jan Martiník bass
David Goode organ
BBC Singers
BBC Symphony Chorus
BBC Symphony Orchestra
Jiří Bělohlávek conductor

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The concert was good - mostly the Janacek of course. Slightly different version from usual (September 1927 version (pre-premiere), apparently). The performance sounded slightly deconstructed at times, but all the "important" bits were spot-on, especially the various climaxes. The organ was was good too, but I suppose it is difficult not to be impressed by a musical instrument which is the size of a four-bedroom house.

Had front row seat in the Circle, but quite a long way round the right-hand side, so slightly odd sideways view of the stage, and not that good sound. Fortunately though, it was not too hot, despite being 25 degrees today.