I didn't go to any Proms this year. I watched very few on TV and listened to even fewer on the radio. Sometimes it's nice to have a break, have the summer 'off', watch the Olympics and other stuff.
And last night was the culmination of the Proms season, the final one of 78 concerts that offered a varied fare. I looked at the season and thought that although there were few 'must sees' (well, about one, actually, and the date didn't suit) there were plenty of attractive ones.
I was really pleased to watch the Last Night last night, especially the first half. Indeed, the first half made me wish I had been there. Totally splendid throughout. (Yes, of course, I could offer up criticism but that would be carping about details when sometimes it's the big picture that matters). I can't decide which piece I preferred, Puccini's Te Deum from Tosca or the Beethoven Choral Fantasia. The Te Deum is a marvellous goose-pimple piece even when performed half-heartedly; there was nothing half-hearted about that. A large orchestra and a massed choir meant that it was going to be good. Add in an amazing Scarpia scowling his way through with his wonderful voice...Bryn Terfel is fabulous. I know I criticise him in respect of his half-heartedness; that half-heartedness does not extend to when he's on stage. Three very different arias from Wagner, Puccini and Verdi (in the fat suit...!) brought the house down.
Top that!
And, quite possibly, it was topped, but only just, only arguably. I so adore the Choral Fantasia, quite possibly one of my favourite pieces. I have never heard it performed live; I realised that I had never even seen it performed on the TV. The commentators were saying that it is rarely performed because of the challenge in assembling a top pianist, an ensemble of soloists and a large choir. I don't really know what separates a really good pianist from a pretty good one, but I really liked Helene Grimaud's performance.
And then there was the second half, which was waht it was, for better or worse...
