Interact & Reviews / Reviews

Dr Anthony Kaye
I found the first half of this Prom superb, particularly the performance of the Haydn Cello Concerto. I have long been a follower of Roger Norrington's "authentic" performances and was keen to hear how Elgar's superb First Symphony would be interpreted. I would like to say I found the experience rewarding but alas I felt it was like a very cold shower, invigorating yes, but enjoyable, no. Some of Elgar's textures can be quite dense and I am afraid I got lost in the undergrowth of the 3rd and 4th movements. A companion who was with me also confessed to finding it "hard going".

The following day I listened to an aged LP of Sir Adrian Boult conducting the same work and it restored my belief that the symphony is a masterpiece. I am pleased to have had the opportunity to experience a different way with Elgar, but I am afraid it is a route I will not want to travel again. To those who may feel differently and who haven't heard acclaimed interpretations of Elgar's First Symphony conducted by Boult and Solti, I recommend they hear them.

Wally Francis
Roger Norrington always has something unique and interesting to say about almost all music he performs/re-examines and sheds new light on. His performance of Elgar's first symphony was certainly a revalation and a wonderful "new look" at this marvellous work. I will listen to it again and try to come to terms with the very fast closing pages - I'm not sure I will really like it but it was wonderful none the less. It will be facinating to hear Sakari Oramo perform the same work in Birmingham later this year - that will also shed new light on this masterpiece.

C Blandford
Across the radio this prom was amazing. The William Tell overture caught my attention - what a suprise to find out the proms had started earlier, and it was live! The Haydn was good as well, although my main attention was on the Elgar's symphony. After hearing that there would be a difference in Roger Norrington's conducting (a clear vibrato-less tone), I couldn't help but lose concentration in the first movement.

Although the main noblemente theme stood out, for being loud immediately, creating an instant attractive theme.The performance got even better from then on, - no wonder there was wild applause after the second and third movements! My most persistant memory was a clear white tone that was surprising in an Elgar performance, but contrary to my earlier opinion, I liked! Then the final movement was the best, the build up was pitched perfect, and hearing it with the sunset, the dark sky overhead, the silence outside, the final theme evolved into an astounding resolution.

Being not a great fan of the 'period' style (especially with Elgar) the performance did make a good case for the argument, managing to capture a different side of the symphony that I hadnt heard for a while. Thanks to everyone!

Paul Ecclestone-Brown
I only caught the Elgar. I thought I new that music like the back of my hand, but Norrington's direction of that amazing music revealed so much within the texture of the music.

Was the balance of the engineering correct? The harps sounded very loud!The slow speeds of the first two movements left the orchestra nowhere to hide - so I am full of admiration of their technique and ensemble playing. I don't know whether I lked the string sound - in some places it felt out of place, but in other places it created some wonderful effects.

I will be definitely listening again. Much to think about.

Gavin Turner
What a revelatory performance of the Elgar 1st Symphony! One happily endured the odd flashes of dodgy brass tuning for the electrifying effect of the vibrato-less winds and strings.

The steely brass, the wiry string tone revealed a whole new sequence of Elgarian textures, and presented a much more muscular romanticism than the often soft-centred Elgar we are used to.

I still love the slow movement in Barbirolli's or even Elder's more traditional performances, but this was something else. And in the final movement, Norrington's brisk speeds and sometimes surprising speed changes and phrasing made the whole thing sound much less bombastic and more modern than we are used to.

Wonderful! I hope they will record it, if they haven't already.