In a night of British unity that even the SNP would approve of, the BBC Scottish Symphony Orchestra headed south to the Royal Albert Hall to play an evening showcasing the works of some of the greatest English composers. Led by chief conductor Donald Runnicles, the orchestra performed some famous and other lesser-known pieces from the early decades of the 20th century. The concert featured some notable performances and Prom debuts for both performers and pieces.
John Foulds’ ‘Dynamic Triptych’ made its BBC Proms debut more than eighty years after its completion. The piece is tanned by Foulds’ intrigue into Eastern music; he experimented with the music of India and integrated irregular rhythms into his work. He was a professional pianist at the time of composing and working in Paris, creating soundtracks for silent films while dreaming of lands far away. Ashley Wass played admirably throughout the ‘Triptych’ when called upon. ‘Dynamic Mode’, a toccata like opening to the piece, is based on an Indian, seven note scale which brought some mysticism and spirituality to the Royal Albert Hall. The second movement, ‘Dynamic Timbre’, is calmer, building slowly and giving Wass an ounce of respite before the climactic ‘Dynamic Rhythm’.
Next, 16 young soloists joined us onstage for Ralph Vaughn William’s ‘Serenade to Music’. Fittingly written as a tribute to the founder of The Proms, Sir Henry Wood would go on to conduct its first performance in this very building, the latest generation of young Scottish talent worked superbly with the strings, oboes and harps, making us long for eras gone by.
After the interval we retook our seats for the second Vaughn Williams’ piece of the evening and the Proms debut of the precocious Nicola Benedetti. She would perform the almost legendary violin part of ‘The Lark Ascending’. So popular is this work today that it is often voted as the public’s favourite piece of classical music ever written. Miss Benedetti stood assured on stage and made her violin flutter, each note ringing throughout the Hall. The piece is breathtaking, transporting one to quintessentially English summer fields. It left me seriously questioning my decision to move into the Big Smoke.
The night would end with Sir Edward Elgar’s ‘First Symphony No.1 in A flat major’ and what a finish it was. One of two of Elgar’s completed symphonies; this piece usually comes in at over 50 minutes, and requires the conductor and orchestra to walk a fine line, balancing the intricacies of the piece and its volume. Mr. Runnicles excelled in his control and the orchestra was one, executing their individual roles to perfection.
More Elgar at The Proms
Prom 67, 5th September
More Elgar and Vaughn Williams at The Proms
Prom 76, 11th September
For more information, and to book tickets, please go to www.bb.co.uk/proms.
