Previewing the first weekend of Proms concerts, it was easy to see which would be the least compelling for this grown-up: Saturday’s - Music from Great British Films, featuring music by Walton, Vaughan Williams et al. No thanks.
Friday’s opening night gig, the Elgar Cello Concerto and Beethoven 9, had looked stongest before the event; it proved only mildly diverting, straying uncomfortably close to Soothing Classical Crossover Greats for Nice People.
Sunday’s Prom, featuring 18thC opera excerpts by French composer Rameau, had seemed a bit too recherché for this listener. Especially as it was to be decorated by ballet, as it would have been in its 1700s royal court setting.
Wrong! Prom 3 was magnificent, revealing Rameau’s brilliance to a largely unsuspecting new audience. The classical troupe, dancing in front of English Baroque Soloists, were engaging, but they were upstaged by Dance For All, the electrifying South African troupe, backed by the exciting Buskaid Soweto String Ensemble.
Pre-Revolutionary French operatic court music dramatically refreshed by performers from an African slum! Hallelujah! Music is music is music: forget the labels.
This was inspired Proms programming, opening new doors for millions: bravo! The 2007 season is off to a flying start.
Gerry Smith
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