As Fi Bows to Peer Pressure

It was Prom 57 tonight (not 57 for me, that would be a tad excessive, but the 57th Prom this season/year) and it boasted an impressive orchestra - the New York Philharmonic - playing an even more impressive selection to a packed audience.

Gershwin’s Piano Concerto in F Major was on the agenda, as was Stravinsky’s Rite of Spring, but first up was the world premiere of a BBC/New York Philharmonic commissioned work by Steven Stucky called Rhapsodies. While I enjoyed it, and it was ten times better than the overly modern pieces that have premiered this year at the Proms I’ve been at, I’m not sure I felt much from it.

Gershwin, however, was perfect and I thoroughly enjoyed the whole thing, got completely and totally wrapped up in it. I had forgotten how much I loved the quirkiness of his music.

Stravinsky’s Rite of Spring was a grand contrast to the first two and the sound was so deep around Royal Albert Hall. It was the first time I’d heard it played live (as with the Gershwin) but with this it sounded so much more alive and different to how it does as a recording. It was, wait for it, a beautiful cacophony of melodic delirium and dissonance and I loved it.

And that is all for tonight . . .