Proms 2009 - Looking back with Controller Roger Wright
Post categories: Proms
|10:21 UK Time, Tuesday, 15 September 2009
On Sunday afternoon I attended my first Promenaders' Thanksgiving Service. It took place at Holy Trinity Church on Prince Consort Road and was a lovely moment to reflect on the power of music and the communal spirit of the BBC Proms in general and the Promenaders in particular. The Promenaders organise the service and this year the hymns had been carefully chosen to reflect the four main anniversary composers. The Vicar at the church, Liz Russell, worked for many years in the Proms team and welcomed everyone with her typical warmth and openness. As she explained that the service was for 'people of all faiths and none' she encouraged us during the prayers to 'sit, stand, kneel or, in true promming fashion, lie down'!To be frank I felt like lying down but thought I may not get up for some time so didn't risk it!
There has been a tremendously positive response to the Last Night, not least to the wonderful performances by all involved and the manner in which David Robertson led proceedings. It is a terribly difficult job to conduct the Last Night - so much business to get through, so much music to conduct, the unexpected audiences responses to keep an eye and ear on and keep control of - and the speech! I thought David captured the mood very well indeed and allowed an important moment of calm reflection as well as clearly enjoying himself at the most famous of all musical parties!
I was asked if I felt relief or sadness at the end of this year's festival. It's hard to say but I think my chief feelings are gratitude to all my colleagues who make the Proms possible and huge optimism in the future of music when such large audiences can turn out, want to discover new and unfamiliar work and listen so intensely - and that we have had a huge number (37,000) attend the Proms for the first time this year. Encouraging indeed.
So it is now time to get on and put the finishing touches to the 2010 Proms and launch the new season on Radio 3 - our evening schedule this week allows us to catch up with what has been going on at the Edinburgh International Festival. I remember Sir Brian McMaster, former Director of the EIF saying that he told his audiences to go to Radio 3 until the next festival. I trust that the Proms audiences will follow his advice too!
Comment number 1.
At 09:15 16th Sep 2009, Lumalondon wrote:Dear Roger
I can’t thank you and the entire BBC proms team for a wonderful season. I’ve always followed the proms on TV/Radio but this has been my first promenading season and it has been an experience to remember.
We, my husband and I, were lucky enough to get to know the Promenaders early on in the season. They held a wealth of information about the music, the proms, the history which made the whole experience that much richer and that more enjoyable and for that we’re ever grateful.
I’m not sure if we’re a “Nation built on Tea” but I know for sure that the proms, especially the Last Night, are a perfect representation of Britain with all its diverse cultures and trends.
Looking forward to July 2010
Complain about this comment (Comment number 1)
Comment number 2.
At 14:19 16th Sep 2009, kleines c wrote:I would obviously question whether the proms are a 'perfect' representation of Britain, Lumalondon, with all its diverse cultures and trends. I doubt that perfection is possible in such circumstances, Roger. The best you can do in such circumstances, in my opinion, is to open the door for everyone, and see who turns up.
Nevertheless, as this was your first season fully in charge, Roger, I suspect that it is right to give thanks at Holy Trinity that you pulled it off, so to speak. As for Radio 3 audiences, I doubt that you will hang on to everyone, but I detect a subtle shift towards classical music and serious culture during the recession.
From a personal perspective, I, too, learnt a lot, Roger, so I am, as ever, grateful for the summer masterclass. All the best,
c.
Complain about this comment (Comment number 2)
Comment number 3.
At 01:33 28th Oct 2009, newkiwifan wrote:Dear Roger
I just wanted to thank you and all the people who made it possible for me to watch the entire Last Night of the Proms in high definition at my local cinema in Auckland, New Zealand a mere 5 weeks after the event took place.
I have often thought it would be great to have some sort of transport like a tardis that would enable you to spend a day in London and, as Larkin said, " be there and back in a day". Your film has almost achieved this. No need to sit for 28 hours in an aluminium tube hurtling at 800kmm an hour-only to find no ticket is available!
The quality of the artists, the interviews, the filming and editing techniques and the sheer fascination of being so close you could check musicians fingernails, dental work and cufflinks made the experience even better than a live performance for me. At no time did the longish (for a film) program drag and in fact when we came out into the bright Southern Hemisphere light at half time we couldn't wait to scurry back in to the red velvet of the Albert Hall. Thank you once again.
Complain about this comment (Comment number 3)
Comment number 4.
At 21:19 1st Jan 2009, peter cooper wrote:Greetings from NZ Roger,
By pure chance, switching to UKTV on NY eve, I caught the 2nd half of the 2009 prom concert. I was mesmerised for the 1hr 20mins remaining. Congratulations to you & all who organised this fabulous event. Particularly for the vision to co-opt that engaging conductor, David Robertson; he certainly had no reason to excuse himself as a "Yank". Having had the good fortune to witness such greats as Sir Henry Wood, "Flash Harry"(can't remember his name), John Barbirolli, Thomas Beecham & Leonard Bernstein, he's certainly up with those. Incidentally, is he the first permanent conductor from overses?
My first experience at the RAH was to attend a Navy League charity concert conducted by Sir Henry, in the dark (war) days of 1942. I was 14 yrs old & remember the experience as vividly today as it was then.
Keep up the good work & lomg live the BBC. Thanks for the effort.
Complain about this comment (Comment number 4)
Comment number 5.
At 21:18 2nd Jan 2009, peter cooper wrote:Referring to the above, I now remember the true identity of "Flash Harry"....it was Sir Malcolm Sargeant who's nickname was deriived from his always immaculate dress. Incidentally, he does not figure in the list of famous conductors! He would be very disappointed about that.
Complain about this comment (Comment number 5)