Am I first home? And I've been down the Nines!
Well, I didn't leave until 1143 - and they were still on stage then! More about that on another thread later.
It didn't distract from the performance, so so what? (apart from the occasional foot stamp, although I recall a conventionally dressed fiddle soloist doing similar last year). I'll leave it there - I don't know enough about fiddle playing to say how good good was.
Pretty much agree, NB. I tend to think NK looks like a prat, talks like a prat and plays like a master - and only the last bit really matters. I don't know anything technical about fiddle playing either but of the players I've seen only Maxim Vengerov beats Kennedy at seeming to become one with the instrument. Perhaps it's all a con - but, if so, it's got me well and truly kidded.
And things improved after the Bax - I got the impression that the band appreciated the Finzi and Elgar a lot more.
So, the Bax was pleasant but not memorable. Some nice first horn work half way through I recall.
I heard the Bax piece conducted by V Handley in January and Ive listened to recordings of it since. I don't think it's going to grow on me. As you say, pleasant enough, but not much more. I think the Finzi could grow on me if I heard it a few more times. I certainly enjoyed it last night. I was rather puzzled to see the TV cameras standing idle for the first half of the Prom. Surely they could have filmed it even if they didnt show it any time soon.
Audience report - respectful silence before clapping at end of Bax and Finzi. Understandable applause at end of Mvt 1, but absolutely none at end of Mvt 2. Not very much coughing either. Why so different from prom 1? I'd have thought that proms neophytes would be drawn by the 'event' nature of Nige playing. Or perhaps - penny drops - the heathen tag can be pinned firmly on the corporate crowd, who only come after work Monday to Friday.
I think you missed a slight but clearly discernable attempt a applause after mvt2, NB. I'm pretty sure I didn't imagine it. But, as you say, much better than the ignorant behaviour of the first night. I tend not to blame 'neophytes' for this kind of thing - it's more likely to be people with all sorts of different levels of experience who think
they ought to be the centres of attention as often as possible. NK's antics did bring out the fact that some people will clap or laugh at pretty much anything - but as long as they're not doing it while the piece is under way I'm not bothered. Audience behaviour at
both of yesterday's Proms was pretty good in my opinion.
Opinions on Prom 3 tonight if I can get to a PC, otherwise when I get home tomorrow
