Prague Sir John and the Czech Phil

It’s really a special occasion when a member of an orchestra plays a concerto with their own orchestra, But when a whole four horn section dons red T-shirts and plays the Schumann, sparks fly!!!

After the performance, Elliiot Gradiner (now ‘Sir John’) received a standing ovation – seven calls until the leader thought they’d had enough and decided to lead the orchestra off the stage – for his Schumann Symphony Number 2. He also conducted two sumptuous pieces by Martinu. Almost the equivalent of three symphonies and a concerto is a ginormous programme to rehearse, but the Czech Phil seems to specialise in this type of programme!!

I sat on the front row to stretch out my legs and be battered by the incredible sound of four horn players giving it all they’ve got. Magnificent!!! The video and recordings simply cannot give this. But here’s somebody’s idea of it …
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KP3XWyJwPfw&feature=related
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mC5jQOCAbFk
Elliot Gardiner’s reading of the Schumann second was great. Maybe it lacked some of the nuances of the Reiner version (here put into action by Bernstein) but it was exciting and passionate. What more can we ask?
http://www.youtube.com/view_play_list?p=8EA5AAD1C6715C63&playnext=1&playnext_from=PL&v=ZD71gAeaVU0
Here’s some of the first Martinu piece they played …
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bUDtM0VE_Bc
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=On9x_i4Z8zE&NR=1
‘Frescoes of Piero Della Francesca’ is not on youtube.