Summer has its feet firmly under the table and the second Bristol Prom kicked off last night at the Old Vic. Yesterday they served up more culture than you could wave a baton at. It was Bach day in the main, but set running with an interview on the stage with the one and only Bryn Terfel (who squirms a bit at the label of world’s greatest bass-baritone). Asking the questions was Classic FM’s John Suchet whose relaxed approach chimed in well with the organisers’ brief of informality and accessibility. It’s always a tough call to bring new ears to classical music, but if anything stands a chance it is the unbuttoned, music without barriers approach adopted by Tom Morris and sponsors U-Live (Universal Music). Suchet led Terfel gently in a chronological trip down memory lane, which served as the link between the various songs he chose to sing for the packed audience. Guesting on stage was the singer Menna Cazel who sang a couple of numbers from Puccini (one to watch).
Next into the fray were the Erebus Ensemble with their ‘Bach in the Dark’ programme. The group, under director, Tom Williams joined in the fun of the brief by playing with the possibilities of moving the unshod singers around the studio theatre in the dark. Terrific stuff, just like having your own personal live stereo system in your living room.
You can’t have a ‘prom’ without promenaders and the Old Vic has duly taken a chunk out of the pit and given it over to that very purpose. Making full use of it the audience were able to get up close to Lisa Batiashvilli who then brought the proms back into the main house for a programme of Bach and Piazolla. The latter’s ‘Spring in Buenos Aries’ from the Four Seasons suite was a revelation. The rest of the Bach programme, including pieces with her husband, François Leleux, on oboe was played with controlled vivacity.
A feature of the concert and something running throughout the week is the creative video relay of Rod Maclachlan’s custom built set up which brings a whole new visual dimension to the live performance.
Rounding off the day, Will Gregory’s Mood Ensemble were a real blast and brought home that whatever you use to play them, as far as Bach is concerned it’s all about the notes. A great evening rounded off a great day and with a whole week to come. Let’s hope that in some future format someone will be reviewing the second decade rather than the second year of this innovative venture. Graham Wyles
