In the UK there are a season of classical concerts called the proms. The idea was conceived in the 1890s for the then newly built Royal Albert Hall to host a season of concerts at an affordable price so that people who couldn't ordinarily afford to come to a classical concert would be able to. That tradition continues a good one hundred and fifteen years later. Prices for seats start at £7 and if you stand they are only £5. The proms have become an institution and each year they showcase a lot of music and the BBC broadcasts as much of it as it can between BBC2 BBC Four and the radio stations. Last night's was a celebration of Stephen Sondheim.
Stephen Sondheim is a composer and he writes musicals, however, his musicals are a very different beast to the music of Rodgers and Hammerstein or Andrew Lloyd Webber for that matter. His music is what some people like to call challenging and some of it isn't all that easy to listen to, he's discordant, rhythmically unpredictable, playful with music and lyrics but then he writes wonderful songs that kind of burrow into your head and heart.
Happily if you're in the UK you can catch up with this gem for the next seven days. It even involves the ORGAN.
Sondheim Prom - Iplayer
Keep an eye out for Bryn Terfyl being an amazing Sweeney Todd. He frightens the pants off me. And Dame Judi Dench showing everyone how to sing Send in the Clowns. Plus Daniel Evans and Jenna Russell doing selections from Sunday in the Park with George... I could go on and on and on.
Keep Buggering On.
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