Promming: A Night at the Royal Albert Hall

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The Proms, or to give them their full title, the summer Promenade Concerts, are a two month long series of concerts held each year at the Royal Albert Hall in London, with various other satelite locations. This hundred year old tradition is the biggest classical music festival in the world, and the concerts are broadcast live on BBC radio and televsion. The recordings reach millions around the globe.

So it was ridiculous that having picked up a programme in July, I allowed nearly the full two months to pass by before I managed to get to one of them! My roommate felt similarly sheepish - she had at least attempted it, but failed to get in as she had been lining up in the wrong queue. Nothing is ever simple here. We decided the time was right, (just as well, since it was now or never for Proms 2006) and arbitrarily chosing the Tuesday because I like the cello, we fixed the date.

We both rushed home from work on the chosen day, dumped our belongings and made quick changes of dress, then after a quick detour past the local Thai takeways, set off at a quick trot through Hyde Park. We located the door we would enter, carefully sorted out the right queue from the tangle, and followed it to the very end - a somewhat offputting journey, as the line sprawled to over 400 metres in length. Nevertheless, we took our places, and standing companionably side by side enjoyed our Pad Thai curries. Ten minutes later the ushers began moving the line through, and we progessed relatively quickly back to the hall, with men clad in red ROH monogrammed waistcoats alongside us, keeping us in order with finesse - the human (and more verbose) version of highly trained sheepdogs.

I was hugely excited when we passed one usher who was tallying up as we pushed past - we were obviously in! And a few minutes later we were heading through the doors clutching tickets 413 and 414 respectively. I was not prepared for the Hall - we knew it was large, it looks big from outside, and there were going to be over five hundred of us standing with many more people seated... but !! Our passageway took us downstairs, and then we about-turned and went up a straight staircase, right into the centre... the tiers of balconies and layers of arches, the gold and the red, the buzz of thousands of people taking their seats on all levels - it was incredible!

We took a second to gaze in wonder, and then we clocked the enormous crowd in the arena, and started fighting our way through it to ensure we got a small glimpse of the musicians we had come to hear. I couldn't stop looking around in awe, and I took a lot of photographs, although the situation wasn't particularly conducive to a good shot.

And then - the evening started. I love the sounds of the orchestra tuning up, and the audience shushing. The soloist and conductor arrived on stage together, and we were away. Shostakovisch's Cello concerto was not at all what I expected, but it was an amazing piece to hear played live, and to be able to wach the soloist (by bending left and inclining my head slightly) was incredible - moments of aching tenderness mixing with frenetic bowing and plucking - she was drenched in sweat by the time the peice was over.

I enjoyed the Rachmaninov even more, I know that I have heard that peice before, as one movement in particular sounded extremely familiar - but again, seeing it live in such surroundings was something else, even though my legs and back were beginning to complain.

It was a magical evening, and we felt as if we weren't quite part of the world as we made our way back onto Knightsbridge Road and headed homewards. The Park was closed, so we walked along to Kensington and up the Notting Hill Gate, enjoying the late summer air - surprisingly warm still - and the nighttime sights and sounds and crowds. We explored a bit, and discovered an exclusive chocolatier, two chandelier shops and a lamp shop, and an old english pub that had really gone to town with the geranium baskets. It was good to shake out our stiff legs, and prolong the magic of the night.

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Photos

Proms programmes and ticket
The programme for the Prom concert we attended is in the lower left of the picture.

In line...
We arrived at six, and followed the line down from the arena door across the courtyard, down the stairs, around the corner and down the street... but we still got in! Here we are nearing the top of the stairs as the line moves up, about a quarter of an hour before the concert.

Inside the Royal Albert Hall
As we walked in I gasped. I had not known what I was expecting, but it was not these towering layers, filled to the brim with patrons taking their seats.

The Interval Crush
At the interval everyone in the arena sat down. There were a few daring souls even bringing out little half-time picnics. People take more room sitting down than standing up, though - and Emma and I were slow enough on the uptake that there was no room for us to sit. This was the view from where I stood.

The empty stage
Everyone was leaving and the orchestra had gone. Note the massive organ behind the lighting rig...

A lamp shop in Kensington on the walk home
The park was of course closed, so we had a circuitous walk home. This lamp shop was on the way, and I loved the variety of light fittings crammed into the brightly lit windows.

A little bit of greenery
A lot of English pubs have flower baskets hanging outside, (usually geraniums) it's very pretty and it advertises them as pubs. But when we walked past the Churchill Arms, we were astonished. They've gone above and beyond, Emma and I were very impressed with their dedication to the cause!

Comments

[Amy]

I love lamp!
Geraniums are like triffids.

[jubeedoo]

Geraniums are like triffids?
cos they're triffic? Or cos they are biding their time until the right season for world domination? (Not that triffids bided... but maybe geraniums are more subtle.)

[gin]

Oh! Juliet is back!
...there seemed to be a long pause between blogs there. Or maybe I just miss you?

[jubeedoo]

Of course you miss me :)
but there was indeeed a hiatus - internet signal at home has disappeared *grumble, grumble* Don't worry - I am back in business, broadcasting to you from the pub up the road...