It was entirely predictable that the appearance of the Israel Philharmonic at the Proms would be met with disruption (the BBC's word). Notwithstanding "security" I understand from inside the RAH many Israeli and Palestinian flags were being waved. Once the soloist came on the shouting started and the BBC soon cut the link and played the same piece on CD. Similarly, after the interval the same thing seemed to happen and the link was replaced with recordings of the pieces.
God only knows what will happen at next year's Olympics in London.
Personal Note: I first heard Zubin Mehta conduct the RLPO in Rochdale in 1958. He had just become their assistant conductor, aged 22. I was 13 and thought he was an old man. They played Tchaikovsky's 6th. It devastated me emotionally. I have never been the same since. Totally infatuated with the music as only an early teenager can be (except the word had not been coined in 1958.)
I was at the Royal Alber Hall last night. I was expecting to enjoy a concert by an internationally acclaimed orchestra conducted by a great "diva".
ReplyDeleteThe atmosphere inside the RAH was somehow different even before the concert started: after been "searched" by security, it appeared that the usual PROM's audience was a minority. It was replaced by Palestinian/Israeli supporters who were there to make a statement. The music had no relevance. Every piece on the programme was disrupted, people were forced out of the Hall, we assisted also to physical assaults among members of the public. Security and RAH staff failed to be in control: we did not feel safe, anything could had happened.
As a consequence the Orchestra and Mehta performed well below our expectations: the music was "stiff" nervous and without passion.
A real shame, considering that all of this was entirely predictable.
My personal feeling is that if we really want to make a statement about "peace and harmony" maybe the Divan Orchestra would had been a better choice.