Symphonies at Six - 2007/02/26 15:00
Now that the first series of Symphonies at Six has completed, and I hope it won't be the last, it would be interesting to hear what others think of the series and about its future. I enjoyed all of the concerts, particularly as all of the house conductors were involved, and I liked the informal presentation. I liked the fact that programme notes were provided free of charge although, in Glasgow at any rate, the logistics of getting them to the audience seemed to break down every time. The pricing seemed very sensible and from a standing start a good sized audience was built up. By this I mean more than would fill the City Hall which is a good yardstick.
I did hear adverse comments from friends who normally take a Thursday Subscription and who felt that their season had been hijacked, nevertheless they attended them all. Curiously I thought that the concerts were a bit long. The advertising suggested that each concert would last about an hour, in fact it was usually an hour and three-quarters including the extra item at the end.
Something that I thought worked well was the single symphony concerts at the Edinburgh Festival last year, of which the RSNO did three (Bruckner Symphonies). Perhaps Symphonies at Six could try that approach. A soloist would not be required and the timing would be more predictable. It wouldn't even need to be just one long work. It could be an opportunity to play an overture with a shorter symphony. Overtures seem to have largely disappeared from concert programmes worldwide.
Whatever, I very much hope that this imaginative series will become part of the regular offering. AD
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