Pauline, The Duchess of Castlebar, was partial to a youth orchestra concert at the Proms. We always used to book at least one of those for her per season.
This one also had a fair smattering of her favourite type of English composers (Elgar, Walton) plus some family favourites. The royal theme to the first half of the concert was because that very day was The Queen Mother’s 100th birthday.
- Unknown – National Anthem (arr. William Walton)
- William Walton – Coronation March ‘Crown Imperial’
- George Frideric Handel – Music for the Royal Fireworks
- Edward Elgar – Overture ‘Cockaigne (In London Town)’
- Hector Berlioz – Symphonie fantastique
Roger Norrington conducting the youngsters – what’s not to like? Here’s a link to the BBC stub for this one.
Tim Ashley in the Guardian was very much taken with this concert:
Article from 8 Aug 2000 The Guardian (London, Greater London, England)
Matthew Rye in The Telegraph was less sure about the large-scale baroque, but was otherwise seemingly very pleased with the concert:
Article from 7 Aug 2000 The Daily Telegraph (London, Greater London, England)
After the concert, we went to a new restaurant in Ealing named Parade, which Janie and I had wanted to try. I don’t think Pauline was as keen on this idea – I have a scribbled note in my diary “Pauline will try”. I think she preferred familiar food and guaranteed fawning waiters by that stage of her life.
I’ve even managed to find a contemporary (2000) review of Parade in the Standard – click here.