Annalisa was due to join me at this concert, but had to pull out at the last minute for some reason. The reason is not captured in my log. It was a Sunday, so I expect it was a health reason rather than a work reason.
Anyway, I hobbled to the Albert Hall alone for this Prom. I think it was the first time I had been to the Proms alone and possibly was the only time I have done so to date (the date of writing this being late 2024).
I say hobbled, because the cursory “traction” approach to my multiple prolapse was obviously not working and I was still in a great deal of pain with my back after my injury in June that year. Indeed, I associate my evening alone at the Proms with Anton & Günter as the point at which I resolved that I would have to try something else, but that I was determined to try something other than major surgery before possibly submitting to that as a last resort.
This was a one piece concert:
Anton Bruckner – Symphony No 5 in B Flat Major, performed by the maestro Günter Wand conducting the BBC Symphony Orchestra.
I suspect that Bruckner 5 is a good number for contemplative thought – it is certainly long enough. I do remember finding this performance especially moving and being really taken with it.
It was filmed and the film has been released on DVD – here is an extract:
If you look very carefully you might spot me sitting in the stalls on my tod.
This review from the Bucks Examiner says a lot:
Wand Ashmore Bucks 21 Sep 1990, Fri Bucks Examiner (Chesham, Buckinghamshire, England) Newspapers.com
Robert Henderson’s review in The Telegraph was no less glowing:
Wand Prom Henderson Telegraph 14 Sep 1990, Fri The Daily Telegraph (London, Greater London, England) Newspapers.com
I was there, folks. I was there. No doubt uncomfortable, fidgeting and barely able to walk for five minutes afterwards…but I was there.