Of course Pauline (The Duchess of Castlebar & Janie’s mum) knew all about the big Norwegians. She’d have done all of that before, but, as we were suggesting it, yes, she would join us at this Prom.
Here is a link to the BBC stub for this Prom.
Latvian maestro Mariss Jansons conducting The Oslo Philharmonic Orchestra in the following programme:
- Magnar Åm – Study on a Norwegian Hymn
- Richard Strauss – Also Sprach Zarathustra
- Jean Sibelius – Symphony No. 2 in D major
Were we excited? Were we excited!
I loved a bit of Also Sprach back then. Here is a video of Mariss conducting the Concertgebouworkest in that very piece:
Even more, I loved that Sibelius Symphony No 2. Still do. Here is Mariss conducting the Big Norwegians from Oslo in the first movement of that amazing symphony:
Bliss.
Adrian Jack in the Independent also thought the Sibelius was bliss.
Jansons Prom Jack Indy 14 Aug 1995, Mon The Independent (London, Greater London, England) Newspapers.com
Even The Duchess seemed moved, but perhaps that was an auditory illusion.