Beethoven – Symphony No. 5 – Aurora Orchestra - Saffron Hall & BBC Proms
3 August 2022, 11:00I played first trumpet in Beethoven’s Symphony No. 5 in C minor, which the whole orchestra performed from memory. This remarkable ensemble, the Aurora Orchestra conducted by Nicholas Collon, performed in an evening Prom on Tuesday 2nd August 2022 and in a Relaxed Prom the following morning. We also performed our Proms programme in Saffron Hall on Sunday 31st July 2022.Full house for @auroraorchestra’s absolutely brilliant Beethoven’s 5th. The energy and exuberance they bring to every piece they play is just amazing. Great #BBCProms tonight pic.twitter.com/fyjLVV6dd7
— Robin Moss (@robinmoss86) August 2, 2022
In addition to Beethoven’s instantly recognisable Symphony No. 5, which was the finale of the performance, the programme featured Iannis Xenakis’ O-Mega (and the percussionist Henry Baldwin), Dmitry Shostakovich’s Violin Concerto No. 1 in A minor (with the soloist Patricia Kopatchinskaja), and the Aurora Orchestra’s now-signature ‘presentation’ (introduced by Nicholas Collon and Tom Service). The latter included audience participation—the entire audience, divided into four sections, rendered Beethoven’s da-da-da-dum rhythm in four sequences illustrating Beethoven’s unabating use of this now iconic rhythm. It was explained how that knocking pattern morphed into triple time in the great call-to-arms that is the Scherzo, and how Beethoven adapted melodic ideas from Mozart’s Symphony No. 40. The analysis of the final movement included a rendition of the Marseillaise, and a Marseillaise/Beethoven 5 mash-up illustrated how the two were similarly rousing and triumphant. An exciting and energetic performance of the symphony followed.
The trumpets were: Russell Gilmour, Simon Cox and Sam Kinrade (Xenakis + Beethoven bumper); horns: Annemarie Federle, Elise Campbell; and trombones: Matt Gee, Isobel Daws, Joseph Arnold (as well as Andrew Budden (horn), Hugh Sisley (horn), & Michael Levis (tuba) in the Shostakovich).This was such a special night. We adore playing at the @bbcproms and it was so thrilling to share the stage with @PatKopViolin. Thanks to the players of @auroraorchestra for pouring their hearts and minds into this music https://t.co/ukhsnZDQz7
— Nicholas Collon (@nicholascollon) August 3, 2022
We had no orchestral commitments on 1st August, the day after our first performance in Saffron Hall, and I used the day off to revise. Much as I would probably have been fine without revising, it was reassuring. I didn’t want to just know the piece: I wanted to be a connoisseur of it. As the American entrepreneur Jim Rohn once said: ‘We must all suffer from one of two pains: the pain of discipline or the pain of regret. The difference is discipline weighs ounces while regret weighs tons.’ I was really pleased with how it all went, and I, thankfully, had no regrets!Possibly one of the best #BBCProms I’ve ever been to tonight.
— Jamie Njoku-Goodwin (@jnjokugoodwin) August 2, 2022
An electric Shostakovich 1st Violin Concerto followed by a delightful approach to Beethoven 5. A model of how to engage people in classical music.
Bravo @auroraorchestra,@nicholascollon,@PatKopViolin & @tomservice!👏🏾 pic.twitter.com/68mgaFGifF
We returned to the Royal Albert Hall the following morning to perform a slightly shorter version of the presentation and the Beethoven, in a ‘Relaxed Prom’—an absolutely brilliant idea. According to the BBC Proms website, the “Relaxed Proms are suited to people who feel more comfortable in a relaxed environment. Everyone is welcome including people with autism, sensory and communication impairments, and learning disabilities, as well as people who are deaf, blind and partially sighted. There is a relaxed attitude to noise and you are free to leave and re-enter the auditorium at any point.” The performance was audio-described by Timna Fibert and Angie Newman gave an interpretation in British Sign Language.What a night!
— BBC Proms (@bbcproms) August 3, 2022
A jam-packed audience were enraptured by @auroraorchestra’s virtuosic performance of Beethoven’s Fifth Symphony from Memory and some stupendous Shostakovich from @PatKopViolin 🎻🤩
Beethoven again this morning for our relaxed prom - still time to join us for 11am! pic.twitter.com/zs4hzF6DAf
The relaxed @bbcproms prom this morning was truly wonderful…Beethoven’s 5th from memory with @auroraorchestra @nicholascollon @tomservice @angienewman1 & @RoyalAlbertHall did a great job, booked straight away for next one on September 7th pic.twitter.com/ZSMBofBDfx
— Tom Ryan (@atomryan) August 3, 2022
No better way to the start the day than with @auroraorchestra’s Relaxed Prom 💙✨ @bbcproms
— RDMR (@RDMR1) August 3, 2022
Wonderful to see an audience of all ages enjoying Beethoven’s Fifth Symphony performed from memory in a relaxed environment - bravo @auroraorchestra, you never fail to amaze us! pic.twitter.com/5N8Mn0l8oS
Everyone getting involved at our relaxed prom this morning with @auroraorchestra @nicholascollon @tomservice & @angienewman1 👏👏👏👏
— BBC Proms (@bbcproms) August 3, 2022
Our next relaxed prom is on 7 September with @RSNO - book online now! pic.twitter.com/9jAFaqXinv
This was also a very exciting performance. It was a pleasure for us to be able to offer a more accessible concert to enable listeners who feel more comfortable in a relaxed environment to hear classical music of the highest quality. Proms founders Sir Henry Wood and Robert Newman would certainly be proud of this initiative, especially as it was their vision was to democratise this genre.At today's family prom with my eldest for an illustrated version of Beethoven's 5th symphony by Aurora orchestra. pic.twitter.com/ALlPor56js
— Hannah Hope (@hjhope) August 3, 2022
After the Relaxed Prom, I stopped for a quick look at the Worshipful Company of Clockmakers’ collection in the Science Museum (I admired several watches that were made on the Isle of Man by George Daniels and Roger W. Smith), then I met up with my wife, my mum and her friend in the Tate Modern (they had come to London for our Prom last night). Mum and her friend went back to Gatwick to fly back to the Isle of Man and my wife took me to Dishoom, as a ‘career success’ treat. As a freelance professional musician, you rarely get anything as concrete as a promotion, or new job title, so this is a really nice tradition she has initiated after Proms or similar career highlights.
You’ve not heard Beethoven’s 5th until you’ve heard the @auroraorchestra dissect it, rip it up, set it on fire and dance on the ashes, all from memory. aa completely joyful, energetic and full of life performance from an absolutely outstanding orchestra. Loved it ❤️❤️❤️ pic.twitter.com/vvYpVbZ5tO
— Janet Hughes (@JanetHughes) August 2, 2022

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