BBC Proms can no longer afford US orchestras
NewsThe summers season, rolled out today, shows welcome returns for leading European orchestras, including the Berlin Phil, Czech Phil, Rotterdam Phil, Orchestre de Paris and Bavarian Radio. It is good to see the bar being raised again.
However, there is a significant absence of US orchestras, and the cause is not simple. We are given to understand that the Cleveland Orchestra, America’s finest, had accepted invitations to appear to both the BBC Proms and the Edinburgh Festival as part of a ten-stop Europe tour. But when it came to doing the sums it appeared that the orchestra would suffer considerable financial loss from the UK stops – a loss which neither festival could recompense. As a result, Cleveland dropped out and the rest of America went silent.
The Proms cannot afford the top American orchestras and neither, it seems, can recording companies. They appear to be kept going by their enormous endowments.
Visa fees?
Klaus Mäkelä is back, no Yuja though, sadly…..
Rattle is back doing Mahler….
John Wilson again?
And only three Bruckner symphonies in his bicentenary year. You’d think they’d programme all of his big works, not even the E minor mass. The organisers messed up there.
I’m personally looking forward to the Busoni Piano Concerto – what a masterpiece!!
The organisers haven’t a clue. They prefer disco proms and other pop star stuff. They should programme Bruckner’s organ works and motets
Right on.
I would have opened the first night with the Mass in e minor, what a breathtaking opening that would have been, even perfect for a late night prom.
You are right about the Busoni piano concerto. We have the chance to hear it in Washington only at 20-year intervals; and about the same for my favorite Bruckner, the Te Deum.
Only Bruckner 1, 4 and 5…!
Don’t forget the West-Eastern Divan Orchestra and the Bach Collegium will be travelling in as well so that’s at least 7 international orchestras, and the Berlin and Bavarian ensembles will be performing two shows each.
American orchestras are not more essential than those of other nations! Plus the British ensembles also need to be fitted in lest Mr Pickard be accused of ignoring home orchestras in favour of foreign ones. Plus the dates might not suit the schedule of any US orchestra this year. It’s no big deal.
I’m not sure what reaction this post is suppose to elicit. Indignation? Anger? Can I go for MEH!
Not enough British music and too much of non classical. The Proms died for me some years ago
Don’t really care tbh. What do they really add?
I’d put it the other way round. For example the San Francisco symphony has “paused future touring activity“, because it now has $116 million of debt because for decades it has been running at an annual loss.
It would have been great for the Proms to include still more of the home orchestras with fixed regular players ie ENO, WNO, Northern Ballet, / bring them to London or give them one of the regional gigs , eg Nottingham, to celebrate and support them.
Sure the range of foreign orchestras has diminished/ but costs have gone up, so obviously we see fewer.
Shame about Cleveland though, agreed. Have to have rattle & wilson though don’t they?
The BBC has many millions for pop singers, bosses, TV presenters and stupid celebrities!
Cleveland haven’t been for 10 years – since they fell out with the BBC over the contract for streaming. Cleveland wanted a separate contract and fee for world wide web.. BBC said ‘No – this is the future of broadcasting – included in the same contract’. So no Cleveland Orchestra.