Bohemian Rhapsody at the Proms

Not a big fan of Queen, although I liked some of their records, and they were obviously very talented. I was not at the time taken with Bohemian Rhapsody, which has since become iconic in pop history.
It is a sort of parody of grand opera, but when performed at the Last Night of the Proms this year, it was nothing short of a triumph. A full symphony orchestra and choir, with wonderful soloists all on top form brought the number in all its aspects fully to life. The four close harmony singers who began the piece were brilliant, matched by the amazing tenor, Sam Oladeinde, who took the vocal lead. We were also treated to contributions from the fabulous soprano, Louise Alder and from Alison Balsom on trumpet. The cherry on this wonderful cake was Brian May on lead guitar, followed by Roger Taylor on gong!

I always watch the Last Night on TV often just out of habit, and in previous years some of the concerts have not set the world alight. This year was very different. Even if one knew nothing of classical music, I am sure that every piece would have been approachable and easy on the ear.

Louise Alder was brilliant in performing the selection from My Fair Lady and also in Rule Britannia, which she performed superbly adding in flourishes in the baroque style in keeping with the age in which the song was written. (In the previous year it was performed by an American soprano, who had not seemingly learned the lyrics as she was reading them from a tablet. “Britannia Rules the waves….”-it says here. Ouch!)
It was sad that the concert included the last performance by the acclaimed trumpeter, Alison Balsom, who had decided to retire from performing. Her renditions of the Hummel Trumpet Concerto and of the fiendishly difficult jazz riffs by Bernstein were very moving and memorable.

There was plenty of humour. Where else would you see Bill Bailey playing the typewriter to Leroy Anderson’s tune?
Much credit must go to the conductor Elim Chan, who coped admirably with music in several styles and brought a youthful and engaging enthusiasm to the whole concert.

If you did not see the concert and if it is still on iplayer, it is well worth a watch.

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