Pixabay photo
By
Hazel Speed
As usual, I just had to watch the annual live broadcast of the Last Night of the Proms from the Royal Albert Hall.
What struck me tremendously during the traditional ‘sing alongs’ to our National themes, was the obvious extra volume of audience participation, and almost all seemed to know the words for each anthem. They were singing with heart and soul, as always, but somehow it was as if the winning Brexit vote was alive and well – more British Union Flags were present, along with great representation of flags from each constituent country of our great Islands, England, Wales, Scotland and Northern Ireland – with live outside broadcasts showing huge crowds from those locations, each singing along with the audience from the Royal Albert Hall.
It has to be conceded that there were a number of EU flags, but not as many as usual, and of course not many were seen being waved during the singing of ‘Jerusalem’ – England’s unofficial National Anthem, but hopefully when England has its own Parliament one day, like the other constituent countries, it will be confirmed as an official anthem.
The evening concert caused me to anticipate how loud the Last Night of the Proms will be when we have left Europe!
All the musical anthems of the Countries of the UK were featured, and even a musical bar ‘Bond’ style was incorporated within the hornpipe tribute of the traditional sea songs.
Synchronicity was in play for me as one of the songs performed by guest soloist Nina Stemme, paid tribute to Kurt Weill – from the musical ‘Lady in the dark’, the song being a jazzy number called ‘The Saga of Jenny.’ Only last week I had sent a link of that song performed by Dame Julie Andrews to a friend of mine called Jenny.
The soloist, orchestra and choir all performed magnificently and ably conducted throughout.
Where else but during the Last Night of the Proms can one see in the audience, Promenaders wearing Colonial military uniform of a former century, then someone else was wearing a boater hat, plus the fact there were many teddy bears present, one near the stage and dressed in dinner jacket.
People bobbed up and down in time to the horn pipe theme, there were cheers and streamers everywhere; one landing on the head (gracefully), of presenter Katie Derham as she was saying farewell to the camera from her seat in one of the boxes overlooking the auditorium.
There was a really funny sketch to camera depicting continuity announcer Zeb Soanes dressed in seaman’s duffle coat and in a rowing boat, then variations on that theme. Very funny, well acted, and a fun idea.
It was wonderful to see everyone linking arms to sing Auld Lang Syne, always a moving piece of music.
Highlights were shown of the prom season just before the end of the broadcast. During this time I noted a conductor from former years whom I nearly did not recognise as they had grown older, so then I thought of the older lady I see when I look in the mirror!
It was geat to see many female musicians, soloists and conductors especially in the trombone section. Well done to a male trombonist who was wearing a great waistcoat depicting the flag of St George.
The Soloist Nina Stemme and Conductor Sakari Oramo were given a wrapped gift and it would have been nice to have known what was inside.
Mr Barnier should be sent a copy of this event, as if he was in any doubt about British resolve, then this musical event is the best way of proving why we are proud to be British.
Heads were high, voices singing loudly, lyrics of our meaningful anthems known and echoed throughout the concert hall with gusto.
This truly was, and always will be, the Best of British, and is a good way of quantifying the health of our Great Britain.
The National Anthem was sang in a volume which surpassed the orchestra itself, and as long as the people of the UK feel so compelled to sing loudly, with emotion and proudly, whether there is musical accompaniment or not, then that is the most important aspect of the whole evening.
Land of Hope and Glory and Rule Britannia – yes indeed, one cannot surpass the ethos or the emotion contained therein.
This is not a jingoistic event but a patriotic one, and if that ethos ever dies then so will Britain, which is why this musical concert should also always be considered as reverential.
Well done to all!
Hazel Speed
Photo (c) Hazel Speed – used by kind permision to Tuck Magazine
Hazel Speed is a Philosopher, Writer, and Artist with various creative projects at differing stages of development. Her flaship project is an animation which has produced a film short: www.thepinkprofessor.com. She has also written an E-novel, ‘Just Suppose…!‘ which is available via the attached link.
Art sites: www.candystoreart.com, www.terrificart.com, www.artbadges.co.uk
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