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Post by John Parry on Sept 12, 2009 18:22:59 GMT -5
...at the Last Night of the Proms? I was the one who was singing his head off and waving a flag. As the man said - it's the biggest choir in the history of the world. Hope you all joined in!
Regards - John
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mickeyobe
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Post by mickeyobe on Sept 13, 2009 8:38:33 GMT -5
Darn.
I did not know about it.
Can a recording of it be viewed anywhere?
Having attended a couple of "Last Night at the Prom's" here in Toronto I know how stirring and how much fun they can be. They even handed out flags to all the audience members to assure whole hearted participation.
Mickey
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Post by John Parry on Sept 15, 2009 15:37:10 GMT -5
Mickey There was a guy waving a big Canadian flag amongst the promenaders - I thought you'd sneaked over without telling me! If you try late in the evening, the internet traffic should be quiet. Try: www.bbc.co.uk/iplayer/episode/p00469gk/BBC_Proms_2009_The_Last_Night_Of_The_Proms/Handed out flags? What's that all about? You have to bring your own - there was even a big Stars & Stripes waving away to Land of Hope & Glory. I was so proud! Any of our 'Stralian friends see it? I know you have a very interesting variation on "There'll always be an England", but they don't do that on the Last Night. Just to explain to outsiders LNOTP is our celebration of our nationality, when the traditional British reserve falls around our ankles, and we let our hair down. But rather than keep it as a private party, we let everyone join in. Not only our friends and family in the Commonwealth, but music lovers from all over the world. And who could argue with "Jerusalem"? (We had one of those "Dark Satanic mills" at the top of our street when I was a kid). Regards John |
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mickeyobe
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Post by mickeyobe on Sept 16, 2009 18:02:20 GMT -5
John,
I went to the site but it was only sound, no pictures except for a still of a trombonist trying to swallow his mouthpiece.
I only listened to part of the first number. It was not what I remember of the Proms nor what I would want to hear.
"Handed out flags? What's that all about? You have to bring your own - "
Canadians are not big - or little flag wavers.
We certainly wouldn't stand with our hand over our heart.
And removing one's hat is rarely done. It is usually too cold and removing a touque leaves the hair in an awful mess.
We are as patriotic as any other nation but not very demonstrative.
Well, except, perhaps --- Check out Highway of Heroes, Ontario, Canada on Google.
That is an entirely spontaneous but silent yet very moving demonstration of our patriotism. That is also where you will see flags and, often tears.
Mickey
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Post by John Parry on Sept 17, 2009 14:45:32 GMT -5
Sorry Mickey Well there are two problems. I sent you the link to the audio version of Part 1 of the last night. Part 1 is where they do serious stuff, and is really the heavy music lovers farewell bit. Part 2 is where they always start off with a less well-known but light hearted piece. This year it featured (among others), David Attenborough playing a floor polisher, so that shows you the kind of thing. That's followed by all the well known favourites including Elgar's Pomp & Circumstance No 1, Jerusalem and Rule Brittania. There was an interesting introduction to the latter this year where they pointed out that the famous line "Britons never, never, never, shall be slaves" is actually a veiled threat to the reigning monarch not to get too uppity! Traditionally, Rule Brittania is preceded by Henry Woods' Medley of British Sea Songs including the Sailor's Hornpipe but sadly, and inexplicably, they've skipped that the last couple of years. If your internet link is erratic, click on 'Download' below the screen. It then downloads and installs a small program (its safe - its the BBC), followed by the whole thing, which may take a while, but you can run it uninterrupted after that. Here's the link for the Video of Part 2. www.bbc.co.uk/iplayer/events/Proms/b00mvfl6/Regards - John |
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mickeyobe
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Post by mickeyobe on Sept 28, 2009 8:05:38 GMT -5
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Post by John Parry on Sept 28, 2009 18:02:04 GMT -5
Again Sorry Mickey!
They only leave stuff on there for a week. After that you have to buy the DVD!
Regards - John
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