Not being able to go there, I usually sit back and review the videos of The Proms. The Proms is an eight-week summer season of daily orchestral classical and some pop music concerts along with other events held annually, mostly in the Royal Albert Hall in central London. Founded in 1895, The Proms are currently the domain of Auntie, the old title once given to the BBC. Each season features concerts in the Royal Albert Hall, chamber music concerts at Cadogan Hall, additional Proms in the Park events across the UK on the Last Night of the Proms. It is not only a musical event but a prominent feature of British culture.
Perhaps nothing brings the event to its climax more than the singing of C. Hubert Parry's Jerusalem, or God Save the Queen (usually there for the event), and Rule Britannia.
Imagine my surprise, however, when I found that the finale was sung under the rainbow flag. So this is what Britannia has become? Wow. Elgar and Parry seem strange relatives to the spectacle that has come to pass for God, patriotism, and culture. Maybe they could add a verse to Jerusalem?
1 comment:
Can't imagine you literally being surprised.
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