Just when the heat becomes totally unbearable, the BBC (bless 'em) roll the Promenade Concerts out.
And they broadcast them, over the air, and to your desktop. Gratis. Or since we in the US don't pay the Beeb's license fees, courtesy of the British public. Thanks, ya'll!
It's a huge variety of music, beautifully presented, with live 'presenters' to provide program notes and introductions.
All totally first-class. The UK produces so many of the world's great musicians, for a host of reasons, not the least these well-supported concerts made available to all. Tickets for the live events are hard to come by, priced as they are for people on slim budgets.
As OS writes, he is listening to the first of the Bach Proms, featuring John Eliot Gardiner and the English Baroque Soloists performning the six Brandenburg Concertos, on reproductions of authentic instruments, using the performance techniques of Bach's day (ca. 1720s), even down at the original pitch levels Bach heard as he composed. It's a different and wonderful experience, the 'Aha Moment'--'So that's how they're supposed to sound!'
OS spends too much time bitchin' and railing at the culture. It's time to recommend a bit of the solution, and the BBC Proms are a good place to begin.
Feast yer' ears on somma-this music, ya'll. It'll change yer life fer the better, guarawnteed!
Here's the link to the entire season' schedule.
Here's the link to the online official program book.
Enjoy! And tell your family and friends.
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