The 50th anniversary year continues in the UK with a symphony cycle from the City of Birmingham SO under Sakari Oramo in September, and a cycle in Manchester from the Hallé and Mark Elder in November.
The Hallé series is especially attractive. As well as the Big Seven we get Rakastava (a cappella as well as orchestral versions), Oma maa, The Origin of Fire, orchestral songs and shorter a cappella choral pieces, Luonnotar, Night Ride and Sunrise and Tapiola - all in a four-concert series. I haven't heard Mark Elder conduct Sibelius but have heard very good reports and so am eagerly looking forward to it.
I wonder how many Londoners will risk venturing outside the security of their little world to savour these delights. From past experience, those who live in the capital are often reluctant to travel (this applies to other capital cities as well). It's grim up north, they say. For those who are unwilling to expose themselves to the provinces, I would make the following points:
- Although there is something called 'countryside' between London and other cities, you need not worry about getting your Range Rover or BMW X5 too dirty: there are roads outside London (and even if there weren't, remember that your vehicles are designed for off-road use).
- Outside London there are buildings called 'concert halls' which closely resemble those found in London, except that the acoustics are usually better. The process of purchasing tickets and attending the event is in broad terms comparable to that in London and many provincial halls have already raised their drinks prices to astronomical levels to make you Londoners feel at home.
- Outside London there are also buildings called 'hotels'. These are not in any way comparable with some of the seedy establishments in central London that purport to fulfil this function.
[I could go on here but I think you get the point.]
No excuses, then?
