Folk Prom

Last Sunday saw the Proms' folk day with a mixed concert of folk performers and orchestral arrangements and the evening a straight folk concert. I wasn't overly impressed when I listened live on Radio 3 but when I watched the TV recording on iplayer it was striking how visual it all was. Its a pity that the cameramen didn't seem to know what was going on and at times they made the whole thing appear very messy. I was surprised that there were separate announcers at the RAH for radio and TV but at least with the radio Verity Sharp knew her subject, but then I have seen her do a floor spot at a folk club.

The evening audience looked a bit sparse for a venue of the RAH's size, I think maybe the Cadogan Hall would have been a better location as they already use it for the Proms chamber concerts. I am not convinced about a special "folk day" which just seems to keep the music in its ghetto. I would much rather see the Vaughan Williams arrangements on the last night topped and tailed with more mainstream folk performances. Maybe even somebody from one of the Bampton sides dancing Princess Royal (dream on!)

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