At the prom, Simon was the focus for the girls — though most of them probably wouldn’t go so far as wanting to kiss him. The Blue Peter presenter, who, with his co-host, Konnie, talked us through the programme, is, apparently, something of a heartthrob among the pre-teen sorority. So he was warmly applauded when he took the podium to conduct Bernstein’s theme from The Great Escape (probably better known to this audience as the music from Chicken Run). He had prepared with Jason Lai, who cheerfully shared conducting duties with Gianandrea Noseda.
The loose theme was Magical Journeys, which allowed for such varied pieces as Mars from Holst’s The Planets, John Williams’s music for the films of Harry Potter, Wagner’s Ride of the Valkyries and a traditional Zulu song. Anna and Maria seemed to find the event, with its explanatory links and jolly programme, well pitched. Anna was impressed by observing an orchestra at work for the first time: “It was good how they played in time with each other and the conductor was really enjoying it.”
Both girls mentioned the Rossini Theme and Variations for Clarinet, with 13-year-old Julian Bliss as the soloist, as one of their favourite pieces. I thought its length and intricacy would be against it, but seeing such a skilful — and, of course, young — musician obviously inspired them. “I loved the way the boy played the clarinet,” said Maria. “He was very talented,” added Anna. The percussion/dance group Stomp, who did a short turn banging dustbin lids, broom handles, folding chairs and the like, were also a big success. “It was good, because they played all sorts of different things,” was Maria’s summary.
The morning ended, like the grown-up Proms, with a sing-along Land of Hope and Glory, which, after the international flavour so far, seemed more politically incorrect than ever.
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