Sun sets on Glasgow's Proms
As one of the 20,000 people who sat on Glasgow Green last September as the sun set and the Ö÷²¥´óÐã Scottish Symphony Orchestra played at the Scottish proms in the park event, I am disappointed to hear it probably won't be back there this year.
The event was set up six years ago as a way of broadening the appeal of the Last Night of the Proms - and indeed the general Proms season.
This way, Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland got to link up with the flag-waving promenaders in the Royal Albert Hall while waving their own flags - literally for those on Glasgow Green, and metaphorically with each area's own orchestras and singers.
True, it's a relatively new event and it's had its teething problems.
An early concert on the site of the new Ö÷²¥´óÐã building had to be scaled down and moved inside because of gale force winds.
But its most recent incarnation on Glasgow Green was proving incredibly popular and when, like last year, you get the weather to boot, there's no better place to be.
The timing is unfortunate. The sponsorship arrangement with the government agency National Savings and Investment ran out last year and new rules make it difficult to secure anything similar.
Meanwhile, Glasgow city council, like every local authority in the country, faces enormous pressure to make savings.
Still, Glasgow's loss is another city's gain.
The Ö÷²¥´óÐã says it will announce a new location shortly - the full proms lineup is due to be announced on 22 April - and Dundee looks like being the likliest venue.
Not London’s South Bank, but the south bank of the River Clyde in Glasgow - every bit as lively in cultural terms as its namesake. I’m Pauline McLean, Ö÷²¥´óÐã Scotland’s arts correspondent, and I’ll be blogging here about arts events and issues happening across the country.
Comment number 1.
At 9th Apr 2010, Ian wrote:What a loss. We have made the last 4 and nothing has beaten it for excitment and enjoyment. Everyone is happy. We arrange our holiday around being in Glasgow for it. The news report says an indoor event! What is the point of that? Where in Dundee will hold 20,000 flag waving music lovers, not to mention picnics etc. This is a sad sad day for the classical music lovers in Scotland. What next T in the Park in the Usher Hall?
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Comment number 2.
At 9th Apr 2010, Aileen McColl wrote:I am so dissapointed. This has been an annual event in memory of a dear friend who enjoyed it to. It won't be the same anywhere else but Glasgow.
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