The National Anthem of the United Kingdom, Last Night of the Proms 2010

I've never really been a fan of our National Anthem; a plodding, uninspiring piece of music I always thought - until now. Benjamin Britten's telling arrangement of it as marvellously realised here has changed my mind. I was moved by this. And it was a real pleasure to witness a momentary absence of cynicism which pervades nearly everything even remotely related to the idea of "patriotism" in Britain these days...

Wonderful setting at London's Royal Albert Hall and Hyde Park. I left the recording running a bit to add some of Last Night of the Proms atmospherics :)

BBC Singers; BBC Symphony Chorus; BBC Symphony Orchestra
Conductor: Jiří Bělohlávek

Category:

Music

Tags:

• BBC
• Symphony
• Orchestra;
• Jiří
• Bělohlávek;
• proms;
• last
• night;
• god
• save
• the
• queen;
• uk
• national
• anthem;
• benjamin
• britten;
• england;
• uk;
• britain;
• british;
• Royal
• Albert
• Hall;
• Hyde
• Park;
• London;
• royal;
• Queen
• Elizabeth

[ANDYYxoxo]

i think it's great that during the piano part it is only the royal standard waving in the background ... i love it !

[AntPDC]

@ANDYYxoxo Me too, in the sense of "respect". I confess, I don't really like the Royal Standard being waved around when the sovereign isn't present. I think it's a very singular flag - and a very beautiful one at that!

[TheAnglopride]

what a dreadful rendition of the anthem, couldnt even hear the first verse

[AntPDC]

@TheAnglopride You mean the piano part?

[MarkJSau]

BTW, it's also the Royal Anthem of Australia and Canada, and the co-National Anthem of New Zealand, not sure about the other Realms :-) Beautiful arrangement by Benjamin Britten and a wonderful rendition at the Proms. Another vote for spine-tingling!

[AntPDC]

@MarkJSau Well at least he remembered the words to "happy"! But seriously, I thought his gesture touching and honest.

[AjCassells]

Isn't it amazing that one woman, one song and one event can bring an entire nation together? You may say the monarchy is a waste of money, an outdated institution but we wouldn't be a United 'Kingdom' without them. Long live the Queen and the monarchy.

[m4rkyboy]

I don't actually know the words.Go figure.In Scotland only Rangers fans sing this.

[stalbanslad]

Beautiful....very moving, very British, very "us".

God Save the Queen!

[MarkJSau]

@TLSUk As this relates to my original remark, please understand I was not taking offence, & made no comment on the actions of someone from the USA or elsewhere that adopts the hand-on-heart approach during their own national anthem. The earnest young fella appears to be a Brit, with parents looking like so many Brits (or Aussies, for that matter) of their age, mumbling along with the national anthem and standing almost to 'attention'. Agree with AntPDC, good on him for his show of respect

[TLSUk]

@Ahtumble4ya It is not disrespectful in any way, but it is not very British. However you are American and i believe it is standard practice there for your anthem. Really you are only showing it the same respect as your own anthem anyone who is offended by that, should be ignored.

[AntPDC]

@Ahtumble4ya I agree with you, wholeheartedly. Conduct, such as the hand-on-heart gesture, can be troubling for some Brits, and indeed people from other nations and cultures, whose traditions differ, especially when it comes to highly-charged "national" moments such as this. It's all a bit tricky! The "When in Rome" injunction is a wise one, but here it was simply a boy's innocent gesture of respect. Good for him I say.

[Ahtumble4ya]

@ANDYYxoxo Ha! Of course...now it makes sense...I do indeed know what "piano" and "forte" mean. But I would leave out the "obviously" bit, since your statement was ambiguous.

[ANDYYxoxo]

@Ahtumble4ya: piano means quiet. and forte means loud. i am not talking about a piano obviously .. understand ?

[Ahtumble4ya]

@MarkJSau Really? I'm American, but my partner is British. I like to place my hand over my heart during both anthems, both American and British... it's a salute of loyalty and respect. Does it offend British people? If so, perhaps I should refrain from doing so next time I'm in the presence of the British national anthem being played... please advise!

[Ahtumble4ya]

@ANDYYxoxo I'm confused...what piano part?