Mid term reflections

Mid term reflections:

Now that we are, roughly, half way through the 2025 BBC Proms season, I wanted to take a short moment to reflect on how it's going so far.

There's no doubt it's been invigorating for the mind, but also a royal pain in the arse with respect to it fitting in with my daily life. On the coach back from London on the first weekend, I started to get a sinking feeling that I had bitten off more than I could chew. However, as my routine has settled I have gotten into a rhythm with it. The all night Prom was a turning point: it posed the biggest threat to my momentum, but I got through it. So I now have more confidence that I will get safely to end of the season without toppling.

I have also had some generous and flattering feedback from a handful of people on Twitter (X) who, it seems, have enjoyed reading my unfiltered and piecemeal opinions of each Prom. (I have been posting short excerpts from each blog post on X and Threads, for the benefit of anyone who would like to share in this journey.) That feedback does a helluva lot for motivation - a bit like having someone cheering you on as you hit 'the wall' when running an actual marathon or similar. However... I am mindful that I must stay true to the original purpose of this blog, and resist any temptation to play up to the cameras, as it were. The minute that happens the project is doomed.

Interestingly, something else has happened which I wasn't expecting. Not only am I discovering more classical music that I enjoy, and getting a clearer background and history of artists only half-known before, but I'm also developing a feel for the classical music I don't like. As mentioned in previous blogs, I wasn't fussed on the Boulez and Berio, and Mahler I can take or leave. But I recognise I'm in the minority.

Here's to the next four weeks (!)

Photo by me.