The X-Factor returned to our television screens on Saturday night, the same evening that the BBC broadcast last week's Sao Paulo Symphony Orchestra prom.
Mei therapist haz suggested Ah keep it reel man. Yerz kna wharrah mean pet; Cheryl Ker
Yes, it's our friend @CherylKerl leading the way, supported by the rallying cries from @steevmacartney ("The difference between BBC and ITV is so apparent this evening"), @Slogo_Bytesend ("#XFactor is that good, I've turned over to the #proms) and @manek43509, who tweeted "a lot of you are complaining about #XFactor - all you have to is switch to the #Proms on BBC2 for a truly incredible musical performance."
The concert in question featured the first ever visit to the festival of the São Paulo Symphony Orchestra – or indeed any Brazilian orchestra – under their new music director Marin Alsop. Reviewing the concert for the Guardian, Andrew Clements was convinced that Alsop's task of "turning it into a world-class orchestra" was well under way.
Loving Marin Alsop conducting Dvorak. It's very kind of her to come and do it in my living room; Gillian Taylor (@gillianartist)
Most of those tweeting about the broadcast seemed delighted, especially by the superb performance of Dvořák's 9th symphony "From the New World". @JemimaWarren was moved to tweet that although she rarely listens "to classical music but when I do I can't help be amazed by the emotions it stirs up in me", a confession that prompts the question, so why don't you do it more often?
Of course, Dvořák's 9th is familiar to many millions more than would have tuned into the see the broadcast, thanks to Neil Armstrong and Buzz Aldrin's "giant step for mankind". Oh, and it also features on certain television commercials, causing @glynhale to suggest that "twas said a musical person was 1 who cld listn to William Tell without thinking of the Lone Ranger. Same applies to Dvorak 9 and bread."
A performance of Dvořák's 9th is quite a stretch for most amateurs, unless of course they happen to be a member of one of the numerous, excellent amateur orchestras up and down the country, but the numbers of those who have participated in amateur Gilbert and Sullivan productions are legion.
It made a nice change, therefore, from the endless tweets about people clapping between movements to read responses to the weekend's performance of Yeoman of the Guard. Like @GothicBlue ("It's the first show I was in so I have a soft spot"), @Phantom_Javert ("I'm set to actually understudy Leonard Meryll and I sung along to him just there! Perfect Practice") and @isomerfieldwade ("I performed Yeoman 12 yrs ago in Bristol Old Vic"), almost everyone listening seemed to have been in it at some point or another. And those who weren't, may well be inspired to try to see if they have that G&S factor.
That's it – I'm taking up singing lessons again. One day I will play jack point the jester. Great performance from Mark Stone!; Tom Walker @DirtyLittleTom
There are also quite a few John Cage pieces everyone can play, although getting people to listen is not quite as easy. Twitter was busy digesting Friday night's Cage centenary tribute, which Andrew Clements reported had gone well (despite the sound crew being called in to "correct a cactus imbalance", according to @BBCProms), but wondered if it was "all a bit po-faced – Cage's sense of humour and playfulness never came through". A controversial conclusion, but commenters kept to their Cagean precepts by saying nothing. Was it in his Lecture on Nothing, or his Notes on Twitter, that the great man once said, "I have nothing to say, and I am saying it"?
