Blackshirts take over Proms

The first night last evening concluded with Ludwig van Beethoven's ninth 'choral' symphony, a chilling moment in the present triumphalistic EU atmosphere.

The BBC Symphony Orchestra and Chorus, boosted by the Philharmonia Chorus were entirely in black - not just the lady musicians and choristers but all the men in blackshirts, suits and conventional neckties. At least the conductor Jírbé Beíohlávek had the conventional tails with touch of white. Paul Watkins as solo cellist for the Elgar piece sported white shirt and necktie but that had gone for the finale of Beethoven which of course included the anthem the EU has chosen to make its own.

It was an ominous moment indeed, and one that is to be repeated later in this prom season - I hoped somebody at a Kensington electricity sub-station would have been able to pull the plug on the Albert Hall at mid-point of the heavily loaded performance - perhaps that will occur when the Bavarian Radio Symphony Orchestra return to repeat the symphony at the end of August, in which case the BBC possibly to meet its presumed EU loan provisions would, one might assume, have to schedule three performances next year!

If the 'Ode to Joy' is to become a regular feature of the First Night of the Proms then maybe some genuine promenaders should attend and in view of the disgraceful machinations being planned over the EU Constitution the illustration above is a suggested flag they may then choose to wave.