Original title
BBC Proms
Released
9/13/1947
Origin country
GB
Genre
Documentary
Production companies
Livewire Pictures
Status
Returning series
Number of seasons
79
Number of episodes
1159
The World's Greatest Classical Music Festival. The BBC Proms is a classical music festival held every summer at the Royal Albert Hall in London, and in recent years has explored an innovative series of Proms around the UK with concerts in all four nations. Its aim: to bring the best in classical music to the widest possible audience, which remains true to founder-conductor Henry Wood’s original vision in 1895. Whether you are a classical connoisseur or think classical music isn’t for you, there is something for everyone in the eight-week stretch of concerts.
Katie Derham presents a new weekly review of the standout performances, artists and stories from the 2013 Proms season. In this episode, she looks back on the musical highlights of the opening fortnight, including a special report from Daniel Barenboim's Ring Cycle. Her studio guests include conductor Semyon Bychkov, soprano Susan Bullock and pianist Stephen Hough - and there is a special performance from one of the star soloists of the season, young Japanese pianist Nobuyuki Tsujii.
Katie Derham looks back on another week of concerts from the BBC Proms, including a spectacular performance of Ravel's Bolero featuring Spanish dancers. Her studio guests include jazz pianist Julian Joseph, composer Tarik O'Regan, and ballerina Tamara Rojo.
Katie Derham looks back on another week of concerts from the BBC Proms, including soloist Mitsuko Uchida's performance of Beethoven's Piano Concerto No 4. Her studio guests include conductor Vasily Petrenko, and trumpeter Alison Balsom, and we spend 24 hours with violinist Daniel Hope on a whirlwind day.
Josie D'Arby and Zeb Soanes present highlights from the Last Night of the Proms celebrations around the UK, giving a flavour of the individual nations' unique concert events. Former Spice Girl Melanie C, Alfie Boe and violinist Jennifer Pike mark the return of the Scottish event to Glasgow Green. In Wales, set against the backdrop of Caerphilly Castle, featured performers include trumpeter Alison Balsom and West End stars John Owen Jones and Sophie Evans. Soprano Katherine Jenkins, violinist Chloe Hanslip and Lithuanian accordion player Martynas entertain the crowds gathered on the spectacular quayside at the Titanic Visitor Centre in Belfast, and in London's Hyde Park, Bryan Ferry, tenor Joseph Calleja and Nigel Kennedy provide added sparkle to the festivities, drawing this summer's Proms season to a close.
Joining Beethoven Unleashed, a year-long, BBC-wide marathon marking the 250th anniversary of Beethoven’s birth, a BBC Grand Virtual Orchestra made up of over 300 BBC musicians perform Beethoveniana by composer Iain Farrington, a brand new reworking of Beethoven’s nine symphonies commissioned by the BBC Proms to celebrate the opening of the 2020 Proms season. Farrington describes his work as 'taking Beethoven's music and putting it in a musical washing machine to see which colours run'. Director Toby Amies brings the music to life in this film, premiering exclusively on BBC Four, Choreographed by Cameron McMillan, starring dancers Emma Farnell-Watson and Joshua Smith together in their own lockdown bubble.
Celebrating cutting-edge classical works, presenter of Radio 3’s New Music Show Tom Service chooses his standout moments of premieres and commissions from this year’s Proms. All pieces respond to the world around us with joy, beauty and optimism. Highlights include Andrea Tarrodi’s atmospheric Birds of Paradise, inspired by footage from David Attenborough’s Planet Earth; Ukrainian composer Bohdana Frolyak’s spinetingling Let There Be Light, and Errolyn Wallen’s ecstatic new work The Whole World, for the National Youth Orchestra.
Unmissable Moments from the BBC Proms 2023 season. Take a whistlestop tour through eight weeks of world-class music making with standout performances from the spectacular array of superstar musicians who have graced the Royal Albert Hall stage this summer. This special programme is packed with some of the biggest tunes in classical music. Beethoven's biggest hits, memorable Mozart and a celebration of Rachmaninov sit alongside dazzling performances from the likes of Yuja Wang, Pekka Kuusisto and Isata Kanneh-Mason, while northern soul classics, jazz anthems and music all the way from Bollywood to Hollywood are given the symphonic treatment on the Proms stage. There really is something for everyone. An ensemble of this year’s Proms presenters brings us this celebration of the best of the best from the world's greatest classical music festival.
The BBC broadcast the Last Night at the Proms for the first time on Saturday the 6th of September 1947
Viewers are taken to the Royal Albert Hall for the second part of the last Promenade Concert of the winter season. Margherita Grandi (soprano) BBC Symphony Orchestra Conductor, Sir Adrian Boult Royal Hunt and Storm (The Trojans) - Berlioz Aria: Vissi d'arte (Tosca) - Puccini Spanish Caprice - Rimsky-Korsakov
Television cameras at the Royal Albert Hall, London.
Television cameras are at the Royal Albert Hall, London, for the second half of the closing concert in the 1953 summer series of Henry Wood Promenade Concerts. Constance Shacklock (contralto) BBC Symphony Orchestra (Leader, Paul Beard) Conductor, Sir Malcolm Sargent Introduced by Alvar Lidell. March: Pomp and Circumstance No. 1. in D - Elgar Variations and Fugue on a Theme of Purcell - Benjamin Britten Rule, Britannia - Arne-Sargent Jerusalem - Parry (Constance Shacklock appears by permission of the General Administrator, Royal Opera House Covent Garden, Ltd.)
Television cameras are at the Royal Albert Hall, London, for part of the opening concert in the Diamond Jubilee season of Henry Wood Promenade Concerts. BBC Symphony Orchestra (Leader, Paul Beard) Conductor, Sir Malcolm Sargent Eileen Joyce (piano) Introduced by Alvar Lidell.
Television cameras are in the Royal Albert Hall for part of this Anniversary Concert of the Henry Wood Promenade Concerts, which were inaugurated on August 10, 1895. BBC Symphony Orchestra (Leader, Paul Beard) Conductor, Sir Malcolm Sargent Mark Hambourg (piano) Introduced by Alvar Lidell. An Impression on a Windy Day - Malcolm Sargent Hungarian Fantasia for piano and orchestra - Liszt
The close of the Diamond Jubilee Season BBC Symphony Orchestra Leader, Paul Beard Conductor, Sir Malcolm Sargent Constance Shacklock (contralto) March: Pomp and Circumstance No. 1, in D - Elgar Spanish Caprice - Rimsky-Korsakow Sea Songs - arr. Wood Rule, Britannia - Arne-Sargent Jerusalem - Parry Introduced by Alvar Lidell From the Royal Albert Hall, London
Television cameras are at the Royal Albert Hall, London, for part of the first of the Henry Wood Promenade Concerts MOISEIWITSCH (piano) BBC Symphony Orchestra (Leader, Paul Beard) Conductor Sir Malcolm Sargent Piano Concerto No. 5, in E flat (The Emperor)......Beethoven Introduced by ALVAR LIDELL Television presentation by ANTONY CRAXTON at 8.15
Robert Beatty 'The Man with the Mike' invites you to join him at the Royal Albert Hall, London for the Last Night of the Proms. BBC Symphony Orchestra (Leader, Paul Beard) Conductor, Sir Malcolm Sargent Constance Shacklock (contralto) Introduced by Alvar Lidell. March: Pomp and Circumstance No. 1, in D - Elgar Minuet of the Will o' the Wisp; Hungarian March (The Damnation of Faust) - Berlioz Sea Songs - arr. Henry Wood Rule, Britannia - Arne Jerusalem - Parry
Television cameras are at the ROYAL ALBERT HALL, LONDON for part of the opening concert BBC SYMPHONY ORCHESTRA (Leader, Paul Beard) Conductor, Sir Malcolm Sargent Denis Matthews (piano) Overture: Cockaigne by Elgar Piano Concerto No. 23 in A (K.488) by Mozart Introduced by Alvar Lidell Television presentation at 7.30 by Antony Craxton
Constance Shacklock (contralto) BBC Symphony Orchestra (Leader, Paul Beard) Conductor, Sir Malcolm Sargent Introduced by Alvar Lidell.
The second part of the opening concert of the Henry Wood Promenade Concerts at the Royal Albert Hall in London. BBC Symphony Orchestra (Leader, Paul Beard) Conductor, Sir Malcolm Sargent Soloist, Eileen Joyce Overture: The Mastersingers......... Wagner Piano Concerto No. 2, in G minor Saint-Saens Variations and Fugue on a theme of Purcell (The Young Person's Guide to the Orchestra) Benjamin Britten Introduced by Alvar Lidell.
Constance Shacklock (mezzo-soprano) BBC Symphony Orchestra (Leader, Paul Beard) Conductor; Sir Malcolm Sargent Introduced by Alvar Lidell.
Television cameras are at the Royal Albert Hall, London for the first part of the opening concert of the Henry Wood Promenade Concerts BBC Symphony Orchestra (Leader, Paul Beard) Conducted by Sir Malcolm Sargent Soloists Gloria Lane (mezzo-soprano), Moiseiwitsch (piano) Overture: The Mastersingers...Wagner Aria: Softly Awakes my Heart (Samson and Delilah)...Saint-Saens Rhapsody on a Theme of Paganini, for piano and orchestra...Rachmaninov Introduced by Alvar Lidell
Monica Sinclair (contralto) BBC Symphony Orchestra (Leader, Paul Beard) Conductor, Sir Malcolm Sargent Introduced by Alvar Lidell.
Television cameras are at the Royal Albert Hall, London, for the first part of the opening concert of the Henry Wood Promenade Concerts. Introduced by Alvar Lidell BBC Symphony Orchestra (Leader, Paul Beard) Conducted by Sir Malcolm Sargent Norma Procter (contralto) A London Overture - John Ireland In Haven: Sabbath Morning at Sea; Where Corals Lie (Sea Pictures) - Elgar Scherzo: L'Apprenti Sorcier - Dukas
From the Royal Albert Hall, London National Youth Orchestra of Great Britain Conducted by Walter Susskind Kathleen Jones (piano) Mozart...Piano Concerto No. 20 in D minor (K.466)
From the Royal Albert Hall, London. Constance Shacklock (mezzo-soprano) BBC Symphony Orchestra (Leader, Paul Beard) Conducted by Sir Malcolm Sargent March: Pomp and Circumstance No.1, in D...Elgar Symphonic Poem: From Bohemia's Woods and Fields...Smetana Sea Songs...arr. Henry Wood Rule, Britannia...Arne Jerusalem...Parry National Anthem Introduced by Alvar Lidell
Henry Wood Promenade Concerts First Night Television cameras are at the Royal Albert Hall, London, for the first part of the opening concert of the Henry Wood Promenade Concerts BBC Symphony Orchestra (Leader, Paul Beard) Conducted by Sir Malcolm Sargent Soloists, Clifford Curzon (piano), Amy Shuard (soprano) Prelude: The Mastersingers...Wagner Aria: In questa reggia (Turandot)...Puccini Piano Concerto No.4, in G...Beethoven Introduced by Alvar Lidell (Amy Shuard appears by permission of the General Administrator, Royal Opera House Covent Garden, Ltd.)
March: Pomp and Circumstance No. 1, in D...Elgar Suite: Beni Mora...Holst Sea Songs...arr. Henry Wood Rule, Britannia...Arne Jerusalem...Parry Constance Shacklock (contralto) BBC Symphony Orchestra (Leader, Paul Beard) Conducted by Sir Malcolm Sargent Introduced by Alvar Lidell
First Night of the Proms Television cameras are at the Royal Albert Hall, for the first part of the opening concert of the Henry Wood Promenade Concerts BBC Symphony Orchestra, leader, Paul Beard Conducted by Sir Malcolm Sargent Introduced by Alvar Lidell Rossini Overture: The Journey to Rheims Shostakovich Piano Concerto No. 2, Op. 102 - John Ogdon, Piano
from the Henry Wood Promenade Concerts Excerpts from 'The Gondoliers'
Television cameras are at the Royal Albert Hall, London, for the first part of the opening concert of the Henry Wood Promenade Concerts. BBC Symphony Orchestra Leader, Paul Beard Conducted by Sir Malcolm Sargent Patricia Carroll, piano Introduced by Kenneth Kendall.
Monica Sinclair contralto BBC Symphony Orchestra Leader, Paul Beard Conducted by Sir Malcolm Sargent The National Anthem Introduced by Tom Fleming. From the Royal Albert Hall, London Pomp and Circumstance March No. 1 - Elgar From Bohemia's Fields and Woods - Smetana Sea Songs - arr. Henry Wood Rule, Britannia - Arne Jerusalem - Parry
BBC Television cameras are at the Royal Albert Hall, London, for the first part of the opening concert of the Henry Wood Promenade Concerts. BBC Symphony Orchestra Leader, Hugh Maguire Conducted by Sir Malcolm Sargent Jose Luis Garcia (violin), Roy Malan (violin), Kenneth Sillito (violin), Ronald Thomas (violin), Moura Lympany (piano) Introduced by Robert Hudson.
Leopold Stokowski conducts the BBC Symphony Orchestra Leader, Hugh Maguire Recording of part of Tuesday's concert at the Royal Albert Hall, London.
Monica Sinclair (contralto) BBC Symphony Orchestra Leader, Hugh Maguire Conducted by Sir Malcolm Sargent The National Anthem Introduced by Robert Hudson from the Royal Albert Hall, London.
Television cameras are at the Royal Albert Hall, London, for part of the opening concert of the 70th Season of Henry Wood Promenade Concerts. BBC Symphony Orchestra Leader, Hugh Maguire Conducted by Sir Malcolm Sargent Derek Collyer (violin) Introduced by Richard Baker.
by Benjamin Britten. Text from the Latin Mass for the Dead and poems by Wilfred Owen. Direct from the Promenade Concert at the Royal Albert Hall, London. Heather Harper soprano; Peter Pears tenor; Thomas Hemsley baritone The Melos Ensemble Conducted by Benjamin Britten BBC Chorus and Choral Society Boys from Emanuel School Conductor, Christian Strover London Philharmonic Choir Conductor, Frederic Jackson Simon Preston organ and chamber organ BBC Symphony Orchestra Leader, Hugh Maguire Conducted by Meredith Davies Introduced by Richard Baker.
Part of the concert recorded at the Royal Albert Hall, London on Saturday, August 8. Norma Fisher (piano) Philharmonia Orchestra Leader, Hugh Bean Conducted by Norman Del Mar Introduced by Richard Baker.
The first of a series of five outstanding programmes recorded from the BBC's 1964 season of Promenade Concerts at the Royal Albert Hall, London. Valerie Masterson (soprano), Ann Hood (soprano), Walter Midgley (tenor), John Cameron (baritone), Owen Brannigan (bass), William McCue (bass) BBC Chorus Royal Choral Society BBC Symphony Orchestra Led by Norman Nelson Conducted by Sir Malcolm Sargent Introduced by Richard Baker. Part 1: Excerpts from "The Yeomen of the Guard", "The Mikado" In The Interval: Richard Baker talks to Sir Malcolm Sargent about the Savoy Operas Part 2: "Trial by Jury" Valerie Masterson and Ann Hood appear by permission of Bridget D'Oyly Carte. Ltd.
The second of a series of five outstanding programmes recorded from the BBC's 1964 season of Promenade Concerts at the Royal Albert Hall, London. Stephen Bishop (piano) London Symphony Orchestra Leader, Erich Gruenberg Conducted by Colin Davis Introduced by Corbet Woodall. Part 1: Beethoven: Piano Concerto No. 4, in G major During the Interval: Comments from Martin Cooper and Colin Davis about "The Rite of Spring" Part 2: Stravinsky: "The Rite of Spring" Recorded on August 11
Part of the concert recorded at the Royal Albert Hall, London, on Wednesday, August 19. The twentieth anniversary of Sir Henry Wood's death Raimund Herincx (baritone) BBC Chorus BBC Choral Society London Philharmonic Choir Conductor, Fredric Jackson Royal Choral Society BBC Symphony Orchestra Led by Norman Nelson Conducted by Sir Malcolm Sargent
The third of a series of five outstanding programmes recorded from the BBC's 1964 season of Promenade Concerts at the Royal Albert Hall, London. Vladimir Ashkenazy (piano) playing two concertos with the London Philharmonic Orchestra Leader, David McCallum Conductor, John Pritchard Introduced by Richard Baker. Part 1: Bach: Piano Concerto No. 1, in D minor During the Interval: Richard Baker talks with Vladimir Ashkenazy Part 2: Chopin: Piano Concerto No. 2, in F minor Recorded on August 28
The fourth of a series of five outstanding programmes recorded from the BBC's 1964 season of Promenade Concerts at the Royal Albert Hall, London. Jacqueline du Pre (cello) BBC Symphony Orchestra Leader, Hugh Maguire Conducted by Sir Malcolm Sargent Introduced by Corbet Woodall. Before the Concerto: Jacqueline du Pre talks to Sydney Edwards of the Evening Standard. Recorded on September 3
Last of a series of five outstanding programmes recorded from the BBC's 1964 season of Promenade Concerts at the Royal Albert Hall, London. Amadeus String Quartet London Symphony Orchestra Leader, Erich Gruenberg Conducted by David Willcocks Introduced by Richard Baker. Part 1: String Quartet in C major. Op. 76 No. 3 (Emperor) During the Interval: H.C. Robbins Landon talks about Haydn. Part 2: Symphony No. 104, in D major (London)
Television cameras are at the Royal Albert Hall, London, for the second half of the final concert in the 70th Season of Henry Wood Promenade Concerts. BBC Symphony Orchestra Leader, Hugh Maguire Conducted by Sir Malcolm Sargent Constance Shacklock contralto Introduced by Richard Baker.
Television cameras are at the Royal Albert Hall, London, for the first half of the opening concert of the 71st Season of Henry Wood Promenade Concerts. BBC Symphony Orchestra Leader, Hugh Maguire Conducted by Sir Malcolm Sargent Gillian Weir (organ) Introduced by Richard Baker.
The first of a series of six outstanding programmes recorded from the BBC's 1965 season of Promenade Concerts at the Royal Albert Hall, London. Norma Fisher (piano) BBC Symphony Orchestra Leader, Hugh Maguire Conducted by Sir Malcolm Sargent Introduced by Tom Fleming. Recorded on Saturday, July 24
The second of a series of six outstanding programmes recorded from the BBC's 1965 season of Promenade Concerts at the Royal Albert Hall, London. Yehudi Menuhin (violin) Orchestra of the Royal Opera House Covent Garden Leader, Charles Taylor Conducted by Sir Adrian Boult Introduced by Jeremy James. Recorded on Wednesday, July 21
Part of the concert recorded at the Royal Albert Hall, London, on Thursday, July 29. Tessa Robins (violin), Patrick Ireland (viola) BBC Symphony Orchestra Leader, Hugh Maguire Conducted by Sir Malcolm Sargent Introduced by Geoffrey Lewis.
The third of a series of six outstanding programmes recorded from the BBC's 1965 season of Promenade Concerts at the Royal Albert Hall, London. Halle Orchestra Leader, Martin Milner Conductor, Sir John Barbirolli Introduced by Jeremy James.
Part of the concert recorded at the Royal Albert Hall, London on Saturday, August 7. Henryk Szeryng (violin) London Symphony Orchestra Leader, John Georgiadis Conducted by Istvan Kertesz Introduced by Richard Baker.
The fourth of a series of six outstanding programmes recorded from the BBC's 1965 season of Promenade Concerts at the Royal Albert Hall, London. Michael Roll (piano) BBC Symphony Orchestra Leader, Hugh Maguire Conducted by Sir Malcolm Sargent Introduced by John Dunn. (Recorded on July 27)
Part of the concert recorded at the Royal Albert Hall, London, on Saturday, August 14. Selections from The Pirates of Penzance, H.M.S. Pinafore, The Gondoliers. with Elaine Blighton (soprano), Yvonne Minton (contralto), Richard Lewis (tenor), John Cameron (baritone), Owen Brannigan (bass). BBC Chorus, Royal Choral Society BBC Symphony Orchestra led by Norman Nelson Conducted by Sir Malcolm Sargent Introduced by Jeremy James.
The fifth of a series of six outstanding programmes recorded from the BBC's 1965 season of Promenade Concerts at the Royal Albert Hall, London. William Fellowes (piano), Gary Karr (double-bass) BBC Symphony Orchestra Leader, Hugh Maguire Conducted by Sir Malcolm Sargent Introduced by Geoffrey Lewis.
The last of a series of six outstanding programmes recorded from the BBC's 1965 season of Promenade Concerts at the Royal Albert Hall, London. Barry Tuckwell (horn), Simon Streatfeild (viola) London Symphony Orchestra Leader, John Georgiadis Conducted by Colin Davis Introduced by Richard Baker. Recorded on August 26
Television cameras are at the Royal Albert Hall for the second half of the final concert in the 71st Season of Henry Wood Promenade Concerts. BBC Symphony Orchestra leader, Hugh Maguire conducted by Sir Malcolm Sargent Josephine Veasey (mezzo-soprano) Introduced by Richard Baker.
An account of the birth and continuing life of the famous 'entertainment' with poems by Edith Sitwell and music by William Walton. [Starring] Hermione Gingold, Russell Oberlin Including part of the rehearsal and a complete performance recorded at the Royal Albert Hall during the 1965 series of Promenade Concerts. The Melos Ensemble Conducted by the composer (Hermione Gingold is appearing in "Oh Dad, Poor Dad" at the Piccadilly Theatre, London)
Television cameras are at the Royal Albert Hall for the first half of the opening concert in the 72nd Season of Henry Wood Promenade Concerts. Moura Lympany (piano) BBC Symphony Orchestra Leader, Hugh Maguire Conducted by Sir Malcolm Sargent The National Anthem Overture: Roman Carnival.. Berlioz Piano Concerto in A minor. Schumann Before the concert begins Richard Baker talks to Sir Malcolm Sargent who is conducting his 500th Promenade Concert.
The first in a series of six programmes recorded from the BBC's 1966 season of Promenade Concerts at the Royal Albert Hall, London. Halle Orchestra Leader, Martin Milner Conducted by Sir John Barbirolli Overture: The Gypsy Baron Waltz: Tales from the Vienna Woods Pizzicato Polka Thunder and Lightning Polka Emperor Waltzes
The second in a series of six programmes recorded from the BBC's 1966 season of Promenade Concerts at the Royal Albert Hall. BBC Symphony Orchestra Leader, Hugh Maguire Conducted by Sir Malcolm Sargent Introduced by Richard Baker.
The third in a series of six programmes recorded from the BBC's 1966 season of Promenade Concerts at the Royal Albert Hall. Clifford Curzon (piano) BBC Symphony Orchestra Leader, Hugh Maguire Conducted by Gary Bertini Introduced by Richard Baker.
Part of the Promenade Concert recorded at the Royal Albert Hall to celebrate the seventy-fifth birthday of The Master of The Queen's Musick, Sir Arthur Bliss. John Ogdon is soloist in Bliss's Piano Concerto (1939) Written for the 1939 New York World's Fair with the BBC Symphony Orchestra Leader, Hugh Maguire Conducted by Sir Arthur Bliss Before the concerto Sir Arthur and Lady Bliss, in conversation with Richard Baker, recall some of the memorable events in their lives.
The fourth in a series of six programmes recorded from the BBC's 1966 season of Promenade Concerts at the Royal Albert Hall. Moscow Radio Orchestra Leader, Mikhail Cherniachovsky Conducted by Gennadi Rozhdestvensky Introduced by Richard Baker.
The monthly feature about the making of music. In this programme the distinguished French composer talks about his life and music and conducts a performance of his Improvisation No. 2 on Mallarme. With Halina Lukomska (soprano) and The New Music Ensemble: Elizabeth Fletcher (harp), Susan Bradshaw (celesta), Patricia Brady (vibraphone), Richard Rodney Bennett (piano), Eric Allen (bells), Gilbert Webster, Terence Emery, Jack Lees Jr., and Tristan Fry (percussion)
The fifth in a series of six programmes recorded from the BBC's 1966 season of Promenade Concerts at the Royal Albert Hall. Elaine Blighton (soprano), Patricia Kern (contralto), Richard Lewis (tenor), John Cameron (baritone), Owen Brannigan (bass) BBC Chorus Goldsmiths' Choral Union Conductor, Frederick Haggis Royal Choral Society BBC Concert Orchestra Leader, Arthur Leavins Conducted by Sir Malcolm Sargent Gilbert and Sullivan Selections from The Yeomen of the Guard, The Mikado, Iolanthe
Last in a series of six programmes recorded from the BBC's 1966 season of Promenade Concerts at the Royal Albert Hall. Pierre Boulez conducts Stravinsky: The Rite of Spring BBC Symphony Orchestra Leader, Hugh Maguire Introduced by Richard Baker. with comment by Pierre Boulez.
Television cameras are at the Royal Albert Hall, London, for the second half of the final concert in the 72nd Season of Henry Wood Promenade Concerts. BBC Symphony Orchestra Leader, Hugh Maguire Conducted by Sir Malcolm Sargent Monica Sinclair (contralto) Introduced by Richard Baker.
Television cameras were at the Royal Albert Hall earlier this evening to record the first half of the opening concert in the 73rd Season of Henry Wood Promenade Concerts. Fou Ts'ong (piano) BBC Symphony Orchestra Leader, Trevor Williams Conducted by Sir Malcolm Sargent Introduced by Richard Baker.
The first in a series of five programmes recorded from the 1967 Season of Henry Wood Promenade Concerts at the Royal Albert Hall, London. Andre Tchaikowsky (piano) BBC Symphony Orchestra Leader, Trevor Williams Conducted by Sir Malcolm Sargent Beethoven Overture: Egmont Piano Concerto No. 3, in C minor Introduced by James Fisher.
The second in a series of five programmes recorded from the 1967 Season of Henry Wood Promenade Concerts at the Royal Albert Hall, London. Victoria Postnikova (piano) Royal Philharmonic Orchestra Leader, John Ronayne Conducted by Sir Adrian Boult Introduced by Richard Baker.
BBC-2 presents a performance of William Walton's dramatic oratorio. Conducted by John Pritchard with Raimund Herincx (baritone) BBC Chorus, BBC Choral Society, Alexandra Choir, Goldsmiths' Choral Union, Harrow Choral Society, London Philharmonic Choir, Royal Choral Society BBC Symphony Orchestra Leader, Trevor Williams Before the performance Sir William Walton talks to John Warrack about the work and its origins. Introduced by Richard Baker (Recorded at a Promenade Concert from the Royal Albert Hall on Aug. 9)
The third in a series of five programmes recorded from the 1967 Season of Henry Wood Promenade Concerts at the Royal Albert Hall, London. Sir John Barbirolli conducts the Halle Orchestra Leader, Martin Milner in Viennese music by Johann Strauss and Richard Strauss Overture: Die Fledermaus Tritsch-Tratsch Polka Champagne Polka Waltz: The Blue Danube Suite from Der Rosenkavalier Introduced by John Dunn.
The fourth in a series of five programmes recorded from the 1967 Season of Henry Wood Promenade Concerts at the Royal Albert Hall, London. Vladimir Ashkenazy (piano) with the BBC Symphony Orchestra Leader, Trevor Williams Conducted by Colin Davis Beethoven Piano Concerto No. 5 ('Emperor') Introduced by Richard Baker.
Direct from the Royal Albert Hall, London the second part of tonight's Henry Wood Promenade Concert in which Colin Davis conducts the BBC Symphony Orchestra Leader, Trevor Williams Introduced by Richard Baker.
The last in a series of five programmes recorded from the 1967 Season of Henry Wood Promenade Concerts at the Royal Albert Hall, London. Introduced by John Warrack. Bernard Haitink conducts the Concertgebouw Orchestra of Amsterdam Leader, Herman Krebbers in Schubert's Symphony No. 9 in C major
Television cameras are at the Royal Albert Hall, London, for the second half of the final concert in the 73rd Season of Henry Wood Promenade Concerts. BBC Symphony Orchestra Leader, Trevor Williams Conducted by Colin Davis Monica Sinclair (contralto) Introduced by Richard Baker.
Part of the First Night of the 74th Season of Proms, recorded in the Royal Albert Hall earlier this evening. BBC Symphony Orchestra Led by Hugh Maguire Conductor, Colin Davis Vaughan Williams's Serenade to Music with sixteen soloists William Walton's Viola Concerto with Peter Schidlof as soloist
First of four visits to the 74th Season of Henry Wood Promenade Concerts at the Royal Albert Hall. BBC Symphony Orchestra Leader, Hugh Bean Conductor, Colin Davis Peter Katin (piano) Introduced by Richard Baker. (Part of the concert recorded on Saturday, July 27)
The second of four visits to the 74th Season of Henry Wood Promenade Concerts at the Royal Albert Hall. BBC Symphony Orchestra Led by Hugh Maguire Conducted by Sir Adrian Boult in a performance of Holst's Suite "The Planets" with the BBC Women's Chorus Introduced by Richard Baker. (Part of the concert recorded on July 30)
The third of four visits to the 74th Season of Henry Wood Promenade Concerts at the Royal Albert Hall. New Philharmonia Orchestra Guest Leader, Jack Rothstein Conducted by Sir Adrian Boult, Frederik Prausnitz with Michael Roll (piano) Introduced by John Warrack. (Part of the concert recorded on August 19)
Last of four visits to the 74th Season of Henry Wood Promenade Concerts at the Royal Albert Hall. State Orchestra of the U.S.S.R. Leader, Isaac Zhuk Conductor, Evgeny Svetlanov in a performance of Tchaikovsky's Symphony No. 6, in B minor (Pathetique). Introduced by Richard Baker. (Part of the concert recorded on August 22)
Isaac Stern, Leonard Rose, Eugene Istomin perform Beethoven's Concerto in C major for piano, violin, cello and orchestra.The work is preceded by Overture: Armida by Haydn with the BBC Symphony Orchestra led by Hugh Maguire Conductor, Colin Davis Part of the Promenade Concert recorded on Thursday, September 5 Introduced by Richard Baker. (Colour)
BBC television cameras are at the Royal Albert Hall, London, for a live transmission of part of the final concert in the 74th season of Henry Wood Promenade Concerts. BBC Symphony Orchestra Led by Hugh Maguire Conductor, Colin Davis Sybil Michelow, contralto Introduced by Richard Baker. This occasion is steeped in tradition, which is very jealously guarded by the enthusiastic Promenaders. But this year sees two 'firsts'. Although Colin Davis stepped in for Sir Malcolm Sargent last year, this is his first official 'Last Night.' And South African - born contralto Sybil Michelow makes her 'Last Night' debut as the soloist in 'Rule, Britannia.'
In this year of the 100th anniversary of the birth of the founder of the Proms, Sir Henry Wood, BBC cameras are at the Royal Albert Hall to bring you part of the first Saturday Night Concert Schubert: Symphony No. 5, in B flat major Falla: Nights in the Gardens of Spain with Malcolm Binns, piano BBC Symphony Orchestra Leader, Hugh Bean Conducted by Meredith Davies Introduced by Richard Baker
A series of visits to the seventy-fifth season of Promenade Concerts at the Royal Albert Hall, London Tonight: The London Sinfonietta Conductor, David Atherton Bach: Brandenburg Concerto No. 4, in G major Soloists: Andrew McGee (violin), Sebastian Bell (flute), Judith Pearce (flute) Mozart: Clarinet Concerto in A major (K.622) Soloist, Antony Pay Introduced by Derek Hart
The second in a series of five programmes from the 1969 season of Henry Wood Promenade Concerts BBC Symphony Orchestra Leader, Hugh Bean Conductor, Colin Davis John Lill (piano) Liszt - Piano Concerto No. in E flat major Stravinsky - Ballet: Petrushka Introduced by Derek Hart
A series of visits to the 75th season of Promenade Concerts at the Royal Albert Hall, London * Sir Adrian Boult conducts Schubert: Symphony No. 9, in C major 'The Great' with the BBC Symphony Orchestra Leader, Eli Goren Introduced by Derek Hart
A series of visits to the 75th season of Promenade Concerts at the Royal Albert Hall, London Emil Gilels plays Beethoven: Piano Concerto No. 3 in C minor with the BBC Symphony Orchestra Leader, Eli Goren Conducted by Colin Davis Also in the programme: Wagner: Overture and Venusberg Music from Tannhauser with the BBC Women's Chorus and the Ambrosian Singers Introduced by Derek Hart
A series of visits to the 75th season of Promenade Concerts at the Royal Albert Hall, London Colin Davis conducts the BBC Symphony Orchestra Leader, Bela Dekany in a performance of Berlioz: Symphony: Harold in Italy with Peter Schidlof (viola) Introduced by Derek Hart
BBC outside broadcast cameras are at the Royal Albert Hall to bring you the second part of the closing concert in the 75th season Colin Davis conducts the BBC Symphony Orchestra, Leader Eli Goren Elgar Overture: Cockaigne Fantasia on British Sea Songs (arr. Wood) Parry Jerusalem Introduced by Richard Baker
In part of the first Promenade Concert to be given by this world-famous orchestra from Prague Vaclav Neumann conducts Smetana Overture: The Bartered Bride Smetana Symphonic Poem Blanik (Ma vlast) Beethoven Piano Concerto No 2, in B flat major with Eva Bernathova (piano) Introduced by Richard Baker
The first Proms to be broadcast in colour
The first in a series of five programmes from the 1970 season of Henry Wood Promenade Concerts from the Royal Albert Hall. The first English appearance of the Russian violinist Mark Lubotsky Britten Violin Concerto, Op 15 with the BBC Symphony Orchestra leader Eli Goren conducted by James Loughran The programme begins with Schubert Symphony No 8, in B minor (Unfinished) Introduced by Richard Baker
The second in a series of five programmes from the 1970 Season of Henry Wood Promenade Concerts at the Royal Albert Hall. Pierre Boulez conducts the BBC Symphony Orchestra leader Bela Dekany. Geza Anda (piano) Stravinsky Suite: The Firebird (1911) Bartok Piano Concerto No 2 Introduced by Richard Baker.
The third in a series of five programmes from the 1970 Season of Henry Wood Promenade Concerts at the Royal Albert Hall. Academy of St Martin-in-the-Fields, leader Alan Loveday, conductor Neville Marriner, Simon Preston, Philip Ledger, Christopher Hogwood (harpsichords) Bach Concerto No 2 in C major, for three harpsichords and strings The Soft Machine Hugh Hopper (guitar), Mike Ratledge (organ/electric piano), Robert Wyatt (drums), Elton Dean (saxophones) Introduced by Richard Baker
The fourth in a series of five programmes from the 1970 Season of Henry Wood Promenade Concerts at the Royal Albert Hall. Stanford Robinson conducts the BBC Choral Society, BBC Concert Orchestra in excerpts from The Yeomen of the Guard, The Pirates of Penzance, The Mikado with Valerie Masterton (soprano), Patricia Kern (mezzo-soprano), Jean Allister (contralto), John Mitchinson (tenor), Derek Hammond-Stroud (baritone), Donald Adams (bass) Introduced by Richard Baker
The last in a series of five programmes from the 1970 Season of Henry Wood Promenade Concerts at the Royal Albert Hall Halle Orchestra, leader Martin Milner, conducted by Charles Groves Jean Fonda (piano) Beethoven - Piano Concerto No 1, in C major Delius - In a Summer Garden This concert, which was to have been conducted by Sir John Barbirolli, will include the last filmed interview he gave, shortly before his death, when he talked about himself and his long association with the Henry Wood Proms. Introduced by Richard Baker
Live from the Royal Albert Hall, London, BBC outside broadcast cameras bring you the second half of the closing concert in the 76th season. Colin Davis conducts the BBC Symphony Orchestra leader Bela Dekany Elgar March: Pomp and Circumstance No 1, in D major Copland El Salon Mexico Arnold Fantasy for Audience and Orchestra (commissioned by the BBC: first performance) Parry - Elgar Jerusalem Introduced by Richard Baker
The first of two programmes recorded from the 1970 season of Henry Wood Promenade Concerts at the Royal Albert Hall. Peter Katin (piano) with the London Philharmonic Orchestra, leader Rodney Friend, conducted by John Pritchard Glinka Overture: Ruslan and Ludmilla Rachmaninov Piano Concerto No 3, in D minor Introduced by Antony Hopkins
The last of two programmes recorded from the 1970 season of Henry Wood Promenade Concerts. Berlioz - Fantastic Symphony played by the Concertgebouw Orchestra of Amsterdam, conducted by Bernard Haitink Introduced by Antony Hopkins
The first in a series of six programmes from the 1971 season of Henry Wood Promenade Concerts from the Royal Albert Hall. Radu Lupu, the Romanian pianist who won the 1969 Leeds Piano Competition, is the soloist in Grieg's Piano Concerto in A minor. The programme ends with the Variations on an Original Theme (Enigma) by Elgar. Royal Liverpool Philharmonic Orchestra leader Clifford Knowles conductor Charles Groves Introduced by Richard Baker
Ida Haendel is the soloist in Brahms Violin Concerto with the New Philharmonia Orchestra leader Emanuel Hurwitz conducted by Erich Leinsdorf The second in a series of six programmes from the 1971 season of Henry Wood Promenade Concerts from the Royal Albert Hall. Introduced by Richard Baker
Pierre Boulez conducts Debussy and Stravinsky with the BBC Symphony Orchestra, leader Bela Dekany Debussy: Iberia (Images for Orchestra No 2) Stravinsky: Suite: Petrushka The third in a series of six programmes from the 1971 season of Henry Wood Promenade Concerts from the Royal Albert Hall. Introduced by Richard Baker
The fourth in a series from the 1971 season of Henry Wood Promenade Concerts from the Royal Albert Hall. Charles Mackerras conducts the BBC Symphony Orchestra in Beethoven Overture: Fidelio Dvorak Symphony No 9 in E minor (From the New World) Introduced by Richard Baker
The fifth in a series of six programmes from the 1971 season of Henry Wood Promenade Concerts. Alfred Brendel plays Mozart Piano Concerto No 17 in G major (K 453) with the BBC Symphony Orchestra conductor Colin Davis The concert begins with Brahms Tragic Overture Introduced by Richard Baker
Haydn and Stravinsky
This is the sixth in a series of programmes from the 1971 season of Henry Wood Promenade Concerts Pierre Boulez conducts the National Youth Orchestra in: Berg: Seven Early Songs - Heather Harper (soprano) Webern: Six Pieces Op 6 Debussy: La Mer Introduced by Richard Baker
One of the great orchestras of the world made its first appearance at a Prom last week. BBC2 cameras were at the Royal Albert Hall to record Tchaikovsky's Symphony No 4, in F minor conducted by Gennadi Rozhdestvensky. Introduced by Antony Hopkins
Live from the Royal Albert Hall, London, BBC outside broadcast cameras bring you the second half of the closing concert of the 77th season. Colin Davis conducts the BBC Symphony Orchestra leader Eli Goren Elgar March: Pomp and Circumstance No 1, in D major Walton Suite: Facade Williamson The Stone Wall: opera for audience and orchestra (commissioned by the BBC) first performance Arne Rule, Britannia Parry, orch Elgar Jerusalem with Elizabeth Bainbridge (mezzo-soprano) Introduced by Richard Baker (Elizabeth Bainbridge appears by permission of the General Administrator, Royal Opera House Covent Garden) (Colour)
The first of five visits to the Royal Albert Hall for the 1972 season of Henry Wood Promenade Concerts Michael Tilson Thomas conducts Gabrieli Canzon septimi toni Canzon noni toni Sonata pian' e forte with the London Symphony Orchestra Brass Ensemble and Liszt and Others Hexameron: variations for six grand pianos and orchestra on a march from Bellini's I Puritani for which five other composers joined Liszt in writing this work - Thalberg, Pixis, Herz, Czerny and Chopin. with pianists John Bingham, Martin Hughes, Ronald Lumsden, Howard Shelley, Thomas Walsh, David Wilde and the London Symphony Orchestra leader John Georgiadis Introduced by Richard Baker (Part of last Thursday's concert) (Next week: Music by Brahms) (Colour)
The second of five visits to the Royal Albert Hall for the 1972 season of Henry Wood Promenade Concerts Misha Dichter plays Brahms Piano Concerto No 1, in D minor with the London Symphony Orchestra leader John Georgiadis conducted by Colin Davis Introduced by Richard Baker (Part of last Monday's concert) (Next week: Music by Shostakovich) (Colour)
The third of five visits to the Royal Albert Hall for the 1972 season of Henry Wood Promenade Concerts Bernard Haitink conducts Shostakovich Symphony No 10 with the London Philharmonic Orchestra leader Rodney Friend Introduced by Richard Baker (Part of last Friday's broadcast) (Next week: Music by Strauss and Lehar) (Colour)
The fourth of five visits to the 1972 season of Henry Wood Promenade Concerts from the Royal Albert Hall John Pritchard conducts Waltzes and Polkas by the Strauss family and excerpts from Lehar's The Merry Widow and Johann Strauss's Die Fledermaus with Catherine Wilson (soprano) and the BBC Symphony Orchestra leader Eli Goren Introduced by Richard Baker (Part of the concert given on 12 August) (Next week: Gilbert and Sullivan) (Colour)
This week's visit to the Royal Albert Hall for the 1972 season of Henry Wood Promenade Concerts Stanford Robinson conducts highlights from Gilbert and Sullivan operettas Iolanthe, The Pirates of Penzance, HMS Pinafore with Patricia Reakes (soprano), Patricia Kern (mezzo-soprano), Heather Begg (contralto), Alexander Young (tenor), Derek Hammond-Stroud (baritone), Donald Adams (bass) BBC Concert Orchestra leader Arthur Leavins BBC Choral Society Introduced by Richard Baker (Part of last night's concert) (Last Night of the Proms: 16 September)
BBC2 cameras were at the Royal Albert Hall recently to record the first of two Promenade Concerts with outstanding artists. Pierre Boulez conducts a performance of Stravinsky's complete ballet "The Firebird" with the BBC Symphony Orchestra, leader Bela Dekany. The programme begins with Stravinsky's "Symphonies of wind instruments" (original version). Introduced by Antony Hopkins (Part of the concert given on 25 August)
BBC2 cameras were at the Royal Albert Hall recently to record the second of two Promenade Concerts with outstanding artists. Hiroyuki Iwaki conducts the NHK Symphony Orchestra of Japan in a performance of Mozart Violin Concerto in G major (K 216) with Masuko Ushioda (violin) The programme also includes Concerto for Orchestra by Akira Miyoshi Introduced by Antony Hopkins (Part of the concert given on 3 Sept)
Live from the Royal Albert Hall, London, BBC outside broadcast cameras bring you the second half of the closing concert of the 78th season. Colin Davis conducts the BBC Symphony Orchestra, leader Eli Goren Elgar March: Pomp and Circumstance No 1, in D major Walton A Song for the Lord Mayor's Table Crosse Celebration: A little Cantata for audience, chorus and orchestra (commissioned by the BBC: first performance) Arne Rule, Britannia Parry, orch Elgar Jerusalem with Elizabeth Bainbridge (mezzo-soprano) Introduced by Richard Baker
The first of six visits to the Royal Albert Hall for the 1973 Henry Wood Promenade Concerts. Iona Brown plays Walton Violin Concerto in B minor with the Royal Philharmonic Orchestra leader Erich Gruenberg Conducted by James Loughran The programme begins with Elgar's Cockaigne Overture Introduced by Richard Baker (Part of the concert given on 21 July) (Colour)
The second of six visits to the Royal Albert Hall for the 1973 Henry Wood Promenade Concerts. Michael Roll plays Schumann Piano Concerto in A minor, with the BBC Symphony Orchestra leader Bela Dekany Conductor Pierre Boulez The programme also includes Webern: Passacaglia, Op 1 Introduced by Richard Baker (Part of the concert given on 25 July)
The third of six visits to the Royal Albert Hall for the 1973 Henry Wood Promenade Concerts. Andre Previn conducts Rachmaninov's Choral setting of Edgar Allan Poe's 'The Bells' with Sheila Armstrong (soprano), Robert Tear (tenor), John Shirley-Quirk (baritone) LSO Chorus chorus master Arthur Oldham and the London Symphony Orchestra leader John Brown Introduced by Richard Baker (Part of the concert given on 26 July) (Next week: Music by Mozart and Johann Strauss) (Colour)
Fourth of six visits to the Royal Albert Hall Janos Furst conducts the London Mozart Players in music by Johann Strauss and Mozart Piano Concerto in G major (K 453) with Imogen Cooper as soloist "Imogen Cooper has a high reputation as one of our best up-and-comings. Interesting, too, that a pupil of Brendel - who plays on Thursday - should be heard in the same week". (Philip Jones) Introduced by Richard Baker (Part of the concert given on 11 August)
The fifth of six visits to the Royal Albert Hall for the 1973 season of Henry Wood Promenade Concerts Colin Davis conducts the BBC Symphony Orchestra in Elgar Symphony No 2 in E flat 'I'm delighted that Colin Davis's performance of Elgar's Second Symphony is being televised. For me, it's one of the greatest symphonies and it's at last achieving the popularity it deserves.' (Andrew Davis) Introduced by Richard Baker (Part of the concert given on 22 August) No 15
A further visit to the Royal Albert Hall for the 1973 season of Henry Wood Promenade Concerts Sir Charles Groves conducts the National Youth Orchestra of Great Britain in Shostakovich Symphony No 15 in A major "Charles Groves is a marvellous conductor for singers. I did my first Verdi Requiem with him and I can remember just how much of a help he was to me." (Ava June)
Holland's leading orchestra under its conductor Bernard Haitink can be seen in the first of two visits to the London Proms. The concert, recorded yesterday at the Royal Albert Hall, includes Mendelssohn Incidental music to A Midsummer Night's Dream and Dvorak Symphony No 9 (From the New World) 'The Midsummer Night's Dream music has many unknown pieces that are very beautiful, including that tiny march, looking forward all the way to Mahler.' (Bernard Haitink) Introduced by Cormac Rigby
Live from the Royal Albert Hall, London, the second half of the closing concert of the 79th season of Henry Wood Proms. Norman Del Mar conducts the BBC Symphony Orchestra, leader Bela Dekany, and the BBC Singers, director John Poole Elgar - March: Pomp and Circumstance No 1, in D Walton - Suite: Facade arr Henry Wood - Fantasia on British Sea Songs Parry, orch Elgar - Jerusalem orch Elgar - National Anthem Introduced by Richard Baker
The first of six visits to the Royal Albert Hall for the 1974 season of Henry Wood Promenade Concerts. RICHARD BAKER introduces: Debussy Images Schoenberg Accompaniment to a film scene played by the BBC Symphony Orchestra leader ELI GOREN conductor Pierre Boulez Director RODNEY GREENBERG
The second of six visits to the Royal Albert Hall for the 1974 season of Henry Wood Promenade Concerts. Carl Orff Carmina Burana Secular songs for solo singers and chorus with instruments and magical pictures. Sheila Armstrong (soprano) Gerald English (tenor) Thomas Allen (baritone) LSO Chorus, chorus-master Arthur Oldham, St Clement Danes Boys' Choir, choirmaster Audrey Clifford, London Symphony Orchestra, leader John Brown, conducted by Andre Previn Introduced by Richard Baker
The third of six visits to the Royal Albert Hall for the Anniversary of the First Promenade Concert Craig Sheppard plays Chopin Piano Concerto No 2, in F minor with the BBC Symphony Orchestra, leader Bela Dekany, conducted by Charles Mackerras The programme begins with the same work which Henry Wood conducted at the first Prom on 10 August, 1895: Wagner Overture: Rienzi Introduced by Richard Baker
BBC2 links up with R3 in stereo to relay live from the Royal Albert Hall the first half of tonight's Promenade Concert given by the National Youth Orchestra of Great Britain conducted by Christopher Seaman who play: Tchaikovsky Overture-fantasia: Romeo and Juliet Prokofiev Violin Concerto No 2, in G minor with Kyung-Wha Chung (violin) Introduced for BBC2 and Radio 3 by Cormac Rigby
The fourth of six visits to the Royal Albert Hall for the 1974 season of Henry Wood Promenade Concerts The Music of Johann Strauss II A selection from the overtures, marches, polkas and waltzes, played by the Halle Orchestra, leader Michael Davis, conductor James Loughran Introduced by Richard Baker (Part of the concert given on 27 July)
Conducted by Boris Brott
The fifth of six visits to the Royal Albert Hall for the 1974 season of Henry Wood Promenade Concerts. Stephen Bishop plays Bartok Piano Concerto No 3 BBC Symphony Orchestra, leader Bela Dekany, conducted by Colin Davis The programme begins with Beethoven Overture Leonora No 1 Introduced by Richard Baker (Part of the concert given on 13 August)
For the final Omnibus visit to the Royal Albert Hall for the 1974 season of Henry Wood Promenade Concerts Rudolf Kempe conducts the Royal Philharmonic Orchestra, leader Erich Gruenberg, in a performance of Richard Strauss Symphonic Poem: Ein Heldenleben Introduced by Richard Baker (Part of the concert given on 28 August)
Live from the Royal Albert Hall, London, the second half of the closing concert of the 80th season of Henry Wood Promenade Concerts Sir Charles Groves conducts the BBC Symphony Orchestra leader ELI GOREN Britten Piano Concerto Elgar March: Pomp and Circumstance No 1 in D major Hoist Ballet Music: The Perfect Fool Arne, arr Sargent Rule, Britannia Parry, arr Elgar Jerusalem arr Britten National Anthem with Michael Roll (piano) Norma Procter (contralto) BBC Singers BBC Choral Society conductor john POOLE Introduced by RICHARD BAKER Director BRIAN LARGE
Mahler: Symphony No 8 in E flat The 1975 season of Henry Wood Promenade Concerts opens tonight with Mahler's' Symphony of a Thousand.' BBC2 joins with Radio 3 in stereo to relay this massive, triumphant work direct from the Royal Albert Hall. EDDA MOSER (soprano) LINDA ESTHER GRAY (soprano) WENDY EATHORNE (soprano) ELIZABETH CONNELL (mezzO-SOp) BERNADETTE GREEVY (contralto) ALBERTO REMEDIOS (tenor) SIEGMUND NIMSGERN (baritone) MARIUS RINTZLER (bass) BBC SINGERS BBC CHORAL SOCIETY SCOTTISH NATIONAL ORCHESTRA CHORUS, WANDSWORTH SCHOOL CHOIR . BBC SYMPHONY ORCHESTRA leader eli GOREN conductor PIERRE BOULEZ Introduced by CORMAC RIGBY Director RODNEY GREENBERG
The first of six visits to the Royal Albert Hall for the 1975 season of Henry Wood Promenade Concerts. Strauss Night A selection from the music of the Strauss family, Johann the Father, Johann the Son and his brothers Josef and Eduard played by the Halle Orchestra leaders MARTIN MILNER and MICHAEL DAVIS conductor James Loughran Introduced by RICHARD BAKER Director ROY TIPPING (Part of the concert given on 26 July)
The second of six visits to the Royal Albert Hall for the 1975 season of Henry Wood Promenade Concerts Yitkin Seow plays Beethoven Piano Concerto No 2 in B flat major Britten Sinfonia da Requiem played by the BBC Northern Symphony Orchestra leader BARRY GRIFFITHS conductor Raymond Leppard Introduced by RICHARD BAKER Director DENIS MORIARTY (Part of the concert given on 5 August)
The third of six visits to the Royal Albert Hall for the 1975 season of Henry Wood Promenade Concerts Tchaikovsky Symphony No 5 in E minor played by the London Philharmonic Orchestra leader RODNEY FRIEND conducted by Bernard Haitink Introduced by ROBIN RAY Director ROY TIPPING (Part of the concert given on 9 August)
The fourth of six visits to the Royal Albert Hall for the 1975 season of Henry Wood Promenade Concerts Tchaikovsky Violin Concerto in D major with Kyung-Wha Chung played by the International Youth Orchestra conducted by Claudio Abbado Introduced by RICHARD BAKER Director ROY TIPPING (Part of the concert given on 16 Aug)
Dvorak: Symphony No 9, in E minor (From the New World) The second half of this evening's promenade concert. BBC Symphony Orchestra leader ELI GOREN conductor Rudolf Kempe Introduced by JOHN amis Director RON ISTED
The fifth of six visits to the Royal Albert Hall for the 1975 season of Henry Wood Promenade Concerts Mozart Symphony No 36, in 0 major K 425 (Linz) Bartok Piano Concerto No 1 with Michel Beroff Played by the BBC Symphony Orchestra leader Bela Dekany, conductor Colin Davis Introduced by Robin Ray
The last of six visits to the Royal Albert Hall for the 1975 season of Henry Wood Promenade (I Concerts Mozart Piano Concerto No 19, in F major (K 459) played by Alfred Brendel Beethoven Grosse Fuge with the Academy of St Martin-in-the-Fields directed by Neville Marriner Introduced by ROBIN RAY Director ROBIN lough (Part of the concert given on 25 August)
Live from the Royal Albert Hall, London, the second half of the closing concert of the 81st Season of Henry Wood Proms. Norman Del Mar conducts the BBC Symphony Orchestra leader BELA DEKANY Elgar March: Pomp and Circumstance No 1 in D Berners Suite: The Triumph of Neptune Henry Wood Fantasia on British Sea Songs Parry (orch Elgar) Jerusalem Orch Elgar National Anthem with Anne Howells (mezzo-soprano) Thomas Hemsley (baritone) BBC Singers director JOHN POOLE BBC Choral Society Introduced by RICHARD BAKER Director BRIAN LARGE
Beethoven Mass in D major (Missa Solemnis) One of the crowning achievements of Beethoven's last years, relayed live with Radio 3 in stereo from the opening concert of the 1976 Henry Wood Promenade Concerts at the Royal Albert Hall Ursula Koszut (soprano) Anna Reynolds (mezzo-soprano) Anthony Rolfe Johnson (tenor) John Shirley-Quirk (baritone) BBC Singers BBC Choral Society A section of the London Symphony Chorus BBC Symphony Orchestra leader BFIA I)EKANY conducted by Colin Davis Introduced by CORMAC RIGBY Sound GRAHAM HAINES GEOFFREY KLINTON-PARKER Lighting MIBERT CARTWRIGHT Director RODNEY CREENBERG ,
BBC2 joins Radio 3 in stereo for a live relay of the first half of this evening's Prom from the Royal Albert Hall. Mozart Symphony No 39, in E flat (K 543) Shostakovich Violin Concerto No 1 Ida Haendel (violin) Royal Philharmonic Orchestra guest leader BARRY GRIFFITHS conducted by Hans Vonk Introduced by PETER BARKER Sound GRAHAM HAINES. GEOFFREY TIMS Lighting HUBERT CARTWRIGHT Director RON ISTED
BBC2 joins Radio 3 in stereo for a live relay of the first half of this evening's Prom from the Royal Albert Hall. Haydn Symphony No 95 in c minor Liszt Piano Concerto No 2 in A major Roger Woodward (piano) BBC Symphony Orchestra leader BELA DEKANY conducted by John Pritchard Introduced by JON cuRLE Sound GRAHAM HAINES , TONY ASKEW Lighting ALAN ROBERTS Director RON ISTED
The first of this season's Sunday-night programmes from the Henry Wood Promenade Concerts is a recording of part of the Viennese Night with the Royal Philharmonic Orchestra associate leader ASHLEY ARBUCKLE conductor Walter Susskind The programme consists of music by Suppe, Lehar and the Strauss family, including the waltz' Tales from the Vienna Woods', with zither solo by JOHN LEACH , and the Pizzicato Polka. Introduced by RICHARD BAKER Director DAVID BUCKTON Part of the concert given on 17 July.
Britten: War Requiem BBC2 joins Radio 3 in stereo for tonight's Promenade Concert from the Royal Albert Hall. The War Requiem is one of the major choral works of this century: a passionate denunciation of war, expressed through a setting of the Latin Mass for the Dead interspersed with the anti-war poems of Wilfred Owen. Galina Vishnevskaya (soprano) Peter Pears (tenor) Thomas Hemsley (baritone) BBC Singers, BBC Choral Society Wandsworth School Choir Organists MALCOLM HICKS , RALPH DOWNES London Philharmonic Orchestra leader DENNIS SIMONS London Philharmonic Orchestra Chamber Ensemble leader RODNEY FRIEND conductor Bernard Haitink Lighting BERT OATEN Sound GRAHAM HAINES , JAMES HAMILTON .Director RODNEY GREENBERG
The second of this season's Sunday-night programmes from the Henry Wood Promenade Concerts is a recording of part of a concert of modern works from the Round House in London. The Fires of London director PETER MAXWELL DAVIES play works by two outstanding young British composers Dominic Muldowney Solo/Ensemble Peter Maxwell Davies Eight Songs for a Mad King with Donald Bell (baritone) Introduced by RICHARD BAKER Director BARRIE GAVIN Part of the concert given on 26 July
The third of this season's Sunday-night programmes from the Henry Wood Promenade Concerts recorded at the Royal Albert Hall. Tonight the National Youth Orchestra of Great Britain conducted by David Atherton Sibelius Symphony No 1, in E minor Introduced by RICHARD BAKER Director ROY TIPPING Part of the concert given on 31 July.
The fourth of this season's visits to the Henry Wood Proms is a recording of part of the American Programme with Gerald Robbins as soloist in Gershwin's Variations on 'I Got Rhythm' for piano and orchestra. BBC Symphony Orchestra conducted by Lawrence Foster The programme includes: Copland Four Dance Episodes (Rodeo) Ives The Fourth of July Sessions Symphony No 8
In the last of this season's Sunday night programmes from the Henry Wood Promenade Concerts Riccardo Muti makes his debut on television and at the Proms. He is the principal conductor of the New Philharmonia Orchestra led by BERNARD PARTRIDGE The programme includes Mendelssohn Symphony No 4, in A (Italian) Mozart Sinfonia Concertante in E flat, for violin and viola (K 364) with soloists Carl Pini (violin) Csafea Erdelyi (viola) Introduced by RICHARD BAKER Director ssnis MORIARTY Part of last night's concert
BBC1 joins Radio 3 in stereo for the second half of tonight's closing concert of the 82nd Season of Henry Wood Promenade Concerts, live from the Royal Albert Hall. Sir Charles Groves conducts the BBC Symphony Orchestra leader ELI GOREN Elgar March: Pomp and Circumstance No 1, in D major Williamson Suite: Our Man in Havana Henry Wood, arr Sargent Sea Songs Arne, arr Sargent Rule Britannia Parry , orch Elgar Jerusalem orch Elgar National Anthem with Anne ColOns (contralto) BBC Singers director JOHN POOLE BBC Choral Society Introduced by RICHARD BAKER Lighting ALAN ROBERTS Sound GRAHAM UAI!':ES Director IAN ENGELMANN
from the Royal Albert Hall , London Introduced by John Georgladls 1975 saw the first-ever Schools Prom when over 400 school children aged 5-18 played before a capacity audience at London's Royal Albert Hall. The British press were unanimous In their praise 'Never has there been a Prom like it' (The Observer). 'The ensemble groups produced performances of astonishing variety' (The Times). This year nearly 600 talented youngsters playing classical, folk and jazz, from schools all over the United Kingdom give a wider interpretation to the beloved term ' Proms ' and bring the sound of music from the orchestral to chamber, jazz, ensemble and big band to the budding promenaders. The Schools Prom sponsored by The Times Educational Supplement Executive producer DEREK JEWELL Lighting ALAN ROBERTS Sound JEFF BAKER Television presentation KEN GRIFFIN
Music by British composers launches this Silver Jubilee 83rd Henry Wood Promenade Concerts season, in the presence of TRH The Duke and Duchess of Kent. National Anthem (arr Britten) Tippett Concerto for double string orchestra Vaughan Williams Serenade to Music, for 16 solo voices and orchestra Britten and Berkeley Mont Juic: suite of Catalan dances Soloists Wendy Eathorne, Margaret Marshall, Linda Esther Gray, Jennifer Smith, Ann Murray, Cynthia Buchan, Oriel Sutherland, Anne Collins, John Elwes, Anthony Rolfe Johnson, Keith Erwen, Neil Mackie, Peter Knapp, David Thomas, Brian Rayner Cook, Paul Hudson BBC Choral Society, London Symphony Chorus, BBC Symphony Orchestra, leader Eli Goren, conducted by Andrew Davis BBC2 joins Radio 3 in stereo and quadraphony to relay Part 1 of tonight's concert, live from the Royal Albert Hall. Introduced by PATRICIA HUGHES Producer RODNEY GREENBERG
BBC2 joins Radio 3 in stereo for a live relay of the first half of this evening's Henry Wood Promenade Concert from tne Koyai Albert Hall , London Mozart Symphony No 31, in D major (Paris) (K 297) Clarinet Concerto in A (K 622) John McCaw (clarinet) New Philharmonia Orchestra leader CARL PINI conductor Riccardo Muti Introduced by MICHAEL BERKELEY Sound VIC GODRICH GEOFFREY KLINTON PARKER , Lighting CLIVE POTTER Director RON ISTED
Humphrey Burton introduces part of one of the concerts of British music that opened this year's Jubilee season at the Henry Wood Proms. Royal Liverpool Philharmonic Orchestra leader ALAN TRAVERSE conductor Sir Charles Groves Ralph Kirshbaum (cello) Malcolm Arnold 's lively Overture: Beckus the Dandipratt opens the concert and is followed by Delius's Fantasy: In a Summer Garden. The young Texas-born RALPH KIRSHBAUM is soloist in one of the most loved of all English works, the Cello Concerto of Elgar. Lighting CLIVE POTTER. Sound vie GODRICH Director DAVID BUCKTON Purcell's Hail, bright Cecilia
Joan Bakewell introduces part of one of the concerts of British music that opened this year's Jubilee season at the Henry Wood Proms. Henry Purcell's Hail, bright Cecilia: a song for St Cecilia's Day - a setting in praise of the patroness of music heard first in 1692. Before the performance the composer, Sir Michael Tippett, a lifelong devotee of Purcell's music and joint editor of the version performed at this concert, talks to the conductor, Nicholas Cleobury, who is making his debut on television. FELICITY LOTT (soprano) JAMES BOWMAN (counter-tenor) CHARLES BRETT (counter-tenor) IAN PARTRIDGE (tenor) STEPHEN ROBERTS (baritone) DAVID THOMAS (bass-baritone) Continuo: STEPHEN CLEOBURY (organ) DAVID ROBLOU (harpsichord) NIGEL NORTON (theorbo) STEPHEN ORTON (cello) Schola Cantorum of Oxford The Purcell Orchestra leader ROGER GARLAND conducted by Nicholas Cleobury
Angela Rippon introduces the St Thomas Wake: Foxtrot for orchestra by Peter Maxwell Davies and talks to him about this entertaining and unusual piece, in which a jazz band rubs shoulders with a symphony orchestra and an Elizabethan Pavane is transformed by the sounds of 1920s dance music. The programme begins with Alfred Brendel as soloist in a work equally original in its departure from tradition - Beethoven's Piano Concerto No 4 in G. BBC Symphony Orchestra leader BELA DEKANY conducted by Sir Charles Groves Sound GRAHAM HAINES Lighting BILL JONES Producer RODNEY GREENBERG (Part of the concert given on 9 August)
Michael Rodd introduces part of a concert from this Jubilee Season of Henry Wood Proms in which The National Youth Orchestra of Great Britain musical director IVEY DICKSON conducted by Christopher Seaman play Gustav Hoist's famous orchestral suite, The Planets. Sound GRAHAM HAINES. Lighting BILL JONES Director RON ISTED. (Part of the concert given on 20 August)
Brian Redhead introduces the Te Deum by Berlioz This massive, triumphant work for solo tenor, three choirs, organ and orchestra, is conducted by Colin Davis , a lifelong champion of the music of Berlioz. with The Orchestra of The Royal Opera House, Covent Garden leader JOHN BROWN David Rendall (tenor) BBC Choral Society London Symphony Chorus Goldsmiths Choral Union Southend Boys' Choir Sound VIC GODRICH Lighting BILL JONES Producer IAN ENGELMANN
Esther Rantzen introduces the last of this year's series of Sunday Proms, the ever popular Viennese Night Halle Orchestra leader MICHAEL DAVIS conducted by James Loughran Sheila Armstrong (soprano) Among the old favourites in this programme are the Blue Danube Waltz, the Pizzicato Polka and the Czardas from Die Fledermaus, sung by SHEILA ARMSTRONG. It is the Fledermaus overture which opens the programme. Sound GRAHAM HAINES Lighting JOHN WILSON Director DAVID BUCKTON (Part of the concert given last night)
Beethoven: Symphony No 9,inD minor (Choral) Beethoven's mightiest symphony on the last-but-one night of the Henry Wood Proms season - a tradition that remains unchanged since Sir Henry's day. BBC2 joins with Radio 3 in stereo and quadraphony to relay The Ninth live from the second half of tonight's concert at the Royal Albert Hall. Heather Harper (soprano) Helen Watts (contralto) Robert Tear (tenor) Raimund Herincx (baritone) London Philharmonic Choir London Philharmonic Orchestra leader DAVID NOLAN conductor Bernard Haitink Introduced by CORMAC RIGBY Sound VIC GODRICH and GEOFFREY TIMS Lighting JOHN WILSON Producer RODNEY GREENBERG
BBC 1 joins Radio 3 in stereo and quadraphony for the second half of tonight's closing concert of the 83rd season of Henry Wood Promenade concerts live from the Royal Albert Hall. James Loughran conducts the BBC Symphony Orchestra leader BELA DEKANY Elgar March: Pomp and Circumstance No 1, in D major Sullivan, arr Mackerras Suite from the Ballet Pineapple Poll Henry Wood Fantasia on British Sea Songs Parry, orch Elgar Jerusalem with the BBC SINGERS dlirector JOHN POOLE BBC CHORAL SOCIETY conductor BRIAN WRIGHT Introduced by RICHARD BAKER Lighting JOHN WILSON Sound VIC GODRICH Director IAN ENGELMANN
Robin Ray introduces Boulez at the Royal Albert Hall For his final concert as Chief Guest Conductor of the BBC Symphony Orchestra, recorded at this year's Proms, Pierre Boulez conducts two great 20th-century classics: Bartok's Second Piano Concerto, in which the brilliant virtuoso solo part is played by Michel Beroff, and a complete performance of Stravinsky's ballet score The Firebird, a masterly showpiece for the orchestra and its conductor. Executive producer JOHN DRUMMOND Director PETER BUTLER.
From the Royal Albert Hall, London. Introduced by Robin Ray. In 1975 the first-ever Schools Prom was held when over 400 schoolchildren aged between five and 18 played before a capacity audience in the Royal Albert Hall. This year with nearly 800 talented youngsters, including a National Song and Dance Ensemble from the Soviet Union, taking part, the beloved term ' Prom' takes on a new dimension. The Schools Prom is sponsored by The Times Educational Supplement.
from The Royal Albert Hall, London Introduced by Antony Hopkins, CBE In this, the second programme recorded at the Royal Albert Hall, Yehudi Menuhin plays with The William Ellis School Orchestra from London and in contrast we hear from The Darlington Youth Brass Band, The Redlands Junior Recorder Band, St Dominic's 'Fours to Eights', The Kingsdale School Dance Band and The Surrey County Youth Orchestra, with Christine Day (flute) and Rachel Masters (harp) The Schools Prom is arranged by the Times Educational Supplement
Last autumn nearly 2,000 young musicians from schools and colleges all over the country came to the Royal Albert Hall, London, to make music together for the third annual Schools Prom. For the next three weeks, Ray Moore visits some of these talented youngsters and introduces highlights from three performances. This week's programme features children from The William Ellis School, North London, who accompany Yehudi Menuhin in part of Vivaldi's Concerto in C major "Il Piacere" also included are The Redlands Recorder Group, The Cults Music Centre and the Surrey Youth Orchestra The Schools Prom is arranged by The Times Educational Supplement
Last autumn nearly 2.000 young musicians from schools and colleges all over the country came to the Royal Albert Hall , London, to make music together for the third annual Schools Prom. Ray Moore visits some of these talented youngsters and introduces highlights from their performances. This week's programme features children from ST JOHN 'S CHURCH OF ENGLAND PRIMARY SCHOOL, Row-land's Castle also included are THE BROMLEY SCHOOLS CONCERT WIND BAND the four-to-eights from ST DOMINIC'S INFANTS SCHOOL, North London and the SURREY YOUTH ORCHESTRA The Schools Prom is arranged by The Times Educational Supplement Executive producer DEREK JEWELL Organiser HUMPHREY METZGEN Television presentation KEN GRIFFIN
Last autumn nearly 2,000 young musicians from schools and colleges all over the country came to the Royal Albert Hall , London, to make music together for the third annual Schools Prom. Ray Moore and Antony Hopkins visit some of these talented youngsters and introduce highlights from their performances. In this last programme they feature youngsters from THE WELLS CATHEDRAL SCHOOL, who under their conductor TIMOTHY GOULTER , accompany Yehudi Menuhin in part of the Concerto in D minor by Vivaldi Also included are THE DARLINGTON YOUTH BRASS BAND and the WEST GLAMORGAN YOUTH ORCHESTRA The Schools Prom is arranged by The Times Educational Supplement Executive producer DEREK JEWELL Organiser HUMPHREY METZGEN Television presentation KEN GRIFFIN
Verdi: Requiem The 84th season of Henry Wood Promenade Concerts opens with Verdi's vivid setting of the Reauiem. Written at the height of his powers, it expresses the ancient Latin text through glorious melodies for the four soloists, and superb choral climaxes. BBC2 joins with Radio 3 to relay tonight's concert live in stereo direct from the Royal Albert Hall. Sylvia Sass (soprano) Alfreda Hodgson (mezzo-soprano) Stuart Burrows (tenor) Gwynne Howetl (bass) BBC Symphony Chorus London Symphony Chorus BBC Symphony Orchestra leader BELA DEKANY conducted by Andrew Davis Introduced by PATRICIA HUGHES Lighting TOMMY THOMAS Sound vie GODRICH and GEOFFREY PARKER KLINTON PARKER Producer RODNEY GREENBERG
In the first of six programmes recorded at this year's Henry Wood Promenade Concerts the BBC Symphony Orchestra is conducted by James Loughran and the soloist is Garrick Ohlsson in Piano Concerto No 2, in B flat major by Brahms Introduced by Richard Baker who also talks to GARRICK OHLSSON about his career and tonight's Concerto. Executive producer RODNEY GREENBERG Director PETER BUTLER iNext week in The Sunday Prom: The Jeunesses Musicales World Orchestra in Bartok's Concerto for Orchestra)
50th Anniversary of Janacek's Death Leos Janacek, the foremost Czech composer of this century, died 50 years ago today. Tonight's Prom presents two of his major works together with music by his fellow countryman Dvorak. BBC2 joins with Radio 3 in stereo to relay the whole concert live from the Royal Albert Hall.
In the second of six programmes recorded at this year's Henry Wood Promenade Concerts and in the presence of HRH The Prince of Wales The Jeunesses Musicales World Orchestra is conducted by Lawrence Foster in a performance of one of the masterworks of the 20th century Bartok Concerto for Orchestra Each year young musicians from many parts of the world get together. This year the United Kingdom and Switzerland are the hosts to the orchestra. They are playing one of the most attractive 20th-century works, which is a tremendous technical challenge for a young orchestra. Introduced by MICHAEL RODD Sound vie godrich Lighting tommy THOMAS Executive producer RODNEY GREENBERG Director ROY TIPPING iNext week in The Sunday Prom: Richard Strauss's Domestic Symphony, conducted by Charles Mackcrras )
The third in a series of six programmes recorded at this year's Henry Wood Promenade Concerts Richard Strauss Symphonia Domestica This ' Domestic Symphony ' caused a storm of protest when first performed. Strauss had used a mammoth orchestra to depict intimate scenes from his domestic life - including baby's bathtime, a family quarrel and passionate lovemaking. Tonight his opulent score is accompanied by special illustrations for television. BBC Symphony Orchestra guest leader RAYMOND COHEN conducted by Charles Mackerras Introduced by SHEILA tract Sound GRAHAM HAINES Lighting TOMMY THOMAS Executive producer RODNEY GREENBERG Director ROY TIPPING
Esther Rantzen is the hostess for the ever-popular Viennese Night with the BBC Symphony Orchestra led by MAURICE BRETT conducted by Walter Susskind Among the Strauss favourites in this concert are The Gypsy Baron overture, the Emperor Waltz and the Thunder and Lightning Polka. Suppe's overture The Beautiful Galatea opens the programme which' also includes the waltz Gold and Silver by Lehar. Sound KEITH HARLOW Lighting HARRY THOMAS Executive producer RODNEY GREENBERG Director DAVID BUCKTON
BBC2 joins Radio 3 in stereo for a live relay of the first half of this evening's Henry Wood Promenade Concert from the Royal Albert Hall , London. Mozart Symphony No 41 in C major (Jupiter) (K 551) Mozart Flute Concerto in G major (K 313) Debussy Syrinx James Galway (flute) BBC Scottish Symphony Orchestra leader RAYMOND OVENS conductor Karl Anton Rickenbacher Introduced by CORMAC RIGBY Sound GRAHAM HAINES , JOHN MCCULLOCW Lighting TOMMY THOMAS Directed by RON ISTED For the best effect viewers with stereo Radio 3 should turn off TV sound and position their speakers on either side of the screen, but a few feet away. Stereo headphones provide a suitable alternative. (Next live BBC2 Prom: Sat 9 September Rozhdestvensky conducts the BBC Symphony Orchestra in Mozart, Britten and Shostakovich
In tonight's programme, one of Schubert's most charming and graceful orchestral works, written when he was only 19: the Symphony No 5 in B flat major. given by the BBC Symphony Orchestra led by MAURICE BRETT conducted by Walter Susskind Sound KEITH HARLOW Lighting HARRY THOMAS Executive producer RODNEY GREENBERG Director DAVID BUCKTON
A stereo relay with Radio 3 from the Royal Albert Hall, London. BBC Symphony Orchestra leader Bela Dekany conductor Gennadi Rozhdestvensky Mozart Symphony No 32 in C (Overture in the Italian Style K 318) Britten Diversions on a theme for Piano (left hand) and Orchestra soloist Victoria Postnikova During the interval (8.5-8.25*) Michael Berkeley, who introduces the programme, will talk to Gennadi Rozhdestvensky whose first appearance as Chief Conductor of the BBC Symphony Orchestra this is. There will also be a discussion chaired by Bernard Keeffe between Alexander Goehr and Wilfrid Mellers on the composer and his audience. Part 2 Shostakovich Symphony No 4 in C minor
In the last of six programmes recorded at the 1978 Henry Wood Promenade Concerts, RICHARD BAKER introduces one of the worm's great orchestras, under their chief conductor, playing at the Proms for the first time. Sir Georg Solti conducts the Chicago Symphony Orchestra Tonight, in their first concert appearance on British television, they perform the majestic Symphony No 7 in E major by Bruckner. Before the performance, SIR GEORG talks to Humphrey Burton about his work in Chicago and explains how he approaches the challenge of Bruckner's Seventh. Lighting TOMMY THOMAS Sound GRAHAM HAINES Executive producer HUMPHREY BURTON Directed by RODNEY GREENBERG
Introduced by Richard Baker BBC1 joins Radio 3 in stereo for the second half of tonight's closing concert of the 84th season of Henry Wood Promenade Concerts live from the Royal Albert Hall. Sir Charles Groves conducts the BBC Symphony Orchestra leader BELA DEKANY Elgar March: Pomp and Circumstance No 1, in D major Tippett Suite in D major (A Birthday Suite for Prince Charles) Henry Wood , arr Sargent Sea Songs Arne, arr Sargent Rule, Britannia Gillian Knight (mezzo-soprano) Parry, orch Elgar Jerusalem arr Gordon Jacob National Anthem with the BBC Singers director JOHN POOLE BBC Symphony Chorus conductor BRIAN WRIGHT Lighting TOMMY THOMAS Sound GRAHAM HAINES Director IAN ENGELMANN
The Chicago Symphony Orchestra plays Beethoven's Symphony No 1, the second of three In Performance programmes featuring Sir Georg Solti. Under his direction the Chicago Symphony Orchestra has become one of the most dynamic and expressive of the world's great orchestras. Tonight's programme was recorded when the Chicago Symphony Orchestra made its first-ever appearance at the Proms.
Tonight in The Lively Arts, an outstanding performance of this radiant and majestic work, recorded during the highly-acclaimed visit to the 1978 Proms by the Chicago Symphony Orchestra under its chief conductor Sir Georg Solti.
The 85th season of Henry Wood Promenade Concerts opens with the mammoth Third Symphony by Mahler. Contralto soloist, women's and boys' choruses, and a huge orchestra give glorious expression to Mahler's vision of the whole chain of life and nature. Tonight's concert is relayed live in stereo direct from the Royal Albert Hall.
In the first of six programmes recorded at this year's Henry Wood Promenade Concerts the distinguished Soviet pianist Emil Gilels makes one of his rare television appearances, playing the well-loved Grieg Piano Concerto with the London Symphony Orchestra leader IRVINE ARDITTI conducted by Colin Davis. The concert also includes a 20th-century masterwork Symphony in Three Movements by Stravinsky. Introduced by RICHARD BAKER.
In the second of this series of Henry Wood Promenade Concerts recorded at the Royal Albert Hall London The Halle Orchestra leader MICHAEL DAVIS is under its principal conductor James Loughran Janet Baker (mezzo-soprano) sings the dramatic scena and aria: Ah! Perfido by Beethoven The concert includes Symphony No 4, in E minor, by Brahms MICHAEL RODD introduces the programme and talks to some of the Hallé players about the special character of their orchestra.
In the third of this series of Henry Wood Promenade Concerts recorded at the Royal Albert Hall , London Iona Brown is the violin soloist and also directs the ACADEMY OF ST MARTIN-IN-THE-FIELDS in two masterpieces from Mozart's youth: the Violin Concerto No 3 in G major (K 216) and the Symphony No 29 in A major (K 201). Introduced by RICHARD BAKER
In the fourth of this series of Henry Wood Promenade Concerts recorded at the Royal Albert Hall. London Simon Rattle conducts the BBC Scottish Symphony Orchestra leader RAYMOND OVENS in a , John Ireland centenary concert. John Ireland was born 100 years ago this month. In tonight's concert the young English pianist Philip Fowke . makes his Prom debut in a performance of one of Ireland s best-known works, the Piano Concerto in E flat.
Esther Rantzen is again the television hostess for the ever-popular Viennese Night with the BBC Northern Symphony Orchestra leader DENNIS SIMONS conducted by Janos Ftirst with Teresa Cahill (soprano). The Strauss family provide most of tonight's programme, with TERESA CAHILL singing the ' Csardas ' from Die Fledermaus. There are two waltzes, the Radetzky March, and the programme opens with Suppe s overture: Light Cavalry. The fifth of the Promenade Concerts recorded at the Royal Albert Hall, London.
BBC2 joins Radio 3 in stereo for the first half of tonight's concert of Russian music, live from the Royal Albert Hall. BBC Symphony Orchestra leader BELA DEKANY under its principal conductor Gennadi Rozhdestvensky play Rimsky-Korsakov's colourful Russian Easter Festival Overture and Victoria Postnikova is the soloist in the romantic Piano Concerto No 1 by Rachmaninov The concert also includes the first British performance of Cantus to the memory of Benjamin Britten by the Estonian composer Arvo Part Introduced by MICHAEL BERKELEY
In the last of six programmes recorded at the 1979 Henry Wood Promenade Concerts, a rare appearance on British television by the Israel Philharmonic Orchestra under their principal conductor Zubin Mehta with Daniel Barenboim as soloist in the Piano Concerto No 4 in G major by Beethoven DAVID JACOBS introduces the concert, traces the unique history of this famous orchestra, and talks to these two celebrated artists.
Introduced by Richard Baker. BBC1 joins Radio 2 in stereo for the second half of tonight's closing concert of the 85th season of Henry Wood Promenade Concerts live from the Royal Albert Hall.
Strike action resulted in cancellation of 1980 Prom broadcasts.
After weeks of uncertainty the 1980 Henry Wood Promenade Concerts were launched last week at the Royal Albert Hall , London, with a performance of the Symphony No 4 by Mahler BBC Symphony Orchestra leader BELA DEKANY , with Jessye Norman (soprano) conducted by John Pritchard.
The long-awaited start of the 1980 Henry Wood Promenade Concerts came last week at the Royal Albert Hall in London. In the first of four recorded Sunday night programmes on BBC1 Sir Charles Groves conducts the Royal Philharmonic Orchestra (leader BARRY GRIFFITHS ) in the Symphony No 6, in B minor (Pathetique) by Tchaikovsky. Introduced by FRAN MORRISON.
In tonight's recording from the Henry Wood Promenade Concerts the young Italian conductor Riccardo Chailly makes his Prom debut in two rarely heard orchestrations by Ravel of piano pieces by Debussy: Sarabande and Danse. The concert also includes Chopin's Piano Concerto No 2, in F minor, played by the distinguished Hungarian pianist Tamas Vasary with the London Philharmonic Orchestra - leader Roy Gillard
In the third of this series of Henry Wood Promenade Concerts recorded at the Royal Albert Hall , London, Colin Davis conducts the London Symphony Orchestra leader MICHAEL DAVIS in the first performance of Michael Tippett 's Concerto for violin, viola, cello and orchestra, with Gyorgy Pauk (violin), Nabuko Imai (viola) and Ralph Kirshbaum (cello). The programme also includes the tone poem En Saga by Sibelius. Introduced by ROBERT TEAR.
BBC2 joins with Radio 3 in stereo for a live relay of the first half of tonight's Henry Wood Promenade Concert from the Royal Albert Hall, London. The Royal Philharmonic Orchestra, leader BARRY GRIFFINIS , is under the baton of their newly-appointed principal conductor Walter Weller. John Lill is the soloist in the Tchaikovsky Piano Concerto No 2, a refreshing alternative to the often-heard No 1. The concert opens with the Overture Manfred by Schumann. Introduced by CORMAC RIGBY.
Walter Weller conducts the Royal Philharmonic Orchestra, of which he has recently been appointed principal conductor, in Symphony No 7, in D minor, by Dvorak. John Amis introduces this recording made at last night's Henry Wood Promenade Concert. Before the performance Walter Weller talks about his international career and his approach to one of the noblest of Dvorak's nine symphonies.
In the fourth of this series of Henry Wood Promenade Concerts recorded at the Royal Albert Hall, London, Kiril Kondrashin , making his first appearance at the Proms, conducts the Amsterdam Concertgebouw Orchestra leader THEO OLOF Prokofiev Symphony No 1, in D major (Classical) Bartok Piano Concerto No 3 soloist Theo Bruins. Introduced by SHEILA TRACY.
Introduced by Richard Baker. BBC1 joins Radio 3 in stereo for the second half of tonight's closing concert of the 86th season of Henry Wood Promenade Concerts live from the Royal Albert Hall. Sir Charles Mackerras conducts the BBC Symphony Orchestra, leader Rodney Friend Elgar March: Pomp and Circumstance No 1, in D major Grainger Shepherd's Hey, Brigg Fair, Colonial Song, Molly on the Shore Judith Rees (soprano) Gareth Roberts (tenor) Henry Wood Fantasia on British Sea Songs Arne, orch Sargent Rule, Britannia Parry, orch Elgar Jerusalem with Anne Collins (contralto) BBC Singers, director John Poole BBC Symphony Chorus, conductor Brian Wright
First of five Sunday night programmes, recorded at this year's Promenade concerts at the Royal Albert Hall. The BBC Symphony Orchestra perform Act 2 of Tchaikovsky's ballet, The Nutcracker. Presented by Richard Baker
In the second of this series of Henry Wood Promenade Concerts recorded at the Royal Albert Hall, London. Itzhak Perlman is the soloist in the Concerto for Violin and Orchestra by Edward Elgar with the BBC Symphony Orchestra leader RODNEY FRIEND conductor Gennadi Rozhdestvensky Introduced by Richard Baker
BBC2 joins with Radio 3 -JL for the whole of tonight s Prom direct from the Royal Albert Hall. In each half, a concerto for two pianos, together with Russian music including a British Premiere of some rarities unearthed by Gennadi Rozhdestvensky , chief conductor of the BBC Symphony Orchestra leader BELA DEKANY Peter Frankl (piano) Tamas Vasary (piano) Part 1 Glinka Overture: Ruslan and Ludmilla; Dances from A Life for tne Tsar , Mozart Concerto in E flat, for two Pianos and orchestra (K 365) Introduced by Cormac Rigby
Bartok Concerto for two pianos, percussion and orchestra John Chimes, James Holland (percussion) Johann Strauss Homage to the Russian People; Polka: Nothing Johann Strauss, arr Shostakovich Polka: Excursion Train Youmans, arr Shostakovich Tea for Two (Tahiti Trot)
In the third of this series of Henry Wood Promen ade Concerts recorded at the Royal Albert Hall , London Gennadi Rozhdestvcnsky conducts the BBC Symphony Orchestra leader BELA DEKANY This programme of Russian music includes the opera version of Mussorgsky's A Night on the Bare Mountain; Prokofiev's witty cantata, The Ugly Duckling; and Prometheus (The Poem of Fire), Scriabin's exciting score for large orchestra, chorus and solo piano. with Elisabeth Soderstrom (soprano) David Wilson-Johnson (baritone) Victoria Postnikova (piano) BBC SINUERS director JOHN POOLE BBC SYMPHONY CHORUS conductor BRIAN WRIGHT Introduced by Richard Baker
Live from the Proms Stabat Mater for soloists, chorus and orchestra Katia Ricciarelli (soprano) Lucia Valentini-Terrani (mezzo-soprano) Dalmacio Gonzalez (tenor) Ruggero Raimondi (bass) Philharmonia Chorus chorus-master HEINZ MENDE Philharmonia Orchestra conducted by Carlo Maria Giulini In one of the most eagerly awaited concerts in the 1981 season, the great Italian conductor leads a distinguished group of performers in ROSSINI'S choral masterpiece. Introduced by PATRICIA HUGHES
The fourth in this series of Henry Wood Promenade Concerts recorded at the Royal Albert Hall, London features The National Youth Orchestra of Great Britain conducted by Charles Dutoit The programme includes: Roman Carnival Overture by Berlioz and Stravinsky's ballet score Petrushka in the original 1911 version and a short film shows some members of this young orchestra in rehearsal at their summer school at Ramsgate. Tonight's concert will be, for many, their first performance at the Proms. Introduced by Richard Baker
Chicago Symphony Orchestra plays Beethoven Symphony No 1. The first of three concerts featuring Sir Georg Solti. Under his direction the Chicago Symphony Orchestra has become one of the most dynamic and expressive of the world's orchestras. Tonight's programme was recorded when the orchestra made its first-ever appearance at the London Proms - where it will be returning on Friday.
with the Chicago Symphony Orchestra In another concert from the orchestra's home base in Chicago Sir Georg Solti conducts overtures to The Flying Dutchman, Tannhauser and The Master-singers, and the Prelude and Liebestod from Tristan and Isolde. Directed by HUMPHREY BURTON
The last in this series of Henry Wood Promenade concerts - features the Chicago Symphony Orchestra conducted by Sir Georg Solti in a performance of the Concerto for Orchestra by Bela Bartok Introduced by Richard Baker
Introduced by Richard Baker BBC1 joins Radios 2 and 3 in stereo for the rousing festivities of the second half of tonight's Prom, the climax of the 87th season of Henry Wood Promenade Concerts, live from the Royal Albert Hall. James Loughran conducts the BBC Symphony Orchestra leader BELA DEKANY with the Halle Choir Elgar March: Pomp and Circumstance No 1, in D major Malcolm Arnold Orchestral Dances Henry Wood Fantasia on British Sea Songs Parry, orch Elgar Jerusalem
In one of the most adventurous Proms in the 1981 season at the Royal Albert Hall , the three works on the programme were linked thematically by their concern with various forms of ceremony and ritual. Tonight Malcolm Ruthven introduces an edited and adapted recording of that concert. Music for percussion by Harrison Birtwistle For 0, for 0, the Hobby Horse is Forgot played by Les Percussions de Strasbourg 8.32* Music for organ by Olivier Messiaen The Ascension played by Timothy Bond 8.55* Music from Thailand played by the Thai Classical Music Group of Srinakharinwirot University, Bangkok Donald Mitchell acts as guide
Tonight BBC Television makes its first visit to the 1982 Henry Wood Promenade concerts. The BBC Northern Symphony Orchestra is conducted by Giinther Herbig in a performance of Schubert's Ninth Symphony known as the ' Great' C major Introduced by RICHARD BAKER
Introduced by Richard Baker In the first of this season's recordings from the Henry Wood Promenade Concerts, Joaquin Achucarro is the soloist in Brahms' Piano Concerto No 2 James Loughran conducts the Hall6 Orchestra leader MARTIN MILNER The programme opens with Haydn's Overture to an English Opera.
Introduced by Richard Baker In the second of this season's recordings from the Henry Wood Promenade Concerts, The Nash Ensemble is conducted by Lionel Friend Katia and Marielle Labeque are the soloists in Saint-Saens' The Carnival of the Animals. This delightful, witty and satirical series of portraits of animals was written for a private party. Saint-Saens would not allow a public performance until after his death. The programme also includes Milhaud's La creation du monde, a work strongly influenced by jazz.
Introduced by Richard Baker In the third of this season's recordings from the Henry Wood Promenade Concerts, the BBC Symphony Orchestra is conducted by Sir Charles Groves in a performance of the ever-popular Mendelssohn Violin Concerto in E minor, Op 64, with Iona Brown as soloist, and the Suite from Hindemith's serene ballet score Nobilissima visione, about the life of St Francis of Assisi.
Introduced by Richard Baker In the fourth of this season's recordings from the Henry Wood Promenade Concerts the BBC Northern Symphony Orchestra is conducted by Giinther Herbig Radu Lupu is the soloist in a performance of Beethoven's Fourth Piano Concerto, a revolutionary work of great popularity.
Introduced by Richard Baker In the fifth of this season's Henry Wood Promenade Concerts, the BBC Concert Orchestra and BBC Singers are conducted by Nicholas Cleobury in a performance of Gilbert and Sullivan's comic opera Trial by Jury.
Introduced by Richard Baker Tonight's Henry Wood Promenade Concert features early works from two of Russia's foremost composers, Prokofiev and Shostakovich. 'Coincidentally, both works are Opus 10. Michel B6roff is the soloist in Prokofiev's Piano Concerto No 1 in D flat, which is followed by Shostakovich's Symphony No 1, in f minor.
Sir Georg Solti conducts the London Philharmonic Orchestra, leader David Nolan, in Beethoven's Mass in D (Missa solemnis). Traditionally the last night before the Last Night of the Proms is Beethoven's Choral Symphony. Tonight, exceptionally, the Proms offer his other great choral work. On the top of the score, Beethoven wrote 'from the heart - may it go to the heart.' Helen Donath (soprano), Doris Soffel (mezzo-soprano), Siegfried Jerusalem (tenor), Hans Sotin (bass), with the Edinburgh Festival Chorus, chorus-master John Curry Introduced by Cormac Rigby
Introduced by Richard Baker As the 88th season of Henry Wood Promenade Concerts draws to an end, BBC1 joins with Radios 2 and 3 to relay, live in stereo, all the traditional festivities of this world-famous occasion direct from the Royal Albert Hall.
Introduced by Richard Baker BBC2 joins Radio 3 in stereo at the Royal Albert Hall for a live relay of the first half of tonight's Henry Wood Promenade Concert, the opening of the 89th season. Beethoven Mass in c major Ileana Cotrubas (soprano) Kathleen Kuhlmann (mezzo-sop) Robert Tear (tenor) Gwynne Howell (baritone) BBC Singers BBC Symphony Chorus conductor BRIAN WRIGHT London Philharmonic Choir conductor RICHARD COOKE BBC Symphony Orchestra leader BELA DEKANY conductor Sir John Pritchard
Introduced by Richard Baker In the first of this year's BBC1 relays from the Henry Wood Promenade Concerts at the Royal Albert Hall , London John Lill plays Beethoven's Piano Concerto No 3. in c minor with the BBC PHILHARMONIC ORCHESTRA, conducted by GUNTHER HER -BIG Beethoven wrote his Op 37 in 1800 when he was 29. The three movements are Allegro con brio. Largo, and Rondo: Allegro.
Introduced by Richard Baker In the second of this year's BBC1 relays from the Henry Wood Promenade Concerts Simon Rattle conducts the Philharmonla Orchestra leader RAYMOND OVENS , in Rachmaninov's Second Symphony A masterpiece of romantic music, ,full of luscious melodies for which the composer is justly famous.
Introduced by Richard Baker In BBCl's third visit to this season's Henry Wood Promenade Concerts Janet Baker (meZzo-soprano) and Hermann Winkler (tenor) are the soloists in Mahler's symphonic song-cycle Das Lied von der Erde (The Song of the Earth), with the BBC Symphony Orchestra leader RODNEY FRIEND conductor Sir John Pritchard
Recorded from this year's Proms season at the Royal Albert Hall with Marie Slorach (soprano), Stephen Roberts (baritone), Michael Rippon (bass), David Wilson-Johnson (speaker), BBC Singers, BBC Symphony Chorus, chorus-master Brian Wright, Choristers of Christ Church Cathedral, Oxford, musical director Francis Grier, BBC Symphony Orchestra, leader Bela Dekany, conducted by Krzysztof Penderecki Introduced by Richard Baker who also talks to Penderecki before the performance. This fine work by one of the leading figures in Polish contemporary music was given its first performance in 1966 to celebrate the 700th anniversary of Münster Cathedral when the composer was 33. Scored for large choral and orchestral forces, it gives a graphic account of the Passion story while the range and textures of voices and instruments are extensively exploited to convey its intense drama and grief.
ntroduced by Richard Baker Tonight at the Henry Wood Promenade Concert, music by two of America's most popular composers: Bernstein Overture: Candide Gershwin Piano Concerto in F soloist Steven de Groote Gershwin An American in Paris BBC Concert Orchestra conducted by Andrew Litton George Gershwin was famous as a composer of popular music, much of it written for the stage or cinema. An American in Paris is probably best known through its use in the film of the same name, but it was written in 1928 as a concert piece and had its first performance in that year conducted by Walter Damrosch. Damrosch also conducted the premiere three years earlier of Gershwin's Piano Concerto with the composer as soloist.
Introduced by Richard Baker In the last of this year's recordings from the Henry Wood Promenade Concerts at the Royal Albert Hall Pinchas Zukerman is the soloist in Beethoven's Violin Concerto in D with the BBC Symphony Orchestra leader RODNEY FRIEND conducted by Mark Elder
The traditional end to what has been called ' the greatest music festival in the world' includes Elgar Pomp and Circumstance March No 1, dn D major Walton Suite: Facade Henry Wood , arr Sargent Fantasia on British Sea Songs Parry, orch Elgar Jerusalem BBC Singers BBC Symphony Chorus BBC Symphony Orchestra conducted by Norman Del Mar Introduced by Richard Baker
Neville Marriner conducts leader Kenneth Sillito and the Academy of St Martin-in-the-Fields on Fri 12 Aug 1983 at Royal Albert Hall
Outside broadcast cameras join in the opening of the 90th season of Henry Wood Promenade Concerts live from the Royal Albert Hall, London, with two major works by British composers. In part 1 Elgar's song-cycle 'Sea Pictures' is his setting of five poems about the sea first performed in 1899. Soloist Janet Baker (mezzo-soprano)
Belshazzar's Feast - Walton's dramatic choral work first performed at the Leeds Festival in 1931 with words compiled from the book of Daniel by Osbert Sitwell. With Stephen Roberts (baritone), BBC Singers, BBC Symphony Chorus, London Philharmonic Choir, BBC Symphony Orchestra, leader Bela Dekany, conductor Sir John Pritchard. Introduced by Richard Baker.
For Voices and Instruments A television recording from the Henry Wood Promenade Concert on 23 July of the European premiere of Sir Michael Tippett's latest work. Words written and compiled by the composer.
The first of six regular Sunday-night relays from the 90th season of Henry Wood Promenade Concerts features Tchaikovsky's Symphony No 5, in E minor, Op 64 played by the BBC Symphony Orchestra leader MAURICE BRETT conducted by Marek Janowski Tchaikovsky himself conducted the first performance of his symphony in St Petersburg (Leningrad) in 1888 in the presence of Brahms. Introduced by Richard Baker
he second in a regular series of relays from the 90th season of Henry Wood Promenade Concerts. Brahms Violin Concerto in D, Op 77 Ida Haendel (violin), with the London Symphony Orchestra leader MICHAEL DAVIS conducted by Jukka-Pekka Saraste Brahms' only violin concerto was composed in 1878 for the great violinist Joseph Joachim. Tonights soloist first appeared at the Proms in 1937 and Sir Henry Wood became one of her staunchest admirers: Ida Haendel , upon whose shoulders the mantle of great violin playing has surely descended - keep on going on! Introduced by Richard Baker
The third in the regular series of relays from the 90th season of Henry Wood Promenade Concerts. Haydn's Mass in D minor (Nelson) Shortly after completing the Mass, in 1798, Haydn learned of Nelson's victory at the Battle of the Nile, prompting him to add the trumpet calls at the end of the Benedictus. Nelson himself heard a performance in 1800 and, although not a direct tribute to the Admiral, the work acquired 'The Nelson Mass' as a nickname. Eiddwen Harrhy (soprano) Carolyn Watkinson (mezzo-soprano) Philip Langridge (tenor) Malcolm King (bass) Schutz Choir of London London Classical Players leader JOHN HOLLOWAY conductor Roger Norrington Introduced by Richard Baker
Fourth in the weekly series of relays from the 90th season of Henry Wood Promenade Concerts. Tonight two works by Handel. 'The king shall rejoice', one of the four anthems written for the coronation of George II in 1727 is, like its companion 'Zadok the priest', a brilliant work for chorus and orchestra. 'Music for the Royal Fireworks' celebrates the Peace of Aix-la-Chapelle which ended the prolonged war of the Austrian succession. The fireworks display in London's Green Park in 1749 cost a staggering £8,000. The English Concert leader SIMON STANDAGE director Trevor Pinnock Introduced by Richard Baker
Continuing the weekly series from the 90th season of Henry Wood Promenade Concerts. Tonight, as a tribute to Gustav Hoist, who died 50 years ago, a performance of his popular orchestral work, The Planets. This marvellously orchestrated suite of seven movements was inspired by the astrological characters of the planets in our solar system.
Last in the weekly series of relays from the 90th season of Henry Wood Promenade Concerts. Tonight: two works by Mozart Symphony No 35, in D (Haffner) (K385) Composed in 1782, the symphony was dedicated to Mozart's great friends the Haffners and was originally used as music for family festivities at their house in Salzburg. Piano Concerto No 27, in B flat (K 595) Mozart's last piano concerto, first performed in Vienna in March 1791 not long before his death. soloist Alfred Brendel with the Scottish Chamber Orchestra leader JOHN TUNNELL conducted by Wilfried Boettcher Introduced by Richard Baker
Introduced by Richard Baker As the 90th season of Henry Wood Promenade Concerts draws to an end, BBC1 joins with Radio 3 to relay, in stereo, all the traditional festivities of this world-famous occasion direct from the Royal Albert Hall. James Loughran conducts BBC Symphony Orchestra leader RODNEY FRIEND with the BBC Singers director JOHN POOLE BBC Symphony Chorus Chorus-master BRIAN WRIGHT Elgar March: Pomp and Circumstance, No 1 Sullivan, arr Mackerras Suite: Pineapple Poll, in D major Henry Wood , arr Sargent Fantasia on British Sea Songs Parry, orch Elgar Jerusalem Sound
Richard Baker introduces two excerpts from this year's 90th season of Henry Wood Promenade Concerts Ida Haendel plays Brahms's Violin Concerto in D, Op 77 London Symphony Orchestra, leader Michael Davis, conducted by Jukka-Pekka Saraste Brahms's only violin concerto was composed in 1878 for the great violinist Joseph Joachim. The soloist on 27 July first appeared at the Proms in 1937, and Sir Henry Wood became one of her staunchest admirers. At 4.30* Tchaikovsky's Symphony No 5, in E minor, Op 64 BBC Symphony Orchestra led by Maurice Brett, conducted by Marek Janowski from an all-Russian concert given on 26 July. Tchaikovsky himself conducted the first performance of his symphony in St Petersburg (Leningrad) in 1888 in the presence of Brahms.
In the presence of Their Royal Highnesses The Duke and Duchess of Kent Handel 's Messiah (arr Mozart) conducted by Sir John Pritchard Handel's masterpiece has been re-arranged many times and even recorded in a pop version. By contrast Mozart's arrangement, commissioned 200 years ago for a performance in German in Vienna, is restrained and elegant, using a baroque orchestra and redistributing high trumpet parts among the classical wind band. Tonight's concert celebrates the 300th anniversary of Handel's birth.
Next Friday Omnibus visits the Royal Albert Hall for the first of six programmes featuring highlights from the 91st season of Henry Wood Promenade Concerts. Tonight Jane Glover sets the scene with glimpses of rehearsal, Performance and comment from some of the many celebrated musicians who will be appearing.
On Friday Omnibus visits the Royal Albert Hall , London, for the first of six programmes featuring highlights from the 91st season of Henry Wood Promenade Concerts. Tonight Jane Glover sets the scene for a series about one of the most popular music festivals of the year and offers glimpses of rehearsal, performance and comment from among the many celebrated musicians who will be appearing including Salvatore Accardo, Peter Donohoe, Lorin Maazel, Jessye Norman and Simon Rattle.
The first of six visits to the 1985 season of Henry Wood Promenade Concerts Introduced by Jane Glover Tonight featuring the Chamber Orchestra of Europe, conducted by the celebrated violinist Salvatore Accardo. With an average age of 23, tonight's performers make up not only one of Europe's finest professional ensembles, but also its youngest. They perform Ravel's colourful and elegant Le tombeau de Couperin and Beethoven's Violin Concerto, with Accardo both conducting and taking the solo part.
The second of six visits to the Royal Albert Hall during the 91st season of Henry Wood Promenade Concerts. Introduced by Jane Glover Who is also making her first Prom appearance as the conductor of the London Mozart Players Jed by PAUL BARRITT Tonight's programme deludes: Schubert Symphony No 5, in B flat, written when the composer was only 19; Samuel Barber Knoxville: Summer of 1915, solo soprano Yvonne Kenny a tender, nostalgic setting of a poem by JAMES AGEE about the thoughts of an American child on a summer evening; and Mozart Symphony No 34, In c (K 338) written in 1780 Which, says Jane Glover , 'has one of the most brilliant and exuberant finales that he ever wrote'.
The visit by the Pittsburgh Symphony Orchestra conducted by Lorin Maazel is one of the highlights of this year's Henry Wood Promenade Concerts and echoes the American theme. Founded in 1926 the orchestra's past conductors have included Fritz Reiner , William Steinberg and Andre Previn. Tonight's programme, recorded earlier this evening and introduced by Jane Glover , will include an interview with Maazel who was himself brought up in Pittsburgh. It consists of one work only: the Symphonie fantastique by Hector Berlioz. Berlioz wrote of its first performance in 1830: 'I had a wild success! It was received with shouts and acclamations: they had to repeat the March to the Scaffold; and the Witches' Sabbath was quite overwhelming in its satanic effect.'
Introduced by Michael Berkeley. Tonight BBC2 visits the Royal Albert Hall , London for one of the highlights of this year's season of Henry Wood Promenade Concerts. The London Sinfonietta leader NONA LIDDELL under the baton of one of Britain's most highly-regarded conductors of the Younger generation Simon Rattle, performs a special Bank Holiday Programme devoted to American music.
Introduced by Jane Glover A Programme of two 20th-century masterpieces. Played by the BBC Symphony Orchestra conducted by David Atherton. Before the concert, Jane Glover talks to Peter Donohoe, the soloist in Bartok's Second Piano Concerto. It is one of the most powerful and challenging works in the modern repertoire and Donohoe discusses its many demands. The concert ends with Stravinsky's celebrated Rite of Spring, first performed to a riotous reception just before the First World War.
Tonight's visit to the Royal Albert Hall for the 91st season of Henry Wood Promenade Concerts introduced by Jane Glover features the London Sinfonietta now one of the world's leading chamber ensembles. In a concert of 20th-century music conducted by David Atherton they play Janacek's Rikadla, a new work by Harrison Birtwistle, Secret Theatre, specially commissioned by the London Sinfonietta for the composer's 50th birthday, and the Suite from The Threepenny Opera - Kurt Weill's uncompromising but unique and witty theatre music.
Introduced by Jane Glover Tonight's final visit to the 91st season of Henry Wood Promenade Concerts is devoted to a single work: Mahler's epic song-cycle, Das Lied von der Erde. This setting of a group of Passionate, delicate and stoical Chinese poems was written in the final years of Mahler's life. Originally conceived as his Ninth Symphony, he superstitiously withdrew the title because so many ninth symphonies had Proved to be their composers final works and he knew he was suffering from a terminal heart condition. Tonight's performers are Jessye Norman (soprano) Jon Vickers (tenor) with the City of Birmingham Symphony Orchestra conducted by Simon Rattle Sound JOHN CAULFIELD
The 92nd season of Henry Wood Promenade Concerts opens with Mahler's Symphony No 8 in E flat. Mahler himself conducted the triumphant premiere of his vast Eighth Symphony in Munich in 1910, little more than eight months before his death. The massive choral work was nicknamed (without Mahler's approval) 'Symphony of a Thousand', because of the number of performers at the premiere.
The first of BBCl's visits to the 92nd season of Henry Wood Promenade Concerts, recorded earlier this evening at the Royal Albert Hall. Introduced by Jane Glover Iona Brown plays Walton's sparkling and lyrical Violin Concerto With the BBC Philharmonic Orchestra leader DENNIS SIMONS conducted by Edward Downes This is followed by Respighi's Pines of Rome - a tour de force for large orchestra conjuring up the evocative atmosphere of four different Roman locations, which ends with a brilliant vision of a consul and his army marching along the ancient Appian Way at dawn.
Stravinsky: Le Rossignol (The Nightingale) In the second of this year's visits to the Henry Wood Promenade Concerts Jane Glover introduces Stravinsky's evocative setting of HANS ANDERSEN'S fairytale The Emperor and the Nightingale. At the excitable court of a Chinese emperor, the beautiful song of a real nightingale triumphs over the attractions of a mechanical rival.
with Anne-Sophie Mutter (solo violin) and the Royal Philharmonic Orchestra leader BARRY GRIFFITHS conducted by Yuri Temirkanov Introducted by Jane Glover Tonight's programme from the 92nd season of Henry Wood Promenade Concerts at the Royal Albert Hall features Dvorak's Violin Concerto in A minor Op 53, played by the brilliant young German violinist. Premiered in London 100 years ago, this unduly neglected concerto is a stream of melodic invention. Before it begins, tonight's soloist talks about its romantic appeal. The concert opens with 'Kikimora', a short symphonic poem by the Russian composer Anatol Lyadov.
A Spanish Evening Infectious rhythms, sweeping melodies and glittering instrumental colours - the hallmarks of Spanish music - are in abundance in tonight's trilogy of Iberian show-pieces played by the Philharmonia Orchestra leader PETER THOMAS conducted by Serge Baudo with solo Alicia de Larrocha pianist in the impressionistic Nights in the Garden of Spain by Manuel de Falla. The concert opens with the perfect Spanish picture-postcard, Espana by Emmanuel Chabrier , and ends with more music by Falla: the two suites from his ballet The Three-Cornered Hat. Introduced by Jane Glover
Part One Tonight's live relay from the Royal Albert Hall features Alfred Brendel as soloist in the Piano Concerto No 1 in D minor by Brahms with the London Symphony Orchestra leader MICHAEL DAVIS conducted by Claudio Abbado 8.20* The Promenaders During the interval Michael Berkeley looks at a unique group of music lovers, the Promenaders, including those who remember earlier years in the Queen's Hall. His survey also includes archive film of sm HENRY WOOD and SIR MALCOLM SARGENT 8.40* Part Two Debussy Nocturnes with the women's voices of the London Symphony Chorus Bartok The Miraculous Mandarin (Suite) Introduced by Michael Berkeley
Madonna of Winter and Spring by Jonathan Harvey The world premiere of a major commission by the BBC. A work of religious meditation expressed through the combined forces of a large orchestra and live electronics, involving more than 100 musicians, three synthesisers and a double circle of 16 loudspeakers round the Royal Albert Hall. The composer introduces his new composition during rehearsals and at his home on the Sussex Downs. With the BBC Symphony Orchestra leader RODNEY FRIEND conducted by Peter Eotvos Introduced by Jane Glover
Beethoven Choral Symphony conducted by Sir Georg Solti with Jessye Norman (soprano) Sarah Walker (mezzo) Reiner Goldberg (tenor) Hans Sotin (bass) The BBC Singers London Voices and the Chorus of Welsh National Opera London Philharmonic Orchestra leader DAVID NOLAN Introduced by Jane Glover Beethoven's Ninth Symphony on the last Friday of the Promenade concert season is a tradition established by Sir Henry Wood that continues to this day. Schiller's 'Ode to Joy' will be sung by 120 voices made up of three professional choirs together with a quartet of world-renowned soloists. Sung in German with English subtitles
Live in stereo from the Royal Albert Hall , television and radio join to relay the entire concert, with its unique blend of musical integrity and end-of-season festivity. The Italian emphasis that has marked the 1986 season continues in both halves of tonight's programme with the BBC Symphony Chorus director GARETH MORRELL BBC Symphony Orchestra leader RODNEY FRIEND conducted by Raymond Leppard Introduced by Richard Baker Parti The Italian theme is acknowledged in two rarely-heard works by the youthful Puccini. Preludio sinfonico, a rapt homage to Wagner, was written when Puccini was an 18-year-old student. Messa di gloria was Puccini's graduation exercise four years later; already his masterly touch foreshadows the great operas. With soloists David Rendall (tenor) David Wilson-Johnson (baritone) Matthew Best (bass) (Part 2 is on BBC1 at 8.55pm)
Part 2 Before the time-honoured last-night favourites, Walton pays tribute to a commedia dell'arte rascal, and Britten re-fashions Rossini. Walton Overture: Scapino Bax Mediterranean Britten Soirees musicales Elgar Pomp and Circumstance March Nol Parry (orch Elgar, words by William Blake ) Jerusalem Henry Wood Fantasia on British Sea Songs
Live from the Royal Albert Hall , London Part 1: Janacek Sinfonietta Sir John Pritchard , chief conductor of the BBC Symphony Orchestra, launches the 93rd season of Henry Wood Promenade Concerts with one of this century's most festive works. Janacek's last and greatest orchestral work grew from a commission for a fanfare into a massive celebration of the newly-independent Czech nation.
Part 2: Tippett A Child of our Time Sir Michael Tippett 's oratorio is a compassionate outcry against injustice and persecution, enhanced by the use of negro spirituals. Sir Michael himself describes the work as a passion about man 'whose god has left the light of the heavens for the dark of the collective unconscious.' Faye Robinson (soprano) Cynthia Clarey (mezzo-soprano) Neil Jenkins (tenor) Robert Lloyd (bass) BBC Singers
BBCl's first visit to the 93rd season of Henry Wood Promenade Concerts at the Royal Albert Hall , London features a traditional popular Saturday night programme. including music from the Viennese waltz kings. Jane Glover introduces a Programme that mixes Dohnanyi's delightful Variations on a Nursery Song (at one time a regular Prom favourite), with the polkas and waltzes of Franz Lehar and Johann Strauss (Son). With Philip Fowke (piano) The Halle Orchestra leader PAN HON LEE conducted by Bryden Thomson After opening with Sullivan's Overture di Ballo, Bryden Thomson and Philip Fowke talk to Jane Glover about the evening's music making.
Schoenberg's 'Gurrelieder' conducted by Pierre Boulez Gurra is the name of a Danish castle. Schoenberg, later to become the self-confessed 'bogeyman of 20th-century music' composed his massive, romantic work Songs of Gurra on near operatic scale - a kind of post-Wagnerian Tristan and Isolde. Jessye Norman (soprano) Elizabeth Lawrence (mezzo) Kenneth Riegel (tenor) Walter Raffeiner (tenor) John Brocheler (bass) Gerd Nienstadt (baritone) BBC Singers BBC Symphony Chorus Brighton Festival Chorus Royal Choral Society Philharmonia Chorus (men's voices) National Youth Orchestra of Great Britain, leader GEOFFREY SILVER Introduced by Michael Berkeley
Introduced by Jane Glover Tonight's concert, the second of six BBC1 visits to this year's Proms, features the internationally acclaimed London Sinfonietta in a programme of music intimately connected with Benjamin Britten. First comes The Wild Rumpus from Where the Wild Things Are, composed by one of Britten's proteges and a current director of the Aldburgh Festival, Oliver Knussen. It is followed by the television premiere of a sinfonietta commission, Suns Dance by Britten's former colleague and pupil, Colin Matthews. The composer sees it as 'an attempt to portray energy of a high order', and the score has already been incorporated by ASHLEY PAGE into a new piece for the Royal Ballet. The programme finishes with the suite arranged by Steuart Bedford from Britten's last opera, Death in Venice. In the interval the Britten scholar Donald Mitchell talks to Jane Glover about the composer's last years.
Introduced by Jane Glover Dance - the theme of the 93rd season of Henry Wood Promenade concerts - is a subject close to the heart of tonight's conductor, Isaiah Jackson , who has worked with the Dance Theatre of Harlem and next month becomes the music director of the Royal Ballet. The main work in tonight's concert is Copland: Dance Symphony, described by its composer as 'one of the things-called-symphonies-that-aren't'. It was written for a never-staged vampire ballet called Grohg. Before conducting it, Isaiah Jackson talks to Jane Glover about his love of music for dance. First in the programme comes Rachmaninov: Rhapsody on a Theme of Paganini in which the soloist is the Irish-born pianist Philip Martin , for whom the Piece is fast becoming a speciality: 'You need a stretch like an octopus! Rachmaninov had huge hands!' with the BBC Concert Orchestra leader MARTIN LOVEDAY
Introduced by Jane Glover Tonight one of America's foremost virtuoso violinists, Oscar Shumsky, plays a favourite work, often heard at the Proms - Brahms Violin Concerto in D Major. Shumsky was born in 1917 and played under Toscanini in the NBC Symphony Orchestra. But this reluctant virtuoso chose not to follow an international solo career, as he explains to Jane Glover. Continuing the dance theme of this year's Proms, the programme begins with excerpts from the ballet score by Glazunov: Raymonda composed when the Imperial Theatre at St Petersburg was in need of a successor to Tchaikovsky. Appropriately, tonight's conductor is the distinguished Russian Mariss Jansons. BBC Welsh Symphony Orchestra led by James Clark.
Introduced by Jane Glover who also talks to tonight's soloist, the soprano Felicity Lott , and to Bernard Haitink , who conducts the BBC Symphony Orchestra leader RODNEY FRIEND Solo pianist John Alley This week's programme features two 20th-century masters of instrumental colour. Ravel: Sheherezade is a sumptuous evocation of the Orient. Originally planned as an opera, it crystallised into a ravishing song-cycle for soprano and orchestra. In Stravinsky: Petrushka the composer had in mind 'a distinct picture of a puppet, suddenly endowed with life.' His richly-scored ballet - set in the 1830s at a bustling Shrovetide fair in St Petersburg - reflects the dance theme of this year's Prom season, and is being performed in the original concert version Stravinsky made in 1911.
Introduced by Jane Glover. In this year's Henry Wood Promenade concerts, the conductor Klaus Tennstedt makes a welcome return to the podium after a long absence through illness. With the London Philharmonic Orchestra led by David Nolan, of which Tennstedt is Principal Conductor, and the distinguished mezzo-soprano Brigitte Fassbaender, who opens the programme as soloist in the haunting song-cycle, Mahler: Kindertotenlieder. Renowned for his interpretation of Mahler and Brahms, Tennstedt talks to Jane Glover about their contrasting musical personalities, and conducts Brahms: Symphony No 4 in E minor, the composer's crowning symphonic achievement.
The whole of tonight's concert from the Royal Albert Hall, London, in which composers from America, France, Russia, Denmark and Finland are represented in music full of vivid imagery. Concert suites from ballets by Shostakovich and Prokofiev underline the dance theme running through this year's Proms. City of Birmingham Symphony Orchestra, led by Felix Kok, conducted by Simon Rattle with the celebrated Swedish soprano Elisabeth Soderstrom in evocative folk songs from the Auvergne and a rarely-heard setting by Sibelius of a fantastic Finnish legend. Introduced by Michael Berkeley Gershwin Cuban Overture Canteloube Songs of the Auvergne (selection) Shostakovich The Age of Gold (suite)
Beethoven: Choral Symphony with the Vienna Philharmonic Orchestra Conducted by Claudio Abbado Karita Mattila (soprano) Alfreda Hodgson (mezzo-soprano) Jerry Hadley (tenor) Robert Holl (bass) BBC Symphony Chorus and the London Symphony Chorus Introduced by Richard Baker Beethoven's Ninth Symphony on the last Friday of the Promenade Concert season is a tradition established by Sir Henry Wood that continues to this day.
Live in stereo from the Royal Albert Hall , London, television and radio join to relay the colour and excitement of the world's most famous musical celebration, in the presence of Their Royal Highnesses The Duke and Duchess of York. The emphasis on dance that has marked Proms 87 continues in both halves of tonight's concert, through the dynamic rhythms of Bernstein's West Side Story and Malcolm Arnold 's homage to the English country dance. BBC Symphony Chorus director Gareth Morrell BBC Symphony Orchestra led by BELA DEKANY with Kun Woo Paik (piano) Felicity Palmer (mezzo) conducted by Mark Elder Introduced by Richard Baker Part 1 Between music made famous largely through the cinema, a flamboyant concerto in the grand romantic manner. Walton Spitfire Prelude and Fugue Liszt Piano Concerto No 1 in E flat Bernstein Symphonic Dances from West Side Story (Part 2 on BBC1 at 9. 00pm)
Part 2 A complete concert in itself: sparkling overture, operatic aria, and all the last-night favourites, reflecting the kind of popular programmes Henry Wood originally brought to the Proms. Smetana Overture: The Bartered Bride Tchaikovsky Joan of Arc's Farewell (The Maid of Orleans) Malcolm Arnold English Dances (Set 2) Elgar Pomp and Circumstance March No 1 Henry Wood Fantasia on British Sea-Songs Arne Rule , Britannia! Parry, orch Elgar, words by WILLIAM BLAKE Jerusalem
Towards Antara In 1980, at the age of 20, Englishman George Benjamin became the youngest living composer ever to have a work performed at the Proms. Since then he has established an international reputation and is recognised as one of the most exciting talents in music today. Tonight Omnibus presents the British premiere of Benjamin's latest work, Antara, commissioned by Pierre Boulez to mark the tenth anniversary of his renowned experimental music centre at the Pompidou in Paris. Antara takes as its inspiration the pan pipes of South America. This film documents the creation of the new piece and observes the composer confronting the ancient music of the pipes with all the exploratory possibilities of computer technology. Photography COLIN WALDECK Sound BRUCE GALLAWAY. GEOFF CUTTING Film editor DAVE KING Producer BARRIE GAVIN A simultaneous broadcast of the complete performance of Antara with BBC Radio 3 begins at 11. 10pm.
Tomorrow night, at 7.30pm, BBC2 visits the Royal Albert Hall for the opening night of the 94th season of the Henry Wood Promenade Concerts. Michael Berkeley previews the ten concerts which will be shown this summer for BBC viewers and introduces the theme that runs through all of this year's Proms - the relationship between music and the written word.
The opening of the 94th season of Henry Wood Promenade Concerts live in stereo from the Royal Albert Hall. Sir John Pritchard conducts the masterpiece that has become one of the most popular of all choral works. The Verdi Requiem Throughout this year's 69 Proms there is a single thematic thread - the response of composers over the centuries to the power of the word. Written at the height of his powers, Verdi's Requiem expresses the ancient Latin text in a richly theatrical style that has earned the work the epithet of 'Verdi's greatest opera'. Soloists Julia Varady (soprano) Dolora Zajic (mezzo-soprano) Dennis O'Neill (tenor) Evgeny Nesterenko (bass) BBC Symphony Chorus Bach Choir London Philharmonic Choir BBC Symphony Orchestra led by BELA DEKANY Introduced by Richard Baker
with Leonard Bernstein conducting his Songfest 'I love the Proms' declared Leonard Bernstein, after his Prom debut last September with the Vienna Philharmonic - 'the audience is incredible, the atmosphere unique.' Tonight Bernstein, who will be 70 next month, returns to the Proms conducting an international youth orchestra from the Schleswig-Holstein Music Festival in Germany, which he has been training for the past two years. This first of six Omnibus visits to the Royal Albert Hall for highlights of the 1988 Prom season reflects this year's literary theme. Bernstein's large-scale song-cycle for orchestra and six soloists consists of poems by 13 American poets ranging from 1650 to the present day. They include Edgar Allan Poe, e.e. cummings and Edna St Vincent Millay. Soloists: Janice Meyerson (soprano) Candice Burrows (mezzo-soprano) Daisy Newman (alto) Salvatore Champagne (tenor) Jerrold Pope (baritone) Robert Osborne (bass) Introduced by Michael Berkeley
From Art Nouveau to Australia A triptych of exotically coloured music. The heavily perfumed and sensuous music of Debussy and Scriabin frames the world premiere of a new orchestral work reflecting the harsher colours and history of Australia. Debussy: La Damoiselle elue (to words by Dante Gabriel Rossetti) with Ann Murray, Elizabeth Laurence, BBC Singers (women's voices). Michael Finnissy: Red Earth. Scriabin: The Poem of Ecstasy. BBC Symphony Orchestra led by Bela Dekany, conducted by Lothar Zagrosek Sue Cook makes her debut as a Proms presenter and talks to Michael Finnissy about his new orchestral work, Red Earth: There is a red-ochre soil the Aboriginals use as a body paint in ritual ceremonies. In homage to them, 'Red Earth' could be described as a ritual chant.
Introduced by Nigel Kennedy Since its birth in 1983, the Lyons Opera Orchestra has quickly made its mark on the European musical scene. Now, under the baton of its founder and Music Director, John Eliot Gardiner, the orchestra makes its first visit to the Proms. Continuing the literary strand of this year's concerts, the centrepiece of tonight's programme is Berlioz's Harold in Italy, a richly romantic work inspired by Byron's poem Childe Harold's Pilgrimage. The soloist is Zoltan Toth, the orchestra's principal viola and a former professor at the National Conservatory in Budapest. The concert begins with Faure's orchestral masterpiece, his suite Pelleas et Melisande.
Tonight one of the world's finest composers and one of the world's greatest violinists join forces in a television premiere. Chain 2 is a violin concerto in all but name by the Polish composer Witold Lutoslawski. The soloist is the brilliant young German violinist Anne-Sophie Mutter. To begin the programme, there is another work taking up this year's literary theme, Liszt's symphonic poem Tasso conducted by Peter Eotvos with the BBC Symphony Orchestra led by BELA DEKANY Introduced by Paul Crossley
Instead of the familiar venue of the Royal Albert Hall, tonight's Prom comes from the more intimate location of St Paul's Church, Knightsbridge where Anthony Rooley and his Consort of Musicke perform a specially devised programme of ltalian madrigals. In keeping with this year's literary theme the concert is based on the poetry of the great Italian Renaissance writer TORQUATO TASSO, whose epic poem Gerusalemme liberata inspired such celebrated composers of the age as Monteverdi, De Wert, and Rovetta. The programme is introduced by Iain Fenlon, author and Vice-Provost of King's College, Cambridge. CONSORT OF MUSICKE directed by ANTHONY ROOLEY (lute) with Emma Kirkby (soprano) Evelyn Tubb (soprano) Mary Nichols (alto) Andrew King (tenor) Rufus Muller (tenor) Alan Ewing (bass)
Tonight a visit to the 94th season of Henry Wood Proms by one of the world's great orchestras the Amsterdam Concertgebouw Orchestra under its new Chief Conductor Riccardo Chailly. Part 1 Mozart Overture Idomeneo Piano Concerto No 19 in F (K 459). Soloist Radu Lupu 8.05*-8.25* One Hundred Years of Music In the interval Michael Berkeley talks to Riccardo Chailly and Richard Osborne about the history and unique reputation of both the orchestra and its famous Concertgebouw concert hall celebrating this year a combined centenary. Director DAVID STEVENS Part 2 Bruckner Symphony No 3 in D minor (1889 version) Under conductors like Mengelberg and Haitink the Concertgebouw Orchestra has established a world reputation in the Viennese late romantic repertoire. Tonight they perform the first of Bruckner's symphonies to exhibit his emerging mature style. Introduced by Michael Berkeley
Last in the series Introduced by John Tusa The Leipzig Gewandhaus is one of Europe's greatest and oldest symphony orchestras. Under their Principal Conductor Kurt Masur they perform Mendelssohn's Symphony No 3 The Scottish. The Orchestra gave the first performance in 1842 conducted by the composer himself, who had been inspired to write it during a visit to Holyrood Palace in Edinburgh. To complete the programme - music by Richard Strauss with whom the orchestra has had a long association. Tonight they play his colourful symphonic poem Till Eulenspiegel based on the outrageous character from German folklore. John Tusa also talks to Kurt Masur about his relationship with the orchestra and about its illustrious past.
The American conductor Michael Tilson Thomas this week takes up his new post as f rincipal Conductor of the London Symphony Orchestra. Before tonight's performance of Das klagende Lied, Tilson Thomas illustrates the background to this striking example of Mahler's early genius. Tonight's complete performance is specially illustrated for television. 8.30* Live in stereo from the Royal Albert Hall , London Introduced by Donald MacLeod Mahler Das klagende Lied (Song of Lament) Part 1: Forest Legend Part 2: The Minstrel Part 3: Wedding Piece Margaret Price (soprano) Jard Van Nes (mezzo-soprano) Siegfried Jerusalem (tenor) Henry Herford (baritone) London Symphony Chorus London Symphony Orchestra led by ASHLEY ARBUCKLE conducted by Michael Tilson Thomas Lighting DAN CRANEFIELD Sound VIC GODRICH and JAMES HAMILTON
Live in stereo from the Royal Albert Hall , London, television and radio join to relay the entire concert with its unique blend of musical entertainment and flag-waving with the BBC Symphony Orchestra led by RODNEY FRIEND BBC Singers directed by JOHN POOLE BBC Symphony Chorus chorusmaster GARETH MORRELL conducted by Andrew Davis Introduced by Richard Baker Part 1 The famous RICHARD STRAUSS tone-poem Don Juan sets the scene appropriately with its fiery, youthful ardour while Joan Rodgers (soprano) sings in Russian Tatyana's stirring 'Letter Scene' from TCHAIKOVSKY'S Eugene Onegin. Then, intriguingly, the late Percy Grainger is the highly individual soloist in GRIEG'S Piano Concerto in A minor - on a piano roll made in 1921. (Part 2 is on BBCI at 9.05pm)
Part 2 The suite from WILLIAM WALTON 's score for the film of Henry V, PERCY GRAINGER 'S idiosyncratic settings of Molly on the Shore, Danny Boy and Shepherd's Hey; and STANFORD'S Drake's Drum from Songs of the Sea are followed by the time-honoured last-night favourites: ELGAR'S Pomp and Circumstance March No 1, HENRY WOOD'S Fantasia on British Sea Songs, ARNE'S Rule Britannia! and PARRY'S Jerusalem (orchestrated by ELGAR), with Benjamin Luxon (baritone).
The Manchester-based BBC Philharmonic Orchestra visited the Royal Albert Hall in London earlier this year to play in the 1988 Promenade Concerts. In the first of two programmes they perform SCHUMANN'S Symphony No 4 in D minor, and are conducted by Kurt Sanderling. Introduced by John Mundy
Second of two programmes. The Manchester-based BBC Philharmonic Orchestra play GUSTAV MAHLER'S Das Lied Von der Erde recorded at this Year's Promenade Concerts from the Royal Albert Hall m London. The concert is conducted by Kurt Sanderling and the soloists are mezzo-soprano, Carolyn Watkinson and the tenor, John Mitchinson. Introduced by John Mundy.
The Henry Wood Promenade Concerts return tonight live in stereo from the Royal Albert Hall. The opening concert features a popular Beethoven Symphony and a powerful Stravinsky work written in collaboration with Jean Cocteau. With the BBC Symphony Orchestra, led by Bela Dekany, conducted by Esa-Pekka Salonen. Part 1 Beethoven Symphony No 4 in B flat major 8.05* Interval feature: Jean Cocteau (1889-1963) Jean Cocteau, one of the most eclectic and colourful of French artists, was born 100 years ago this month. Roger Nichols looks at his often bizarre relationship with his contemporaries and traces his collaboration with Stravinsky. 8.25* Part 2 Stravinsky Oedipus Rex (sung in Latin with English subtitles) BBC Singers (men's voices) Chorus master Malcolm Hicks Introduced by Richard Baker
Mahler's Symphony No 4 in G major Omnibus returns to the Royal Albert Hall for the first of six programmes from the 95th season of Henry Wood Promenade Concerts. Tonight, following her triumph as Susanna in The Marriage of Figaro at Glyndebourne, Joan Rodgers talks about a singer's view of Mahler and the crucial importance that song plays in his early symphonies. Yet in the Fourth Symphony, the soprano soloist remains silent for the first three movements! With the BBC Welsh Symphony Orchestra led by JAMES CLARK conducted by Tadaaki Otaka. Narrator Christopher Cook
An Evening with Maria Ewing The American soprano sings her favourite songs from American musical theatre and film, including those of George Gershwin , Cole Porter , Frank Loesser , Harold Arlen and Arthur Schwartz , with Richard Rodney Bennett (piano). Whether as an innocent yet corrupting Salome, or a determinedly individual Carmen, Maria Ewing has a formidable world-wide reputation. Tonight she takes a completely new step into popular song that promises a dazzling evening of sumptuous melody and smart lyrics. 'It's part of me, a part of my upbringing. The whole point of doing this concert is to show that we are as serious about this as we are about the classics.' With the BBC Concert Orchestra, led by Martin Loveday , conducted by Barry Wordsworth. Narrator: Christopher Cook.
Prokofiev's 'Classical' Symphony and Schnittke 's Viola Concerto Tonight's programme features two works by two major 20th-century Russian composers, performed by conductor Valery Gergiev and viola soloist Yuri Bashmet both from the USSR. Prokofiev's popular Symphony No 1 in D (Classical), written in 1917, is followed by a new work the Viola Concerto by Alfred Schnittke. Premiered in 1986 by Bashmet and Gergiev, the concerto is a highly charged personal work that communicates directly with the audience. With the BBC Philharmonic Orchestra led by Dennis Simons. Narrator: Christopher Cook
Beethoven's Choral Symphony conducted by Klaus Tennstedt Beethoven's Ninth, the great revolutionary work that ends with Schiller's Ode to Joy, is given under the German conductor whose performance of it is now world-renowned. Klaus Tennstedt first began to make an international reputation after he left his native East Germany in 1971. He was made principal conductor and music director of the London Philharmonic in 1983 and is now the orchestra's conductor laureate. Mechthild Gessendorf (soprano) Hanna Schwarz (mezzo-soprano) David Rendall (tenor) Hermann Becht (baritone). London Philharmonic Choir chorusmaster Richard Cooke. BBC Symphony Chorus chorusmaster Stephen Jackson. London Philharmonic led by David Nolan.
Gothenburg Symphony Orchestra of Sweden Two contrasting works are featured by tonight's visiting orchestra. They are Mendelssohn's Violin Concerto and Arvo Part's Third Symphony (UK premiere). The latter is introduced by a documentary film on Part, the Estonian composer born in 1935, whose individual style has catapulted him to popularity in the west over the last few years. The Third Symphony, dedicated to tonight's conductor, fellow Estonian Neeme Jarvi, marks a transitional stage to a new direction, explored with the help of the Hilliard Ensemble. To start the programme, the world-famous Taiwanese violinist Cho-Liang Lin , who made his public debut at the age of 7 and now lives in the USA, plays Mendelssohn's ever-popular Violin Concerto in E minor.
Berlioz The Damnation of Faust conducted by Sir Georg Solti. Parts 1 and 2. Tonight sees one of the most outstanding Promenade Concerts this season: a visit by the world-famous Chicago Symphony Orchestra. Live in stereo from the Royal Albert Hall in London, Solti conducts Berlioz's mammoth 'Dramatic Legend in Four Parts' based on Goethe's poetic drama of 'sin and redemption'. Chicago Symphony Chorus chorusmaster: Margaret Hillis. Chicago Symphony Orchestra concertmasters: Samuel Magad and Ruben Gonzales. Choristers of Westminster Cathedral Choir School. Introduced by Michael Berkeley.
The Damnation of Faust Parts 3 and 4
Rozhdestvensky Conducts Cinderella Between 1978-82 the flamboyant Russian Gennady Rozhdestvensky was Chief Conductor of the BBC Symphony Orchestra. Tonight 'Noddy' (as the orchestra knows him) rejoins them to conduct Rossini's Overture to the 1817 comic opera La Cenerentola and Act n of Prokofiev's popular ballet, Cinderella. During the programme Rozhdestvensky talks about Prokofiev with the famous Russian ballerina, Galina Ulanova , who danced principal roles in all of his full-length ballets, and with the composer's son Oleg Prokofiev , a sculptor now living in London. BBC Symphony Orchestra led by Bela Dekaney. Narrator: Christopher Cook.
Conducted by Sir John Pritchard. Live in stereo from the Royal Albert Hall , part 1 of this year's traditional end-of-term celebration has a French theme in keeping with the Bicentennial, while part 2 remains resolutely British. BBC Symphony Orchestra led by Bela Dekany BBC Singers directed by John Poole BBC Symphony Chorus directed by Stephen Jackson Introduced by Richard Baker. Part 1 Berlioz: Overture: The Corsair Saint-Saens: Violin Concerto No 3 in B minor Soloist: Ida Haendel Bizet: Carmen (excerpts)
Part 2 Eric Coates Knightsbridge , from 'London Suite' Saint-Saens Softly awakes my heart from 'Samson and Delilah' Delius Summer Night on the River Elgar Pomp and Circumstance March No 1 Henry Wood Fantasia on British Sea Songs Arne Rule, Britannia! Parry (orch Elgar) Jerusalem Soloist: Sarah Walker (mezzo-soprano)
The 96th season of Promenade Concerts opens with a performance which serves as a memorial and tribute to a distinguished and well loved musician, Sir John Pritchard. His appearance at the 1989 Last Night proved to be his farewell concert in this country. Tonight's performance by the BBC Symphony Orchestra (led by Bela Dekany) is conducted by Sir John's successor as the orchestra's chief conductor, Andrew Davis. Mahler's massive work - a late Romantic landmark - was a particular favourite of Sir John's. Introduced by Richard Baker. With Margaret Price (soprano), Anne-Sofie von Otter (mezzo-soprano), the BBC Symphony Chorus and the London Philharmonic Choir.
Youthful talent is a special feature of this new season of highlights from the 1990 Proms. Among those to be seen and heard in coming weeks are the brilliant American violinist Joshua Bell and two notable young British composers Mark-Anthony Turnage and James MacMillan. Tonight's soloist Ju Hee Suh first made her mark here in 1984 as a 16-year-old prize winner in the Leeds Piano Competition. John Tusa meets soloist and conductor Andrew Litton as they prepare for their performance with the Bournemouth Symphony Orchestra.
Beethoven's Violin Concerto Opera singer Lesley Garrett meets Joshua Bell, the 22-year-old violinist from Bloomington, Indiana, as he makes his Proms debut with Claus Peter Flor and the Philharmonia.
Shostakovich's First Cello Concerto and Ravel's Valses nobles et sentimentales The first cello concerto by Shostakovich is one of those rare modern works which has gained immediate popularity. First performed in 1959 by Mstislav Rostropovich, the concerto demands virtuoso playing from soloist and orchestra alike. Tonight's soloist, Heinrich Schiff, talks to pianist Howard Shelley about the challenges of this demanding work. Originally written for piano then transcribed for large orchestra, Ravel's suite of eight waltzes is a tribute to Schubert's work of the same name. Esa-Pekka Salonen conducts the Swedish Radio Symphony Orchestra.
Mark-Anthony Turnage 's Three Screaming Popes and Bartok's Second Violin Concerto. Sue Cook meets one of Britain's most original young composers, Mark-Anthony Turnage , whose Three Screaming Popes, inspired by some Francis Bacon paintings, is now given its London premiere. The City of Birmingham Symphony Orchestra, conducted by Simon Rattle , is joined by the Korean virtuoso Kyung-Wha Chung for a performance of Bartok's Second Violin Concerto. Director Barrie Gavin Executive producer Jonathan Fulford (Nextweek:SeijiOzawaconducts Brahms's Symphony No 1 in C minor)
The Old School Tie. The orchestra in tonight's concert owes its existence and name to one man: Professor Hideo Saito, who helped revolutionise the teaching of European music in post-war Japan. The Saito Kinen Orchestra was formed in 1984, ten years after his death. All the players were ex-pupils of his, who otherwise led separate musical careers, but assembled for a few hectic weeks every summer. Omnibus follows the Saito Kinen Orchestra from its 1990 reunion in Salzburg to its arrival in London for a Proms performance of Brahms's First Symphony, conducted by Seiji Ozawa. Introduced by Sarah Dunant.
Witches are no longer burned at the stake, but 'witch-hunting tendencies can erupt in our own society'. So says James MacMillan whose work, inspired by the grisly events of 1662 - when Isobel Gowdie was burned as a witch - has its premiere at the Proms. Mark Wigglesworth, prize-winning conductor and a former student of MacMillan, introduces the programme. It also includes Sibelius's Violin Concerto, played by Korean Dong-Suk Kang with the BBC Scottish Symphony Orchestra, conducted by Jerzy Maksymiuk.
Libor Pesek conducts the Royal Liverpool Philharmonic Orchestra in the Glagolitic Mass by his Czech compatriot JanaCek. Written in 1926, it uses a text in Old Slavonic to emphasise Czech nationalist identity after centuries of allegiance to Austria. Beethoven's Eroica Symphony, which shares this theme of liberation, opens the concert. 8.20 During the interval, Michael Berkeley reports on the Royal Liverpool Philharmonic Society, celebrating its 150th birthday. 8.40 The soloists in the Glagolitic Mass are Jane Eagien (soprano), Ameral Gunson (mezzo-soprano), John Mitchinson (tenor), Michael George (bass), with Ian Tracey (organ) and the BBC Symphony Chorus and Royal Liverpool Philharmonic Choir. Introduced by Michael Berkeley
The German conductor Giinter Wand is universally recognised as one of the world's finest Bruckner interpreters. During a career spanning six decades he has developed a special affinity with the spiritual world of Anton Bruckner. Tonight, he conducts the BBC Symphony Orchestra in Bruckner's towering Fifth Symphony, a work which in its massive span encompasses earthy humour, energy and serene beauty, and builds up to one of the most powerful musical conclusions. Introduced by Michael Berkeley.
Live from London's Royal Albert Hall , this year's final Prom concert is conducted by Mark Elder. A Swedish soloist and composers from Austria, France and Italy add an international spice to the traditionally British flavour of this event. Over the last two months, the Royal Albert Hall has played host to 65 promenade concerts. BBC Symphony Orchestra (leader Bela Dekany ) BBC Singers (director Simon Joly ) BBC Symphony Chorus (director Stephen Jackson ) Introduced by Richard Baker. Part 1 features Vaughan Williams's Overture The Wasps; Haydn's Trumpet Concerto in E flat major with soloist Hakan Hardenberger ; Tippett's Suite for the Birthday of Prince Charles and Parry's Blest Pair of Sirens.
The live coverage of this popular musical event continues with Rossini's Overture to William Tell and Non piu mesta from La cenerentola; Delius's Song of Summer, Delibes's Sous le dôme épais from Lakme with soloists Lesley Garrett (soprano) and Ann Murray (mezzo-soprano); Elgar's Pomp and Circumstance March No 1; Wood's Fantasia on British Sea Songs; Arne Rule , Britannia! and Parry's Jerusalem orchestrated by Elgar. Director Kriss Rusmanis
'This is the best of me.' So wrote Elgar at the end of his score and, despite a disastrous first performance in 1900, his setting of Newman's poem is now regarded as one of the composer's finest works. In the interval, James Hamilton Paterson, author of the novel Gerontius talks about his fascination with this enigmatic composer. Tonight's concert from the Royal Albert Hall, London, launching the 97th season of Promenade Concerts, is given in the presence of HRH the Prince of Wales. With Florence Quivar (mezzo-soprano), Keith Lewis (tenor), Willard White (bass), BBC Singers, BBC Symphony Chorus, London Philharmonic Choir, BBC Symphony Orchestra. Conductor Andrew Davis. Introduced by Richard Baker.
Great British Music The first in the season of highlights from this summer's Promenade Concerts salutes three British composers. Walton's brassy Crown Imperial is the curtain-raiser, followed by Malcolm Arnold 's Guitar Concerto played by Julian Bream. And finally, the BBC Concert Orchestra, conducted by Barry Wordsworth , plays Ralph Vaughan Williams 's Symphony No 8. Presented by David Owen Morris.
Sheherazade. For 200 years, the classic series of tales from the Middle East, The 1001 Nights, has inspired artists, musicians and dancers. In tonight's highlights from the 1991 Henry Wood Promenade Concerts, Alexander Lazarev conducts the BBC Symphony Orchestra in the most famous and popular of these musical inspirations: Rimsky-Korsakov's Sheherazade. To set the scene for tonight's Prom, deaf percussionist Evelyn Glennie talks to Yasin Safadi , an expert on story-telling in Persia and India.
Russian Yuri Bashmet is the soloist in Walton's Viola Concerto . Also featured is Shostakovich's Symphony No 7, the Leningrad, which was written at great speed in 1941 as an inspiration to the Soviet people in their fight against the Nazis. In the interval, singer Galina Vishnevskaya is among those recalling the siege of Leningrad and talking of the impact, then and now, of Shostakovich's music. With the National Youth Orchestra of Great Britain, conducted by David Atherton. Introduced by Michael Berkeley.
In a few short months, Mark Wigglesworth has come to the fore as one of Britain's most dynamic young conductors. Winner of the 1989 Kondrashin Competition and recently appointed as Associate Conductor of the BBC Symphony Orchestra at the age of 26, he now makes his Proms debut with a performance of Bartok's Music for Percussion, Strings and Celesta. Robert Ziegler, tonight's presenter and himself a conductor, also meets the venerable Polish composer Witold Lutoslawski, who conducts his new work, a song-cycle called Chantefleurs et Chantefables. Norwegian soprano Solveig Kringleborn is the soloist with the BBC Symphony Orchestra.
All-Night Vigil by Rachmaninov. Cuban conductor Odaline de la Martinez introduces a rare and hauntingly beautiful work by a popular composer. Rachmaninov's setting of the liturgy for the Russian Orthodox Vigil Service, for unaccompanied voices, is performed by the USSR Ministry of Culture Chamber Choir, conducted by Valery Polyansky.
The King's Consort. In 1749, the first public rehearsal for Handel's Musick for the Royal Fireworks caused a three-hour traffic jam. Keen to recapture the original fun and excitement - without the chaos - Robert King assembles a huge baroque orchestra in London's Royal Albert Hall , including 20 oboes and 12 bassoons. Also in the programme is the Water Music - written by Telemann. Presented by Nicholas Kenyon.
Pictures at an Exhibition by Musorgsky began its life as a cycle of piano pieces, but has been orchestrated and arranged by more composers than any other musical work. At the last count there were more than 24 versions. Tonight's programme features a complete performance of Pictures using arrangements by nine different people. Pianist Joanna MacGregor asks why so many composers have been attracted to this music while Leonard Slatkin, who conducts, will explain how he came to put together this colourful mixture. Pictures at an Exhibition, performed by the Philharmonia, includes one movement by the Proms founder Sir Henry Wood and is linked by a series of interludes called 'Promenades' - a true Promenade Concert.
The 97th season of Henry Wood Promenade Concerts comes to a close, live from the Royal Albert Hall , London. The concert opens with Cockaigne (Elgar), Towards the Unknown Region (Vaughan Williams) and The Walk to the Paradise Garden (Delius). The first half ends on an operatic note with soprano Gwyneth Jones as Briinnhilde in the immolation scene from Wagner's Götterdämmerung. Andrew Davis conducts the BBC Symphony Orchestra, led by Bela Dekany , with the BBC Chorus and the BBC Singers, chorusmaster Stephen Jackson. Introduced by Richard Baker.
The biggest musical party of the year reaches its festive climax as the audience in the packed Royal Albert Hall in London celebrates the second-half of the Last Night of the Proms. Conductor Andrew Davis, who admits to enjoying 'a bit of a knees-up', steers the BBC Symphony Orchestra through the traditional favourites: Elgar's Pomp and Circumstance March No 1 and Wood's Fantasia on British Sea Songs, Gwyneth Jones sings Arne's Rule, Britannia!, and the evening rounds off with Parry's Jerusalem, orchestrated by Elgar. Before all of that, there's the march from Things to Come by Bliss, the ever-popular Polovtsian Dances of Borodin and a special treat as Dame Gwyneth is joined by the 91-year-old harpist Sidonie Goossens - who played in Sir Adrian Boult 's original BBC SO - to perform Miss Goossens's own arrangement of The Last Rose of Summer.
Live from London's Royal Albert Hall, the opening concert in the 98th season of Henry Wood Promenade Concerts. Almost 400 singers and players throng the stage to perform this mighty work. The line-up of international soloists - all of them making their Proms debut - is headed by the young American soprano Susan Dunn, already a leading Verdi exponent. The performance takes place in the presence of the Princess of Wales.
The concert given earlier this evening in London's Royal Albert Hall featured two biblically inspired works. Handel's Israel in Egypt is a vivid portrayal of the unjust imprisonment of the Jewish people described in the Book of Exodus. Alexander Goehr 's new work The Death of Moses views the Jewish prophet from the perspective of the late 20th century. In the interval, the composer, who celebrates his 60th birthday this year, talks about the land and poetry that inspired his latest piece.
The first in a Friday-evening series of outstanding concerts from this year's Proms features some distinguished visitors, the Cleveland Orchestra. Over the last ten years a special rapport has developed between the Clevelanders, now America's most recorded orchestra, and their German conductor Christoph von Dohnanyi (grandson of the composer). Tonight they combine to perform one of the classics of the symphonic repertoire, Beethoven's Fifth. Before that they accompany the baritone Jose van Dam as he sings Mahler's sublime Ruckert Lieder, settings of verses by the German romantic poet Friedrich Ruckert. Presented by James Naughtie. Dohnanyi was recently nominated Conductor of the Year by the magazine Musical America for his "outstanding achievements with the Cleveland and his extraordinary contribution to the world of music". In the interval there is a feature on the orchestra's relationship with its local community.
An all-Bach programme given by Britain's pioneering period-instrument ensemble, the Academy of Ancient Music, conducted by Christopher Hogwood. Included are the Suite No 4 in D and the famous Double Violin Concerto. The Choir of New College, Oxford, conductor Edward Higginbottom , sings the motet Komm, Jesu, komm, and in the second half joins forces with the Academy to perform the Magnificat in D.
Two acclaimed young Russian musicians join forces for Brahms's Double Concerto-violinist Dmitry Sitkovetsky and cellist Mischa Maisky , who has been described by Rostropovich as "one of the most outstanding talents of the younger generation of cellists". The Philharmonia Orchestra, playing under their new principal guest conductor Claus Peter Flor , opens the concert with Weber's overture to Der Freischutz. Introduced by James Naughtie. In the interval, the two soloists are seen together in rehearsal and in conversation.
The St Petersburg Philharmonic, despite its new name, is Russia's oldest orchestra. In tonight's concert Yuri Temirkanov conducts it in Berlioz's tempestuous overture The Corsair, inspired by Byron's pirate, followed by Sibelius's Violin Concerto in D minor, in which the soloist is the brilliant Maxim Vengerov , making his Proms debut nine days after his 18th birthday. The programme is completed by Tchaikovsky's Manfred Symphony, a portrait of another Byronic hero, a tormented outcast who finds solace in death. Introduced by John Tusa.
Gershwin's extrovert American in Paris is among the works that promise to make tonight's Promenade Concert one of the liveliest of the season. Also on the bill are Milhaud's exuberant Boeufsur le toit and the world premiere of Richard Rodney Bennett 's Concerto for Stan Getz , the composer's tribute to the late jazz saxophonist, featuring John Harle as soloist. Introduced by James Naughtie , from the Royal Albert Hall in London.
The young German pianist Lars Vogt plays Grieg's popular Piano Concerto in A minor in tonight's Prom, recorded last week. The BBC Symphony Orchestra performs Hypothetically Murdered - a witty and satirical piece written by Shostakovich for a bizarre vaudeville extravaganza at the Leningrad Music Hall in 1931. Says conductor Mark Elder: "The full score was lost in the siege of Leningrad but Rozhdestvensky found some piano sketches and gave them to composer Gerard McBurney to orchestrate. We tend to think of Shostakovich as the anguished Soviet voice under Stalin but here he's a sort of Russian Offenbach, full of flair, fun and satire. This is a classic Proms item." Introduced by James Naughtie.
Tonight's Prom forms part of the European Arts Festival, marking the UK's Presidency of the European Community. Beethoven's Ninth Symphony, the Choral, with its concluding "Ode to Joy", adopted by the community as its anthem, is performed by the Berlin Radio Symphony Orchestra, conducted by Vladimir Ashkenazy. The Brighton Festival and London Symphony Choruses join soloists Margaret Price (soprano) from Wales, Martine Mahe (mezzo) from France, Jan Blinkhof (tenor) from the Netherlands, and Kurt Moll (bass) from Germany to complete a truly European line-up. The concert begins wth Elgar's epic symphonic study Falstaff Christopher Cook introduces the concert and, in the interval, looks at the ideas behind the European Arts Festival.
Live from London's Royal Albert Hall. Dame Kiri Te Kanawa makes a rare appearance at the Proms to sing two romantic arias by Massenet, and octogenarian Russian pianist Tatyana Nikolaeva, making her Proms debut this season, plays Shostakovich's sparkling Piano Concerto No 2. The bicentenary of Rossini's birth is celebrated with the overture to his best known opera, The Barber of Seville, and with Soirees musicales, a suite of some of his most beguiling music orchestrated by Benjamin Britten. Andrew Davis conducts the BBC Symphony Orchestra.
The traditionally festive finale to the Proms season. In this second half Kiri Te Kanawa sings a trio of operatic arias including Ebben? ... Ne andrb lontana by Catalini, familiar from the film Diva. As always the musical celebrations reach a climax with Elgar's Pomp and Circumstance March No 1, Wood's Fantasia on British Sea-Songs, Arne's Rule, Britannia!and Parry's Jerusalem. Before that, there are overtures by Brahms and Sullivan, and Peter Maxwell Davies's Orkney Weddingwith Sunrise featuring George McIlwham on bagpipes. The BBC Symphony Orchestra and Chorus and the BBC Singers are conducted by Andrew Davis , who says: "I always enjoy a knees-up but, as well as having a party, we try on the last night to reflect the eclectic nature of the whole season. I think tonight's programme is suitably diverse but also full of energy and joie de vivre." Introduced by Richard Baker.
The first performance of James MacMillan 's Veni, Veni Emmanuel, composed for the deaf percussionist Evelyn Glennie , recorded at this year's BBC Proms. With the Scottish Chamber Orchestra, conducted byJukka-Pekka Saraste.
Elektra The BBC Promenade Concerts season opens with a performance of Richard Strauss 's dramatic one-act opera live from the Royal Albert Hall in London. Andrew Davis , Chief Conductor of the BBC Symphony Orchestra, conducts this horrific story of obsession, murder and revenge in ancient Greece. Davis says: "The Proms always end with Land of Hope and Glory, but this year we begin by entering a land of despair and gore through Richard Strauss 's inimitable adaptation of Greek tragedy. One hundred continuous minutes of the composer at his most powerful - sung by an exceptionally strong cast - should ensure a chilling and thrilling start to this great festival." Introduced by James Naughtie.
Tonight's Prom marks anniversaries of two popular nationalist composers - Grieg and Tchaikovsky - but begins with Stravinsky's scintillating ballet-score Petrushka, in the original 1911 version. During the interval, there is a visit to Bergen to sample some of the novel ways in which Norway is celebrating Grieg's life and work. Part 2 comprises four songs by Grieg and the concert ends with Tchaikovsky's Suite No 3. The BBC Symphony Orchestra is conducted by Alexander Lazarev, and the soloist in the Grieg songs is the Finnish soprano, Karita Mattila, winner of the 1983 Cardiff Singer of the World Competition. "They represent the typical Grieg style, very romantic, very melodic, with lovely phrasing - a treat for a singer," she says. "They are quite intimate pieces, reflective rather than bravura. I love them and I'm very proud to sing them at the Proms." James Naughtie introduces the concert.
A feast of baroque music is performed by the Virtuosi di Roma, one of the world's most celebrated chamber orchestras. They play without a conductor and in tonight's concert offer five concertos, including Boccherini's most famous cello concerto. Introduced by James Naughtie from the Royal Albert Hall.
Claudio Abbado conducts tonight's Prom featuring the Gustav Mahler Youth Orchestra, which draws its players from all over the world and whichà Abbado helped to create. The concert begins with the dramatic Songs and Dances of Death by Musorgsky, featuring the Russian baritone Dmitri Hvorostovsky who won the Cardiff Singer of the World Competition in 1989. He says: "I am very excited to be making my Proms debut and to be working with one of the world's greatest maestros, Abbado, for the first time and with such an exciting youth orchestra with players from many Eastern European countries. And I'm proud to be singing one of the strongest song-cycles in the Russian repertoire." Part 2 is Anton Bruckner's monumental Fifth Symphony. During the interval, there is a look behind the scenes with the orchestra on its summer course in Bolzano, northern Italy, as Abbado prepares the young players for the Prom. Introduced by Michael Berkeley.
The brilliant young American trumpeter Wynton Marsalis plays with his septet, a line-up of internationally acclaimed jazz musicians, for this late-night Prom live from the Royal Albert Hall, London. Marsalis says, "The Proms are renowned for an audience of all ages - and that's for me. I don't believe in this endless celebration of youth. I love young people - but I love old people, too. And middle-aged people! It's the flow of life that's important. Jazz is what I was put on this earth to play and my music is for everybody." Born in 1961, Marsalis entered the Juilliard School at the age of 18 and was soon playing on Broadway and with the Brooklyn Philharmonic. He describes himself as a jazz musician who can play classical music, and in 1984 he simultaneously carried off recording awards for best jazz soloist and best classical soloist with orchestra.
The Oslo Philharmonic under its conductor Mariss Jansons is now one of Europe's top orchestras. Their concert tonight from London's Royal Albert Hall begins with a bizarre work by Russian composer Alfred Schnittke. He calls it (Not) a Midsummer Night's Dream and in it a tune which could be by Schubert is taken on a nightmarish journey. Schnittke says of this tune: "I didn't borrow it, I faked it!"
An entertaining programme aimed at a younger audience is provided by this afternoon's concert, of which BBC1 is transmitting the first half live. Raymond Leppard conducts the BBC Symphony Orchestra in Britten's ever-popular The Young Person Guide to the Orchestra, followed by Dohnanyi's charming Variations on a Nursery Song. David Owen Norris , piano soloist in the Dohnanyi, comments: "I like musical jokes and this one, like all the best jokes, should not be given away. There can be nothing more important than a concert designed for a younger audience. My children - Barnaby, 6, and Josiah, 4 - will be there to share it. And the joke." Introduced by James Naughtie from the Royal Albert Hall in London.
Simon Rattle conducts two ensembles with which he is particularly associated - the City of Birmingham Symphony Orchestra and the Birmingham Contemporary Music Group. To begin, the latter make their Proms debut in a performance of Schoenberg's early and ebullient Chamber Symphony No 1. Then the Italian pianist Maurizio Pollini, making his first television appearance at the Proms, joins the CBSO for Mozart's Concerto No 24, K491. After the interval Rattle conducts the orchestra in Stravinsky's ballet Pulcinella, a witty pastiche based mainly on themes by the 18th-century Neapolitan composer Pergolesi.
Always a very British affair, the traditional final concert of this year's BBC Proms returns to an all-British programme. This first half opens with Holst's ballet music from A Perfect Fool, followed by Arnold's Clarinet Concerto No 2 (the soloist is Michael Collins ). After shorter pieces by Delius and Lord Berners, part 1 ends with Lambert's Rio Grande, which brings together mezzosoprano Delia Jones , pianist Kathryn Stott , the BBC Singers and BBC Symphony Chorus. Barry Wordsworth conducts the BBC Symphony Orchestra, and the concert is introduced from the Royal Albert Hall by Richard Baker.
A rousing climax is guaranteed in the second half of tonight's live concert. But before the fun and frolics of Pomp and Circumstance, Sea Songs and Rule, Britannia!, there's more serious music-making. Part 2 begins with Walton's Shakespeare Suite from Richard III , some of Vaughan Williams's Songs of Travel (the bass soloist is John Tomlinson ) and Bennett's waltz The Orient Express. Jerusalem provides the traditional grand finale to the proceedings.
Highlights of the summer Proms. The BBC Symphony Orchestra under conductor Raymond Leppard plays Tchaikovsky's Symphony No 2, (Little Russian) and Ravel's Sheherazadewith soprano Judith Howarth.
The 100th season of the BBC Proms opens spectacularly with one of the largest scores ever written, Schoenberg's vast cantata Gurrelieder. Conductor Andrew Davis says: "What a superb start to the Proms. Huge orchestral forces are needed for Schoenberg's epic but although it's daunting to perform it's not at all daunting to listen to. This is a great classical masterpiece, the apotheosis of the late Romantic cantata and an incredible journey through misty Nordic mythology exploring the themes of love and death. It's perfect for the Royal Albert Hall and we have a magnificent line-up of soloists tonight." These include the great Wagnerian baritone Hans Hotter, making his Proms debut at the age of 85. On this First Night of the Proms' 100th year, Davis conducts the BBC Symphony Orchestra, the BBC Singers, the Philharmonia Chorus and the BBC Symphony Chorus. Introduced by James Naughtie, live from the Royal Albert Hall.
In this evening's live concert from the Royal Albert Hall Simon Rattle conducts the City of Birmingham Symphony Orchestra in a typically eclectic programme. It features a new work, Drowned Out, by Mark-Anthony Turnage. "Takingthis piece for its London premiere feels as though we're bringing a member of the family with us," says Rattle. "He's produced some wonderful things for us and this marks the end of his four years as composer in residence." The concert opens with Sibelius's tone poem Tapiola, in the second half Maria Ewing sings Messiaen' s Poemes pour Mi, and the orchestra ends with LaMer by Debussy.
The "first 100 years" theme continues with this re-creation of a Wagner night, a regular feature of the Proms' early years. It's given by the BBC Nationalà Orchestra of Wales under their principal conductor Tadaaki Otaka. Highlights of the concert given last night open with the stirring Tannhauser overture, the most performed work in the history of the Proms, and the Venusberg Music from the same opera. One of Wagner's Wesendonck Songs follows, in which the soloist is Anne Evans, and the concert reaches its climax with two excerpts from Gotterdammerung: Siegfried's Funeral Music and Brunnhilde's Immolation Scene.
The BBC Philharmonic come to the Proms in their 60th anniversary year. Under their principal conductor Yan Pascal Tortelier and as part of the celebration of the Proms' first hundred years, they perform two of the many works which received their British premiere at these concerts. The first is Ravel's Piano Concerto for the Left Hand (originally written for a pianist who lost his right arm in the First World War - tonight's soloist is Jean-Yves Thibaudet) followed by Sibelius's powerful First Symphony. The programme is introduced by Richard Baker.
Viennese Night is one of the Proms' most popular traditions. Richard Baker introduces highlights of last night's concert from the Royal Albert Hall, featuring a sparkling selection of waltzes, polkas and marches from the Strauss family, plus some operetta treats sung by soprano Felicity Lott.
In a season marking 100 years of the Promenade Concerts, tonight's has a special significance. It is being given as a tribute to Sir Henry Wood, founder-conductor of the Proms, who died 50 years ago today. All four pieces being performed by the BBC Symphony Orchestra have special associations with Sir Henry, as the conductor, Andrew Davis, will explain from the platform. At the concert's heart is the Serenade to Music which Vaughan Williams wrote in 1938 to celebrate Wood's 50 years as a conductor. It features 166 outstanding soloists, tonight including Heather Harper, Yvonne Minton, Robert Tear and Thomas Allen.
Age and youth come together for a performance of Brahms's mighty Fourth Symphony. Italian maestro Carlo Maria Giulini, who celebrated his 80th birthday earlier this year, conducts the European Youth Orchestra and beforehand talks about his approach to Brahms, and about the orchestra.
The world's great orchestras have all visited the Proms over the years, and usually provide some of the highlights each season. Tonight's guests are the Los Angeles Philharmonic under their music director Esa-Pekka Salonen, who bring a work that was written for them, Lutoslawski's Fourth Symphony. The composer, who died earlier this year, conducted its UK premiere at last year's Proms.
Live from the Royal Albert Hall, Carl Orff's Carmina Burana provides the thrilling climax to this concert which opens with two British works - the Overture to a Picaresque Comedy by Arnold Bax and Sir Malcolm Arnold's Second Symphony, written for tonight's performers, the Bournemouth Symphony Orchestra. Richard Hickox conducts with Janice Watson (soprano), James Bowman (counter-tenor) and Donald Maxwell (baritone), the Highcliffe Junior Choir, the Waynflete Singers and the Bournemouth Symphony Chorus. Presented by James Naughtie.
Live from the Royal Albert Hall , theseason'sfarewell concert starts majestically with the full orchestral arrangement by the Proms' founder, Henry Wood , of Bach's great Toccata and Fugue in D minor. Five Variants of Dives and Lazarus by Vaughan Williams is followed by Walton's choral masterpiece, Belshazzar's Feast. The BBC Singers, this year celebrating their 70th anniversary, and the BBC Symphony Chorus join forces with the BBC Symphony Orchestra conducted by Andrew Davis. Introduced by Richard Baker.
The first 100 years of Promenade Concerts are brought to a rousing conclusion in the second half of tonight's live concert. Joining in the music-making and festivities are two of Britain's most brilliant young artists, percussionist Evelyn Glennie , soloist in Paul Creston's Marimba Concertino, and Welsh baritone Bryn Terfel. Popular works by Kabalevsky, Massenet and Grainger - all premiered at the Proms - are performed before the evening comes to its traditional grand climax, including - as ever - Henry Wood's own Fantasia on British Sea-Songs.
Live from the Albert Hall , James Naughtie introduces the centenary season of the BBC Proms which opens with Mahler's Eighth Symphony, the "Symphony of a Thousand". Andrew Davis conducts the BBC Symphony Orchestra, three choruses - the BBC Symphony Chorus, Philharmonia Chorus and the City of Birmingham Symphony Chorus (CBSO) - and choristers of cathedral choirs from St Paul's Cathedral, Westminster Abbey and Westminster Cathedral.
In the second live visit to the Proms, the Philharmonia Orchestra performs Elgar'sÃEnigma Variations. Before the performance, conductor Leonard Slatkin, an American with a great enthusiasm for English music, gives a personal view of one of the composer's most enduring works. James Naughtie introduces the concert, which also includes the exciting Concert Music for Brass and Strings by Paul Hindemith and Beethoven's Piano Concerto No. 2. The soloist is the young Norwegian pianist Leif Ove Andsnes.
Tonight's concert, commemorating the 100th anniversary of the first Prom, begins with Wagner's Overture Rienzi. Leoncavallo's Prologue to Pagliacci and Mendelssohn's Piano Concerto No 1 follow. Thomas's Overture Mignon continues after the interval, followed by Schubert's Symphony No 8 in B minor Unfinished, Rossini's Largo al factotum and Bizet's Carmen Suite No 1. Barry Wordsworth conducts the New Queen's Hall Orchestra and the soloists are Donald Maxwell (baritone) and Howard Shelley (piano). Presented by Richard Baker.
Introduced by James Naughtie from the Royal Albert Hall, London. This Centenary Season sees the first visit of an Italian symphony orchestra to the Proms. The Orchestra of the Academy of Santa Cecilia in Rome, with their 33-year-old conductor and music director Daniele Gatti, perform Respighi's Fountains of Rome, a vivid and colourful picture-postcard evocation that displays the characteristically warm and generous sound of the orchestra. The interval film reveals the locations that inspired the music and shows the orchestra at work on their home ground. Gatti - a charismatic Milan-born maestro - is one of the fast rising stars of the concert platform and takes over as music director of the Royal Philharmonic Orchestra next year.
Simon Rattle conducts the City of Birmingham Symphony Orchestra in a concert which opens with Mendelssohn's Overture A Midsummer Night's Dream, and concludes with Beethoven's Third Symphony, Eroica. Introduced by James Naughtie.
A live concert in which British jazz pianist and composer Julian Joseph leads an All-Star Big Band through a selection of jazz standards and his own compositions. His band includes Peter King, Andy Sheppard, Tony Remy, Guy Barker and his regular drummer, Mark Mondesir. Joseph promises an evening that will "swing and swing hard" encompassing trio, sextet and a big band. Numbers lined up include Marcus Miller's tribute to the late Miles Davis, The King is Gone, Joseph's own Swingstone and Frobbloble, and a version of Nat King Cole's Everything Happens to Me. During the interval, in a film specially shot for tonight's programme, Joseph explores his own initiation to jazz and talks viewers through some of the jazz classics that have influenced him. Introduced by Geoffrey Smith.
The BBC Concert Orchestra, conducted by Barry Wordsworth, performs Leonard Bernstein's Candide Overture and the Symphonic Dances from West Side Story. Followed by virtuoso soloist Richard Stoltzman performing Aaron Copland's Clarinet Concerto. During the interval some of Bernstein's friends and former colleagues recall the composer's unique talents. Introduced by James Naughtie.
Esa-Pekka Salonen brings his gifts as a conductor of 20th century music to this live concert from the Royal Albert Hall, which includes a world premiere in the first half. Latvian-born Gidon Kremer is the soloist in Graal Theatre, a new violin concerto composed for him by Finnish composer Kaija Saariaho. In this work, Saariaho forsakes electronics for a more traditional concerto form in which the violin interacts with the orchestra. "This is certainly a difficult piece to play but Gidon is a strong artist," says Saariaho. The concert opens with Carl Nielsen's Helios overture. In the second half, Karol Szymanowski's Stabat mater is followed by the erotic Poem of Ecstasy by Alexander Skriabin. With the BBC Symphony Orchestra, the BBC Symphony Chorus and soloists Judith Howarth (soprano), Randi Stene (mezzo-soprano) and Jason Howard (baritone), Introduced by Michael Berkeley who in the interval, looks at new research into how and why we are moved by certain music.
The BBC Scottish Symphony Orchestra, conducted by Jerzy Maksymiuk, opens tonight's concert by performing Tchaikovsky's Overture to Romeo and Juliet. This piece was recorded on 8 August but, due to a power failure, the scheduled British premiere of Tan Dun's Orchestral Theatre II: Re did not take place, Instead, the second half of the concert will be a repeat of the recording of Scottish composer James MacMillan's work, The Confession of Isobel Gowdie, again performed by the BBC Scottish Symphony Orchestra.
Richard Baker describes the scene at the Royal Albert Hall where the Centenary Season ends with members of the BBC Symphony Orchestra, the BBC Symphony Chorus and the BBC Singers all on stage under the baton of Andrew Davis. Two fine British stars, the mezzo-soprano Catherine Wyn-Rogers and violinist Tasmin Little make their Last Night debuts. Tonight's concert begins with the Berlioz overture The Corsair, followed by Vaughan Williams's The Lark Ascending. The other works in the first half are Zemlinsky's Psalm 23, songs from Mahler's Des Knaben Wunderhorn and Waltz Sequence No 1 from Richard Strauss's Der Rosenkavalier.
The second half of the concert starts with the Fanfare Jrfrom La Péri by Dukas and the world premiere of Harrison Birtwistle 's Panic. Birtwistle's new work is followed by Berio's arrangement ofBoccherini's Ritirata Notturna di Madrid and Stokowski's arrangement of Dido's Lament from Purcell's Dido and Aeneas. Then, afterthe Introduction and Rondo Capriccioso by Saint-Saens, comes the traditional celebratory finale of the Last Night - Elgar's Pomp and Circumstance March No 1, Sir Henry Wood 's Fantasia on British Sea Songs, Arne's Rule, Britannia! and Elgar's orchestration of Parry's Jerusalem.
Music from the first ever "African Prom", staged at London's Royal Albert Hall. The concert features Senegalese stars Youssou N'Dour and Baaba Maal, Salif Keita from Mali, and South African reggae singer Lucky Dube. Guest appearances include Neneh Cherry, who joins Youssou N'Dour to sing their hit single Seven Seconds.
The BBC Proms season opens at the Royal Albert Hall with a live transmission in simultaneous broadcast with Radio 3 of Haydn's The Creation, the first of ten concerts screened this summer. Andrew Davis conducts the BBC Symphony Orchestra and Chorus, with German soloists Juliane Banse (soprano), Hans Peter Blochwitz (tenor) and Wolfgang Schone (baritone). In the interval, host James Naughtie examines how Haydn chose his particular theme, while Professor David Broomhead, Heather Couper, Dr Richard Dawkins, and Archbishop Richard Harries look at modern religious and scientific attitudes.
The first of four Proms especially recorded for BBCtv and featuring interviews with the performing artists. Introduced by James Naughtie. American soprano Dawn Upshaw celebrates the range and vitality of the music she grew up with. Accompanied by the London Sinfonietta, conducted by Eric Stern, and American pianist Fred Hersch, she performs music by Bernstein, Copland, Weill, Gershwin, Rodgers and Hart, and Sondheim.
Live from the Royal Albert Hall, London, and in a simultaneous broadcast with Radio 3, the National Youth Orchestra of Great Britain performs a programme of 20th-century classics. Opera star Sally Burgess joins the orchestra, conducted by Paul Daniel, to sing a selection of George Gershwin's best known tunes, including Someone to Watch over Me and Slap That Bass. The concert opens with Ameriques by Varese and ends with Stravinsky's Rite of Spring, on the 25th anniversary of the composer's death. Introduced by Sarah Walker.
Second of four Proms recorded especially for BBC television. James Naughtie introduces a programme of Bach and Handel, bringing together the choirs of Winchester Cathedral, New College, Oxford, and the Orchestra of the Age of Enlightenment. Featuring an interview with Belgian Rene Jacobs who makes his Prom debut conducting excerpts from Handel's opera Julius Caesar and two of Bach's most popular works, Suite No 3 in D - which includes Air on a G String - and the Magnificat.
Live from the Royal Albert Hall, London, in a simultaneous broadcast with Radio 3, the new Principal Guest Conductor of the BBC Symphony Orchestra, Jiri Belohlavek, makes his debut at the Proms for a programme featuring a trio of pieces from his Czech homeland. Dvorak's Te Deum, written for the composer's visit to America in 1892, opens the concert, sung by soprano Judith Howarth, baritone Ivan Kusnjer and the BBC Symphony Chorus. It is followed by works with military associations from the two greatest Czech composers of the 20th century: Martinu's Field Mass and Janacek's Sinfonietta. The evening is completed by the last of Mozart's piano concertos - No 27 in B flat, K595 - performed by American pianist Richard Goode.
The first of two Proms featuring youth orchestras being televised this year, presented by James Naughtie. The European Union Youth Orchestra is caught both off and on duty on the last night of a six-country tour. Some of the 140 musicians selected from European Union countries talk about their rehearsal and tour period. Led for the first time by conductor Sir Colin Davis, who is known for his interpretations of Jean Sibelius, they play the composer's Symphony No 2 and complement it with Richard Strauss's portrait of a lover, Don Juan.
Pianist Andras Schiff performs two of Mozart's lesser-known masterpieces, No 19 in Fand No 22 in E flat, with the English Chamber Orchestra conducted by George Malcolm. Introduced by James Naughtie.
The Rotterdam Philharmonic Orchestra, making its British television debut, is conducted by Valery Gergiev in a programme of Russian and French music. The concert is introduced by Christopher Warren-Green, leader of the Philharmonia Orchestra, and begins with Prokofiev's Symphony No 6, the composer's most tragic, emotional and structurally complex work, written during the last years of the Second World War. This is followed by the European premiere of an orchestration by the contemporary Russian composer Edison Denisov of Musorgsky's The Nursery, sung by the young Russian soprano Anna Netrebko. The concert finishes with a performance of Debussy's atmospheric evocation of the sea, La Mer. During the interval, Christopher Warren-Green's travel diary records his bike trip to the Netherlands.
Live from the Royal Albert Hall in London. To mark the centenary of the death of Anton Bruckner, a sequence of his choral music makes up part one of tonight's programme. The BBC Singers are conducted by Jane Glover and organist John Scott opens the concert by playing the Prelude and Fugue in C Minor. Beethoven's Ninth Symphony in D Minor, The Choral, forms the second half of the programme, with Sir Georg Solti conducting the Chicago Symphony Orchestra, the BBC Singers and the London Voices. During the interval, he talks to James Naughtie about the two decades he has spent as Music Director of the Chicago Symphony Orchestra.
Live from the Albert Hall , the musical line-up begins with a performance of Haydn Te Deum by the BBC Symphony Chorus and Orchestra and the BBC Singers, conducted by Andrew Davis. Poul Ruders 's Concerto in Pieces, a reworking of Purcell, follows. Then Felicity Lott and Ann Murray join conductor Andrew Davis to sing music from Mozart's The Marriage of Figaro and Mitridate. This is followed by a brief visit to the BBC's Proms in the Park concert in Hyde Park, where the BBC Concert Orchestra plays Leonard Bernstein 's overture Candide, conducted by Robin Stapleton. Back at the Royal Albert Hall , Joanna MacGregor (piano) and John Wallace (trumpet) perform Shostakovich's Concerto for Piano, Trumpet and Strings. James Naughtie describes the scene.
For the whole of the second half of the concert, a giant screen and video link joins the audience in the Royal Albert Hall with thousands of people gathered in Hyde Park. Opening with Glinka's Overture Ruslan and Ludmilla and Malcolm Arnold's The Sound Barrier, the concert continues with Offenbach's Barcarolle from The Tales of Hoffman and Ah! Que J'aime les Militaires from The Grand Duchess of Gerolstein. Then, after Le Spectre de la Rose from Les Nuits d'Eté by Berlioz and Puccini's Flower Duet from Madam Butterfly, comes the traditional last night finale- Elgar's Pomp and Circumstance March No 1 in D, Sir Henry Wood 's Fantasia on British Sea Songs, Arne's Rule, Britannia! and Elgar's orchestration of Parry's Jerusalem.
The BBC Proms season opens at the Royal Albert Hall with a live transmission in simultaneous broadcast with Radio 3 of Beethoven's Missa Solemnis, the first of ten concerts screened on BBC TV this summer. Guest conductor Bernard Haitink returns to the Proms to conduct the BBC Symphony Orchestra and Chorus and BBC Singers, with soloists Karita Mattila (soprano), Catherine Wyn-Rogers (mezzo-soprano), Herbert Lippert (tenor) and Anthony Michaels-Moore (baritone). Introduced by James Naughtie.
The BBC Proms season continues tonight from the Royal Albert Hall in London with this live transmission, introduced by Michael Berkeley. Principal guest conductor Jiri Belohlavek conducts the BBC Symphony Chorus and Orchestra in Johannes Brahms's Song of the Fates and Franz Schubert's Mass in Flat Major. The soloists are Rosa Mannion (soprano), Stella Doufexis (mezzo-soprano), Toby Spence (tenor) and Nathan Berg (bass baritone). Between these two pieces, the French pianist Jean-Yves Thibaudet plays Chopin's folk-inspired Piano Concerto No 2 in F Minor.
In the first of four Proms recorded for BBC television, James Naughtie introduces a concert performance of Gilbert and Sullivan's operetta, given at London's Royal Albert Hall last Saturday. Their last great collaboration, The Gondoliers tells a story of baby-swapping, kidnapping and mistaken identity in exuberant and colourful style, and remains one of their most popular works. Including songs such as Take Pair of Sparkling Eyes and Dance a Cachucha. Featuring the BBC Singers and Concert Orchestra conducted by Barry Wordsworth.
In the second of four Proms recorded for BBC television James Naughtie introduces Beethoven's Symphony No 6 in F (Pastoral), recorded at the Royal Albert Hall on 30 July, and David Attenborough talks about the enduring relationship between music and nature. Mark Wigglesworth conducts the BBC National Orchestra of Wales in Beethoven's sensitive portrait of the countryside, integrating birdsong, peasant dancing and storms into a highly sophisticated symphony that has become one the favourites of the concert repertoire.
In the third of four Proms recorded for BBC television, James Naughtie introduces two popular pieces of musical storytelling, Tchaikovsky's Overture: Romeo and Juliet and Rimsky-Korsakov's Scheherazade, recorded at London's Royal Albert Hall on 14 August. Valery Gergiev conducts the Kirov Orchestra which is making its first appearance at the Proms.
The BBC Proms season continues with this live broadcast from the Royal Albert Hall. Tonight's concert features the Dallas Symphony Orchestra on its first European tour, conducted by Andrew Litton, the new music director. The orchestra performs Roy Harris's Symphony No 3, Samuel Barber's beautiful Violin Concerto, featuring the charismatic young soloist Joshua Bell, and Tchaikovsky's Symphony No 5 in E minor. The interval, filmed in Dallas, shows how the orchestra has made its mark on this all-American city.
The last of four Proms recorded for television at London's Royal Albert Hall, introduced by James Naughtie. One of the most popular and challenging pieces in the concert-pianist's repertoire, Grieg's Piano Concerto in A minor, is performed by Leeds International Piano Competition winner Ilya Itin, with the BBC Philharmonic Orchestra conducted by Vassily Sinaisky. As a contrast to the Scandinavian folk themes of Grieg's work, the concert also includes Capriccio italien, Tchaikovsky's portrait of a trip to Southern Europe.
Michael Berkeley introduces a live broadcast from the Royal Albert Hall , London, featuring the Royal Concertgebouw Orchestra, conducted by their music director Riccardo Chailly. The orchestra performs the UK premiere of Three Preludes by Tristan Keuris, a leading Dutch composer who died last year, and Rachmaninov's popular Piano Concerto No 2 in C minor, with the talented young Russian pianist Arkady Volodos in the spotlight. The evening concludes with The Dance of the Seven Veils from the Richard Strauss opera Salome, preceded by Bartok's Miraculous Mandarin. The interval, filmed partly in Budapest, explores the background to Bartok's spectacular ballet score.
The BBC Proms season continues with this live broadcast from the Royal Albert Hall. Georg Solti, one of the world's greatest conductors, returns to the Proms to conduct Verdi's Requiem, with soloists Michele Crider (soprano), Olga Borodina (mezzo-soprano), Frank Lopardo (tenor) and Rene Pape (bass), the London Voices, the London Symphony Chorus and the London Symphony Orchestra. Introduced by James Naughtie.
James Naughtie hosts the annual classical-music celebration live from London Royal Albert Hall. In this first instalment there are traditional favourites by Wagner, Handel, Brahms -the centenary of whose death is this year- and Messiaen. Scottish composer Judith Weir 's choral work Sanctus is also premiered.
James Naughtie with live coverage of the second half oftonight's concert. The BBC Symphony Orchestra under Andrew Davis perform Fanfare for Orchestra by John Adams , Gershwin's Variations on "/ Got Rhythm" Britten's Irish Reel, and an aria from Weber's opera Der Freischutz. Then it's the traditional finale including Elgar's Pomp and Circumstance March No 1 in D, Sir Henry Wood 's Fantasia on British Sea-Songs, Arne's Rule Britannia! and Parry's Jerusalem before the National Anthem brings the night to a close.
James Naughtie introduces live coverage from London's Royal Albert Hall - in simultaneous broadcast with Radio 3 - of Berlioz's Damnation of Faust, the opening concert of this year's BBC Proms season. The Damnation of Faust, with a dramatic score recounting the story of a man who uses his soul to strike a deal with the Devil, reflects one of the 1998 Proms season's major themes - the connection between magic, mystery and music. Baritone Bryn Terfel takes the role of Mephistopheles while tenor Richard Margison and mezzo-soprano Ann Murray play, respectively, Faust and his lover, Marguerite, with baritone Donald Maxwell as Brander. Andrew Davis conducts the BBC Symphony Orchestra and Chorus, BBC Singers, and New London Children's Choir.
Live from London's Royal Albert Hall, Charles Hazlewood introduces a simultaneous broadcast with Radio 3 as the National Youth Orchestra of Great Britain, conducted by Mstislav Rostropovich, performs Shostakovich's Symphony No 10. The concert opens with Britten's Young Person's Guide to the Orchestra, and includes the world premiere of Michael Berkeley's Garden of Earthly Delights.
The BBC Proms season continues at London's Royal Albert Hall with a live transmission - broadcast simultaneously with Radio 3 - introduced by James Naughtie. Andrew Davis conducts the BBC Symphony Orchestra in the television premiere of Elgar's Symphony No 3. Elgar left behind an incomplete work when he died in 1934, but composer Anthony Payne has elaborated on the sketches to produce a major symphonic work. The evening also includes two well-loved pieces - Ravel's Mother Goose Suite, and Mozart's Piano Concerto No 17 in G, with soloist Richard Goode.
In the first of four Proms recorded for BBC television, James Naughtie introduces a concert performance of classical music from the movies, performed at London's Royal Albert Hall on 20 July. Yan Pascal Tortelier conducts the BBC Philharmonic Orchestra in Gershwin's Girl Crazy Overture and Rhapsody in Blue, Leonard Bernstein's music for On the Waterfront, and Ravel's Piano Concerto in G, with Canadian pianist Louis Lortie.
In the second of four Proms recorded for BBC television, James Naughtie introduces another concert centred on music used in films, performed at London's Royal Albert Hall on 2 August. Beethoven's Symphony No 7 was used in Immortal Beloved, the composer's biopic, and is joined by Elgar's evocation of childhood, The Wand of Youth. The BBC Scottish Symphony Orchestra is led by Finnish conductor Osmo Vanska.
Live from London's Royal Albert Hall, Stephanie Hughes introduces the Los Angeles' Philharmonic, conducted by Esa-Pekka Salonen, as they perform the London premiere of American composer John Adams's Slonimsky's Earbox. The concert also features Gustav Mahler's song cycle Leidereines Fahrenden Gesellen, with soloist Lorraine Hunt (mezzo-soprano), and, after the interval, Jean Sibelius's Four Lemminkainen Legends. In the interval, there's a visit to the ancient landscape of Finland, home of the Kalevala, the mysterious and magical epic on which Sibelius based the aforementioned work.
In the penultimate Prom recorded for BBC television, James Naughtie introduces another concert performance of the classical music used in films, performed at London's Royal Albert Hall on 10 August. Tadaaki Otaka conducts the BBC National Orchestra of Wales in Paul Dukas's witty Sorcerer's Apprentice, created in Walt Disney's Fantasia. The mystic Zoroaster is explored in Richard Strauss's tone poem Also Sprach Zarathustra, and French tenor Jean-Paul Fouchecourt sings Szymanowski's exotic Songs of an Infatuated Muezzin.
Live from the Royal Albert Hall , London, Stephanie Hughes introduces the European Union Youth Orchestra as they perform Richard Strauss 's Alpine Symphony, conducted by Vladimir Ashkenazy. The concert also includes Marine a travers les Arbres by Andrew March , winner of the 1998 Masterprize for new compositions, and Swedish soprano Hillevi Martinpelto sings Berg's Seven Early Songs.
James Naughtie introduces a concert of popular Baroque music, performed at London's Royal Albert Hall on 17 August. Christopher Hogwood conducts the Academy of Ancient Music, with the Choir of New College, Oxford, in a programme including Zadok the Priest and Water Music by Handel and Bach's Violin Concerto in E. With soloists Andrew Manze (violin) and Emma Kirkby (soprano), who sings the Vivaldi motet Nulla in Mundo Pax, which featured in the film Shine.
James Naughtie hosts the traditional celebration live from London's Royal Albert Hall, with Andrew Davis conducting the BBC Symphony Orchestra. Pieces by Rossini, Mozart and Rachmaninov are among the highlights, plus the European premiere of Variations for Orchestra by British composer Hugh Wood. There is also a visit to the Proms in the Park concert taking place simultaneously in Hyde Park and hosted by Terry Wogan.
James Naughtie introduces live coverage of the second half of tonight's concert from London's Royal Albert Hall. The BBC Symphony Orchestra, conducted by Andrew Davis, performs Bernstein's Candide, before being joined by the BBC Singers and Symphony Chorus for Parry's Blest Pair of Sirens. Baritone Thomas Hampson sings a selection of Gershwin songs, and Terry Wogan introduces a recital in Hyde Park of Paganini's Caprice by violinist Tasmin Little. Then it's back to the Royal Albert Hall for Thomas Ades's These Premises Are Alarmed, followed by the traditional finale, including Arne's Rule, Britannia! and Parry's Jerusalem.
In honour of Blue Peter's 40th anniversary. Katy Hill introduces a concert from London's Albert Hall, with the BBC Philharmonic Orchestra.
Composer Michael Berkeley introduces live coverage - broadcast simultaneously with Radio 3 -of Michael Tippett 's The Mask of Time. This visionary and final statement ofTippett's, drawing together through words and music his opinions of mankind and man's place in the universe, is the opening concert of the BBC Prom season, performed at London's Royal Albert Hall.
From London's Royal Albert Hall, Stephanie Hughes introduces the second of this year's live Proms, with young Finnish conductor Sakari Oramo - the man with the daunting task of replacing Simon Rattle - taking the baton in front of the City of Birmingham Symphony Orchestra. The evening's music opens with The Sea by Frank Bridge and continues with Sibelius's lyrical Violin Concerto, in which Sarah Chang is the soloist. The concert ends with Carl Nielsen's powerfully dramatic Symphony No 4, also known as The Inextinguishable.
First of four visits by celebrities to this year's BBC Proms at London's Royal Albert Hall. Tonight Michael Parkinson introduces one of his favourite pieces of classical music, The Planets by Gustav Holst, as well as Haydn's Representation of Chaos from The Creation. The music is performed by the Vasari Singers and the BBC Symphony Orchestra, conducted by Andrew Davis.
From London's Royal Albert Hall, Stephanie Hughes introduces music from this year's live Proms, with Bernard Haitink, music director of London's Royal Opera House, Covent Garden, taking the baton in front of the European Union Youth Orchestra. The evening involves a rendition of a single work, Mahler's challenging Symphony No 7, described as a poetic idea of nocturnal nature explored through various shades of darkness. Composed soon after the turn of the last century and scored for a massive orchestra, it is widely considered to be one of Mahler's masterpieces.
As part of his 60th birthday celebrations the cameras follow flautist James Galway backstage at London's Royal Albert Hall. He then introduces Mozart's Symphony No 40 in G minor, and performs with the London Mozart Players Mozart's Flute Concerto in D conducted by Matthias Bamert.
From London's Royal Albert Hall. James Naughtie introduces the fourth of this year's live Prom broadcasts, in which Mark Elder conducts the BBC Philharmonic. The concert opens with Igor Stravinksy's Circus Polka, after which American soprano Dawn Upshaw gives the European premiere of Natural History, a new song cycle by British composer Judith Weir. This is followed by Frederick Delius's orchestral rhapsody Brigg Fair. The evening ends with Richard Strauss's Symphonia Domestica, part of this year's commemoration of the 50th anniversary of his death. During the interval (from 8.00-8.20), Elder and Naughtie explore the work of this enigmatic composer.
Actor Tom Conti introduces a recital from London's Royal Albert Hall by the young Russian violinist Maxim Vengerov, who performs Ravel's Tzigane, Rachmaninov's Vocalise, and Brahms' Scherzo in C minor and Hungarian Dances Nos 7, 2 and 5, accompanied by pianist Vag Papian.
In the last visit by celebrities to the BBC Proms at London's Royal Albert Hall, writer and broadcaster Anna Ford introduces highlights of last Thursday's concert commemorating the 150th, 100th and 50th anniversaries of the deaths of Johann Strauss father and son, and Richard Strauss. It's an evening of wine, women and song, with the mood set by waltzes and polkas, as well as Till Eulenspiegel. Soprano Inger Dam-Jensen joins the BBC Symphony Orchestra, which is conducted by Manfred Honeck.
Live from London's Royal Albert Hall, music by Maurice Ravel and Ludwig van Beethoven, with Simon Rattle conducting the Vienna Philharmonic Orchestra. The first half features Ravel's Alborada del Gracioso, his Mother Goose Suite and La Valse. The second half is taken up by Beethoven's ever-popular Symphony No 6, the Pastoral, inspired by visions of an idyllic countryside. During the interval, presenter James Naughtie examines the contemporary issues behind the apparently simple proposition of a walk in the country.
Stephanie Hughes hosts the traditional celebration live from London's Royal Albert Hall, with Andrew Davis conducting the BBC Symphony Orchestra. Highlights include the overture to Nielsen's Opera Masquerade, arias with a devilish theme sung by Willard White, the UK premiere of Esa-Pekka Salonen's Giro and Poulenc's Organ Concerto, with soloist Gillian Weir. Then, from 8.35pm, there are visits to Proms in the Park concerts taking place in London's Hyde Park, where Terry Wogan is the compere, Birmingham and Swansea.
Stephanie Hughes introduces live coverage of the second half of tonight's concert from London's Royal Albert Hall. The BBC Symphony Orchestra, conducted by Andrew Davis , performs Johann Strauss 's overture to Die Fledermaus followed by Willard White singing songs from the shows including OJ' Man R/Verfrom Show Boat and Some Enchanted Evening from South Pacific. The BBC Symphony Chorus and BBC Singers then join the orchestra in a performance of Vaughan Williams's stirring Toward the Unknown Region. A centenary tribute to Noël Coward by actor Jeremy Irons then leads into the traditional climax to the last night - Elgar's Pomp and Circumstance March No 1, Henry Wood 's Fantasia on British Sea Songs, followed by Arne's Rule, Britannia!, and then Parry's Jerusalem.
Katy Hill presents the live event, featuring S Club 7 and Charlotte Church.
James Naughtie introduces live coverage of a new-style, celebratory First Night. The BBC Singers, the BBC Symphony Chorus and Orchestra are conducted by Andrew Davis, with pianist Evgeny Kissin, soprano Christine Brewer, mezzo Louise Winter, tenor David Kuebler, baritone Nicolai Putilin and organist Simon Preston. The first half of the programme comprises Copland's Fanfare for the Common Man, Stokowski's orchestral arrangement of Bach's Toccata and Fugue in D minor, and Rachmaninov's Piano Concerto No 2 in C minor. The concert ends with Janacek's spectacular choral work, Glagolitic Mass. Also broadcast on Radio 3. During the interval, Francine Stock hosts a special Proms edition of the music quiz Full House, with teams led by Simon Callow and John Sessions and guests Thomas Allen and Barbara Bonney.
James Naughtie presents live coverage from London's Royal Albert Hall of Berlioz's Requiem (Grande Messe des Morts), a unique cross-Channel collaboration bringing together young musicians from England and France. As part of his Berlioz cycle Colin Davis conducts the choruses and orchestras of the Guildhall School of Music and Drama and the Paris Conservatoire alongside tenor Stuart Neill.
Stephanie Hughes presents tonight's Bach Prom live from London's Royal Albert Hall on the 250th anniversary of the composer's death. Roger Norrington conducts the Choir of the Enlightenment and the Orchestra of the Age of Enlightenment in a performance of J.S. Bach's Mass in B minor, preceded by the motet Lieber Herr Gott, composed by his son Johann Christoph Bach, which may have been performed at Bach's funeral.
The first of four Proms on BBC1, tonight featuring three works of 20th century music performed by the BBC Symphony Orchestra conducted by Andrew Davis.
Nigel Havers introduces a concert of great British classics from London's Royal Albert Hall played by the BBC Philharmonic conducted by Yan Pascal Tortelier.
John McCarthy introduces highlights of Handel's Messiah performed by the English Concert Choir and Orchestra, plus Hillevi Martinpelto, Monica Groop, Kurt Streit and Nathan Berg conducted by Trevor Pinnock.
Live coverage from London's Royal Albert Hall of tonight's Prom which features leading American orchestra the San Francisco Symphony, conducted by Michael Tilson Thomas. The concert opens with Carl Ruggles's Sun-Treader and is followed by Schumann's Piano Concert in A minor, played by Martha Argerich. The second half features Stravinsky's 20th-century classic The Rite of Spring. Presented by Stephanie Hughes.
Featuring Britten's Four Sea Interludes, Peter Maxwell Davies's Symphony No 7, Vaughan Williams's The Lark Ascending and Elgar's Enigma Variations
To mark the centenary of Arthur Sullivan 's death, Jo Brand introduces highlights from a performance of Gilbert and Sullivan's comic opera lolanthe, a satire on the House of Lords. Jane Glover conducts the BBC Concert Orchestra with a cast of leading British singers.
Tonight's live coverage from London's Royal Albert Hall marks the 60th anniversary of the London Blitz as Valery Gergiev conducts the World Orchestra for Peace, the brainchild of the late Sir Georg Solti , in a performance of Shostakovich's Symphony No 7 (Leningrad), a lasting symbol of musical resistance to war and oppression. The concert opens with Debussy's La Mer and is presented by James Naughtie.
Stephanie Hughes hosts the traditional celebration live from London's Royal Albert Hall , with Andrew Davis conducting the BBC Symphony Orchestra for the final time. Highlights include Elgar's opulent orchestration of Bach's Fantasia and Fugue in C minor. The young American violinist Hilary Hahn makes her Proms debut in the Violin Concerto No 4 in D by Mozart and British soprano Jane Eaglen joins the orchestra for the final scene from Richard Strauss 's opera Salome. Then from 8.35pm there are visits to Proms in the Park concerts taking place in London's Hyde Park - where Terry Wogan is the compere - Birmingham and Liverpool.
Stephanie Hughes introduces live coverage of the second half of tonight's concert from London's Royal Albert Hall. The post-interval performance opens with a new work, an arrangement of Shostakovich's Jazz Suite No 2 by Gerald McBurney , followed by Percy Grainger 's tribute to Camptown Races composer Steven Foster. Delius's The Walk to the Paradise Garden precedes the traditional climax to the last night - Elgar's Pomp and Circumstance March No 1, Henry Wood 's Fantasia on British Sea Songs, Arne's Rule, Britannia! and Parry's Jerusalem.
The whole of Handel's 'Messiah', as performed at the BBC Proms 2000, conducted by Trevor Pinnock with theEnglish Concert Orchestra
James Naughtie introduces live coverage of the First Night live from London's Royal Albert Hall in a special concert to welcome American-born Leonard Slatkin to his first Prom season as chief conductor of the BBC Symphony Orchestra.
Live broadcast of Sally Beamish's Proms commission Knotgrass Elegy, Prokofiev's Second Violin Concerto, and Stravinsky's The Firebird.
A live broadcast of Nielsen's Symphony No 2 (The Four Temperaments), Prokofiev's Piano Concerto No 1, played by Louis Lortie, and Vaughan Williams' Symphony No 2 (A London Symphony).
A live broadcast from the Royal Albert Hall, London, featuring Berlioz's Le Corsaire, the world premiere of Stuart MacRae's Violin Concerto, performed by Tasmin Little, Britten's Les Illuminations and Strauss's Also Sprach Zarathustra.
Live from London's Royal Albert Hall where American soprano Renee Fleming makes her long-awaited Proms debut singing Mozart's motet Exsultate, jubilate and Richard Strauss's ravishing Four Last Songs of 1948. The first half also features Dvorak's Carnival Overture and Brahms's Variations on the St Anthony Chorale, while the all-Strauss second half begins with the colourful tone poem Don Juan. Christoph Eschenbach conducts the Philharmonia Orchestra and the concert is introduced by Stephanie Hughes.
Live from the Royal Albert Hall, a performance of Schoenberg's Variations for Orchestra Op 31, Rachmaninov's Piano Concerto No 1 in F sharp minor and Kurt Weill's one-act opera Royal Palace.
Live from the Royal Albert Hall, a concert featuring Varese's Arcana, violinist Joshua Bell playing Bernstein's Serenade and his West Side Story Suite, and Ravel's Bolero. Performed by the BBC Philharmonic.
Mariella Frostrup presents highlights of a concert from the Royal Albert Hall featuring classical music voted for in a Radio Times poll of the Nation's Favourite Music. The Royal Scottish National Orchestra, led by conductor Paul Daniel , performs renditions of Elgar's Enigma Variations, Bruch's Violin Concerto No 1, and Puccini's aria 0 Mio Babbino Caro , with celebrated violinist Nadja Salerno -Sonnenberg and Russian soprano Elena Prokina also performing.
Including works by Debussy, Britten and Finzi. Featuring singers Lillian Watson, Pamela Helen Stephen and Philip Langridge.
Stephanie Hughes introduces tonight's programme live from London's Albert Hall, consisting of a single work and featuring the annual appearance at the Proms of the National Youth Orchestra of Great Britain, conducted by Andrew Davis. The piece is Oliver Messiaen's distinctive Turangalila Symphony, scored for a huge orchestra and featuring solo piano performed by Pierre-Laurent Aimard, and Cynthia Millar on the ondes martenot.
Sir Andrew Davis conducts Sally Beamish's Knotgrass Elegy.
Nielsen's Symphony No 2, Prokofiev's Piano Concerto No 1 and London Symphony by Vaughan Williams.
Manfred Honeck, who stands in for an indisposed Neeme Jarvi, conducts the Gothenburg Symphony Orchestra and the BBC Singers in a concert recorded in London's Royal Albert Hall on 9 August. It offers a rare chance to hear highlights of Grieg's incidental music for Ibsen's Peer Gynt in dramatic context. Actor Simon Callow - who introduces tonight's Prom in the absence of Paul Scofield - narrates the Norwegian play in English, Bo Skovhus performs the title role, Anitra is played by Inge Kosmo, while soprano Barbara Bonney sings the part of Solveig.
Including Le Corsair by Berlioz and Britten's Les Illuminations.
Live from the Royal Albert Hall in London, James Naughtie presents an evening of music performed by Japan's leading orchestra, the NHK Symphony, conducted by Charles Dutoit. The concert commences with Japanese composer Toru Takemitsu's Ceremonial - an Autumn Ode and featuring a solo by Mayumi Miyata on the sho, a traditional Japanese reed instrument. Then, Prokofiev's Piano Concerto No 3, with acclaimed pianist Martha Argerich. Finally, after the interval, a performance of Shostakovich's Fifth Symphony, subtitled "A Soviet Artist's Practical Creative Reply to Just Criticism".
Wayne Marshall the celebrated pianist, organist and conductor presents a concert of American and Russian music from London's Royal Albert Hall. The programme includes Copland's El salon Mexico, Barber's Adagio for Strings and Rachmaninov's Rhapsody on a Theme of Paganini with the pianist Stephen Hough as soloist. The BBC Symphony Orchestra will be under the baton of Leonard Slatkin, its new chief conductor.
Featuring music by Schoenberg and Weill, from the Royal Albert Hall.
Tonight featuring the Leipzig Gewandhaus Orchestra with their music director Herbert Blomstedt who is making his Proms' debut. Michael Aspel introduces this concert from London's Royal Albert Hall which includes Dvorak's symphony No 9 From the New World and Mendelssohn's Overture to A Midsummer Night's Dream.
James Naughtie introduces live coverage from London's Royal Albert Hall. This year's Proms have explored the countryside and nature. Tonight the London Symphony Orchestra, conducted by Sir Colin Davis, perform a programme linked by a pastoral theme that includes Sibelius's late tone-poem The Oceanides, Sir Michael Tippett's The Rose Lake and Beethoven's Symphony No 6 the Pastoral.
Stephanie Hughes introduces the first half of this evening's traditional celebration live from the Royal Albert Hall, with Leonard Slatkin conducting the BBC Symphony Orchestra for the finale of the Proms season. The programme includes Verdi's Chorus of the Hebrew Slaves from Nabucco, while the pastoral theme is represented by Finzi's The Fall of the Leaf and Constant Lambert's famous Rio Grande.
BBC1 takes over live coverage of the spectacular finale to the 2001 Prom season. The BBC Symphony Orchestra's American conductor, Leonard Slatkin, lends a transatlantic theme to proceedings, which include John Adams's Short Ride in a Fast Machine and a Sousa march made famous by Monty Python. American mezzo-soprano Frederica von Stade makes her Proms debut with Canteloube's Songs of the Auvergne and the evening concludes with the traditional sing-along, joined by those gathered at Proms in the Park locations around the country. Presented by Stephanie Hughes. [Editor's note: The programme was subject to change due to 9/11. These details, from the billing in the Radio Times, may be incorrect.]
Highlights from this year, featuring a tribute to composer Gerald Finzi. Conducted by Richard Hickox.
The young French pianist gives a stylish performance of Beethoven's Fourth Concerto.
A concert recorded earlier this year in London's Hyde Park. Simon Thomas , Matt Baker and Faye Tozer introduce Russell Watson , Steps, Al, DJ Pied Piper and the Master of Ceremonies, the Tweenies and the BBC Philharmonic Orchestra.
A musical retrospective featuring Sally Beamish's first Proms commission, Knotgrass Elegy, Prokofiev's Second Violin Concerto (played by Canadian violinist James Ehnes); and Stravinsky's Firebird suite. Andrew Davis conducts the BBC Symphony Orchestra.
Featuring Varese's Arcana, a work inspired by the occult philosophy of Paracelsus. Plus American violinist Joshua Bell plays Bernstein's Serenade, and the UK premiere of his West Side Story Suite. The concert ends with Ravel's ever-popular Bolero. The BBC Philharmonic is conducted by Yan Pascal Tortelier.
Featuring Berlioz's Overture Le Corsaire; the world premiere of Stuart MacRae's Violin Concerto, played by Tasmin Little; Britten's Les Illuminations, with soprano Inger Dam-Jensen; and Strauss's Also Sprach Zarathustra - the tone-poem that was featured in Stanley Kubrick's film 2001: a Space Odyssey.
Charles Hazlewood introduces the first of 14 Promenade concerts to be broadcast by BBC4 from London's Royal Albert Hall. This evening Charles Mackerras, a revered interpreter of 18th-century music, conducts the Orchestra of the Age of Enlightenment in a performance of The Creation by Joseph Haydn, sung in German. Soloists are soprano Christiane Oelze, tenor Paul Groves and bass John Relyea. Among the guests joining Charles Hazlewood in the interval is Nicholas Kenyon, Director of the BBC Proms.
Opera star Denyce Graves makes her Proms debut in this concert of popular classics from London's Royal Albert Hall. The programme also features pianist Jean-Yves Thibaudet and includes music by Bernstein, Gershwin and Bizet, and concluding with Ravel's Boléro, all performed by the BBC Philharmonic under their new principal conductor Gianandrea Noseda. Introduced by Charles Hazlewood.
Live from the Royal Albert Hall in London, the first of this week's nightly visits to the Proms. The concert includes Bruch's popular first violin concerto, in a first half that opens with Berlioz's Overture Roman Carnival. The second half comprises Messiaen's L'ascension and Ravel's La Valse. Performed by the Orchestre Philharmonique de Radio France and violinist Kyung-Wha Chung, and conducted by her brother Myung-Whun Chung.
Rolf Hind is the soloist in the first of this season's BBC commissions, David Sawer's Piano Concerto, which is preceded by Elgar's In the South. After the interval, Ravel's Sheherazade features the Proms debut of mezzo-soprano Frederica von Stade. This is followed by Leonard Slatkin conducting the BBC Symphony Orchestra in his own selection of excerpts from Igor Stravinsky's original ballet music for The Firebird. Charles Hazlewood and his guests discuss the evening's music, while Clare Louise Stuart hears the views of the Prommers' Panel.
harles Hazlewood introduces tonight's Prom, live from the Royal Albert Hall in London. In keeping with the theme of this year's season, this concert has a predominantly Spanish flavour. The Orquestra de Barcelona make their debut appearance at the Proms with music by Manuel de Falla, Xavier Montsalvatge and Gerhard, with mezzo-soprano Jennifer Larmore. Before the interval, Mendelssohn's Violin Concerto features virtuoso Russian soloist Viktoria Mullova. Lawrence Foster is in charge of the baton.
Charles Hazlewood introduces another in the series of traditional summer concerts from the Royal Albert Hall. The Bournemouth Symphony Orchestra perform Hans Werner Henze's Fandango, Beethoven's Piano Concerto No 3 in C Minor with soloist Paul Lewis, and Symphony No 4 in F Minor by Ralph Vaughan Williams. The conductor's stand is taken by Paul Daniel.
The King's singers - tenor Paul Phoenix, counter-tenors Robin Tyson and David Hurley, baritones Gabriel Crouch and Philip Lawson, and bass Stephen Connolly - perform a unique blend of ancient and modem madrigals. Interspersed with songs from The Triumphs of Oriana - a 1601 collection in praise of Queen Elizabeth I - are seven new madrigals which have been specially commissioned from leading British composers and poets to mark the Queen's Golden Jubilee. The concert is preceded by a film about the modern-day collaborations, and a conversation between Charles Hazlewood and some of those involved in the project.
Tonight's concert celebrates Glasgow-bom composer Oliver Knussen's 50th birthday with a performance of his two children's operas based on Maurice Sendak 's picture books Higglety, Pigglety, Pop! and Where the Wild Things Are. Knussen himself conducts the London Sinfonietta, of which he is the music director, and a star cast of singers which includes soprano Rosemary Hardy, mezzo-soprano Mary King and bass-baritone David Wilson-Johnson. Introduced by Charles Hazlewood, live from the Royal Albert Hall.
Richard Hickox conducts the BBC National Orchestra of Wales in Walton's Christopher Columbus Suite, then the BBC National Chorus of Wales and the London Symphony Chorus join in for Dvorak's Stabat Mater.
The BBC Symphony Orchestra and Chorus, the Philharmonia Chorus and the Geoffrey Mitchell Choir perform Arnold Schoenberg's Gurrelieder under the baton of Donald Runnicles, with soloists Christine Brewer, Jon Villars, Petra Lang, Philip Langridge and Peter Sidhom. Intoduced by Richard Coles.
Osmo Vanska's final Proms appearance as chief conductor of the BBC Scottish Symphony Orchestra as they tackle Sibelius's Tapiola, Mozart's Piano Concerto No 23, with soloist Stephen Hough, and Nielsen's Fourth Symphony (The Inextinguishable). Introduced by Charles Hazlewood.
Charles Hazlewood introduces the UK premiere of Per Norgard's Sixth Symphony, performed by the Danish National Symphony Orchestra under the baton of Thomas Dausgaard , while Nikolaj Znaider is the soloist in Carl Nielsen's Violin Concerto. The evening ends with a performance of Brahms's First Symphony.
Jean Sibelius Tapiola Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart Piano Concerto No. 23 in A major Carl Nielsen Symphony No. 4, ‘The Inextinguishable’
Two leading Polish composers are prominent as the BBC National Orchestra of Wales play Lutoslawski's Concerto for Orchestra and Szymanowski's First Violin Concerto, conducted by Tadaaki Otaka, with soloist Kyoko Takezawa. Plus Ravel's Rapsodie espagnole and Debussy's Première rhapsodie.
The BBC Symphony Orchestra perform the world premiere of Mark-Anthony Turnage's Uninterrupted Sorrow alongside Debussy's Prelude a L'Apres-midi d'un Faune and Ravel's Piano Concerto for the Left Hand, conducted by Andrew Davis, with soloist Louis Lortie. The evening climaxes with Vaughan Williams's Job: a Masque for Dancing.
Gianandrea Noseda wields the baton for the BBC Philharmonic as they perform a double bill of Spanish operas: Granados's Goya-inspired fantasy Goyescas and Ravel's bawdy comedy L'Heure Espagnole, about a Spanish woman's race against time. Introduced by Charles Hazlewood.
American trumpet virtuoso Wynton Marsalis celebrates the golden age of swing with the classic big-band sounds of Count Basie, Chick Webb and Duke Ellington.
Stephanie Hughes introduces an evening of music by Vivaldi, including the Venice Baroque Orchestra's rendition of his Four Seasons.
A special concert version of Oklahoma! performed yesterday at the Proms to celebrate the centenary of Richard Rodgers. This version of the classic Broadway musical features Maureen Lipman reprising her role from the recent National Theatre production, plus the Maida Vale singers. Conducted by David Charles Abell.
Live from the Royal Albert Hall , a concert by the celebrated Kirov Orchestra of St Petersburg's Mariinsky Theatre, Russia. Conducted by the charismatic Valery Gergiev , the programme comprises major works by two of Russia's leading 20th century composers - Prokofiev's Piano Concerto No 3 in C major, with soloist Alexander Toradze , and Shostakovich's Symphony No 4 in C Minor. Presented by Charles Hazlewood.
Live from London's Royal Albert Hall, Stephanie Hughes introduces a concert by one of America's most renowned orchestras, the Los Angeles Philharmonic, who under the baton of their dynamic conductor Esa-Pekka Salonen are performing two choral symphonies.
Simon Rattle conducts an international line-up of soloists and choruses, along with the National Youth Orchestra, in a performance of Gustav Mahler's demanding Symphony No 8, the Symphony of a Thousand. This recording is presented from London's Royal Albert Hall by Stephanie Hughes.
Flamenco guitarist Paco Pena performs tonight as the annual Blue Peter Prom celebrates the colourful sounds of Spain. This evening's fiesta, at London's Royal Albert Hall, also includes contributions from violinist Chloe Hanslip, percussion quartet Backbeat, the Islington Music Centre Children's Choir, and the BBC Philharmonic conducted by Rumon Gamba.
Live from London's Royal Albert Hall , Stephanie Hughes introduces the climax to this summer's 108th season of Promenade Concerts. In the wake of the 11 September terrorist attacks on America, the corresponding night in 2001 saw a changed programme reflect the sombre national mood, but this year the event's traditional patriotic fervour and high spirits should be returning in an evening celebrating both the Queen's Golden Jubilee and the centenaries of William Walton and Richard Rodgers.
The Proms season comes to a spectacular close as BBC1 takes over live coverage, introduced by Stephanie Hughes. To mark the centenary of the composer's birth, Broadway star Audra McDonald sings some of Richard Rodgers' most popular show tunes. The evening concludes with the traditional celebrations as the audience in the Albert Hall are joined in song by the thousands attending Proms in the Park locations in London, Gateshead and Belfast.
Composer George Fenton conducts the BBC Concert Orchestra, with the choir of Magdelen College, Oxford, in a performance recorded last Sunday in Hyde Park, London. Fenton's evocative score for the acclaimed natural history series The Blue Planet is accompanied by images from the series. The concert is presented by David Attenborough with Blue Planet producer Alastair Fothergill. Director Helen Mansfield
Highlights of the musical extravaganza held earlier this year in London's Hyde Park , featuring the BBC Philharmonic Orchestra under the baton of Rumon Gamba. Pop Idol stars Will Young and Gareth Gates top the bill, aided by S Club Juniors, Amy Studt , the cast of West End dance spectacular Umoja and BBC Young Musician of the Year Jenny Pike. With Simon Thomas and Fearne Cotton.
It's that time of year again. Promenaders will be donning their finery and flocking to events around the country to celebrate the highlight of the classical music season. Stephanie Andrews introduces the opening concert live from the Royal Albert Hall , where chief conductor Leonard Slatkin will be leading the BBC Symphony Orchestra and BBC National Chorus of Wales with mezzo Irina Tchistyakova and baritone James Rutherford in tonight's programme.
Two British opera stars, the soprano Rosemary Joshua and tenor John Mark Ainsley , sing arias voted for in the BBC Proms/Radio Times Readers' Poll in the annual concert of popular classics from London's Royal Albert Hall. The programme also features David Attenborough , narrating Prokofiev's famous symphonic fairy tale Peter and the Wolf, and the young Dutch violinist Janine Jansen , who appears as a soloist in Lark Ascending by Vaughan Williams. With the BBC Concert Orchestra conducted by Barry Wordsworth. Introduced by Charles Hazlewood.
Pianist Stephen Hough guests as BBC4's two-week Proms coverage begins. The Budapest Festival Orchestra, conducted by Ivan Fischer, play Brahms's Piano Concerto No 1 in D minor and Rachmaninov's Symphony No 2 in E minor. Introduced by Charles Hazlewood.
The 350th anniversary of Arcangelo Corelli 's birth is celebrated with a performance of his Christmas Concerto in tonight's concert - which also features Handel's Dixit Dominus , HWV232. The English Concert and Academy of Ancient Music are joined by leading soloists, conducted by Andrew Manze.
London symphonies by Vaughan Williams and Haydn feature alongside American composer William Schuman's "A Song of Orpheus". The BBC Symphony Orchestra is conducted by Leonard Slatkin , with cellist Paul Watkins. Charles Hazlewood hosts.
Richard Strauss's Four Last Songs and Beethoven's Symphony No 5 in C minor are performed by the BBC Philharmonic Orchestra, conducted by Gianandrea Noseda , with Italian soprano Barbara Frittoli. Plus Scottish composer James MacMillan conducts the European premiere of his third symphony, Silence. Introduced by Tommy Pearson.
Ruby - a new percussion concerto composed by Joe Duddell and performed by Colin Currie - is the centrepiece of tonight's programme. Tommy Pearson also introduces music by Bartok and Tchaikovsky, as conductor Marin Alsop makes her Proms debut with the Bournemouth Symphony Orchestra.
The Halle Orchestra perform Elgar's epic Symphony No 1 in A flat - a work they premiered 95 years ago - in their sole showing at this year's Proms. Conductor Mark Elder talks to host Tommy Pearson. The programme also includes Berlioz's Les Nuits d'Ete and Colin Matthews's new work Vivo.
Composer John Adams conducts the European premiere of his On the Transmigration of Souls - a reflection on the events of 11 September 2001. The BBC Symphony Orchestra also plays music by Haydn, Bartok and Copland.
Berlioz's "sacred trilogy" L'Enfance du Christ is performed as part of the bicentenary celebration of the composer's birth. John Eliot Gardiner conducts the choir of Clare College, Cambridge, the Monteverdi Choir and the Orchestre Révolutionnaire et Romantique.
Richard Strauss 's Elektra is performed by London Voices and the BBC Scottish Symphony, conducted by Donald Runnicles. Gabriele Schnaut. Janice Watson and Felicity Palmer are among the singers.
Grainger, Walton, Elgar, Turnage, Tippett, Bax and Britten are all on the menu in a 50th-anniversary celebration of the coronation, attended by Queen and Duke of Edinburgh. Andrew Davis conducts the BBC Symphony Chorus and Orchestra.
Mozart's Violin Concerto No 5 in A, K (Turkish), Ligeti's Lontano and Beethoven's Symphony No 6 in F (Pastoral) are presented by Christopher Gunness. Christian Gansch conducts the BBC National Orchestra of Wales, featuring violinist Antje Weithaas.
Music by British composers provides a stirring programme for a concert celebrating the 50th anniversary of the coronation, which took place yesterday evening in front of the Queen and the Duke of Edinburgh at London's Royal Albert Hall. Michael Parkinson presents highlights of the night's entertainment, conducted by Andrew Davis, which feature mezzo-soprano Catherine Wyn-Rogers, the choristers of Winchester Cathedral, and the BBC Singers, Symphony Chorus and Orchestra performing works such as Walton's Coronation Te Deum, Elgar's Sea Pictures and Britten's The Young Person's Guide to the Orchestra.
Tuur's Violin Concerto, Musorgsky's A Night on the Bare Mountain and Prokofiev's Symphony No 6 are played by the BBC Philharmonic. Christopher Gunness talks to conductor Paavo Jarvi and violinist Isabelle van Keuien in the interval.
Prokofiev's Piano Concerto No 3 and Tchaikovsky's Symphony No 5 in E minor are preceded by the UK premiere of HK Gruber's Dancing in the Dark. The BBC Philharmonic is conducted by Vassily Sinaisky. Introduced by Charles Hazlewood.
Ravel's Le Tombeau de Couperin, Mozart's Piano Concerto No 9 in E flat (pianist Leif Ove Andsnes) and Mendelssohn's Symphony No 3 in A minor (Scottish) form this evening's programme. The Mahler Chamber Orchestra is conducted by New Yorker Alan Gilbert, making his debut at the Proms. Introduced by Charles Hazlewood.
Stephanie Hughes presents tonight's promenade concert from London's Royal Albert Hall , where the National Youth Orchestra of Great Britain are making their annual visit. Yan Pascal Tortelier guest- conducts as the ensemble performs two major works by composers whose music is being celebrated in 2003. First on the programme is an early work from Messiaen, the "symphonic meditation" Les Offrandes Oubliées. The Byronic concerto Harold in Italy by Berlioz - whose bicentenary is this year - follows, with viola soloist Lawrence Power. The evening climaxes with Prokofiev's rousing Symphony No 5 in B flat major, a work he composed nine years before his death in 1953. In the interval Stephanie Hughes is joined by special guests.
A selection of some of the greatest British film music, presented by actor Timothy West, performed by the BBC Concert Orchestra and conducted by Rumon Gamba live at London's Royal Albert Hall. Scores from the 1930s and 40s such as Richard Addinsell's Warsaw Concerto, performed by pianist Philip Fowke, and Arthur Bliss's Things to Come contrast with more recent classics - Richard Rodney Bennett's Murder on the Orient Express, Malcolm Arnold's suite for The Belles of St Trinian's, the soundtrack to The Cruel Sea and themes from the Bond movies. Introduced by Stephanie Hughes who, in the interval, is joined by special guests, including film director Ken Russell and composer Michael Nyman.
The violinist Viktoria Mullova is joined by the Deutsche Kammerphilharmonie, Bremen, under the baton of British conductor Daniel Harding in a performance of Sibelius's tempestuous yet lyrical Violin Concerto. The concert, from the Royal Albert Hall, concludes with Beethoven's joyful Symphony No 7 in A. Introduced by Stephanie Hughes.
The BBC Symphony Orchestra's chief conductor, Leonard Slatkin , lifts his baton in London's Royal Albert Hall to conduct a programme selected entirely from the rich repertoire of Russian orchestral music. Highlights include Sergei Prokofiev 's score for the ballet Romeo and Juliet, the dawn prelude to Musorgsky's epic opera Khovanshchina, and Shostakovich's Violin Concerto No 1, with exciting young German soloist Christian Tetzlaff. Introduced by Charles Hazlewood who, in the interval, is joined by special guests, including tonight's soloist Christian Tetzlaff and Shostakovich expert Elizabeth Wilson.
Live coverage from London's Royal Albert Hall of Prom 54. Virtuoso conductor Mariss Jansons leads the Pittsburgh Symphony Orchestra through their second Prom, which forms part of his farewell European tour as the orchestra's Music Director. The programme opens with a rendition of Mendelssohn's richly lyrical Violin Concerto in E minor. Following the interval, the orchestra is joined by acclaimed Israeli-American violinist Gil Shaham for a performance of Mahler's titanic Symphony No 1. Prior to the second act, presenter Stephanie Hughes will be talking to both the soloist and the conductor.
Soprano Angela Gheorghiu and violinist Leila Josefowicz star in the final Proms season concert, live from the Royal Albert Hall. Presented by Stephanie Hughes. The BBC Symphony Orchestra, BBC Singers and BBC Chorus - conducted by Leonard Slatkin - perform Berlioz's Overture: Roman Carnival, Introduction and Rondo Capriccioso by Saint-Saens, Pavane by Faure, a premiere of the newly commissioned Lumina by Joseph Phibbs, Ebben? Ne Andro Lontana (La Wally) by Catalani, O Dieu! Que de Bijoux! from Gounod's Faust and Stridono Lassu (Pagliacci) by Leoncavallo.
The Proms season comes to a spectacular close as BBC1 takes over live coverage, introduced by Stephanie Hughes. The second-half programme commences with Overture: The Wasps by Vaughan Williams, Polovtsian Dances (Prince Igor) by Borodin, Meditation (Thais) by Massenet, L'amour est un oiseau rebelle (Carmen) by Bizet and Muzica (Valurile Dunarii) by Grigoriu. The evening concludes with the traditional celebrations as the audience in London's Royal Albert Hall are joined in song by the thousands attending Proms in the Park events around the country.
Live at the Royal Albert Hall, Leonard Slatkin conducts the BBC Symphony Orchestra in Richard Strauss 's Alpine Symphony, the premiere of Zhou Long 's The Immortal and Liszt's Second Piano Concerto (soloist: Jean-Yves Thibaudet ). Introduced by Charles Hazlewood.
There's a Czech flavour to tonight's concert as Jiri Belohlavek conducts the Prague Philharmonia in Mozart's dramatic Prague Symphony, while mezzo Magdalena Kozena sings works by Mozart, Myslivecek and Novak. Martinu's Double Concerto for piano, timpani and strings completes the programme. With Charles Hazlewood.
Under the baton of Gianandrea Noseda, the BBC Philharmonic Orchestra launch a 75th anniversary tribute to the Russian ballet impresario Serge Diaghilev with a performance of Stravinsky's dazzling Firebird Suite. Plus the world premiere of John Casken's symphony Broken Consort and Ravel's exuberant G major piano concerto (soloist: Pierre-Laurent Aimard). Introduced by Charles Hazlewood.
In the mid-1970s George Benjamin studied composition with Olivier Messiaen at the Paris Conservatoire. Tonight at the Royal Albert Hall he conducts the Ensemble Modern in a concert dedicated to his former teacher, beginning with two of his own works - Palimpsest I and Palimpsest II - and his orchestration of an organ piece by the Baroque composer Nicolas de Grigny. Messiaen's monumental Des canyons aux étoiles completes the programme. Introduced by Tommy Pearson.
Charles Ives's Symphony No 4 is played, as well as Bernstein's Chichester Psalms and Stravinsky's ballet, Petrushka. The City of Birmingham Symphony Chorus and Orchestra, featuring treble David Stark , are conducted by Sakari Oramo.
Israeli violinist Pinchas Zukerman performs Elgar's Violin Concerto with the BBC Symphony Orchestra, conducted by Andrew Davis. Plus a performance of Dvorak's Mass in D. Introduced by Tommy Pearson.
Alan Titchmarsh introduces an evening of popular works from the classical canon from London's Royal Albert Hall , two of which have been chosen by a public vote which included Radio Times readers. The concert includes arias by Mozart and Gounod, sung by Jonathan Lemalu , and Rachmaninov's Rhapsody on a Theme ofPaganini as played by Canadian pianist Louis Lortie. There are two orchestral overtures chosen by the audience, and the evening ends with a bang as the Halle Orchestra, conducted by Mark Elder , play Tchaikovsky's victory celebration 1812.
Anthony Payne 's reconstruction of Elgar's unfinished work is performed alongside Beethoven's enduringly popular Fourth Piano Concerto and Peter Maxwell Davies 's 20th-century response to John Tavemer 's 16trvcentury organ work In Nomine. The BBC Scottish Symphony Orchestra is conducted by Martyn Brabbins. Verity Sharp presents.
Popular music from the Romantic period - Dvorak's Czech Suite, Schumann's Second Symphony and Saint Saens 's Second Piano Concerto. Macedonian pianist Simon Trpceski makes his debut with the Scottish Chamber Orchestra conducted by Joseph Swensen.
Kurt Masur conducts the London Philharmonic Orchestra in Schubert's haunting Unfinished Symphony, while Petr Fiala directs the Czech Philharmonic Chorus of Brno in Janacek's Hukvaldy Songs for a cappella choir. The ensembles join forces for the Czech composer's epic Glagolitic Mass. With soloists Zdena Kloubova (soprano), Karen Cargill (mezzo). Pavol Breslik (tenor) and Gustav Belacek (bass). Charles Hazlewood presents.
Andrew Davis conducts the BBC Symphony Orchestra in a performance of Martinu's luminous The Frescoes ofPiero della Francesca and Janacek's symphonic rhapsody Taras Bulba. And Paul Lewis is the soloist in Mozart's elegant Piano Concerto No 23 in A and mezzo Alice Coote sings Mahler's poignant song cycle Kindertotenlieder. Charles Haziewood presents.
Mariss Jansons conducts the Bavarian Radio Symphony Orchestra in Dvorak's lyrical Eighth Symphony and Strauss's autobiographical tone poem Ein Heldenleben. Introduced by Charles Hazlewood.
Live from the Royal Albert Hall, chief conductor Mariss Jansons leads the Bavarian Radio Symphony Orchestra in an all-Russian programme. Charismatic international violin soloist Gidon Kremer joins the orchestra to perform Shostakovich's Violin Concerto No 1 in A minor. The orchestra then plays Tchaikovsky's Sixth Symphony (Pathetique), which he first conducted just ten days before his death. During the interval, presenter Stephanie Hughes talks to Mariss Jansons.
Trumpet virtuoso Marsalis - a regular visitor to the Proms - returns with his Lincoln Center Jazz Orchestra for a late-night celebration of swing.
Birmingham Opera Company present the first of Britten's three "church parables".
ive from the Royal Albert Hall, Roger Norrington - who recently turned 70 - conducts the National Youth Orchestra of Great Britain in its annual visit to the Proms. This year's Prom has a Bohemian theme; they play three popular tone poems from Czech composer Smetana's patriotic work, Ma Vlast (My Country), followed by Mahler's Symphony No 1. During the interval, presenter Stephanie Hughes talks to Roger Norrington and members of the orchestra.
Live from the Royal Albert Hall, the English Concert is directed by violinist and conductor Andrew Manze with sopranos Emma Bell and Ailish Tynan, mezzo Catherine Wyn-Rogers and violinist Rachel Podger. The Baroque gems include Handel's My Heart Is Inditing, one of the coronation anthems he wrote in honour of George II; three arias from Arne's opera about ancient Persia, Artaxerxes; and Bach's popular concerto for two violins, which brings the first half to a close. Jean-Fery Rebel's depiction of chaos from Les Elemens and Vivaldi's exuberant Gloria conclude proceedings.
The transience of human life is the theme as the Orchestre de Paris and London Voices are conducted by Christoph Eschenbach with mezzo Yvonne Naef, tenor Anthony Dean Griffey and baritone Andreas Schmidt. Luciano Berio's last work, Stanze, is set to poetry, including verses by Alfred Brendel, and is scored for solo baritone, three men's choruses and orchestra. Gustav Mahler's symphonic piece, Das Lied von der Erde (The Song of the Earth), is also set to a series of poems, in this case ancient Chinese verse. It is one of the composer's most personal works, written after the death of his eldest daughter and in the midst of his own failing health. During the interval, Stephanie Hughes talks to guests and some of the musicians taking part.
Musorgsky's demonic tone poem Night on Bare Mountain is paired with Stravinsky's 20th-century masterpiece The Rite of Spring, a piece that at its premiere in Paris in triggered the most famous riot in ballet history. Deborah Bull will be hoping for less controversy at the Royal Albert Hall when she introduces the BBC Symphony Orchestra under the baton of charismatic conductor Valery Gergiev.
Rich in tradition and regarded as the world's oldest orchestra - its roots lying in the 16th century - the Dresden Staatskapelle perform in the second of their two Proms conducted by the celebrated Bernard Haitink. The programme from the Royal Albert Hall features renditions of Dvorak's darkly dramatic Seventh Symphony and one of Haydn's Paris symphonies. Also featured is Bartok's Dance Suite, a piece composed to mark the 50th anniversary of the founding of Budapest. During the interval, Stephanie Hughes talks to guests and some of the musicians taking part.
Simon Rattle unites the City of Birmingham Symphony Chorus and the Berliner Philharmoniker for the annual Proms performance of Beethoven's Ninth Symphony, prefaced by Schoenberg's set of 12-tone variations on the name of Bach.
Conductor Simon Rattle and his Berliner Philharmoniker perform La Mer , the sea symphony by Debussy, then Messiaen's Eclairs sur I'Audela...., his last major orchestral work, and a glimpse into a world beyond death. Presented from the Royal Albert Hall in London by Tommy Pearson.
Jukka-Pekka Saraste conducts the British premiere of Kaija Saariaho's Orion.
Duke Bluebeard's Castle, Bartok's only opera, performed by the BBC Symphony Orchestra under Jukka-Pekka Saraste.
On the day of Dvorak's birthday, leading champion of Czech music Charles Mackerras conducts the Czech Philharmonic Orchestra in the composer's ever popular New World Symphony and his Scherzo capriccioso. Plus Sarah Chang plays the Violin Concerto in A Minor. Also on BBC Radio 3 from 7pm. Presented from London's Royal Albert Hall by Charles Hazlewood.
A 300thanniversary celebration of the music of the 18th-century French composer Marc-Antoine Charpentier. Conductor William Christie leads the Choir and Orchestra of Les Arts Florissants in a concert of sacred music.
Superstar Russian soprano Anna Netrebko sings popular arias by Puccini, Bellini and Dvorak accompanied by the BBC Philharmonic and their conductor Gianandrea Noseda. The concert concludes with Shostakovich's powerful Symphony No 5 in D minor.
Live coverage from London's Royal Albert Hall of the final evening of performances from this year's Proms. The BBC Symphony Orchestra under chief conductor Leonard Slatkin - in his final Last Night - are joined by baritone soloist Thomas Allen, organist Simon Preston and horn player David Pyatt. This first-half programme comprises performances of Dvorak's Carnival overture, Richard Strauss's extrovert Horn Concerto No 1, Vaughan Williams's Five Mystical Songs and Barber's Toccata Festiva.
Popular vocalist Barbara Dickson , soprano Ailish Tynan and violinist Nicola Benedetti are joined by the BBC Scottish Symphony Orchestra and the National Boys Choir of Scotland for a concert of popular classics from Glasgow's Science Centre. Introduced by Kirsty Wark and tenor Jamie MacDougall , who will also perform.
The Proms season comes to a spectacular close as BBC1 takes over coverage. Introduced by Alan Titchmarsh. The second-half programme commences with six short and varied pieces. The Ojai Festival Overture by Sir Peter Maxwell Davies is followed by the Humming Chorus from Puccini's Madama Butterfly. Two songs from Hollywood musicals follow - Oh What a Beautiful Mornin' from Rodgers and Hammerstein's Oklahoma! and Where Is the Life That Late I Led? from Cole Porter's Kiss Me, Kate. Gilbert and Sullivan's I've Got a Little List from The Mikado precedes the rousing Liberty Bell March by Sousa.
Gaby Roslin hosts this event which took place in September in London's Hyde Park and included music from Beauty and the Beast, The Lion King, The Jungle Book and Aladdin. With the BBC Concert Orchestra.
Dvořák - Overture 'Carnival' R. Strauss - Concerto for Horn No. 1 in E flat major, Op 11 Vaughan Williams - 5 Mystical Songs Barber - Toccata festiva, Op 36 Sir Peter Maxwell Davies - Ojai Festival Overture Puccini - Madama Butterfly Rodgers - Oklahoma! (arr. Robert Russell Bennett) Cole Porter - Kiss Me, Kate Sullivan - The Mikado John Philip Sousa - March 'The Liberty Bell' Elgar - Pomp and Circumstance March No. 1 in D major ('Land of Hope and Glory') Henry Wood - Fantasia on British Sea Songs (with additional Songs arranged by Stephen Jackson) Parry - Jerusalem Anonymous - National Anthem (arr. Henry Wood)
John Taverner In nomine Peter Maxwell Davies First Fantasia on an 'In nomine' of John Taverner Ludwig van Beethoven Piano Concerto No. 4 in G major Edward Elgar Symphony No 3 (elab. Payne)
BBC1 kicks off this centrepiece of the classical calendar for the first time, as Promenaders don their finery for the start of the 111th season of Henry Wood concerts at the Royal Albert Hall in London. Tonight's music is performed by the BBC Symphony Orchestra under the baton of Roger Norrington, and begins on a maritime theme with Berlioz's exuberant The Corsair overture. Janine Jansen is the soloist in Mendelssohn's Violin Concerto in E minor, while Elgar's Overture: Cockaigne (in London Town), a colourful tour of the old capital, prefaces Tippett's oratorio A Child of Our Time, which airs on BBC2 from 8pm.
Michael Tippett's powerful oratorio A Child of Our Time features in continuing live coverage from the Royal Albert Hall, London. The piece marks its composer's centenary as well as the 60th anniversary of the end of the Second World War. Roger Norrington conducts Indra Thomas (soprano), Christine Rice (mezzo-soprano), Ian Bostridge (tenor), Willard White (bass), and the BBC Symphony Orchestra and Chorus. Introduced by Alan Titchmarsh.
Tenor Placido Domingo makes his long-awaited Proms debut in the Royal Opera House's new production of Wagner's epic Die Walkure, the second opera in the Ring cycle. The cast also includes baritone Bryn Terfel as Wotan and soprano Lisa Gasteen as Brunnhilde. Antonio Pappano conducts the Royal Opera House Orchestra. Charles Hazlewood introduces the first of this year's Proms from London's Royal Albert Hall.
BBC National Orchestra of Wales - conducted by Richard Hickox - performs a new concerto by Michael Berkeley. Soprano Susan Gritton sings four songs by Benjamin Britten, and there is a performance of Vaughan Williams' 1913 work 'A London Symphony'. Live from Royal Albert Hall.
Conductor Osma Vanska returns to the Proms with the BBC Symphony Orchestra for a concert in which elemental forces are at play. Thea Musgrave's Turbulent Landscapes was inspired by six dramatic paintings by Turner; Rachmaninov's passionate First Piano Concerto is performed by Stephen Hough; while the essence of life itself is the theme of Carl Nielsen's Symphony No 4, The Inextinguishable.
A performance of Stravinsky's musical fairytale The Nightingale and an extraordinary new commission for organ and orchestra by James MacMillan, A Scotch Bestiary, mark the BBC Philharmonic's first visit to this year's Proms. Gianandrea Noseda and James MacMillan himself are the respective conductors. Introduced by Charles Hazlewood live from London's Royal Albert Hall.
The conductor Christoph von Dohnanyi is renowned for his insightful interpretations of the great German Romantic repertoire - tonight, he conducts the Philharmonia Orchestra in Mahler's turbulent Fifth Symphony. That's preceded by one of Mozart's most charming works - the Third Violin Concerto - performed by soloist Christian Tetzlaff. Presented by Verity Sharp.
Mendelssohn's Overture: The Hebrides (Fingal's Cave), Vaughan Williams's A Sea Symphony (Symphony No 1) and Max Bruch's Violin Concerto No 1 in G minor, performed by Proms favourite Leila Josefowicz. Gerard Schwarz conducts the Royal Liverpool Philharmonic Choir and Orchestra and the Chester Festival Chorus, with soprano Janice Watson and baritone Dwayne Croft. Verity Sharp hosts.
Elgar's great vision of a spiritual journey - The Dream of Gerontius - is performed by the Halle Choir, London Philharmonic Choir and Halle Orchestra, conducted by Mark Elder. The soloists are mezzo Alice Coote , tenor Paul Groves and bass Matthew Best. Verity Sharp presents the performance.
Michael Tippett 's mystical The Vision of St Augustine is followed by Shostakovich's Symphony No 10. Soprano Elizabeth Atherton and baritone Roderick Williams join the BBC Symphony Chorus and BBC National Orchestra of Wales under Richard Hickox.
This season's theme of fairy tales is represented by Russian composer Liadov's tone-poem trilogy - Baba-Yaga, The Enchanted Lake and Kikimora - taken from old folk tales, and Stravinsky's ballet music The Fairy's Kiss, inspired by Hans Christian Andersen. Between are Knussen's settings of four poems by Walt Whitman , and the premiere of German composer Detlev Glanert 's Theatrum Bestiarum.
The City of Birmingham Symphony Orchestra play Ravel's popular Mother Goose suite. There's also a new work - Correspondences - by France's most eminent composer Henri Dutilleux, featuring soprano Barbara Hannigan. Then it's back to the work of Ravel with his dazzling arrangement of Musorgsky's Pictures at an Exhibition.
Conductor Marin Alsop and the Bournemouth Symphony Orchestra bring American composer John Corigliano's new concerto The Red Violin to the Proms following its successful world premiere in Baltimore last year. Violin superstar Joshua Bell (for whom the piece was written) will perform the concerto. Plus an excerpt from John Adams's opera Nixon in China and music from Prokofiev's ballet Romeo and Juliet.
An all-Russian line-up, with excerpts from Tchaikovsky's The Snow Maiden, followed by Shostakovich's Violin Concerto No 1 played by the 20-year-old Armenian virtuoso Sergey Khachatryan. The concert concludes with Prokofiev's wartime Symphony No 5, written in support of the greatness of the human spirit. The BBC Philharmonic is led by their Russian-born principal guest conductor Vassily Sinaisky. Hosted by Charles Hazlewood.
Viktoria Mullova is the soloist for the world premiere of Fraser Trainer's violin concerto For the Living, in the second of today's three Violins!! concerts at the Royal Albert Hall. Talented young players from across the UK join the BBC Symphony Orchestra and conductor. Martyn Brabbins for Respighi's The Pines of Rome and their own collaborative workshop piece Invisible Lines. Plus Bernstein's Overture: Candide and Britten's ever-popular The Young Person's Guide to the Orchestra. With Charles Hazlewood.
Shakespeare's tale of doomed young love is brought to life in Berlioz's dramatic symphony Romeo et Juliette Nan Volkov conducts the BBC SSO and the London Symphony Chorus, with soloists Katarina Karneus (mezzo), Jean-Paul Fouchecourt (tenor) and John Relyea (bass). With Charles Hazlewood.
Following last year's sell-out success, celebrated conductor Daniel Barenboim returns to the Royal Albert Hall with his young orchestra of Arab and Israeli musicians - the West-Eastern Divan Orchestra. Soloists are showcased in Mozart's Sinfonia Concertante for oboe, clarinet, bassoon and horn. Following the interval the concert ends with Mahler's Symphony No 1 in D major. During the interval, Verity Sharp talks to Barenboim, plus guests Rob Cowan and James Murphy.
WS Gilbert's libretto on ignorant sea lords combines with Arthur Sullivan 's memorable melodies in one of the duo's most enduring creations, HMS Pinafore. Charles Mackerras is at the helm and also conducts his own ballet Pineapple Poll, based on another of Gilbert's naval satires, with a re-orchestration of Sullivan's music. A cast of leading British artists take centre stage, including Richard Suart , Felicity Palmer and Sally Matthews , plus the Maida Vale Singers, the BBC Orchestra, and narration by Tim Brooke-Taylor . Alan Titchmarsh introduces the performance, recorded last month at London's Royal Albert Hall. Director Francesca Kemp ; Series editor Oliver Macfarlane
Live from the Royal Albert Hall, Kurt Masur conducts the London Philharmonic Choir and Orchestra, as well as a cast of international soloists, in the annual Proms rendition of Beethoven's life-affirming Choral symphony. Prior to the main performance, there's the UK premiere of The Light of the End, a piece by the highly individual Russian composer Sofia Gubaidulina. During the interval presenter Verity Sharp meets Kurt Masur and talks to guests John Deathridge, who holds the King Edward VII chair in music at King's College, London, and Tom Service, presenter of BBC Radio 3's Music Matters.
Live from the Royal Albert Hall, dynamic conductor Valery Gergiev leads the World Orchestra for Peace in a concert of opera and fantasy. Founded by the late Georg Solti for the 50th anniversary of the UN in 1995 the ensemble comprises players from leading professional orchestras around the world. Making its second visit to the Proms, to mark the 60th anniversary of the end of the Second World War, the orchestra plays music by Rossini, Debussy, Wagner, Rimsky-Korsakov and the world premiere of a new work by Esa-Pekka Salonen. During the interval presenter Verity Sharp talks to the orchestra's current music director, the lively Mr Gergiev.
Zurich's Tonhalle Orchestra makes a welcome return for a programme which includes music by Wagner, Beethoven and Richard Strauss. With David Zinman wielding the baton, the orchestra begins with the tempestuous overture to The Flying Dutchman by Wagner, followed by Beethoven's Piano Concerto No 3 in C Minor, featuring pianist Emanuel Ax. Finally, the Royal Albert Hall will be filled with the rousing opening bars of Stanley Kubrick's epic 2001: a Space Odyssey, part of Richard Strauss 's lofty tone poem. Also Sprach Zarathustra. Alan Titchmarsh hosts this recording of the August Bank Holiday concert.
Colin Davis conducts students from London's Royal Academy of Music and New York's Juilliard School in tonight's live concert at the Royal Albert Hall, which begins with two wartime works. Aaron Copland's majestic Fanfare for the Common Man for brass and percussion was written in 1942 as a tribute to those fighting the Second World War. In contrast, Ralph Vaughan Williams's bleak Sixth Symphony from 1948 suggests a desolate postwar landscape. The programme concludes with what is perhaps Hector Berlioz's best-known work, the dazzling Symphonie Fantastique, in which the composer explores his real life obsession with a beautiful actress. With Charles Hazlewood.
Zemlinsky's Die Seejungfrau, based on Hans Christian Andersen's The Little Mermaid, is followed by Brahms's German Requiem, written in memory of his mother and his friend and supporter, Robert Schumann. James Conlon conducts the BBC Symphony Chorus and Orchestra and the Philharmonic Chorus. Hosted by Charles Hazlewood. The concert is also live on BBC Radio 3 from 6.30pm. New. Interactive: digital viewer, can access music notes via the red button
Britten's Four Sea Interludes are performed by the BBC National Orchestra of Wales under conductor Rumon Gamba. Howard Shelley is the soloist in Alan Rawsthorne 's Piano Concerto No 2, and the programme concludes with Tchaikovsky's Symphony No 4 in F minor.
Thomas Ades. the British composer and conductor. premieres his Violin Concerto with the Chamber Orchestra of Europe and soloist Anthony Marwood. The concert also includes Beethoven's Namensfeier overture and Symphony No 4 in B flat. Presented by Charles Hazlewood.
A rare London appearance for acclaimed conductor Zubin Mehta who leads the Vienna Philharmonic as they perform Haydn's Drumroll Symphony and Alban Berg's Three Fragments from his opera Wozzeck, concluding with Stravinsky's exhilarating orchestral masterpiece The Rite of Spring.
In its second Proms appearance this season, the Vienna Philharmonic performs Bruckner's immense Symphony No 8 in C minor under conductor Christoph Eschenbach. Presented by Verity Sharp.
The Helsinki Philharmonic Orchestra is conducted by Esa-Pekka Salonen. Two French orchestral classics frame the programme, Debussy's "La Mer" and Ravel's "Daphnis and Chloe". Also on the bill is Sibelius's magical tone poem "Luonnotar" and Mark-Anthony Turnage's trumpet concerto "From the Wreckage".
Live at London's Royal Albert Hall, Alan Titchmarsh introduces the final concert in the Proms season. A nautical theme is reflected with Walton's Overture: Portsmouth Point and Lambert's The Rio Grande. Between these are Handel's Ombra Mai Fu (Xerxes), Dove Sei (Rodelinda) and Se Parla net Mio Cor (Giustino), and Rodrigo's Concierto de Aranjuez. Joining the BBC Symphony Orchestra, conducted by Paul Daniel, is Andreas Scholl, the first countertenor to appear at the Last Night, who will sing the Handel arias; while guitar legend John Williams is the soloist in the concerto by Rodrigo.
One of today's greatest interpreters of Sibelius, Colin Davis conducts the composer's tone poem Pohjola's Daughter and his Seventh Symphony. The programme also includes Janacek's tribute to the legendary Cossack freedom fighter Taras Bulba and Stravinsky's Second World War-inspired Symphony in Three Movements. The National Youth Orchestra of Great Britain perform at London's Royal Albert Hall. Introduced by Howard Goodall.
Alan Titchmarsh introduces the first of two Proms celebrating the 250th anniversary of Mozart's birth, recorded live at the Royal Albert Hall. Tonight's concert focuses on Mozart the dramatist, with music from some of his best-known and most successful operas - Don Giovanni, The Marriage of Figaro and La Clemenza di Tito. The Scottish Chamber Orchestra, led by Roger Norrington, is joined by soloists Ian Bostridge, Simon Keenlyside and Ailish Tynan.
Vladimir Ashkenazy conducts the European Union Youth Orchestra as they perform Shostakovich's Symphony No 4 before Promenaders at London's Royal Albert Hall. There's also a rendition of Mozart's Turkish violin concerto (No 5 in A, K219) by Janine Jansen that is preceded by (K)ein Sommernachtstraum, or (Not) A Summer Night's Dream - Alfred Schnittke's mischievous response to a request for a Shakespeare-related work. Introduced by Natasha Kaplinsky.
Nicola Benedetti introduces the second of two Proms celebrating the 250th anniversary of Mozart's birth, recorded live at the Royal Albert Hall. The composer's orchestral music is the focus tonight, as celebrated violinist Maxim Vengerov fills the roles of both soloist and conductor. Vengerov leads the Verbier Festival Chamber Orchestra in a programme comprising Violin Concerto No 2, Symphony No 29 in A and Sinfonia Concertante, for which he is joined by the brilliant British violist Lawrence Power.
The Shostakovich centenary continues with Valery Gergiev conducting the Chorus and Orchestra of the Mariinsky Theatre in the choral Symphony No 13 (Babi Yar), with bass soloist Sergei Alexashkin. Plus, one of Russia's leading violinists, Vadim Repin, performs Sibelius's Violin Concerto and the evening begins with Liadov's From the Apocalypse. Introduced by Michael Portillo from the Royal Albert Hall.
Highlights of two concerts earlier in the season. Maxim Vengerov plays Mozart's fourth violin concerto with the Verbier Festival Chamber Orchestra, and Esa-Pekka Salonen conducts the Philharmonia Orchestra in Mussorgsky's Pictures at an Exhibition and Ravel's Piano Concerto in G, with Francois-Frederic Guy. Charles Hazlewood presents.
Colin Davis conducts the London Symphony Orchestra in a programme featuring his twin passions, Berlioz and Elgar. Berlioz's Overture: Les Francs-Juges and Elgar's Symphony No 2 in E flat frame James MacMillan 's Confession of Isobel Gowdie , inspired by witch-hunts of the Scottish Reformation. MacMillan talks during the interval.
Conductor Philippe Jordan makes his Proms debut with the Mahler Youth Orchestra. Featuring Strauss's Don Juan, Chausson's Poeme de l'Amour et de la Mer, sung by Susan Graham, and Shostakovich's Symphony No 6.
The London Philharmonic Orchestra play the UK premiere of A Relic of Memory by Mark-Anthony Turnage. Vladimir Jurowski conducts Prokofiev's Piano Concerto No 2 with Nikolai Lugansky , and Rakhmaninov's The Bells, with Sergei Leiferkus, Tatiana Monogarova and Vsevolod Grivnov. Turnage and Jurowski talk in the interval.
The Minnesota Orchestra and conductor Osmo Vanska visit London to perform Mahler's much-loved Symphony No 5. Also featuring Barber's First Essay for Orchestra, and the UK premiere of Three Songs by Argentinian Osvaldo Golijov , sung by soprano Dawn Upshaw.
Magnus Lindberg's Sculpture receives its UK premiere, conducted by Jukka-Pekka Saraste with the BBC Symphony Orchestra. Plus Mendelssohn's Violin Concerto in E minor, played by Nikolaj Znaider, and Sibelius's Symphony No 5.
The NDR Symphony Orchestra and its chief conductor, Christoph von Dohnanyi, present two neoclassical masterworks: Ravel's Le tombeau de Couperin; and the pithy Violin Concerto in F minor by Stravinsky, with soloist Gil Shaham. In the second half of the concert, Tchaikovsky grapples with fate in his Fourth Symphony. Introduced by John Sessions.
New. Mozart's Meistermusik, Symphony No 39 in E flat and Requiem in D minor. Plus poetry with Roger McGough.
The Salzburg Mozarteum Orchestra play Mozart. Ivor Bolton conducts Symphonies No 34 and 38 (Prague). Lars Vogt performs Piano Concerto No 24 in C minor, and Veronique Gens sings two arias. Ivor Bolton joins Petroc Trelawny during the interval.
Hans Werner Henze 's Five Messages for the Queen of Sheba receives its London premiere, followed by Shostakovich's Symphony No 7 (Leningrad). Kurt Masur conducts the Ochestre National de France. Charles Hazelwood hosts.
Charles Haziewood conducts the BBC Concert Orchestra. The programme is Ibert's Divertissement, Pauline Malefane singing Weill, Gershwin's Rhapsody in Blue, the premiere of Dai Fujikura 's Crushing Twister and Bernstein's Fancy Free.
The Berlin Philharmonic Orchestra and Simon Rattle join the Mozart celebrations with Symphony No 25 in G minor and Symphony No 4 in G minor. Plus three Debussy Preludes and the London premiere of Noesis by Hanspeter Kyburz. Charles Hazelwood presents.
Simon Rattle conducts the Berlin Philharmonic. Tonight's programme opens with Szymanowski's impressionistic Violin Concerto No 1 featuring the brilliant virtuoso Frank Peter Zimmermann as soloist. After the interval Rattle leads his Berlin forces in a performance of Bruckner's Symphony No 7 in E, with its famous Adagio mourning Wagner it's a high point of the Austro-German symphonic repertory. Introduced by Huw Edwards from the Royal Albert Hall.
Beethoven's Ninth Symphony and Matthias Pintscher 's Hérodiade-Fragmente, based on verse by Mallarme. Christoph Eschenbach conducts the Philadelphia Orchestra and the BBC Symphony Chorus. Soloists for the setting of Schiller's Ode to Joy are Marisol Montalvo (soprano), Yvonne Naef (mezzo), Nikolai Schukoff (tenor) and Franz-Josef Selig (bass).
Two minor-key fifth symphonies by Beethoven and Tchaikovsky, both concerning mankind's struggle with fate and the ineluctable triumph of light over darkness. The Philadelphia Orchestra is conducted by Christoph Eschenbach , who talks to host Charles Hazlewood in the interval.
Shostakovich's Cello Concerto No 1 in E flat, featuring Rostropovich protégée Han-Na Chang , and Rachmaninov's lyrical Symphony No 2 in E minor. Tadaaki Otaka conducts the BBC National Orchestra of Wales.
Bernard Haitink conducts the combined voices of the BBC Symphony and London Symphony Choruses in a performance of Mahler's mighty Symphony No 2 (Resurrection) with the BBC Symphony Orchestra. Featuring soprano Susan Gritton and mezzo Christianne Stotijn.
Conductor Daniele Gatti conducts the Royal Philharmonic in a performance of the last of this season's eight Shostakovich symphonies in celebration of the Russian composer's centenary: the epic Symphony No 10. Plus Bruch's Violin Concerto No 1 in G minor with soloist Joshua Bell, who is also interviewed. Introduced by Charles Hazlewood.
Rounding up the series of Mozart anniversary Proms, Charles Mackerras directs the Orchestra and Choir of the Age of Enlightenment in a performance of Symphony No 35 in D (Haffner), and a UK premiere of Mozart's unfinished Mass in C minor (Great), completed by musicologist Robert D Levin. Charles Hazelwood presents.
Live at London's Royal Albert Hall, Alan Titchmarsh introduces the final concert in the Proms season. In Shostakovich's centenary year, a Russian theme is reflected as baritone Dmitri Hvorostovsky and violinist Viktoria Mullova perform works by Borodin, Rubinstein and Prokofiev. The BBC Symphony Orchestra, conducted by Mark Elder, also performs works by Shostakovich, Verdi, Wagner and Colin Matthews.
Soprano Lesley Garrett, violinist Nicola Benedetti, the Ulster Orchestra and the Ulster Youth Choir feature in a live concert from the grounds of Belfast City Hall.
The pomp and circumstance continues at the Royal Albert Hall as the Proms season reaches its climax. All the traditional rousing, flag-waving tunes will be on offer as the BBC Symphony Orchestra, conducted by Mark Elder, performs Rule Britannia, Land of Hope and Glory and Jerusalem, among others.
Noel Thompson introduces highlights from the biggest classical music party of the year from Belfast's City Hall.
Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart Concerto for Piano No. 23 in A major, K 488 BBC Symphony Orchestra Richard Goode piano Jiří Bělohlávek conductor Anton Bruckner Symphony No. 9 in D minor BBC Symphony Orchestra Jiří Bělohlávek conductor
Two memorable performances of Mozart concertos from the Proms in 2006, the year which marked the 250th anniversary of the composer's birth, played by two outstanding soloists. A teenage Julian Bliss deftly delivers a virtuoso display in the Clarinet Concerto, and American pianist Richard Goode gives an insightful performance of Mozart's dramatic Piano Concerto No 23. Accompanying both soloists is the BBC Symphony Orchestra conducted by Jiri Belohlavek.
Jiri Belohlavek conducts the BBC Symphony Orchestra, performing Walton's Overture 'Portsmouth Point', Elgar's Cello Concerto and Beethoven's 9th Symphony.
The BBC Concert Orchestra performs a selection of film compositions to mark the BAFTA's 60th anniversary and the Summer of the British Film. With Richard E Grant.
First transmitted in 2007. Charles Hazlewood introduces a night of French Baroque performed by English Baroque Soloists and Monteverdi Choir, including works by Rameau and Campra.
Suzy Klein introduces the Chorus and Orchestra of Santa Cecilia, Rome, and an international quartet of young singers as they perform Rossini's theatrical Stabat Mater, conducted by Antonio Pappano. The orchestra is joined by the Swingle Singers for Luciano Berio's modern masterpiece, Sinfonia.
The BBC Symphony Orchestra perform Leonard Bernstein's Second Symphony, The Age of Anxiety, and Charles Ives' Fourth Symphony.
The BBC Symphony Chorus, the BBC Symphony Orchestra and the Gondwana Voices perform Brett Dean's Vexations and Devotions.
Conductor Sir Roger Norrington and the Handel and Haydn Society of Boston are joined by singers Sally Matthews, Toby Spence and Jonathan Lemalu for a performance of Joseph Haydn's oratorio, The Seasons. Presented by Charles Hazlewood.
Highlights of the 2007 Proms season so far, including Sir John Eliot Gardiner's collaboration with the young musicians of the Buskaid Soweto String Project.
Verity Sharp introduces Christoph von Dohnanyi conducting the Philharmonia Orchestra in a new orchestral suite from Thomas Ades' opera Powder Her Face, based on the life and disgrace of Margaret, Duchess of Argyll. This is followed by Bartok's darkly psychological opera Duke Bluebeard's Castle, sung by Charlotte Hellekant and Falk Struckmann.
Aled Jones introduces a programme of much loved pieces by Elgar from the season's Proms. Daniele Gatti conducts as the Royal Philharmonic Orchestra perform the Enigma Variations, soloist Paul Watkins performs the Cello Concerto with the BBC Symphony Orchestra, and Stephen Jackson conducts as the BBC Symphony Chorus sing There is Sweet Music.
Suzy Klein introduces les Musiciens du Louvre, Grenoble, under their founding conductor Marc Minkowski in an entirely French programme which includes Bizet's incidental music to L'Arlesienne and Berlioz's song-cycle Les nuits d'ete, sung by Anne-Sophie von Otter.
Suzy Klein introduces the European premiere of Esa-Pekka Salonen's Piano Concerto, performed by Yefim Bronfman and the BBC Symphony Orchestra and conducted by the composer. The programme also includes excerpts from Berlioz's Romeo and Juliet.
Suzy Klein introduces four varied and colourful works from the twentieth century. Sibelius' Tapiola, Britten's Piano Concerto, Varese's Ecuatorial and Debussy's La Mer are performed by the BBC Scottish Symphony Orchestra under Ilan Volkov, with soloist Steven Osborne. 2 hours
Mark Elder conducts as the National Youth Orchestra of Great Britain performs works by Prokofiev, Shostakovich and Aaron Jay Kernis. Introduced by Howard Goodall.
Live from the Royal Albert Hall, Alan Titchmarsh introduces the final concert of the Proms season. Master of ceremonies is conductor Jiri Belohlavek, who joins with soprano Anna Netrebko and violinist Joshua Bell and the combined forces of the BBC Symphony Orchestra and the BBC Symphony Chorus. The audience at the Royal Albert Hall will link up with Proms in the Park events around the UK for the traditional finale.
Suzy Klein introduces Daniele Gatti conducting the Royal Philharmonic in the Enigma Variations, to celebrate the 150th anniversary of Elgar's birth.
From the Royal Albert Hall, Aled Jones introduces highlights of youth orchestras that have performed at the Proms. Gustavo Dudamel conducts the National Youth Orchestra of Venezuela who perform music of a Latin American flavour. Mark Elder conducts the National Youth Orchestra of Great Britain who perform Prokofiev's First Piano Concerto with soloist Alexander Kobrin. Sir Colin Davis conducts the European Union Youth Orchestra who play Sibelius's 5th Symphony.
Suzy Klein introduces acclaimed soprano Renee Fleming as she returns to the Proms to perform songs by Alban Berg and Erich Korngold. She's accompanied by the BBC Philharmonic and conductor Gianandrea Noseda, who also perform Beethoven's 8th Symphony in F major and Schumann's 2nd Symphony in C major.
Suzy Klein introduces Britten's Sinfonia da Requiem and Mahler's 10th Symphony. Gianandrea Noseda conducts the BBC Philharmonic.
A prom by the European Union Youth Orchestra conducted by Sir Colin Davis. The theme of nature links two great symphonies - Sibelius's Fifth and Brahms's Third.
Verity Sharp introduces baritone Matthias Goerne singing a selection from Mahler's Des Knaben Wunderhorn, with the Frankfurt Radio Symphony conducted by Paavo Jarvi. Also, Weber's Oberon Overture and Schoenberg's orchestration of Brahms's ambitious Piano Quartet.
A reinterpretation with improvisation of Gershwin's Rhapsody in Blue, Stravinsky's Petrushka and three dance episodes from Bernstein's On the Town.
The Simon Bolivar National Youth Orchestra of Venezuela play Shostakovich's Tenth Symphony and symphonic dances from West Side Story.
Aled Jones with a Prom featuring music by Handel performed by Orchestra of the Age of Enlightenment and Freiburg Baroque Orchestra.
Nicholas Owen introduces a Prom by the Royal Concertgebouw Orchestra conducted by Bernard Haitink, featuring music by Wagner and Debussy.
Petroc Trelawny introduces Britten's Four Sea Interludes and Prokofiev's Fifth Symphony, performed by the BBC Symphony Orchestra under their chief conductor, Jiri Belohlavek. They are joined by pianist Ivo Kahanek for a rare performance of Martinu's Fourth Piano Concerto.
From the Royal Albert Hall, Charles Hazlewood introduces a concert by the San Francisco Symphony led by Michael Tilson Thomas. Featuring Charles Ives' 3rd Symphony.
Petroc Trelawny introduces a bank holiday concert featuring star of the West End and Broadway, Michael Ball, as he comes to the Proms for the first time. With special guests and the BBC Concert Orchestra, conducted by Callum McLeod.
Petroc Trelawny introduces Valery Gergiev conducting the London Symphony Orchestra in an all Russian programme of Tchaikovsky and Prokofiev.
Charles Hazlewood introduces Mahler's Seventh Symphony, a colossal journey from darkness to light, performed by the acclaimed San Francisco Symphony under Michael Tilson Thomas.
Live from the Royal Albert Hall, Alan Titchmarsh introduces the final concert of the Proms season. Including Dvorak's Overture Otello.
Charles Hazlewood introduces a concert showcasing some of Britain's most exciting folk talent. Folk Day celebrates the diversity and influence of folk music and culminates in a Prom featuring artists who are continuing to revive and re-interpret the traditions of folk music, including 23-year-old Bella Hardy, guitarist Martin Simpson and the boisterous 11-piece big band Bellowhead, who between them won three Radio 2 Folk Awards in 2007/8.
Violinist Nigel Kennedy makes his first appearance at the annual event in 21 years, where he plays Elgar's Violin Concerto - the work that first put him on the musical map in 1984 - as well as some of his own compositions, with some of Poland's finest jazz musicians. He also talks about his life and career as an unpredictable virtuoso, and the reasons for his move to Poland, where he now lives and works. Paul Daniel conducts the BBC Concert Orchestra. Presented by conductor Charles Hazlewood and Suzy Klein.
Thierry Fischer conducts the BBC National Orchestra and Chorus of Wales and the BBC Symphony Chorus in a performance of French composer Olivier Messiaen's La Transfiguration de Notre Seigneur Jesus-Christ. Presented by conductor Charles Hazlewood.
Live concert featuring Beethoven's Grosse Fuge, Elliott Carter's Oboe Concerto and Beethoven's Symphony No 5 in C minor performed by the BBC Symphony Orchestra under the baton of David Robertson. Presented by conductor Charles Hazlewood.
Highlights from a Prom given earlier in the week celebrating the Halle Orchestra's 150th anniversary, conducted by their music director Mark Elder. George Butterworth's rhapsody A Shropshire Lad is introduced by readings from AE Housman's poetry, Bruch's Violin Concerto No 1 in G minor is performed by young Dutch violinist Janine Jansen, and the programme ends with Richard Strauss's orchestral showpiece Till Eulenspiegels lustige Streiche. With Charles Hazlewood and Suzy Klein.
Beethoven's Symphony No 1 in C major opens tonight's Prom. Then Donald Runnicles conducts vocalists Karen Cargill and Johan Botha in a performance of Mahler's symphony-with-voices, Das Lied von der Erde.
Verity Sharp introduces BBC Radio 3 Awards for World Music winners, including singer Mayra Andrade, Chinese sounds from Sa Ding Ding, ngoni player Bassekou Kouyate and flamenco group Son de la Frontera. Part two is next Monday.
Charles Hazlewood presents - and conducts - this live Prom featuring the BBC Concert Orchestra, while fellow presenter Suzy Klein is joined in the studio by choirmaster Gareth Malone. As well as Gershwin's An American in Paris and Strike Up the Band, Stravinsky's Ebony Concerto performed by clarinettist Michael Collins, and Bernstein's Prelude, Fugue and Riffs, there are three jazz-influenced world premieres: Jason Yarde's Rhythm and Other Fascinations and his arrangement of Gershwin's My Man's Gone Now, plus Gwilym Simcock's Progressions for piano and orchestra performed by the composer with Phil Donkin on double bass and Martin France on drums.
Acclaimed vocal ensemble the King's Singers mark their 40th anniversary with a special performance, including renditions of traditional folk songs such as Greensleeves and Widdicombe Fair, and pieces by Poulenc and John MacCabe.
Featuring the desert blues collaboration between Gambian musician Juldeh Camara and British guitarist Justin Adams. Hosted by Verity Sharp.
Murray Gold - Doctor Who Copland - Fanfare for the Common Man Mark-Anthony Turnage - Three Asteroids Holst - The Planets Wagner - Die Walküre, WWV 86b Prokofiev - Romeo and Juliet, Suite No. 2, Op 64b Ron Grainer - Doctor Who Theme (arr. Murray Gold)
Daniel Barenboim conducts the West-Eastern Divan Orchestra as they perform Haydn's Sinfonia Concertante for oboe, bassoon, violin and cello, Schoenberg's Variations for Orchestra and Brahms's Symphony No 4 in E minor.
Two of Czech composer Janacek's greatest non-theatrical works, Sinfonietta and Glagolitic Mass, are performed by the London Symphony Chorus and the BBC Symphony Chorus and Orchestra conducted by Pierre Boulez, with vocal soloists and organist Simon Preston. There's also a rare chance to hear Janacek's Capriccio for piano and chamber ensemble, with pianist Jean-Efflam Bavouzet. Sara Mohr-Pietsch presents.
The celebrated conductors Pierre Boulez and Daniel Barenboim talk about their friendship and share their views on the art of conducting. Boulez directs the London Symphony Chorus and the BBC Symphony Chorus and Orchestra's performance of Janacek's Sinfonietta, while Barenboim and his West-Eastern Divan Orchestra, formed of young Israeli and Palestinian musicians, perform Brahms's Symphony No 4 in E. Presented by Clive Anderson and Suzy Klein.
Soloists Rebecca Evans, Pamela Helen Stephen, Thomas Walker and Matthew Rose join the BBC Singers and the City of London Sinfonia in a live rendition of Beethoven's Mass in C, conducted by Richard Hickox. Also featured are performances of Vaughan Williams's Flos Campi, Mozart's Symphony No 34 in C, K338 and Nigel Osborne's Flute Concerto.
Antonio Pappano conducts the National Youth Orchestra of Great Britain in a trio of works from the USA. Edgard Varese's monumental Ameriques, inspired by the sounds of Manhattan's streets, is followed by Rachmaninov's Piano Concerto No 4 in G, played by the virtuosic Boris Berezovsky. The final work in the programme is Aaron Copland's great Symphony No 3, an evocation of North America's wide-open spaces. Presenters Charles Hazlewood and Suzy Klein examine new music initiatives and are joined by Julian Lloyd Webber.
John Eliot Gardiner conducts vocal soloists including Mark Padmore (Evangelist: tenor) and Peter Harvey (Christus: baritone), the Monteverdi Choir and the English Baroque Soloists in a performance of Bach's celebrated St John Passion. Petroc Trelawney presents.
Daniele Gatti conducts as the Royal Philharmonic Orchestra perform excerpts from Prokofiev's Romeo and Juliet and Tchaikovsky's Symphony No 5 in E.
Highlights of a concert from last Tuesday commemorating the 50th anniversary of the death of English composer Ralph Vaughan Williams. The BBC Symphony Orchestra performs pieces including Fantasia on a Theme by Thomas Tallis, Serenade to Music and Symphony No 9 in E minor. Plus, conductor Sir Andrew Davis discusses Vaughan Williams's legacy and examines archive details of the composer's rehearsal for the premiere performance of Serenade to Music. Presented by Charles Hazlewood and Suzy Klein.
Renowned Chinese pianist Lang Lang becomes the third performer to be offered a solo recital at the Proms, selecting a collection of his favourite compositions to play, including works by Mozart, Rachmaninov, Debussy, Chopin and Liszt. Nine-year-old American piano prodigy Marc Yu, known as "little Mozart", joins the musician for a special duet. Presented by Petroc Trelawney.
Colin Davis conducts the Gustav Mahler Youth Orchestra. They perform Beethoven's Violin Concerto in D with violinist Nikoiaj Znaider and end with Sibelius's Symphony No 2 in D.
This traditional event returns with a performance of Beethoven's Violin Concerto in D by virtuoso violinist Nikolaj Znaider, supported by the youngsters of the Gustav Mahler Jugendorchester and conducted by Sir Colin Davis. There's also a performance of the Fifth Symphony by the BBC Symphony Orchestra, conducted by David Robertson, plus highlights from past Proms. Also in the show, the three finalists of the Maestro series discuss conducting the Fifth Symphony and John Suchet, a Beethoven enthusiast, talks about the composer and his work. Presented by Charles Hazlewood and Suzy Klein.
Simon Rattle conducts the celebrated Berlin Philharmonic Orchestra as they perform two pieces central to their repertoire. The first. Brahms's Symphony No 3 in F, was inspired by the composer's trip to the Rhine in 1883. The second is Shostakovich's Symphony No 10 in E minor, which was written just months after the death of Stalin. Charles Hazlewood presents.
Bernard Haitink conducts the Chicago Symphony Orchestra as they perform Mark-Anthony Turnage's Chicago Remains and Mahler's Symphony No 6.
From Singleton Park, the BBC National Orchestra and Chorus of Wales link up with the Royal Albert Hall and parks across the UK for Last Night celebrations. With performances by soprano Rebecca Evans and tenor Alfie Boe. Presented by Gethin Jones.
The climax of the classical music season at the Royal Albert Hall, where the BBC Symphony Orchestra and Chorus, under conductor Roger Norrington, perform the event's traditional finale with the help of the BBC Singers. The concert opens with a Beethoven overture, The Creatures of Prometheus, Welsh bass-baritone Bryn Terfel sings arias by Wagner, Puccini and Verdi, and Helene Grimaud is the piano soloist in Beethoven's Fantasia in C for chorus and orchestra. Presented by Clive Anderson and Suzy Klein.
The annual music event that's become a national institution continues as Welsh bass-baritone Bryn Terfel performs a medley of folk songs from the nations. There's also the premiere of a piece by Anna Meredith, before the evening builds to its traditional climax with Jerusalem, Rule, Britannia! and Pomp and Circumstance.
Freema Agyeman hosts a musical odyssey as the BBC Philharmonic and London Philharmonic Chorus play music from Doctor Who. Including 3 specially filmed scene starring David Tennant.
A trio of works from America. Copland's great Third Symphony - with its portrayal of the wide, open spaces of North America - includes a striking reprise of the classic Fanfare for the Common Man at the start of the last movement. The symphony dates from the end of the Second World War and captures something of the sense of optimism of the American people at the time. From 25 years earlier, though sounding far more recent, comes Edgard Varèse's Amériques, whose title, he claimed, was 'symbolic of discoveries, of new worlds on Earth, in the sky or in the minds of men'; the first work that the Frenchman completed after arriving in New York, this still strikingly original score was premiered in Philadelphia by Leopold Stokowski. So too was Rachmaninov's Fourth (and last) Piano Concerto, also composed in the USA, where the composer had settled after leaving Russia in 1917. Rachmaninov himself was the soloist at the 1927 premiere; tonight it's the fearlessly virtuosic Boris Berezovsky.
John Wilson and his hand-picked Orchestra celebrate 75 years of MGM musicals with songs from unforgettable movie classics, including The Wizard of Oz, Meet Me in St Louis, Seven Brides for Seven Brothers, High Society, Gigi and Singin' in the Rain. Amazingly, although all the original orchestral parts were lost when the studio destroyed its music library to make way for a car park, Wilson has succeeded in reconstructing the scores by painstakingly transcribing each soundtrack by ear. He is joined by starry singers from the classical and musical theatre worlds, as well as by the elite Maida Vale Singers
A trio of works from America. Copland's great Third Symphony - with its portrayal of the wide, open spaces of North America - includes a striking reprise of the classic Fanfare for the Common Man at the start of the last movement. The symphony dates from the end of the Second World War and captures something of the sense of optimism of the American people at the time. From 25 years earlier, though sounding far more recent, comes Edgard Varèse's Amériques, whose title, he claimed, was 'symbolic of discoveries, of new worlds on Earth, in the sky or in the minds of men'; the first work that the Frenchman completed after arriving in New York, this still strikingly original score was premiered in Philadelphia by Leopold Stokowski. So too was Rachmaninov's Fourth (and last) Piano Concerto, also composed in the USA, where the composer had settled after leaving Russia in 1917. Rachmaninov himself was the soloist at the 1927 premiere; tonight it's the fearlessly virtuosic Boris Berezovsky.
From the grounds of Hillsborough Castle, County Down, Noel Thompson introduces Northern Ireland's biggest classical music party of the year. Flautists Sir James Galway and Lady Jeanne Galway, singers Peter Corry and Rebekah Coffey and the award winning 1st Old Boys' Silver Band join the Ulster Orchestra, conducted by Wayne Marshall, for an evening of classical favourites, culminating in a spectacular fireworks display during Tchaikovsky's 1812 Overture. It is part of the Last Night of the Proms, with link-ups to the Royal Albert Hall in London and other Proms in the Park events in Salford, Glasgow and Swansea.
Live from the Royal Albert Hall, Clive Anderson introduces the spectacular climax to the 2009 Proms season. American conductor David Robertson is master of ceremonies for the first time, with two top soloists: mezzo soprano Sarah Connolly and trumpet player Alison Balsom, and the combined forces of the BBC Symphony Orchestra, the BBC Symphony Chorus and the BBC Singers. There's music for fireworks, music to dance to and music played by vacuum cleaners, in a festive evening that culminates in the singing of the famous tunes by Arne, Parry and Elgar.
Singleton Park celebrates an evening of music and song in its seventh BBC Proms in the Park from Swansea. Join Gethin Jones and Josie d'Arby, guest artists Only Men Aloud and soprano Elin Manahan Thomas, the BBC National Orchestra of Wales and Swansea Bach Choir with conductor Grant Llewellyn for a night of rousing choruses and orchestral favourites.
Mahler Symphony No. 8 in E flat major 'Symphony of a Thousand' (82 mins) Mardi Byers: soprano Twyla Robinson: soprano Malin Christensson: soprano Stephanie Blythe: mezzo-soprano Kelley O'Connor: mezzo-soprano Stefan Vinke: tenor Hanno Müller-Brachmann: bass-baritone Tomasz Konieczny: bass Choristers of St Paul's Cathedral Choristers of Westminster Abbey Choristers of Westminster Cathedral BBC Symphony Chorus Crouch End Festival Chorus Sydney Philharmonia Choirs BBC Symphony Orchestra Jirí Belohlávek conductor
Wagner: The Mastersingers of Nuremberg An Opera in Three Acts Concert staging, sung in German Bryn Terfel: Hans Sachs Raymond Very: Walther von Stoltzing Amanda Roocroft: Eva Christopher Purves: Beckmesser Andrew Tortise: David Anna Burford: Magdalene David Soar: Nightwatchman Brindley Sherratt: Pogner Simon Thorpe: Kothner David Stout: Nachtigall Paul Hodges: Schwartz Rhys Meirion: Zorn Andrew Rees: Eisslinger Stephen Rooke: Moser Arwel Huw Morgan: Foltz Geraint Dodd: Vogelgesang Owen Webb: Ortel Chorus and Orchestra of Welsh National Opera Lothar Koenigs conductor
Schumann - Manfred, Op 115 (orch. Gustav Mahler) Rachmaninov - Piano Concerto No. 2 in C minor Tchaikovsky - Manfred
Britten: Sinfonia da Requiem Prokofiev: Piano Concerto No. 1 in D flat major Alexander Toradze, piano Shostakovich: Symphony No. 7 in C major, 'Leningrad' BBC National Orchestra of Wales Thierry Fischer conductor
Doctor Who returns to the Proms with a new show hosted by the stars of the series - Karen Gillan (aka the Doctor's companion Amy Pond), Arthur Darvill (aka Rory Williams) and featuring a special guest appearance by Matt Smith (aka the Doctor). The concert features Murray Gold's music for the television series, including his latest re-imagining of Ron Grainier's classic theme tune performed by the BBC National Orchestra of Wales, the London Philharmonic Choir, soloists Yamit Mamo and Mark Chambers, and conducted by Ben Foster. With exclusive behind-the-scenes access, specially-edited sequences from the most recent series, a host of monsters laying siege to the Royal Albert Hall and a new scene written especially for the Proms by Steven Moffat and featuring the Time Lord himself, this is an intergalactic musical adventure like no other.
Brett Dean: Amphitheatre (London premiere) (10 mins) Mahler: Des Knaben Wunderhorn – selection (23 mins) Ekaterina Gubanova mezzo-soprano Shostakovich: Symphony No. 10 in E minor (50 mins) The Australian Youth Orchestra Sir Mark Elder conductor
Marking the 80th birthday of one of Broadway's great innovators, this first ever all-Sondheim Prom draws together leading figures of the opera and theatre worlds, plus some further special guests. Bryn Terfel – a magnetic Sweeney Todd, as he proved at the Royal Festival Hall in 2007 – leads a starry cast, joined by aspiring young performers supported by the BBC Performing Arts Fund. On the bill are excerpts from the horror-opera Sweeney Todd, the Ingmar Bergman-inspired A Little Night Music and the fairy-tale compendium of Into the Woods, as well as excerpts from Company, Pacific Overtures and Sunday in the Park with George.
Doctor Who returns to the Proms with a new show hosted by the stars of the series - Karen Gillan (aka the Doctor's companion Amy Pond), Arthur Darvill (aka Rory Williams) and featuring a special guest appearance by Matt Smith (aka the Doctor). The concert features Murray Gold's music for the television series, including his latest re-imagining of Ron Grainier's classic theme tune performed by the BBC National Orchestra of Wales, the London Philharmonic Choir, soloists Yamit Mamo and Mark Chambers, and conducted by Ben Foster. With exclusive behind-the-scenes access, specially-edited sequences from the most recent series, a host of monsters laying siege to the Royal Albert Hall and a new scene written especially for the Proms by Steven Moffat and featuring the Time Lord himself, this is an intergalactic musical adventure like no other.
Mahler: Symphony No. 3 in D minor (100 mins) Karen Cargill: mezzo-soprano Edinburgh Festival Chorus (women's voices) Royal Scottish National Orchestra Junior Chorus BBC Scottish Symphony Orchestra Donald Runnicles conductor Sung in German, Fixed subtitles in English, commentary in English
In a tribute to Proms founder-conductor Henry Wood, the BBC Concert Orchestra perform Wood's own Last Night programme from a century ago, conducted by Paul Daniel. A dazzling marathon of short popular classics includes appearances from Russian baritone Sergei Leiferkus, British cellist Steven Isserlis and American mezzo Jennifer Larmore.
Doctor Who returns to the Proms with an extended version of a new show hosted by the stars of the series - Karen Gillan (aka the Doctor's companion Amy Pond), Arthur Darvill (aka Rory Williams) and featuring a special guest appearance by Matt Smith (aka the Doctor). The concert features Murray Gold's music for the television series, including his latest re-imagining of Ron Grainier's classic theme tune performed by the BBC National Orchestra of Wales, the London Philharmonic Choir, soloists Yamit Mamo and Mark Chambers, and conducted by Ben Foster. With exclusive behind-the-scenes access, specially-edited sequences from the most recent series, a host of monsters laying siege to the Royal Albert Hall and a new scene written especially for the Proms by Steven Moffat and featuring the Time Lord himself, this is an intergalactic musical adventure like no other.
Mahler Symphony No. 5 in C sharp minor World Orchestra for Peace Valery Gergiev conductor
A glittering line-up at the Caird Hall in Dundee helps bring the curtain down on the world's largest music festival - the BBC Proms. Broadcast live and presented by Kaye Adams, the programme features superstar violinist Nicola Benedetti, soprano Lesley Garrett, guitarist Paul Galbraith, the BBC Scottish Symphony Orchestra conducted by Garry Walker, and the specially assembled Dundee Proms Chorus. This gala concert marks the conclusion of the annual BBC Proms season and is visiting Dundee for the first time, bringing with it some of the magic of the Last Night of the Proms, but with a distinctly Scottish flavour. The concert features the only performance of the Dundee Proms Chorus, a brand new amateur choir created by BBC Scotland especially for the night.
Katie Derham introduces the spectacular climax to the 2010 Proms from the Royal Albert Hall. There are encores from composers featured earlier in the season, with music by Rodgers and Hammerstein, Wagner, Henry Wood and Parry. The star soloists are American soprano Renee Fleming and viola player Maxim Rysanov, and the combined forces of the BBC Symphony Orchestra, the BBC Symphony Chorus and the BBC Singers are conducted by Jiri Belohlavek. Audiences around the UK can join the singing of an excerpt from the musical Carousel, along with the more traditional Last Night fare of Rule Britannia, Jerusalem and Pomp and Circumstance No 1.
Paul Dukas - L' apprenti sorcier Julian Anderson - Fantasias Berlioz - Symphonie fantastique, Op 14
A glittering line up at the Caird Hall in Dundee for the BBC Proms Last Night Celebrations in Scotland concert. Presented by Kaye Adams, the programme features superstar violinist Nicola Benedetti, soprano Lesley Garrett, guitarist Paul Galbraith, the BBC Scottish Symphony Orchestra conducted by Garry Walker, and the specially assembled Dundee Proms Chorus.
Josie D'Arby and Tim Rhys-Evans present a glittering evening of musical stories and fairytales from Proms in the Park in Swansea, part of the traditional Last Night Celebration. Featuring special guests Catrin Finch, The Three Welsh Tenors, Swansea Bach Choir, conductor Grant Llewellyn and the BBC National Orchestra of Wales.
Leading Chopin interpreter Nelson Freire is the soloist in Chopin's lyrical and brilliant Second Piano Concerto. On the podium the young French conductor Lionel Bringuier makes his Proms debut conducting the BBC Symphony Orchestra and gives a sizzling performance of Ravel's score for the ballet Daphnis and Chloe - Suite No 2. Introduced from the Royal Albert Hall by Katie Derham.
Noel Thompson and Claire McCollum introduce highlights of 'Proms in the Park' 2010, staged in the grounds of Hillsborough Castle and featuring the Ulster Orchestra led by conductor Carl Davis. With performances from Alexandra Soumm, The Priests and Duke Special.
aye Adams presents highlights from this year's Last Night of the Proms Celebrations in Scotland featuring the BBC Scottish Symphony Orchestra conducted by Garry Walker. The concert was held in Dundee's Caird Hall and included performances from international virtuoso violinist Nicola Benedetti, star soprano Lesley Garrett, classical guitarist Paul Galbraith and the Dundee Proms Chorus, a choir formed specially to perform at this event. An evening of wonderful music with a mix of popular classical pieces, movie themes and a few musical surprises with a very Scottish flavour.
Chopin: Piano Concerto No. 2 in F minor Encore - Gluck, transcribed Sgambati: Excerpt from Orfeo et Eurydice Nelson Freire: piano Ravel: Daphnis and Chloë – Suite No. 2 BBC Symphony Orchestra Lionel Bringuier conductor Katy Derham, Hostess
Verdi: La forza del destino – overture (8 mins) Dallapiccola Partita (27 mins) Sarah Tynan: soprano Bruch: Violin Concerto No.1 in G minor (25 mins) James Ehnes: violin Encore - Paganini: Caprice 16 Schumann Symphony No. 4 in D minor (revised version) (38 mins) BBC Philharmonic Gianandrea Noseda conductor Vocals with fixed English subtitles Commentary in English Interval cut
J. S. Bach, orch. Stokowski: Toccata and Fugue in D minor, BWV 565 (10 mins) J. S. Bach, orch. Henry Wood: 'Suite No. 6' - Prelude; Finale (6 mins) Tarik O'Regan: Latent Manifest (5 mins) (BBC commission: world premiere) Walton: The Wise Virgins – suite (21 mins) Royal Philharmonic Orchestra Andrew Litton conductor During interval: Brandenburg Concerto No. 2, recorded earlier in the day English Baroque Soloists Sir John Eliot Gardiner conductor Grainger: Blithe Bells (4 mins) J. S. Bach, arr. Sargent: Orchestral Suite No. 3 in D major, BWV 1068 - Air (6 mins) Alissa Firsova: Bach Allegro (5 mins) (BBC commission: world premiere) J. S. Bach, arr. Bantock: Chorale Prelude 'Wachet auf, ruft uns due Stimme', BWV 645 (5 mins) J. S. Bach, arr. Respighi: Passacaglia and Fugue in C minor, BWV 582 (13 mins) Royal Philharmonic Orchestra Andrew Litton conductor Commentary in English
Arvo Pärt: Cantus in memoriam Benjamin Britten (7 mins) Britten: Four Sea Interludes from 'Peter Grimes' (17 mins) Huw Watkins: Violin Concerto (BBC commission: world premiere) (20 mins) Alina Ibragimova: violin Shostakovich: Symphony No. 5 in D minor (50 mins) BBC Symphony Orchestra Edward Gardner conductor
The Philharmonia Orchestra play Mosolov's The Foundry, Pärt's Symphony No. 4 "Los Angeles", Ravel's Piano Concerto for the Left Hand & Scriabin's The Poem of Ecstasy.
Oklahoma: excerpts (13 mins) Carousel: excerpts (26 mins) South Pacific: excerpts (17 mins) The King and I: (arr. Edward B. Powell) Overture (6 mins) Flower Drum Song: excerpts (11 mins) The Sound of Music: excerpts (12 mins) Cast includes: Kim Criswell Sierra Boggess Anna-Jane Casey Julian Ovenden Rod Gilfry Maida Vale Singers John Wilson Orchestra John Wilson conductor
Mark-Anthony Turnage: Hammered Out (BBC co-commission with LA Philharmonic: world premiere) (c15 mins) Barber: Violin Concerto (25 mins) Encore: J. S. Bach: Gavotte en rondeau from Violin Partita 3 Gil Shaham: violin Sibelius Symphony: No. 2 in D major (40 mins) BBC Symphony Orchestra David Robertson conductor Commentary in English
Hindemith: Symphony 'Mathis der Maler' (27 mins) Mahler: Lieder eines fahrenden Gesellen (17 mins) Christian Gerhaher: baritone Bruckner: Symphony No. 9 in D minor (65 mins) Gustav Mahler Jugendorchester Herbert Blomstedt conductor Commentary in English, vocals with fixed English subtitles Interval cut
Rameau: Dardanus – suite (18 mins) Canteloube: Songs from the Auvergne – selection (25 mins): Pastourelle Deux Bourrées: N'ai pas iéu de mio Une jionto pastouro Té, l'co té! Bailero Malurous qu'o uno fenno Anna Caterina Antonacci: soprano Martin Matalon: Lignes de fuite UK premiere) (18 mins) Mussorgsky, arr. Henry Wood: Pictures at an Exhibition (30 mins) BBC National Orchestra of Wales François-Xavier Roth conductor
Wagner - Parsifal R. Strauss - Vier Letzte Lieder Schoenberg - Five Orchestral Pieces, Op. 16 Webern - Six Pieces, Op 6 Berg - Three Pieces, Op 6
The Royal Scottish National Orchestra and its French-born Music Director, Stéphane Denève, join Paul Lewis as he rounds off his cycle of the five Beethoven piano concertos with the last and most proudly majestic of them all. Taking up this afternoon's Italian theme, they play spectacular orchestral showpieces by Berlioz and Respighi, inspired respectively by Rome's lively street life and its imperial past; while, cementing Celtic connections, they introduce a recent symphonic suite drawn from the Scottish composer James MacMillan's opera The Sacrifice, inspired by the medieval folk tales of The Mabinogion and premiered to great acclaim by Welsh National Opera in 2007. * Berlioz Overture 'Roman Carnival' (9 mins) * Beethoven Piano Concerto No. 5 in E flat major, Op. 73 'Emperor' (38 mins) * interval * James Macmillan The Sacrifice – Three Interludes (London premiere) (15 mins) * Respighi Pines of Rome (23 mins) * Paul Lewis piano * Royal Scottish National Orchestra * Stéphane Denève conductor
Tradition meets high jinks as Jiří Bělohlávek conducts his second Last Night, while the spirit of Henry Wood presides, as always, over the grand finale of the Proms. Renée Fleming lends her lustrous soprano to music by Strauss, Dvořák and Smetana. Former Radio 3 New Generation Artist Maxim Rysanov gives Tchaikovsky's popular cello variations a new voice, and loyal Prommers can spot the last traces of the season's Wood, Parry, Wagner, Rodgers and Hammerstein and opera themes. A festive new piece by Jonathan Dove opens the evening; a contemporary hornpipe forms an upbeat to anniversary composer Arne's Rule, Britannia!; and audiences around the UK can join the Royal Albert Hall crowd in singing along to excerpts from Lohengrin and Carousel in a climax to the BBC's opera season
New British music, Brahms, Liszt and a lavish choral work blaze a trail for some of 2011's Proms musical strands. Benjamin Grosvenor made his Proms debut, and there's Janáček's extraordinary celebration of Slavic culture, the Glagolitic Mass. Friday 15 July 7.30pm – c. 9.40pm Royal Albert Hall Choral music and singing events, Piano music Judith Weir Stars, Night, Music and Light (c4 mins) BBC Commission, World Premiere Brahms Academic Festival Overture (11 mins) Liszt Piano Concerto No. 2 in A major (20 mins) INTERVAL Janáček Glagolitic Mass (45 mins) Benjamin Grosvenor piano Hibla Gerzmava soprano Dagmar Pecková mezzo-soprano Stefan Vinke tenor Jan Martiník bass David Goode organ BBC Singers BBC Symphony Chorus BBC Symphony Orchestra Jiří Bělohlávek conductor
In the first half of his second Prom Myung-Whun Chung pairs works by German Romantics from opposite ends of the 19th century, including the meltingly beautiful Brahms Double Concerto with Renaud and Gautier Capuçon. After the interval comes a piece with French connections which swept away that old order. A sensational succès de scandale in 1913 for Diaghilev and his Ballets Russes, The Rite of Spring not only prompted the most famous riot in musical history but sounds sensational still, rediscovering rhythm as music's primal driving force. Tuesday 19 July 7.00pm – c. 9.00pm Royal Albert Hall Classical for starters Weber Oberon - overture (9 mins) Brahms Concerto in A minor for Violin and Cello (Double Concerto) (32 mins) INTERVAL Stravinsky The Rite of Spring (33 mins) Renaud Capuçon violin Gautier Capuçon cello Orchestre Philharmonique de Radio France Myung-Whun Chung conductor
Thursday 21 July 7.30pm – c. 9.45pm Royal Albert Hall Piano music Sibelius Scènes historiques - Suite No. 2 (19 mins) Sibelius Symphony No. 7 in C major (23 mins) INTERVAL Bartók Piano Concerto No. 3 (24 mins) Janáček Sinfonietta (24 mins) András Schiff piano Hallé Sir Mark Elder conductor
Basque-born Juanjo Mena, recently named Chief Conductor of the BBC Philharmonic, makes his Proms debut with this dazzling Franco-Spanish evening. Debussy's three orchestral Images are interspersed with evocations of an idealised South filled with the rhythms of Gypsy dancing and the scent of jasmine. The brilliant showpieces of Ravel are complemented by Falla's Impressionistic Andalusian concerto, in which the orchestra is joined by pianist Steven Osborne. Friday 22 July 7.30pm – c. 9.50pm Royal Albert Hall Classical for starters, French music concerts and events, Piano music Debussy Images - Gigues (7 mins) Ravel Rapsodie espagnole (15 mins) Debussy Images - Rondes de printemps (9 mins) INTERVAL Ravel Alborado del gracioso (8 mins) Falla Nights in the Gardens of Spain (24 mins) Debussy Images - Ibéria (20 mins) Steven Osborne piano BBC Philharmonic Juanjo Mena conductor
Music composed by Nitin Sawhney for the Human Planet television series, and performances by artistst including Ayarkhaan (Sakha Republic), Bibilang Shark-Calling Group (Papua New Guinea), Khusugtun (Mongolia), Rasmus Lyberth (Greenland), and Enock Mbongwe (Zambia). BBC Concert Orchestra, Charles Hazlewood (conductor) and Paul Rose (presenter).. Big-screen video projections and excerpts from Nitin Sawhney's score for the acclaimed landmark BBC One series Human Planet, alongside artists heard in BBC Radio 3's accompanying Music Planet series. Saturday 23 July 7.30pm – c. 9.45pm Royal Albert Hall For families There will be one interval
The ultimate in dramatic intensity, this extraordinary work speaks of heaven and hell, fire and earth, darkness and light in music that is as much theatrical as devotional. The Requiem is always a special event - the more so when we have on the podium a Verdi specialist whose recent Cologne recording, which also featured Ferruccio Furlanetto, has been much acclaimed. Tonight's stellar line-up also includes Marina Poplavskaya and Joseph Calleja, who both sang alongside Furlanetto in last year's Simon Boccanegra. Sunday 24 July 7.00pm – c. 8.40pm Royal Albert Hall Choral music and singing events Verdi Requiem (86 mins) Marina Poplavskaya soprano Mariana Pentcheva mezzo-soprano Joseph Calleja tenor Ferruccio Furlanetto bass BBC Symphony Chorus BBC National Chorus of Wales London Philharmonic Choir BBC Symphony Orchestra Semyon Bychkov conductor
Sir Roger Norrington has chosen Mahler's last completed symphony for his final concerts as Principal Conductor of the Stuttgart Radio Symphony Orchestra, a post he has held since 1998. Written at a time of personal crisis, the Ninth begins with what some have heard as the irregular rhythm of Mahler's own failing heartbeat and it ends with a long fade to eternal nothingness. In between comes perhaps the greatest, certainly the most cathartic, of all late- Romantic symphonies. Sadly, the composer did not live to hear it. Tonight's performance promises to be both a moving occasion and a revealing one, taking up the faster pacing and purer orchestral sonorities of the composer's own time. Monday 25 July 7.30pm – c. 9.00pm Royal Albert Hall Mahler Symphony No. 9 (73 mins) Stuttgart Radio Symphony Orchestra (SWR) Sir Roger Norrington conductor
Vladimir Jurowski's Hungarian Prom kicks off with Kodály's effervescent Dances of Galánta. Bartók's more acerbically ebullient First Piano Concerto will give pianist Jean-Efflam Bavouzet a chance to use both hands: his previous Proms appearances, in 2008 and 2010, both involved pieces conceived for the left hand alone! In tonight's second half, an influential masterwork from one of this year's featured composers, born 200 years ago. Liszt's A Faust Symphony 'in three character portraits, after Goethe' will be played in the version that concludes with a grandiose setting of the 'Chorus mysticus' unheard at the Proms since 1967. Tuesday 26 July 7.30pm – c. 9.55pm Royal Albert Hall Choral music and singing events, Piano music Kodály Dances of Galánta (16 mins) Bartók Piano Concerto No. 1 (24 mins) INTERVAL Liszt A Faust Symphony (62 mins) Jean-Efflam Bavouzet piano Marco Jentzsch tenor London Philharmonic Choir (men's voices) London Symphony Chorus (men's voices) London Philharmonic Orchestra Vladimir Jurowski conductor
Anyone who has split their sides laughing at CBBC's hit television series Horrible Histories now has the chance to see and hear the cast perform some of the most popular songs from the show, ranging from the Savage Stone Age and the Vicious Vikings to the Gorgeous Georgians and the Vile Victorians. Backed by children's choirs and the Aurora Orchestra, the songs will be interspersed with some great music by composers such as King Henry VIII, Lully, Mozart and the prolific 'Anon'. Horrible Histories, based on the best-selling books by Terry Deary with illustrations by Martin Brown, has proved a massive success. Children love the series, and the songs (music by Richie Webb) have proved among the most memorable elements of the show. Come to see the stars and sing along! Following the success of the first-ever signed Prom last year, Dr Paul Whittaker, Artistic Director of Music and the Deaf, returns to guide you through this free Prom. Saturday 30 July 11.00am – c. 1.00pm Royal Albert Hall Choral music and singing events, For families Louise Fryer (presenter), Horrible Histories cast, Choirs from The Music Centre, Kids Company Choir, Aurora Orchestra and Nicholas Collon (conductor). There will be one interval.
Strauss at his most passionate (and lascivious!) bookends a concert full of spectacle and panache. At its heart is the patriotic cantata Prokofiev drew from his music for Eisenstein's epic film about a medieval Russian hero's defeat of the Teutonic invader. That score had quite an impact on Walton's own wartime work for the cinema but it is the subtler brio of his Violin Concerto that is heard before the interval. Midori is one of relatively few international superstars to have taken up a piece whose formidable technical challenges were actively encouraged by Jascha Heifetz, its original soloist, but whose lyricism is all pervasive too. Saturday 30 July 7.30pm – c. 9.55pm Royal Albert Hall Choral music and singing events R. Strauss Don Juan (17 mins) Walton Violin Concerto (32 mins) INTERVAL Prokofiev Alexander Nevsky - cantata (40 mins) R. Strauss Salome - Dance of the Seven Veils (12 mins) Midori violin Nadezhda Serdiuk mezzo-soprano CBSO Chorus City of Birmingham Symphony Orchestra Andris Nelsons conductor
Tasmin Little and Sir Andrew Davis tackle a favourite concerto which the violinist has only recently felt ready to commit to disc. It is preceded by one of Elgar's most radical part-songs, notated in two keys simultaneously in a manner which might be said to parallel the incorrigible experiments of Percy Grainger. To mark the 50th anniversary of that composer's death, his In a Nutshell suite receives a first outing at the Proms, reaching its popular march finale by way of some unpredictable and darkly complex invention. Once considered dangerously radical itself, Strauss's perky symphonic poem documents the adventures of a purely mythical rascal. Tuesday 2 August 7.00pm – c. 9.15pm Royal Albert Hall Choral music and singing events, Classical for starters Elgar There is sweet music (4 mins) Elgar Violin Concerto (50 mins) INTERVAL Grainger Irish Tune from County Derry (4 mins) Grainger Suite 'In a Nutshell' (20 mins) R. Strauss Till Eulenspiegels lustige Streiche (15 mins) Tasmin Little violin BBC Singers BBC Symphony Orchestra Sir Andrew Davis conductor
Grainger is celebrated in a special Late Night sequence as star Northumbrian smallpiper Kathryn Tickell and friends take a fresh look at the prodigious activities of this wild colonial boy. A pioneering collector of folk music from around the globe and arguably the world's first crossover artist, Grainger explored new worlds and invented new sounds, by turns touching, funny and provocative. Special guests, including the distinguished English folk singer June Tabor, place his achievement in its folk-music context. Tuesday 2 August 10.15pm – c. 11.30pm Royal Albert Hall Choral music and singing events Grainger Green Bushes (9 mins) Grainger Molly on the Shore (5 mins) Grainger Shepherd's Hey - medley (12 mins) Grainger Early One Morning (5 mins) Grainger Shallow Brown (8 mins) Grainger Scotch Strathspey and Reel (9 mins) Interspersed with traditional and contemporary folk music, including material which formed the basis for Grainger's arrangements June Tabor singer Wilson Family BBC Singers (men's voices) Kathryn Tickell Band Northern Sinfonia John Harle conductor
Returning to the Proms for the first time since 1988, cellist Lynn Harrell celebrates the 95th-birthday year of Henri Dutilleux with a performance of one of his best-loved works, nocturnal, mysterious and beautifully coloured. Debussy's languorous reverie fired up a stylistic revolution and gained notoriety when Nijinsky choreographed it for Diaghilev's Ballets Russes. The same company commissioned Ravel's sumptuous evocation of Ancient Greece, embracing the most atmospheric sunrise in all music, but before that there's room for his notionally Hispanic experiment in writing 'orchestral tissue without music' - the ever popular Boléro. Wednesday 3 August 7.30pm – c. 9.55pm Royal Albert Hall Choral music and singing events, French music concerts and events Debussy Prélude à L'après-midi d'un faune (8 mins) Henri Dutilleux 'Tout un monde lointain...' (27 mins) J. S. Bach Suite for Solo Cello No. 3 in C major, BWV 1009 - No. 5 Bourées 1 & 2 (3 mins) (encore) Ravel Boléro (15 mins) INTERVAL Ravel Daphnis and Chloë (50 mins) Lynn Harrell cello Edinburgh Festival Chorus BBC Scottish Symphony Orchestra Donald Runnicles conductor
Live from the Caird Hall in Dundee, the BBC Scottish Symphony Orchestra conducted by Stephen Bell lead a great evening of music as part of the BBC Last Night at the Proms celebrations in Scotland. Presented by Kaye Adams and Jamie MacDougall, the concert features fantastic performances from tenor Alfie Boe, Scottish soprano Lisa Milne, singer/songwriter Fran Healy and Kristan Harvey, BBC Radio Scotland Young Traditional Musician of the Year. Also performing on stage will be the Dundee Proms Chorus, a choir of volunteer singers specially arranged for the event. The choir will be just one part of a great evening of live music including a mix of popular classical and modern pieces and some with a uniquely Scottish flavour.
ive from the Royal Albert Hall, Katie Derham introduces the final concert of the 2011 Proms season. Conductor Edward Gardner takes to the podium for his first Last Night and is joined by two special guest soloists - Chinese pianist Lang Lang and Britain's leading dramatic soprano Susan Bullock. Lang Lang is the soloist in Liszt's dazzling Piano Concerto No 1 and Susan Bullock sings the Immolation Scene from Wagner's epic Ring cycle. Bartok's suite from the Miraculous Mandarin provides a blast of exotic orchestral colour and the evening opens with a new work by Sir Peter Maxwell Davies paying tribute to the Promenaders fundraising efforts on behalf of the Musicians Benevolent Fund. On stage are the combined forces of the BBC Symphony Orchestra and the BBC Symphony Chorus. Plus, during the interval there are highlights of Lang Lang performing at Proms in the Park in Hyde Park.
Live from the Royal Albert Hall, Katie Derham introduces the grand finale to the 2011 Proms. The soloists are superstar Chinese pianist Lang Lang and British soprano Susan Bullock. They are joined by the combined forces of the BBC Symphony Orchestra and the BBC Symphony Chorus, all under the baton of Edward Gardner, making his first Last Night appearance. Audiences around the UK can join the singing of musical hits by Richard Rodgers, along with the traditional Last Night anthems Rule Britannia, Jerusalem and Pomp and Circumstance No 1.
Now Music Director of the Los Angeles Philharmonic, Gustavo Dudamel - known by his own musicians as 'the Dude' - joins his old friends in the Simón Bolívar Symphony Orchestra and some mightily distinguished guests to tackle a colossus of the standard repertoire. Writing for vast forces including offstage brass, two solo singers and a large choir, Mahler takes listeners on a spectacular journey through the entire gamut of emotions. Beginning at the graveside, he remembers happier, busier and (spiritually) emptier times on the way to an apocalyptic revelation of the Day of Judgement. The promise of eternal life is then renewed in some of music's most uplifting pages. Friday 5 August 7.30pm – c. 9.10pm Royal Albert Hall Choral music and singing events Mahler Symphony No. 2 in C minor 'Resurrection' (85 mins) Miah Persson soprano Anna Larsson mezzo-soprano National Youth Choir of Great Britain Simón Bolívar Symphony Orchestra Gustavo Dudamel conductor
The BBC Scottish Symphony Orchestra conducted by Stephen Bell perform at the Caird Hall in Dundee as part of the BBC Proms Last Night Celebrations. Presented by Kaye Adams and Jamie MacDougall, also performing are Alfie Boe, singer/songwriter Fran Healy and 2011 BBC Radio Scotland Young Traditional Musician of the year Kristan Harvey.
The music of Sergey Prokofiev looms large in this fascinating collaboration between Vladimir Jurowski and the National Youth Orchestra of Great Britain. First, an esoteric offering from the master's London-based grandson, a crossover artist in the best sense, determined to find new audiences and to reconfigure the classical tradition by way of Minimalist grooves, dancefloor beats, club nights and remixes. The influence of the senior Prokofiev is plain in the sizzling keyboard writing of Britten's early Piano Concerto, which gives BBC Radio 3 New Generation Artist Benjamin Grosvenor another chance to shine, following his First Night Proms debut. In the second half, Prokofiev's ballet music recounts the doomed love of Verona's most romantic couple. Saturday 6 August 6.30pm – c. 9.05pm Royal Albert Hall Classical for starters, Piano music Gabriel Prokofiev Concerto for Turntables and Orchestra (21 mins) Britten Piano Concerto (35 mins) Gould Boogie Woogie Etude (2 mins) (encore) INTERVAL Prokofiev Romeo and Juliet - selection (50 mins) Benjamin Grosvenor piano, New Generation Artist DJ Switch dj (turntables) National Youth Orchestra of Great Britain Vladimir Jurowski conductor
Noel Thompson and Claire McCollum introduce highlights of the 'Proms In The Park' concert recorded in Castle Park Bangor. David Brophy conducts the Ulster Orchestra and there are special performances from Barry Douglas, Lesley Garrett, Declan O' Rourke and Craig Ogden.
When in 2008 Nigel Kennedy came back to the Proms after an absence of 21 years, his Late Night concert with his own quartet followed an early-evening performance of Elgar's Violin Concerto which he capped with a solo Bach encore. Tonight's special event confirms that JSB continues to mean a great deal to him. The man dubbed 'the people's violinist' has recorded Bach concertos with the Irish Chamber Orchestra and with members of the Berlin Philharmonic. Discovering something new every time he explores the composer's music, Kennedy points up the parallels with jazz. Bach loved the dance forms of his own day and his music benefits from being played with emotional freedom and a keen rhythmic sense. Saturday 6 August 10.00pm – c. 11.00pm Royal Albert Hall J. S. Bach Partita for Solo Violin No. 3 in E major, BWV 1006 - No. 1 Preludio (4 mins) J. S. Bach Partita for Solo Violin No. 2 in D minor, BWV 1004 (36 mins) J. S. Bach Das Pendel (arr. Kennedy) (7 mins) Waller How can you face me now? (arr. Nigel Kennedy) (7 mins) (encore) Waller Honeysuckle Rose (arr. Nigel Kennedy) (7 mins) (encore) Waller Viper’s Drag (arr. Nigel Kennedy) (5 mins) (encore) Nigel Kennedy violin Rolf Bussald guitar Yaron Stavi double bass Krzysztof Dzeidzic percussion
Kaye Adams and Jamie MacDougall present some of the highlights from this year's BBC Proms Last Night Celebrations in Scotland concert that was held at the Caird Hall in Dundee in September. The BBC Scottish Symphony Orchestra conducted by Stephen Bell and is joined on stage by world renowned tenor Alfie Boe, BBC Radio Scotland's Young Traditional Musician of the Year Kristan Harvey, singer/songwriter Fran Healy and the BBC Prom Chorus, a group specially formed to perform for this event.
Assisted by guest star Chloë Hanslip, Keith Lockhart and the BBC Concert Orchestra bring the silver-screen excitement of music associated with the cinema, from Pinewood to Hollywood, from Psycho to Star Wars, with a special tribute to the late John Barry. Friday 12 August 7.00pm – c. 9.20pm Royal Albert Hall Classical for starters Herrmann Music from The Man Who Knew Too Much, Citizen Kane, and Psycho (18 mins) Ennio Morricone Cinema Paradiso - theme (7 mins) Walton Henry V - suite (arr. Muir Mathieson) (21 mins) INTERVAL John Williams Music from Star Wars, Schindler's List and Harry Potter (14 mins) Jonny Greenwood Norwegian Wood - suite (arr. Robert Ziegler) (10 mins) BBC Commission, World Premiere Sir Richard Rodney Bennett Murder on the Orient Express - suite (8 mins) Barry Out of Africa - Love Theme (7 mins) Various Music from the James Bond films (10 mins) Ennio Morricone The Good, the Bad and the Ugly - Main Theme (3 mins) (encore) Chloë Hanslip violin Rory Kinnear narrator BBC Concert Orchestra Keith Lockhart conductor
The five inventive multitaskers of the Spaghetti Western Orchestra have their own way of presenting film music in concert. Fascinated by the scores of Ennio Morricone, they have devised an unclassifiable entertainment in which his epic soundtracks for film maker Sergio Leone are recreated with extraordinary virtuosity on instruments both conventional and rather less so. 'We really embraced the absurdity of a bunch of Aussie guys trying to do what Morricone did with a cast of hundreds and so we went about listening to the music and exploring the idea that every sound is equal and giving equal importance to all sounds.' Expect a loose narrative, new uses for the asthma inhaler and the cornflake packet, and a rich harvest of post-modern laughs. Friday 12 August 10.15pm – c. 11.30pm Royal Albert Hall Spaghetti Western Orchestra There will be no interval
Musician, actor, comedian and rock 'n' roll superstar Tim Minchin hosts a Proms first - the Comedy Prom. Joined by guests including BBC Two Maestro winner Sue Perkins, musical cabaret duo Kit and The Widow, soprano Susan Bullock and rising star British pianist Danny Driver (making his Proms debut), Tim will weave his way through a spectacular evening of comedy, musical fun and surprises. Also appearing Beardyman, The Boy with Tape on his Face, Doc Brown, and the Mongrels. Marking the centenary year of Franz Reizenstein, one of the highlights is sure to be his Concerto Populaire, a whistlestop tour through competing favourite piano concertos. The programme offers a fresh, accessible and funny take on the Proms, accompanied on a grand scale by the ever-versatile BBC Concert Orchestra under Andrew Litton (guest conductor) and Jules Buckley (music director). Saturday 13 August 7.30pm – c. 9.40pm Royal Albert Hall Classical for starters There will be one interval
The Chamber Orchestra of Europe is celebrating its 30th anniversary with two years of Brahms under Bernard Haitink, and brings a pair of concertos and a pair of symphonies to the Proms. Haitink describes the COE as 'a group of exceptionally talented musicians. As true chamber musicians, they are used to listening to each other, without being exclusively focused on the conductor. This matches exactly the idea I have of conducting an orchestra.' After Brahms's relatively mellow Third Symphony, one of the world's best-loved pianists performs a work boiling over with youthful passions. The same musicians return with more Brahms in Prom 49. Friday 19 August 7.00pm – c. 9.00pm Royal Albert Hall Piano music Brahms Symphony No. 3 in F major (38 mins) INTERVAL Brahms Piano Concerto No. 1 in D minor (45 mins) Schumann Fantasiestücke, Op 12 - No. 1 Des Abends (4 mins) (encore) Emanuel Ax piano Chamber Orchestra of Europe Bernard Haitink conductor
Angela Hewitt picks up the Brahms thread from the early evening Prom and launches this Late Night Prom that takes in an unjustly neglected score by Brahms's mentor, Robert Schumann, before observing the composer through the prism of an admirer, Arnold Schoenberg. Andrew Manze, conducting his first Prom as Associate Guest Conductor of the BBC Scottish Symphony Orchestra, sees Brahms as a misunderstood figure, full of warmth. He will bring his own insights to an increasingly popular arrangement in which Schoenberg incorporates some surprising 20th-century effects. Don't miss the Gypsy-style finale! Friday 19 August 10.00pm – c. 11.20pm Royal Albert Hall Piano music Brahms Three Intermezzos, Op. 117 - Nos. 1 & 2 (7 mins) Schumann Introduction and Concert Allegro, Op. 134 (13 mins) Brahms Piano Quartet No. 1 in G minor (arr. Schoenberg) (42 mins) Angela Hewitt piano BBC Scottish Symphony Orchestra Andrew Manze conductor
The Chamber Orchestra of Europe's second pairing of Brahms masterworks opens with a work long central to Emanuel Ax's repertoire which he has recorded with tonight's conductor. Brahms's Second Piano Concerto is even bigger in scale than the First and just as technically demanding. After the interval, the composer's astonishing final symphony, where the balance between expressiveness and iron structural control is most perfectly maintained. It ends with an imposing set of variations, Brahms's late-Romantic take on the Baroque-style passacaglia, which uses material borrowed from J. S. Bach. Saturday 20 August 7.30pm – c. 9.40pm Royal Albert Hall Piano music Brahms Piano Concerto No. 2 in B flat major (50 mins) INTERVAL Brahms Symphony No. 4 in E minor (42 mins) Emanuel Ax piano Chamber Orchestra of Europe Bernard Haitink conductor
A celebration of the Golden Age of Hollywood film musicals featuring Annalene Beechey, Charles Castronovo, Matthew Ford, Sarah Fox, Caroline O'Connor, Clare Teal, the Maida Vale Singers, John Wilson Orchestra and John Wilson (conductor). The appearances of John Wilson and his hand-picked, high-octane orchestra have been among the most sensational Proms events of recent years. Joined by a formidable line-up of today's vocal stars, they give what one critic has described as 'the auditory equivalent of a steam-clean' to another cache of show-stoppers. 'Hooray for Hollywood' takes us from the dawn of the talkies and the birth of the movie musical through to the 1960s. An extended sequence pays special tribute to the RKO films of Fred Astaire and Ginger Rogers, who was born 100 years ago. Monday 29 August 7.30pm – c. 9.35pm Royal Albert Hall Choral music and singing events, Classical for starters There will be one interval
Sir Colin Davis tackles a work whose uncompromising nature makes it as great a challenge as anything in the choral repertoire, whether you regard it as a statement of the composer's belief in the spiritual potential of man or his faith in a supreme being. 'A musician must make affirmations,' says Davis. 'If a musician cannot believe in music as a universal ideal, what is he left with? We may be encircled by gloom but music gives us a chance to throw what Meredith calls "that faint thin line upon the shore". ... Beethoven is a man at war with himself but a man who is determined to win.' Sunday 4 September 7.00pm – c. 8.40pm Royal Albert Hall Choral music and singing events Beethoven Missa Solemnis (90 mins) Helena Juntunen soprano Sarah Connolly mezzo-soprano Paul Groves tenor Matthew Rose bass London Philharmonic Choir London Symphony Chorus London Symphony Orchestra Sir Colin Davis conductor
Tradition meets high jinks once again as Edward Gardner conducts his first Last Night of the Proms. For this grandest of grand finales there are two very special guests. Since her first Proms appearance in 1995, Susan Bullock has emerged as Britain's leading dramatic soprano, specialising in what she calls 'the large ladies' of the repertoire. None is more challenging than Brünnhilde, whose Immolation Scene concludes Wagner's epic Ring cycle. Also featured is a classical music superstar, as popular in the West as in his native China. Lang Lang plays Liszt at his most dazzling on this, his sixth visit to the Proms. Bartók's thrilling suite provides a blast of exotic orchestral colour. Arne, Parry and Elgar bring down the curtain in traditional fashion. But first the Master of the Queen's Music pays tribute to the Promenaders' fundraising efforts on behalf of the Musicians Benevolent Fund in his new work. Saturday 10 September 7.30pm – c. 10.45pm Royal Albert Hall Choral music and singing events, Piano music Sir Peter Maxwell Davies Musica benevolens (c4 mins) Musicians Benevolent Fund commission: World Premiere Bartók The Miraculous Mandarin - suite (20 mins) Wagner Götterdämmerung - Immolation Scene (18 mins) Liszt Piano Concerto No. 1 in E flat major (19 mins) INTERVAL Chopin Grande Polonaise brillante, Op. 22 (9 mins) Grainger Mo nighean dubh (My Dark-Haired Maiden) (4 mins) Britten The Young Person's Guide to the Orchestra (20 mins) Rodgers The Sound of Music - 'Climb ev'ry mountain' (arr.Robert Russell Bennett) (4 mins) Rodgers Carousel - 'You'll never walk alone' (arr. Jackson) (3 mins) Elgar Pomp and Circumstance March No. 1 in D major ('Land of Hope and Glory') (8 mins) Arne Rule Britannia (8 mins) Parry Jerusalem (orch. Elgar) (4 mins) Traditional The National Anthem (2 mins) Lang Lang piano Susan Bullock soprano BBC Symphony Chorus BBC Symphony Orchestra Edward Gardner conductor
Mark-Anthony Turnage - Canon Fever (3 mins) Elgar - Overture 'Cockaigne (In London Town)' (15 mins) Delius - Sea Drift (25 mins) Tippett - Suite for the Birthday of Prince Charles (16 mins) Elgar - Coronation Ode (33 mins)
Making his Proms debut as the BBC Philharmonic's Chief Conductor, Juanjo Mena explores Strauss the impatient visionary, whose Also sprach Zarathustra was famously used on the soundtrack of Stanley Kubrick's 2001: A Space Odyssey. Strauss's Four Last Songs exude a sense of calm resignation suffused with autumn light. After the interval, a major UK premiere from Kaija Saariaho, whose own music is lit by atmosphere and mood. Inspired by the autobiography of Ingmar Bergman, the Swedish film director, Laterna magica includes sections in which players whisper extracts over an instrumental murmur. To conclude, the hard-won luminescence of Sibelius's (unintended) symphonic farewell.
Hervé Niquet and Le Concert Spirituel make their Proms debut in this free Late Night Prom, giving Handel's three Water Music suites and Fireworks Music the big-band, period-instrument treatment. Niquet directs an expanded group of up to 80 musicians to evoke resplendent royal occasions on the River Thames and in Green Park, offering a new slant on London's favourite part pieces.
Daniel Barenboim directs his first Beethoven symphony cycle in London – and becomes the first conductor since Henry Wood in 1942 to survey all nine symphonies in a single Proms season. His dynamic West–Eastern Divan Orchestra – famously bringing together Arab and Israeli players to form less 'an orchestra for peace' than 'an orchestra against ignorance' – goes far beyond the symbolic in its goal of building bridges through music. Expect further fireworks as Barenboim pairs Beethoven's revolutionary classics with music by one of today's senior musical figures, the ever-innovative composer-conductor Pierre Boulez, with whom Barenboim first collaborated in the mid-1960s
Daniel Barenboim and his youthful ensemble relish the energy of Beethoven's Fourth Symphony before tackling the 'Eroica', one of the irrefutable mould-breakers of classical music. Between these peaks, Boulez's Dialogue de l'ombre double introduces another kind of theatre, the clarinet's electronic double becoming more 'real' than the soloist physically present.
Daniel Barenboim's complete cycle of Beethoven symphonies reaches its mid-point, as he conducts his ensemble of young Arab and Israeli musicians, the West-Eastern Divan Orchestra, in a programme that includes both the Pastoral Symphony and that most iconic of all orchestral masterpieces, Beethoven's Fifth Symphony. Alongside, Barenboim programmes two short works by Pierre Boulez - Memoriale for flute and ensemble, and Messagesquisse, which showcases the virtuosity of the orchestra's cello section
Beethoven Symphony No. 8 in F major (25 mins) Pierre Boulez Anthèmes 2 (25 mins) INTERVAL Beethoven Symphony No. 7 in A major (35 min) Michael Barenboim violin IRCAM live electronics West–Eastern Divan Orchestra Daniel Barenboim conductor Listen again BBC Proms: 2012 Season: Proms Plus: 24/07/2012Discover the music More from Radio 3 Beethoven's Symphony No. 7 Delve into Beethoven's paean to rhythm. . -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Beethoven Pierre Boulez Daniel Barenboim -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Beethoven - Symphony No 8 (Excerpt) BBC Proms 2012: Beethoven: Symphony No 7 in A major (Excerpt)Programme notes -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- About this event Daneil Barenboim continues his survey of Beethoven – whose music, he believes, 'speaks to all people'. Tonight, two Beethoven symphonies of dancing athleticism and universal appeal frame one of Pierre Boulez's mesmerising extensions of earlier works: Anthèmes 2 is scored for violin and live electronics and its serenely beautiful expressivity may come as a surprise. Beethoven's ebullient Seventh, famously dubbed 'the apotheosis of dance', was the last piece conducted by Proms founder-conductor Henry Wood.
Beethoven Symphony No. 9 in D minor, 'Choral' (77 mins) Anna Samuil soprano Waltraud Meier mezzo-soprano René Pape bass National Youth Choir of Great Britain West–Eastern Divan Orchestra Daniel Barenboim conductor About this event Daniel Barenboim’s Beethoven cycle reaches its climax with a youthful take on the traditional annual Proms performance of the Ninth, perhaps the richest, most provocative statement in Western art music. An impressive team of soloists joins the National Youth Choir of Great Britain and the West–Eastern Divan Orchestra to project the finale’s inclusive vision of hope, reconciliation and hard-won triumph. What better to mark today’s opening of the London 2012 Olympics than Beethoven’s ultimate hymn to universal brotherhood?
Wallace & Gromit appear in a new Proms adventure, before a screening of A Matter of Loaf and Death – plus classical favourites.
Vaughan Williams - Fantasia on a Theme by Thomas Tallis (16 mins) Ireland - These Things Shall Be (22 mins) Delius - The Walk to the Paradise Garden (10 mins) Walton - Belshazzar's Feast (36 mins) Jonathan Lemalu: bass-baritone London Brass BBC Symphony Chorus BBC National Chorus of Wales BBC National Orchestra of Wales Tadaaki Otaka, Conductor Tadaaki Otaka, a notable enthusiast of British music, opens with Vaughan Williams’s much loved classic before revisiting a BBC commission that has fallen into neglect in the half-century since its composer’s death: Ireland’s These Things Shall Be is a mini-oratorio with a utopian text. The massed choirs and the commanding bass baritone of former BBC Radio 3 New Generation Artist Jonathan Lemalu return after the interval to animate Walton’s brazen Old Testament tale, but first we hear from another anniversary composer, here at his most poignant.
Wagner - Siegfried Idyll (18 mins) Interlude Bruckner - Symphony No. 8 in C minor (80 mins) (ed. Nowak, 1955) BBC Scottish Symphony Orchestra Donald Runnicles, Conductor In their first appearance this season, Donald Runnicles and the BBC Scottish Symphony Orchestra present two works by composers for whom he has a particular affinity. Wagner’s gift to his wife, Cosima, is presented in its pared down original orchestration, much as she would have heard it that Christmas morning in 1870. The Royal Albert Hall is an ideal venue for Bruckner’s symphonic revelations. The Eighth Symphony, arguably the greatest of them all, remains a huge and glorious challenge.
Live from the Royal Albert Hall, Katie Derham introduces the biggest classical music party and grand finale to the 2012 Proms. The soloists are Nicola Benedetti, one of Britain's most popular and influential young violinists, and Maltese star tenor Joseph Calleja. Also on stage are the combined forces of the BBC Symphony Orchestra and the BBC Symphony Chorus, all under the baton of Jiri Belohlavek. Audiences around the UK in London's Hyde Park, Glasgow, Caerphilly and Belfast can join the singing of Richard Rodgers' You'll Never Walk Alone, along with the traditional Last Night anthems Rule Britannia, Jerusalem and Pomp and Circumstance No 1.
ive from the Royal Albert Hall, Katie Derham introduces the biggest classical music party and grand finale to the 2012 Proms. The soloists are Nicola Benedetti, one of Britain's most popular and influential young violinists, and Maltese star tenor Joseph Calleja. Also on stage are the combined forces of the BBC Symphony Orchestra and the BBC Symphony Chorus, all under the baton of Jiri Belohlavek. Audiences around the UK in London's Hyde Park, Glasgow, Caerphilly and Belfast can join the singing of Richard Rodgers' You'll Never Walk Alone, along with the traditional Last Night anthems Rule Britannia, Jerusalem and Pomp and Circumstance No 1. To watch in 3D set your 3D TV to 'side-by-side' mode.
Varèse - Tuning Up (5 mins) Nico Muhly - Gait (20 mins), BBC Commission, London Premiere Interlude Messiaen - Turangalîla Symphony (77 mins) Anna Meredith - HandsFree (12 mins) Cynthia Millar - ondes martenot Joanna MacGregor - piano National Youth Orchestra of Great Britain Vasily Petrenko, Conductor Messiaen’s ecstatic, Eastern-influenced celebration of love is framed by a BBC commission from one of America’s rising talents and Anna Meredith’s acclaimed tour de force of clapping, stamping, singing and body percussion, first performed earlier this year by NYO members and commissioned for the PRS for Music Foundation's New Music 20x12 programme as part of the Cultural Olympiad. Varèse’s Tuni
Alex Jones and Tim Rhys-Evans host highlights from a magical evening of music from BBC Proms in the Park in Caerphilly, part of the traditional Last Night of the Proms celebrations. Join guest artists, tenor Wynne Evans, soprano Elin Manahan Thomas and winner of BBC Young Musician of the Year 2012, cellist Laura van der Heijden, the BBC National Orchestra and Chorus of Wales with conductor Tecwyn Evans for a night of spellbinding musical favourites.
Clemency Burton-Hill presents highlights from the Last Night of the Proms celebrations around the UK, giving a flavour of the individual nations' unique concert events. In Wales, set against the backdrop of Caerphilly Castle, featured performers include Elin Manahan Thomas, Wynne Evans and BBC Young Musician 2012, Laura Van der Heijden. American tenor Noah Stewart and traditional folk band McPeake entertain the crowds gathered on the new quayside at the Titanic Visitor Centre in Belfast. From the City Halls in Glasgow there are performances from pianist Joanna McGregor, soprano Carolyn Sampson and Tommy Smith on saxophone. And in London's Hyde Park, Kylie Minogue and tenor Alfie Boe provide added sparkle to the festivities, drawing this summer's Proms season to a close.
Morten Frank Larsen, Bass-Baritone Julius Foo, Treble Ysgol Gynradd Gymraeg Pwll Coch, Caerdydd Ysgol Gynradd Gymunedol Gymraeg, Llantrisant Ysgol Gynradd Dolau, Llanharan Ysgol Gynradd Gymraeg, Rhydaman National Youth Choir of Wales Aelwyd y Waun Ddyfal Musicians from the Royal Welsh College of Music & Drama BBC National Chorus of Wales BBC National Orchestra of Wales National Youth Orchestra of Wales Kristjan Järvi,Conductor Thomas Kiemle, Stage Director Less a religious work than a theatrical happening, Bernstein’s Mass receives its first complete Proms performance, conducted by one of its most ardent champions, and supported by a spectrum of talented Welsh children and adult musicians. Using a mix of highbrow and vernacular styles, Bernstein created a rich, quintessentially American score that has recently begun to emerge as a modern classic. Petroc Trelawney, Host In English and Latin
Wagner -Tristan and Isolde – Prelude (Act 1) (9 mins) James MacMillan - Credo (c25 mins), BBC co-commission, World Premiere INTERLUDE Bruckner - Symphony No. 6 in A major (55 mins) Manchester Chamber Choir (Proms debut) Northern Sinfonia Chorus (Proms debut) Rushley Singers (Proms debut) BBC Philharmonic Juanjo Mena, Conductor Juanjo Mena presents a major world premiere before offering his acclaimed reading of a sonorous yet dangerously eruptive Bruckner symphony. First though, there’s the emblematic love of Tristan and Isolde, expressed through music dark in sound and revolutionary in harmony. James MacMillan’s works have enjoyed regular success at the Proms since the first performance of The Confession of Isobel Gowdie was given here in 1990. As with Bruckner, MacMillan’s communicative power is often associated with expressions of faith, and the unveiling of Credo, has been keenly awaited.
A celebration of Ivor Novello Remember such time-honoured favourites as 'We'll gather lilacs'? Tonight we acknowledge that patriotic First World War plea to 'keep the home fires burning' in a tribute to a silent-movie actor, West End playwright, composer and star of a string of stage musicals hugely popular in their day. Ivor Novello, the most consistently successful composer of British musicals before the advent of Andrew Lloyd Webber, nowadays tends to be unjustly neglected. Sir Mark Elder is a committed advocate, as is tonight’s master of ceremonies, Simon Callow. Sophie Bevan, Soprano Toby Spence, Tenor Simon Callow, Narrator Hallé Orchestra Sir Mark Elder, Conductor
From the Royal Albert Hall, Mark Armstrong conducts the National Youth Jazz Orchestra, featuring Britain's best young jazz musicians in a wide-ranging set of jazz favourites. The programme includes Duke Ellington's The Queen's Suite to mark the Diamond Jubilee year and a new commission by saxophonist Tim Garland. Presented by Petroc Trelawny.
Dvorák - Symphony No. 9 in E minor, 'From the New World' (45 mins) Interlude Copland - Fanfare for the Common Man (4 mins) Joan Tower - Fanfare for the Uncommon Woman (3 mins) Villa-Lobos - Momoprécoce (28 mins) Ginastera - Estancia – suite (12 mins) Edu Lobo - Pé de Vento from Suíte Popular Brasileira, orch. Nelson Ayres (3 mins) - Encore Nelson Freire, Piano São Paulo Symphony Orchestra Marin Alsop, Conductor Music from both American hemispheres features tonight. First the masterpiece through which the Bohemian Dvorák, resident in New York, sought to establish an American musical identity, a symphony exuding nostalgia for his own native woods and fields. Later comes Copland’s iconic Fanfare and highlights from Ginastera’s best-known score. Joan Tower, whose childhood was spent partly in Bolivia, celebrates ‘women who take risks and are adventurous’, while distinguished Brazilian pianist Nelson Freire returns to the Proms to play one of Villa-Lobos’s most attractive compositions. Katie Derham, Hostess
Symphony No. 4 in F minor (30 mins) Symphony No. 5 in D major (39 mins) Interlude Symphony No. 6 in E minor (31 mins) BBC Scottish Symphony Orchestra Andrew Manze: conductor Over the next few seasons Andrew Manze directs all nine Vaughan Williams symphonies with the BBC Scottish Symphony Orchestra, of which he is Associate Guest Conductor: "Vaughan Williams is one of those composers some people have fixed ideas about … I’m on a bit of a mission to rehabilitate him in people’s minds as an important figure in the musicmaking of this country." Tonight he tackles three differently powerful works of the 1930s and 1940s, which, whatever their own emotional back stories, may still be seen as chronicling our national life in troubled times.
Weber - Der Freischütz – Overture (10 mins) Mahler - Lieder eines fahrenden Gesellen (17 mins) Interlude Tchaikovsky - Manfred (57 mins) Alice Coote - Mezzo-soprano London Philharmonic Orchestra Vladimir Jurowski, Conductor After the overture to the first important German Romantic opera, Weber’s take on the folk legend of a marksman’s contract with the devil, featured artist Alice Coote returns to tackle Mahler’s folk-influenced song-cycle, inspired by the conclusion of an unhappy love affair. Tchaikovsky’s Manfred, a full-length fusion of tone-poem and symphonic form, makes passionate use of Byron’s dramatic poem with supernatural elements which held so many 19th-century artists in thrall. This powerfully driven masterpiece is a favourite of tonight’s conductor. Charles Hazlewood, Host
Sir Arthur Sullivan The Yeomen of the Guard Leigh Melrose baritone (Lt Sir Richard Cholmondeley) Andrew Kennedy tenor (Colonel Fairfax) Lisa Milne soprano (Elsie Maynard) Victoria Simmonds mezzo-soprano (Phoebe Meryll) Felicity Palmer mezzo-soprano (Dame Carruthers) Mary Bevan soprano (Kate) Mark Richardson bass-baritone (Sergeant Meryll) Tom Randle tenor (Leonard Meryll) Mark Stone baritone (Jack Point) Toby Stafford-Allen baritone (Wilfred Shadbolt) BBC Singers BBC Concert Orchestra Jane Glover, Conductor Martin Duncan, Stage Director Recent Proms seasons have seen a liberal sprinkling of complete Gilbert and Sullivan operettas, under such distinguished conductors as Jane Glover and the late Charles Mackerras. With its historic London setting, the grandest, most emotionally engaging of the Savoy operas is a must for 2012.
Wagner - Parsifal – Prelude (Act 3) and Good Friday Music (20 mins) Berg - Violin Concerto (25 mins) Bach - Adagio from Violin Sonata in A minor Interlude R. Strauss - Der Rosenkavalier – suite (22 mins) Ravel - La valse (12 mins) Frank Peter Zimmermann, Violin Gustav Mahler Jugendorchester Daniele Gatti, Conductor (Gustav Mahler Jugendorchester (Gustav Mahler Youth Orchestra) is a youth orchestra based in Vienna, Austria, founded in 1986 by conductor Claudio Abbado.) http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Gustav_Mahler_Youth_Orchestra http://www.gmjo.at/Home/tabid/39/language/en-US/Default.aspx One of the great youth orchestras is back, and in distinguished company. Daniele Gatti begins with the weighty tread and unmatched radiance of music he has been exploring at Bayreuth. Frank Peter Zimmermann plays one of the 20th century’s most eloquent violin concertos. Strauss conjures up a bittersweet Vienna of young love, mid-life melancholy and abundant waltz tunes, while Ravel’s apotheosis of that dance form may or may not have been intended as a metaphor for the fate of European civilisation as its unstoppable whirling reaches critical mass.
John Wilson Orchestra Maida Vale Singers John Wilson: conductor After last year’s celebration of the Hollywood screen musical, John Wilson and his high-octane orchestra – whose technicoloured performances, according to one critic, offer ‘the auditory equivalent of a steam-clean’ – present a tribute to the composers and arrangers responsible for creating the Broadway Sound – among them such legendary tunesmiths as Jerome Kern, Cole Porter, Irving Berlin, Vincent Youmans, Richard Rodgers and Frank Loesser. With a cast of leading soloists, the concert includes excerpts from Show Boat, No, No, Nanette, On Your Toes, Kiss Me, Kate and Annie Get Your Gun.
Howells - Hymnus Paradisi (44 mins) Interlude Elgar - Symphony No. 1 in A flat major (53 mins) Miah Persson: soprano Andrew Kennedy: tenor BBC Symphony Chorus London Philharmonic Choir BBC Symphony Orchestra Martyn Brabbins, Conductor Following his triumphant conducting of Havergal Brian’s ‘The Gothic’ Symphony last year, Martyn Brabbins brings another British magnum opus to the Proms. Herbert Howells wrote Hymnus Paradisi ‘for the drawer’ in the wake of the tragically early death of his son. Only years later was he persuaded to release a finished score to the public. After this light-filled memorial from a composer closely identified with Gloucester Cathedral, we revisit the masterpiece that, in 1908 – the year of the first London Olympics – announced a Worcester man’s arrival as perhaps the greatest of British symphonists.
Haydn - Symphony No. 104 in D major, 'London' (30 mins) Interlude Richard Strauss - An Alpine Symphony (50 mins) Encore - Johann Strauss - Voices of Spring Vienna Philharmonic Orchestra Bernard Haitink, Conductor The doyen (edit: dean) of European conductors presents favourite repertoire with an ensemble closely associated with the history and traditions of orchestral music. The last of Haydn’s symphonies, written while he was living in London, proved an instant critical and commercial success. Not so the Strauss, part-elegy for Mahler, part-celebration of the composer himself. Mingling childhood memories of a schoolboy mountaineering expedition with a deeper vision of man’s place on earth, the work was received rather sniffily in Britain until dedicated interpreters such as Bernard Haitink arrived to change all that.
Part 1: Mark Simpson: sparks (c2 mins), BBC Commission, World Premiere Suk: Towards a New Life (6 mins) Delius: Songs of Farewell (18 mins) Verdi: Un ballo in maschera – ‘Forse la soglia attinse … Ma se m’è forza perderti’ (5 mins) Massenet: Werther – ‘Pourquoi me réveiller?’ (3 mins) Bruch: Violin Concerto No. 1 in G minor (25 mins) Puccini: Tosca – ‘E lucevan le stelle’ (3 mins) Puccini: Turandot – ‘Nessun dorma’ (3 mins) Intermission Part 2: John Williams: Olympic Fanfare and Theme (5 mins) Dvorák: Overture 'Carnival' (9 mins) Shostakovich: The Gadfly – Romance (6 mins) Leoncavallo: Mattinata (3 mins) Lara: Granada (3 mins) Rodgers: Carousel – ‘You’ll never walk alone’ (4 mins) Henry Wood: Fantasia on British Sea-Songs (20 mins) Elgar: Pomp and Circumstance March No. 1 in D major ('Land of Hope and Glory') (8 mins) Parry, orch. Elgar: Jerusalem (4 mins) Traditional: The National Anthem (2 mins) Nicola Benedetti: Violin Joseph Calleja: Tenor BBC Symphony Chorus BBC Symphony Orchestra Jirí Belohlávek, Conductor Join us for the year’s biggest musical party with two very special guests. Since taking the nation by storm as 2004’s BBC Young Musician of the Year, Scottishborn Nicola Benedetti has enhanced her reputation as one of Britain’s most innovative and creative young violinists. We also welcome Joseph Calleja, the Maltese tenor who sings with the grace and elegance of the voices of a bygone era. A brace of Czechs acknowledges the sterling work of the BBC SO’s outgoing chief, while contributions from 2012’s anniversary composers include Delius’s valedictory settings of Walt Whitman. More familiar home-grown music brings down the curtain in time-honoured fashion
The 119th season of the BBC Proms, broadcast in 2013.
The greatest classical music festival in the world gets underway from the Royal Albert Hall. Katie Derham introduces music on a sea-inspired theme by English composers Vaughan Williams and Britten and two sets of the well-known Paganini variations by Rachmaninov and Polish composer Lutoslawski. There is also the world premiere of Julian Anderson's Harmony. Sakari Oramo conducts the BBC Symphony Orchestra, BBC Symphony Chorus and the BBC Proms Youth Choir and soloists Stephen Hough (piano), Sally Mathews (soprano) and Roderick Williams (baritone).
From the Royal Albert Hall, the Bamberg Symphony Orchestra conducted by Jonathan Nott perform Mahler's Fifth Symphony, opening a Thursday night season featuring Orchestras of the World at the BBC Proms. Katie Derham introduces this popular work by Mahler with its intensely lyrical fourth movement, the Adagietto, written as a love letter to the composer's young wife Alma and later made famous when featured in the film Death in Venice.
From the Royal Albert Hall, Samira Ahmed introduces the BBC Philharmonic Orchestra conducted by Juanjo Mena, who perform Rachmaninov's Piano Concerto No 2 and Nielsen's Fourth Symphony. The piano soloist is the extraordinary young Japanese pianist Nobuyuki Tsujii, whose blindness is no barrier to his musical talent. Nielsen's Fourth Symphony, 'The Inextinguishable', features a battle between two sets of timpani.
A rare opportunity to hear the Orchestra of the Academy of Santa Cecilia, Rome conducted by Sir Antonio Pappano at the Royal Albert Hall. The Prom begins with a classical gem, Mozart's Haffner Symphony, and ends with the melancholy and high drama of Rachmaninov's Second Symphony. 18-year-old Canadian piano phenomenon Jan Lisiecki makes his Proms debut as the soloist in Schumann's Piano Concerto.
From the Royal Albert Hall, Tom Service introduces Stravinsky's The Rite of Spring, probably the defining work of 20th century music. Conducted by François-Xavier Roth, French orchestra Les Siècles recreate the composer's original version with the period instruments of the ballet's notorious 1913 Paris debut. The rest of the programme traces the roots and shoots of the 20th century avant-garde, going back to the 17th century beginnings of ballet in the baroque of Lully, through Rameau's exotic 18th century Les Indes Galantes and into the late 19th century with Delibes' Coppélia and Massenet's Le Cid, 30 years before the explosion of the Rite.
The newly-formed National Youth Orchestra of the USA comes to the Proms under the conductor Valery Gergiev, performing Tchaikovsky's Violin Concerto with Proms favourite Joshua Bell as soloist and Shostakovich's 10th Symphony, a stirring and powerful musical protest against oppression.
Leading British composer Thomas Adès joins presenter Tom Service to reflect on his new work Totentanz, or Dance of Death, which receives its world premiere at the Royal Albert Hall. Adès himself conducts the BBC Symphony Orchestra in a programme which also features Benjamin Britten's Sinfonia da Requiem and Polish composer Witold Lutoslawski's Cello Concerto with soloist Paul Watkins.
From the Royal Albert Hall, Katie Derham introduces the Mahler Chamber Orchestra, a truly international orchestra whose players come from 20 different countries. Formed in 1997 it has rapidly established a reputation as one of Europe's best ensembles. Under conductor Daniel Harding it plays symphonies by Schumann and Sibelius and is joined by the Liverpool-born pianist Paul Lewis for a performance of Mozart's Piano Concerto no 25.
A Prom concert of music and dance introduced by Samira Ahmed from the Royal Albert Hall. The Antonio Marquez Company from Spain joins the BBC Philharmonic Orchestra to dance in Ravel's Bolero and Falla's Three-Cornered Hat. Before that, Juanjo Mena conducts a performance of Beethoven's 7th Symphony, described famously by Wagner as 'the apotheosis of the dance'.
The Sunday series at the Proms continues with an all-Russian programme of Prokofiev and Shostakovich, performed by Danish conductor Thomas Sondergard with the BBC National Orchestra of Wales at the Royal Albert Hall. Tom Service presents his distinctive take on the music, featuring soloist Daniel Hope in Prokofiev's Violin Concerto No 2 in G minor, followed by Shostakovich's mighty Symphony No 11, The Year 1905.
The Bavarian Radio Symphony Orchestra conducted by Mariss Jansons performs Piano Concerto No 4 by Beethoven (soloist Mitsuko Uchida) and Symphonie Fantastique by Berlioz.
Beethoven's 5th Symphony headlines this Prom, the most iconic symphony in western music with its dramatic opening 'fate' motif. The symphony is preceded by Beethoven's Coriolan Overture, a work of contained ferocity. In contrast the concert opens with Strauss's Blue Danube Waltz, the ultimate expression of the pleasures of Viennese high society. Donald Runnicles conducts the BBC Scottish Symphony Orchestra. Introduced from the Royal Albert Hall by Suzy Klein.
Sarah-Jane Crawford and Charlie Sloth present the first ever Urban Prom from the Royal Albert Hall. A selection of artists sing and rap their biggest hits - including gospel singer Laura Mvula, hip-hop star Wretch 32, rapper/producer/DJ/songwriter Fazer, old-school soul rapper Maverick Sabre, soul singing maverick Jacob Banks and UK grime scene sensation Lady Leshurr rapping with Labrinth - all performing alongside the BBC Symphony Orchestra. The euphoric musical experience is led by conductor and arranger Jules Buckley, who has created a unique, unforgettable Prom.
From the Royal Albert Hall, the Santa Cecilia Orchestra and Chorus, based in Rome and conducted by Sir Antonio Pappano, bring an authentically Italian touch to a celebration of the 200th anniversary of Verdi's birth. In a concert featuring his religious works, Italian soprano Maria Agresta makes her Proms debut singing rarely performed settings of Ave Maria and Libera Me. The Prom concludes with Verdi's final work, Four Sacred Pieces, completed a few years before his death in 1901.
Sir John Eliot Gardiner, one of the pre-eminent exponents of the music of JS Bach, returns to the Proms with the Monteverdi Choir and English Baroque Soloists in two profoundly moving works based on events in the life of Christ, the Easter Oratorio and the Ascension Oratorio. Introduced by Suzy Klein.
Brand new sounds from the Proms in Tom Service's modern music series. Tom is joined by Southbank classical music supremo Gillian Moore to discuss a selection of premieres and new commissions from across the season at the Royal Albert Hall. Music ranges from the world premieres of John McCabe's Joybox and Mark-Anthony Turnage's Frieze to Murray Gold's new composition to mark Doctor Who's 50th birthday.
From the Royal Albert Hall, the Rotterdam Philharmonic Orchestra, under their charismatic French-Canadian conductor Yannick Nezet-Seguin, bring a programme of ill-fated love to the BBC Proms. Tchaikovsky's fantasy overture Romeo and Juliet is followed by Wagner's Wesendonck Leider, a song cycle inspired by the composer's infatuation with the wife of one of his wealthy patrons. Soprano Anna Caterina Antonacci is the soloist. The concert ends with a performance of one of the great orchestral works of the 20th century, Prokofiev's 5th Symphony. Presented by Katie Derham.
At the Royal Albert Hall, Clemency Burton-Hill introduces violinist Nigel Kennedy, who returns to the Proms to give his distinctive version of Vivaldi's Four Seasons, the work he recorded to great acclaim 25 years ago. Joined by the Palestine Strings from the Edward Said Music Conservatory, Kennedy also adds improvisation between each concerto with members of his own Orchestra of Life.
Tom Service presents a thoroughly British edition of his series focusing on 20th century music at the Proms, performed by the London Symphony Orchestra conducted by Daniel Harding. Music includes Michael Tippett's Concerto for Double String Orchestra, Benjamin Britten's Les Illuminations featuring tenor Ian Bostridge, and Elgar's Second Symphony. The concert is dedicated to Sir Colin Davis, president of the London Symphony Orchestra, who died earlier this year.
Celebrating the 50th anniversary of the iconic and much-loved BBC series, this special event at the Royal Albert Hall features Murray Gold's popular music for the show, accompanied by specially edited sequences from the Doctor's most recent adventures. Hosted by the Doctor's friends, Madame Vastra and Strax, the concert also includes a look back at 'classic' Doctor Who series and the music created by the legendary BBC Radiophonic Workshop. Featuring special guest appearances by Matt Smith, Jenna Coleman, Peter Davison and Carole Ann Ford, who played the Doctor's first companion and granddaughter Susan Foreman. Plus, the Doctor and Clara drop in to join in the fun. Performed by the BBC National Orchestra of Wales, the London Philharmonic Choir, with soloists Elin Manahan Thomas, Allan Clayton and Kerry Ingram.
From the Royal Albert Hall, Katie Derham introduces the Gustav Mahler Jurgendorchester, which brings together some of Europe's best young musicians and is one of the most musically exciting and polished youth orchestras in the world. Conducted by Philippe Jordan, the orchestra performs Wagner's Rienzi Overture and Shostakovich's Fifth Symphony and is joined by the flamboyant French pianist Jean-Yves Thibaudet for Ravel's jazz-influenced Piano Concerto in G Major.
At the Royal Albert Hall, Katie Derham introduces the ever-popular John Wilson and his orchestra in a celebration of the music of Hollywood. Bernard Herrmann's Psycho, Erich Korngold's Robin Hood, Max Steiner's Casablanca and Miklos Rozsa's Ben Hur are among the film scores featured, performed by the orchestra Wilson describes as 'a symphony orchestra with an old-fashioned dance band in the middle'. With soloists Venera Gimadieva, Matthew Ford and Jane Monheit. (Prom 59)
As part of the Wagner bicentenary celebrations at the Proms, Tom Service is at the Royal Albert Hall for a concert performance of Wagner's mighty Tristan and Isolde, the opera that marked a defining moment in the evolution of modern music. Semyon Bychkov conducts the BBC Symphony Orchestra and Violeta Urmana and Robert Dean Smith are the lovers for whom the sweet embrace of death beckons. Tom talks to writer and Wagnerite Philip Hensher, while conductor and cast explain the herculean physical and emotional endurance the opera demands of them.
Making their Proms debut, the Orchestra Sinfonica di Milano Guiseppe Verdi are joined by Maltese tenor Joseph Calleja to celebrate the bicentenary of Verdi's birth with a feast of his arias. With their Chinese-American conductor Xian Zhang, the orchestra also take us on a lovelorn trek through the Alps in Tchaikovsky's Manfred Symphony, based on a poem by Lord Byron.
The National Youth Orchestra under conductor Vasily Petrenko are joined by the National Youth Choir, the Irish Youth Chamber Choir, Codetta and a line-up of international soloists to perform Beethoven's Ninth Symphony, the Choral, and new commission Frieze by British composer Mark-Anthony Turnage, based on ideas from the Choral Symphony. Introduced by Simon Russell Beale.
Live from the Royal Albert Hall Katie Derham introduces the final concert of the 2013 Proms season. History is in the making as conductor Marin Alsop takes charge of her first Last Night. Violinist Nigel Kennedy and mezzo-soprano Joyce DiDinato are the star soloists in a programme that includes Vaughan Williams' Lark Ascending and arias by Massenet, Handel and Rossini. The concert begins with a celebratory new piece by composer Anna Clyne and there are works by anniversary composers Wagner and Britten, as well Bernstein's Chichester Psalms for chorus and orchestra.
Live from the Royal Albert Hall, the grand finale to the 2013 Proms, with soloists Nigel Kennedy and Joyce DiDonato and the BBC Symphony Orchestra and Chorus under Marin Alsop.
Neil Brand presents a special night of music from the movies, with war and science-fiction looming large. Keith Lockhart conducts the BBC Concert Orchestra at the Royal Albert Hall in Walton's largely-rejected original score for Battle of Britain, Bond composer David Arnold's Independence Day end titles, and Richard Strauss and Ligeti as used by Stanley Kubrick in 2001: A Space Odyssey. Also, possibly the most famous film music ever - John Williams's Star Wars, a world premiere of Giacchino's music for Star Trek: Into Darkness and much more.
From the Royal Albert Hall, Petroc Trelawny presents a Prom to mark the centenary of the birth of Benjamin Britten, one of the greatest British composers of the 20th century. The virtuoso violinist Janine Jansen joins the Orchestre de Paris and conductor Paavo Jarvi to perform one of Britten's masterworks, the evocative Violin Concerto. Also in the programme is Arvo Part's Cantus in Memoriam Benjamin Britten, Berlioz's overture Le Corsaire and Saint-Saens's Organ Symphony with soloist Thierry Escaich.
Join Jamie MacDougall and Susan Calman for Scotland's Proms in the Park, a special open air concert marking the Last Night of the Proms. Glasgow hosts a selection of some of the best musicians in the country bringing a huge range of musical styles to this popular event in the heart of the city. Along with the BBC Scottish Symphony Orchestra conducted by Stephen Bell, Alfie Boe and his band will be performing, as will Melanie C, the two will also be singing a special duet for the show. The orchestra will be combining talents with some of the best Scottish traditional musicians in the country including John McCusker and Donald Shaw and will feature some of the great music from BBC Scotland's natural history series, Hebrides, Islands on the Edge. Scots soprano Kate Valentine, tenor Nicky Spence and former BBC Young Musician of the Year Jennifer Pike will perform a host of well loved classical pieces and there will also be show tunes and movie themes.
Tim Rhys-Evans and Connie Fisher introduce highlights from BBC Proms in the Park in Caerphilly, a Night at the Musicals, part of the traditional Last Night of the Proms celebrations. West End stars John Owen-Jones and Sophie Evans and trumpeter Alison Balsom join the BBC National Orchestra and Chorus of Wales under Grant Llewellyn for a night of glittering entertainment.
Josie D'Arby and Zeb Soanes present highlights from the Last Night of the Proms celebrations around the UK, giving a flavour of the individual nations' unique concert events. Former Spice Girl Melanie C, Alfie Boe and violinist Jennifer Pike mark the return of the Scottish event to Glasgow Green. In Wales, set against the backdrop of Caerphilly Castle, featured performers include trumpeter Alison Balsom and West End stars John Owen Jones and Sophie Evans. Soprano Katherine Jenkins, violinist Chloe Hanslip and Lithuanian accordion player Martynas entertain the crowds gathered on the spectacular quayside at the Titanic Visitor Centre in Belfast, and in London's Hyde Park, Bryan Ferry, tenor Joseph Calleja and Nigel Kennedy provide added sparkle to the festivities, drawing this summer's Proms season to a close.
The festival opens with Elgar’s biblical oratorio The Kingdom – the beautiful ‘slow movement’ of a planned musical triptych. Celebrated Elgarian Sir Andrew Davis conducts the massed forces of the BBC Symphony Orchestra and Chorus and the BBC National Chorus of Wales. They are joined by a distinguished cast of soloists including Proms regulars Christopher Purves and Catherine Wyn-Rogers.
East meets West as the China Philharmonic Orchestra launches our series of global orchestras making their debuts at the 2014 Proms.
Sandwiched between the World Cup, Commonwealth Games and Wimbledon is the first ever BBC Sport Prom. Hosted by Gabby Logan, this special event combines classical favourites, TV themes and sports personalities, with the BBC Concert Orchestra on hand to capture the sporting thrills and spills.
Tom Service presents as Russian maestro Valery Gergiev brings the World Orchestra for Peace to the Proms for a performance of Mahler's all-encompassing Sixth Symphony. In celebration of Richard Strauss's 150th birthday year, Gergiev also conducts the symphonic fantasia Die Frau ohne Schatten.
Proms favourite Julia Fischer returns as soloist in Dvořák’s earthy, folk-infused violin concerto, joining Zurich’s Tonhalle Orchestra for David Zinman’s final concert as its Chief Conductor. Strauss’s playful depiction of the prankster Till Eulenspiegel continues the musical journey across Central Europe, and the evening closes among the breathtaking landscapes of Beethoven’s ‘Pastoral’ Symphony.
The Glyndebourne Festival’s annual visit to the Proms continues our Strauss 150th-anniversary celebrations with a semi-staging of his sparkling comic opera Der Rosenkavalier. Conductor Robin Ticciati conjures this gilded fantasy of fin-de-siècle Vienna with the help of an international cast, led by British soprano Kate Royal in her role debut as the Marschallin.
Shostakovich’s Tenth Symphony – a violent portrait of the horrors of Stalin’s Russia – is the centrepiece of this concert from Jiří Bělohlávek and the BBC Symphony Orchestra. They are joined by German violinist Isabelle Faust for the passionate nationalism of Bartók’s Second Violin Concerto, and the concert opens with the first of two posthumous premieres this season by John Tavener.
Better known as the electro-pop duo the Pet Shop Boys, Neil Tennant and Chris Lowe make their Proms debut here as composers. The world premiere of their large-scale work A Man from the Future, inspired by code-breaker Alan Turing, sits alongside new orchestral arrangements of favourite Pet Shop Boys songs.
One of choral music’s greatest works, Janáček’s Glagolitic Mass is a passionate, secular oratorio celebrating nationhood and peace. By contrast, conflict is to the fore in Brahms’s Piano Concerto No. 1, a work that distils the drama of the composer’s relationship with Schumann and his wife Clara. Valery Gergiev conducts the London Symphony Orchestra, with soloist Barry Douglas.
A concert of 20th-century English music explores musical friendships. Walton’s Hindemith Variations pay homage to a beloved colleague; Elgar’s 'Enigma' Variations paint evocative portraits of family and friends. Tasmin Little joins the BBC Philharmonic for Moeran’s rarely heard Violin Concerto, and English music comes right up to date with David Horne’s Daedalus in Flight.
Following the sell-out success of 2013’s Doctor Who Prom, this year parents are invited to join their children for the first ever CBeebies Prom. Take a journey through the history of classical music with some of your favourite CBeebies characters, in an adventure that combines live music from the BBC Philharmonic and video action on screens around the Royal Albert Hall.
Tom Service explores masterworks from the 2014 BBC Proms, beginning with the epic drama of Bach's St John Passion. Much loved British conductor Sir Roger Norrington conducts the Zurich Chamber Orchestra and Zürcher Sing-Akademie, with tenor James Gilchrist singing the part of the Evangelist.
The lilt of the waltz pulses through the first half of this programme – first in Ravel’s modernist reimagining in Valses nobles et sentimentales, and then in his witty La valse. French music takes a sacred turn after the interval with Duruflé’s Requiem, and elsewhere Swiss flute virtuoso Emmanuel Pahud premieres Simon Holt’s concerto Morpheus Wakes.
Turbulent mythical love meets poised Classical elegance in a concert from the BBC Symphony Orchestra that sets Mozart’s Piano Concerto No. 23 alongside Ravel’s sensuous ballet score Daphnis and Chloe. Launching us far beyond either Mozart’s Vienna or Ravel’s Paris, Jonathan Dove’s new orchestral work Gaia Theory explores the idea of life on our planet evolving alongside the environment.
The Borusan Istanbul Philharmonic Orchestra make their debut at the festival. Music inspired by the east colours the programme, with the sounds and scents of bazaars and seraglios, as well as portraits of the Queen of Sheba by both Handel and Respighi. Also, violin virtuoso Daniel Hope premieres a new concerto by the remarkable young composer Gabriel Prokofiev, grandson of the great Sergei Prokofiev. Presented by Katie Derham.
Returning for its second concert this season, Les Arts Florissants is joined by founder-conductor William Christie for a Late Night Prom that transforms the Royal Albert Hall into the gilded splendour of the Chapel Royal at Versailles, combining choir, orchestra and soloists for Rameau’s Grands Motets.
In his proms concerto debut, French pianist Alexandre Tharaud performs one of Ravel's last great works, the Piano Concerto for the Left Hand. Conductor Juanjo Mena also leads the BBC Philharmonic in a Mahler masterpiece, the Fifth Symphony, which includes one of greatest love letters ever written - the famous Adagietto. Presented by Suzy Klein and Nicholas McCarthy.
From the Royal Albert Hall, Katie Derham presents a 150th anniversary celebration of the birth of Richard Strauss. The acclaimed Danish soprano Inger Dam-Jensen sings the composer's exquisite Four Last Songs in a prom which also showcases two of Strauss's rarely heard works - his majestic Festival Prelude and his Deutsche Motette for choir and four solo voices. The mood of late-romantic nostalgia continues with a performance of Elgar's Second Symphony. Vasily Petrenko conducts the Royal Liverpool Philharmonic Orchestra and the BBC Singers.
Continuing our commemoration of the centenary since the outbreak of the First World War, the BBC Symphony Orchestra and Martyn Brabbins explore English responses to conflict in Ivor Gurney’s War Requiem and Walton’s poignant First Symphony. Plus Sally Beamish’s accordion concerto.
John Wilson and his orchestra are joined by a spectacular ensemble of singers and dancers from Broadway and the West End for a unique performance of the classic musical Kiss Me, Kate. Hits including Another Op'nin, Another Show, Wunderbar and Too Darn Hot combine to create a dazzling evening of music, dance and theatre to mark 50 years since the death of its celebrated composer and lyricist Cole Porter. This hilarious take on Shakespeare's The Taming of the Shrew is performed in its glorious 1948 original orchestration, a highlight of the 2014 BBC Proms season at the Royal Albert Hall. Starring Ben Davis, Alexandra Silber, Tony Yazbeck and Louise Dearman.
The Proms continues to commemorate the anniversary of the outbreak of First World War, collaborating for the first time with the National Theatre for a concert inspired by Michael Morpurgo’s award-winning play War Horse. Lifesize War Horse puppets join the BBC Concert Orchestra, Gareth Malone and the Military Wives on stage for a performance that explores the music and stories of the Great War.
Tom Service invites us to listen to well-known, definitive masterworks from two of the greatest composers of all time with a fresh ear. Donald Runnicles takes on Beethoven's Fourth Symphony with the BBC Scottish Symphony Orchestra and joins forces with the National Youth Choir of Scotland and four top British soloists for Mozart's Requiem - a work of tragic beauty both musically and historically, left unfinished by Mozart just before his death in 1791. Soloists are the soprano Carolyn Sampson, mezzo-soprano Christine Rice, tenor Jeremy Ovenden and bass Neal Davies.
Donald Runnicles conducts a programme that looks to the past – a musical meditation on history, death and loss that still speaks powerfully today, 100 years after the start of the First World War. The concert sets Mahler’s bitterly elegiac Ninth Symphony against the ecstatic string writing of Vaughan Williams’s Fantasia on a Theme of Thomas Tallis, a work reimagining an English identity that would so soon find itself under threat.
Sir John Tavener, who died in 2013, was one of the country's defining musical voices. His sacred choral music, inspired by his deep Orthodox faith, touches the hearts of millions and has been the soundtrack to some of this nation's most moving events. Just before he died he completed his Requiem Fragments, commissioned by the BBC for this Prom. The Tallis Scholars are conducted by Sir John's great friend Peter Phillips, who describes the work as a miraculous masterpiece. The concert begins with his radiant choral work, Ikon of Light. Presented by Katie Derham.
This concert from the European Union Youth Orchestra opens with Berio’s 20th-century classic, Sinfonia – a witty, whistle-stop tour through centuries of Western culture, from Bach to The Beatles. Shostakovich’s embattled Fourth Symphony attempts to reconcile the same conflicts and contradictions as Berio, but finds only Babel and madness, in one of the composer’s most confrontational works.
The BBC National Orchestra of Wales and Mark Wigglesworth perform the exuberantly rhythmic overture to Wagner’s early comedy Das Liebesverbot and Elgar’s richly orchestrated First Symphony – a work itself steeped in the Germanic tradition. Exciting young British violinist Matthew Trusler joins the orchestra as soloist for Mathias’s neglected Violin Concerto – a virtuosic celebration of song and dance.
Sakari Oramo conducts the BBC Symphony Chorus and BBC Singers in one of the great 20th-century dramatic showpieces – Stravinsky’s vivid and visceral ‘opera-oratorio’ Oedipus rex. The concert opens with Beethoven’s beloved Egmont overture.
A concert of big melodies and even bigger sounds culminates in Saint-Saëns’s mighty ‘Organ’ Symphony. The French theme continues with Franck’s Symphonic Variations and, at just 22 years old, British pianist Benjamin Grosvenor returns for his fourth Proms appearance, performing both in the Franck and in Chopin’s virtuosic Piano Concerto No. 1.
Jazz singer and broadcaster Clare Teal transports us back to the heady days of the swing band era of the 1930s and 1940s in a recreation of the bands of Count Basie and Duke Ellington. Conductor James Pearson of the Count Pearson Proms Band takes on Grant Windsor of the Duke Windsor Proms band in a roof-raising battle, with help from vocalists Gregory Porter and Vula Malinga. The evening culminates in a bespoke rousing 'battle royal' for the biggest audience ovation. Presented by Katie Derham.
The work that changed the course of music forever, Beethoven's epic Eroica Symphony is the culmination of this concert from Sir Mark Elder and the Hallé. Berlioz's swashbuckling overture Le corsaire, depicting the adventures of pirates on the ocean wave, opens the concert with a splash. Elder is famed for his Elgar and he is joined by British mezzo-soprano Alice Coote for the Sea Pictures, Elgar's orchestral song-cycle exploring the fascination and fear inspired by the sea. Presented by Suzy Klein and Rodney Earl Clarke.
Three masterworks from three different centuries: Beethoven’s First Symphony is all 18th- century poise and wit, Bruch’s First Violin Concerto swoons with 19th-century romance, and Walton’s Henry V celebrates the golden age of 20th-century film music. Sir Neville Marriner is joined by Joshua Bell, the Music Director of the Academy of St Martin in the Fields, who appears here both as conductor (Beethoven) and soloist (Bruch).
Tom Service presents as the National Youth Orchestra of Great Britain return for their annual Proms performance. Ed Gardner conducts an energetic programme of 20th-century music featuring Stravinsky's vivid ballet Petrushka, Lutoslawski's colourful Concerto for Orchestra and Prokofiev's First Piano Concerto with soloist Louis Schwizgebel.
In the first of two concerts with the BBC National Orchestra of Wales, Principal Conductor Thomas Søndergård directs the first of two great Scandinavian symphonies. Nielsen’s Fifth Symphony explores a bleakness that is also at the core of Strauss’s great tone-poem Tod und Verklärung. The ‘complicated nonsense’ of Strauss’s youthful Burleske and Mozart’s sunny Rondo in A major complete the concert, both featuring pianist Franceso Piemontesi.
Tom Service reaches the 20th century on his route through Masterworks at the Proms, by way of Jean Sibelius and William Walton. Canadian violinist James Ehnes performs Walton's striking violin concerto, and Thomas Sondergard conducts the National Orchestra of Wales in two works by Sibelius - the transcendent tone poem The Swan of Tuonela, and his Fifth Symphony with its memorable, ecstatic 'swan theme'.
The dreamy pastoralism of Vaughan Williams’s The Lark Ascending contrasts with the jaunty vigour of the composer’s overture The Wasps in this all-English Prom. Job continues this season’s thread of great 20th-century ballet scores, while William Alwyn’s First Symphony adds to the evening’s nostalgia with the endless melody of its slow movement. Janine Jansen joins Sakari Oramo and the BBC Symphony Orchestra as soloist.
Surrender to the pulsing rhythms and repetitions of Minimalism’s founding father, Steve Reich, performed by the BBC Singers and contemporary specialists the Endymion Ensemble. Relive the early experimentation of It’s Gonna Rain with its hypnotic layers of spoken sound, while The Desert Music offers a hypnotising meditation on fragments of William Carlos Williams’s poetry.
Sibelius’s slowly shifting structures and emotive musical language, showcased here in his Second Symphony, are echoed and evolved in Sir Peter Maxwell Davies’s Fifth Symphony. John Storgårds and the BBC Philharmonic also mark the First World Way centenary in Bridge’s haunting Oration – part lament, part warning.
Rameau’s opera Les Indes galantes and Strauss’s tone-poem Ein Heldenleben were notorious flops at their premieres, yet both are now recognised as peaks of their genre. The BBC Scottish Symphony Orchestra take us from 18th-century France to fin-de-siècle Germany (with a quick stop-off in Chelsea, where the 8-year-old Mozart composed his First Symphony) in a concert that also includes the UK premiere of Bernard Rands’s Piano Concerto.
Coloured by sleigh-bells and charming melodies, Mahler’s Fourth Symphony is the centrepiece of this Prom by Bernard Haitink and the London Symphony Orchestra. They pair Mahler’s mighty work with the Classical perfection of Schubert’s Fifth Symphony.
The Aurora Orchestra and Nicholas Collon contrast Mozart’s graceful Symphony with two much newer pieces: Dobrinka Tabakova’s hurdy-gurdy-inflected Spinning a Yarn and Benedict Mason’s audacious BBC commission, Meld.
Razia Iqbal and Petroc Trelawny present a special concert drawing together four composers whose lives and music were impacted by WW1. The BBC Scottish Symphony Orchestra conducted by Andrew Manze performs Vaughan Williams's post-war composition, the elegiac Pastoral Symphony. The three promising young composers also featured in the concert were all killed in the war and have left us poignant evocations of lost lands and innocence destroyed - George Butterworth's settings of poems from AE Housman's nostalgic collection A Shropshire Lad; Australian-born Frederick Septimus Kelly's Elegy for his friend Rupert Brooke; and, from across the battle lines, German composer Rudi Stephan's Music for Orchestra.
An all-Russian programme from the BBC Symphony Orchestra and Edward Gardner opens with the buzzing energy of Stravinsky’s Scherzo fantastique and end in the cannon-fire of Tchaikovsky’s ‘1812’ Overture. In between come Rachmaninov’s choral symphony The Bells and Stravinsky’s iconoclastic violin concerto, performed here by soloist Baiba Skride.
English weekend at the Proms continues with Elgar's autumnal, sepia-toned Cello Concerto, written after the horrors of the First World War. Norwegian virtuoso cellist Truls Mørk joins the Melbourne Symphony Orchestra, visiting the Proms from Australia for the first time and conducted by a Proms favourite, Sir Andrew Davis. The concert opens with Richard Strauss's spectacular tone poem about the serial womaniser Don Juan, with romantic unrequited love at the heart of the final piece, Berlioz's Symphonie fantastique. Presented by Katie Derham.
Brit Award- and Mercury-nominated singer-songwriter Laura Mvula returns to the BBC Proms for an intimate Late Night Prom – a cabaret-style evening of music that couches Mvula’s talents in rich orchestral textures.
A Proms visit from Daniel Barenboim's West-Eastern Divan Orchestra is always an exciting event. The international ensemble's home is Seville and the programme has a strong Spanish flavour. Razia Iqbal and organist-conductor Wayne Marshall present Mozart's sparkling overture to the Marriage of Figaro - set just outside Seville - and a series of Ravel pieces including Rapsodie espagnol, Pavane for a Dead Princess and the ultra-popular Bolero.
Wilfred Owen’s shattering verse sits at the heart of Britten’s War Requiem – that great pacifist outpouring of horror and sorrow. Performed here in this First World War centenary year by the same orchestra which premiered it in 1962, in this performance the City of Birmingham Symphony Orchestra and Music Director Andris Nelsons are joined by the BBC Proms Youth Choir.
The Iceland Symphony Orchestra makes its Proms debut with works by two homegrown composers, both inspired by Iceland’s geology. The slow-growing, primal force of Leifs’s Geysir is balanced by the shifting tectonics of Tómasson’s Magma. Jonathan Biss joins the orchestra for Schumann’s Piano Concerto, and the concert closes with Beethoven’s dramatic Fifth Symphony.
Ice-maidens, pirates and princesses form the cast of this fairy-tale concert. The BBC Symphony Orchestra is joined by soprano Anu Komsi to perform Szymanowski’s atmospheric Songs of a Fairy Princess. Rimsky-Korsakov’s Scheherazade sees the orchestra turn storyteller.
Cellist Alisa Weilerstein returns to the Proms with one of the great Romantic concertos – Dvořák’s Cello Concerto. Jiří Bělohlávek leads the Czech Philharmonic Orchestra in Beethoven’s ‘apotheosis of the dance’, the Seventh Symphony; and the evening opens with a Czech flavour, in the overture to Janáček’s final opera, From the House of the Dead.
This year’s Free Prom is a Bank Holiday matinee from the Ulster Orchestra, bursting with dance rhythms and colour. A selection of Dvořák’s rustic Slavonic Dances opens the concert, and Grieg’s piano concerto with its jaunty dance-themed finale continues the mood. The evening ends in the orchestra’s musical heartland with Bax’s tone-poem Roscatha and Bill Whelan’s new Riverdance suite – adapted from his music for the ever-popular stage show.
The Bank Holiday weekend celebrations continue with Proms favourites the Budapest Festival Orchestra and a programme of orchestral showpieces from the Habsburg Empire. Viennese-style Strauss dances are matched by Brahms’s colourful Hungarian Dances and Kodály’s sweeping Dances of Galánta, balanced by the crisp Classical textures of a Mozart March. At the centre is Schubert’s ‘Unfinished’ Symphony.
The second of two concerts from Iván Fischer and the Budapest Festival Orchestra reinstates the Proms tradition of composer nights with an evening dedicated to the music of Brahms. His intimate, autumnal Third Symphony gives way to the nobility and stature of the Fourth – a heavyweight symphony with one of the loveliest slow movements the composer ever wrote.
Samira Ahmed presents a concert celebrating 50 years of the world-famous Monteverdi Choir, founded by conductor Sir John Eliot Gardiner. This Prom of Beethoven's mighty Missa Solemnis also features the Orchestre Révolutionnaire et Romantique with a line-up of star soloists. The performance is introduced by a short film exploring the Monteverdi Choir's impact on the music scene over 50 groundbreaking years.
Myung-Whun Chung directs the Seoul Philharmonic Orchestra, making its Proms debut this year. Unsuk Chin’s sheng concerto evokes the sounds of South Korea and is an extended sonic game between soloist and orchestra. Framing this is the sensuous richness of Debussy’s La mer and Tchaikovsky’s final symphony, with its elusive and emotional narrative.
Masterpieces from Schoenberg, Holst and Scriabin offer three very different portraits of 20th-century music in this concert by the London Philharmonic Orchestra and Vladimir Jurowski. Big tunes and vivid characterisation make Holst’s The Planets a perennial favourite, while Scriabin’s Prometheus is an eccentric musical experiment. Premiered at the Proms in 1912, Schoenberg’s Five Orchestral Pieces took tonality to a new limit.
In a symphony that took over six years to complete, Mahler wrestles with the essential questions of humanity. Birth, death and the fragile stages between are the subject of this grand musical exploration, which culminates in a transcendent choral finale. Daniel Harding and the Swedish Radio Symphony Orchestra are joined by soloists Kate Royal and Chistianne Stotijn.
In Richard Strauss’s 150th-anniversary year the Proms presents a double bill of his two great tragedies. On consecutive nights his heroines Salome and Elektra meet their bloody ends in the Royal Albert Hall. Donald Runnicles brings his Deutsche Oper forces to the Proms for Salome. Star soprano Nina Stemme leads the cast as the troubled princess.
Elektra – Strauss’s brutal and ferociously powerful retelling of the Greek revenge myth – continues this weekend’s opera double bill. The BBC Symphony Orchestra and Semyon Bychkov are joined by an international cast of soloists, led by American soprano Christine Goerke, with Danish baritone Johan Reuter as her beloved brother Orestes.
Plunge into a joyous carnival maelstrom with Berlioz’s giddy Roman Carnival overture. The Italian theme continues with Respighi’s Roman trilogy – a vivid picture of life in the Eternal City. Danny Driver joins the Royal Philharmonic Orchestra and Charles Dutoit in Walton’s Sinfonia concertante – a piano concerto in all but name.
The Singapore Symphony Orchestra makes its Proms debut, bringing Pulitzer Prize-winning Chinese composer Zhou Long’s piano concerto Postures – a work fusing Western forms and Eastern memories. The concert opens with the overture to Glinka’s fairy-tale opera Ruslan and Lyudmila, and closes with Rachmaninov’s ever-popular Second Symphony.
Symphonies from Beethoven and Dvořák bookend an emotive programme from Sir Roger Norrington and the Stuttgart Radio Symphony Orchestra. At its core is the wistful 'Romeo Alone’ section of Berlioz’s ‘dramatic symphony’ Romeo and Juliet. Beethoven’s ‘little symphony in F’ brings joy and wit to the mix, while Dvořák’s ‘New World’ Symphony is an elegiac homage to his Bohemian homeland.
Live from the Royal Albert Hall, Tom Service presents music from multi-award-winning American composer John Adams, alongside Mahler's imaginatively ambitious 1st Symphony. Saxophonist Timothy McAllister performs the UK premiere of Adams's Saxophone Concerto and Marin Alsop conducts the BBC Symphony Orchestra.
Last at the Proms in 2012, Sir Simon Rattle and the Berliner Philharmoniker return for an all-Russian programme inspired by dance. Rachmaninov’s Symphonic Dances embraces jazz, plainchant and the waltz in a virtuosic orchestral showpiece. After the interval we enter the Russian fairy-tale world of Stravinsky’s magical The Firebird, in this vivid, folk-infused ballet score.
The Royal Albert Hall shimmers with flamboyance as Paloma Faith takes to the stage in her debut Proms performance. The multi-platinum London-born singer-songwriter is reunited with conductor, composer, trumpeter and arranger Guy Barker, a 42-piece jazz orchestra and the elite Urban Voices Collective for a one-off concert featuring new arrangements of songs, including Picking up the Pieces, Can't Rely on You, Only Love Can Hurt Like This and Upside Down.
Sir Simon Rattle and the Berliner Philharmoniker present Peter Sellars’s staging of Bach’s St Matthew Passion for the first time in the UK. It’s a work that confronts suffering and torture as well as salvation and redemption in some of Bach’s most moving music. Mark Padmore’s Evangelist leads a starry cast that also includes celebrated German baritone Christian Gerhaher.
Daniel Hope and Danielle De Niese present a pair of great Romantic blockbusters - Tchaikovsky's Fifth Symphony and Rachmaninov's Second Piano Concerto, featuring soloist Denis Matsuev. The Qatar Philharmonic Orchestra makes its first visit to the BBC Proms, conducted by its music director Han-Na Chang.
Katie Derham is live at the world's biggest classical music festival as the legendary Cleveland Orchestra perform at the BBC Proms. This is a rare chance to hear one of America's best orchestras in a huge Proms favourite, Brahms's First Symphony. The concert opens with Brahms in a lighter mood in his Academic Festival Overture and also includes the UK premiere of an elegant, dance-like flute concerto by German clarinettist and composer Jorg Widmann.
Completing this year’s cycle of Brahms symphonies, the Cleveland Orchestra returns with the composer’s Symphony No. 2 – an open-hearted score of great warmth and appeal. By contrast, Brahms’s Tragic Overture lives up to its name with turbulent intensity. The concert is completed by Jörg Widmann’s Teufel Amor, a musical account of the contradictions, tensions and resolutions of love.
On Sir Peter Maxwell Davies’s 80th birthday, the Proms pays tribute in a concert of works selected by the composer himself. The concert overture Ebb of Winter captures the rugged beauty of Davies’s Orkney home. We see a different side of island life in the joyous ebullience of his Orkney Wedding, with Sunrise; the virtuosic fourth Strathclyde Concerto, for clarinet and orchestra, completes the concert.
It’s American Night at the Proms. We travel through history, from traditional folk songs and dances in Copland’s Appalachian Spring, through the contemplative Quiet City to Chris Brubeck’s contemporary blend of classical, jazz, blues and country music. His Travels in Time for Three is a thrill-ride concerto composed for virtuoso string trio Time for Three and orchestra.
An evening of 20th-century English music that looks beyond pastoral stereotypes. The nostalgic idyll of Vaughan Williams’s Fantasia on ‘Greensleeves’ is soon abandoned for the brutality of his Symphony No. 4 and Birtwistle’s Exody – a terrifying musical labyrinth. Walton’s much-loved Viola Concerto is played here by rising star and BBC Radio 3 New Generation Artist Lise Berthaud.
Mahler’s epic, unorthodox Third Symphony unfolds over six movements, painting a musical portrait with choir and orchestra of nature’s very essence. American conductor Alan Gilbert returns to conduct this masterpiece with the Leipzig Gewandhaus Orchestra.
Joined by the instrumentalists of the Britten Sinfonia, Canadian-American, Grammy-nominated singer-songwriter Rufus Wainwright performs a spectacular set, taking over the Royal Albert Hall with his own brand of ‘Baroque pop’ that references everything from opera to ragtime, Lieder and jazz.
A highlight of every Proms season, this year Beethoven’s Symphony No. 9 returns to its traditional slot on the penultimate night. Alan Gilbert and the Leipzig Gewandhaus Orchestra are joined by an international cast of soloists for this audacious musical testament to faith and unity across all nations and creeds.
Sakari Oramo directs his first Last Night of the Proms, joined by powerhouse Dutch violinist Janine Jansen. Richard Strauss' anniversary is marked with the first Proms performance of the composer’s extraordinary cantata Taillefer. Ansell’s romp of a nautical overture, Plymouth Hoe, and Ravel’s gypsy-dance Tzigane add colourful contributions to this musical celebration that culminates, as always, with a mass singalong.
Sakari Oramo conducts this year’s opening concert, in a programme that includes Walton’s pithy choral masterpiece 'Belshazzar’s Feast' and Mozart’s Piano Concerto No. 20 with soloist Lars Vogt.
Join CBBC presenters Barney Harwood and Dick and Dom for an introduction to some of the greatest pieces of classical music and a celebration of children’s creative responses to them.
Barney Harwood and Dick and Dom join the BBC National Orchestra of Wales to celebrate some of the best pieces to introduce children to classical music – and to inspire a life-long love of it.
Beethoven’s ‘Choral’ Symphony returns to the Proms in the hands of Andris Nelsons and the massed forces of the City of Birmingham Symphony Orchestra and the CBSO Chorus.
The BBC Philharmonic’s programme spans more than two centuries, opening with Haydn’s ‘La reine’ Symphony and closing with Stravinsky’s fairy-tale ballet 'Petrushka'.
Poulenc’s Organ Concerto raises the curtain on this BBC National Orchestra of Wales Prom which also includes Stravinsky’s 'Symphony of Psalms' and Mozart’s Symphony No. 41.
Mark Simpson performs the Clarinet Concerto by Carl Nielsen, whose 150th anniversary falls this year, in a programme which also includes an alluring suite from Ravel’s 'Daphnis and Chloe'.
Leif Ove Andsnes continues his survey of Beethoven’s works for piano and orchestra with the Piano Concerto No. 3 and the ‘Choral Fantasy’.
Susanna Mälkki conducts Holst’s masterpiece in a programme which also includes the UK premiere of a new violin concerto by Luca Francesconi, written for and performed by Leila Josefowicz.
Pete Tong takes charge of the BBC Radio 1 Prom and decides to employ the Heritage Orchestra to play a selection of Ibiza classics. The Royal Albert Hall has never seen anything like it! Jules Buckley conducts the orchestra through dance masterpieces by Fatboy Slim, Eric Prydz, Shapeshifters, Robert Miles, ATB, Moby, Frankie Knuckles, Orbital, Inner City, Daft Punk, Faithless, Stardust and so many more, with the help of Ella Eyre and John Newman.
Sir Mark Elder conducts the Hallé in music they have made their own – Vaughan Williams and Elgar. Opening the programme is Debussy’s luscious 'Prélude à l’après-midi d’un faune'.
Virtuoso violinist Alina Ibragimova has the stage to herself for an evening of solo works by Bach.
Violinist Alina Ibragimova concludes her performance of Bach’s complete Sonatas and Partitas for solo violin in the second of her two Late Night Proms.
The ever innovative Aurora Orchestra returns to the Proms with two ‘Pastoral’ Symphonies – the first by Brett Dean, the second by Beethoven – and a world premiere by Anna Meredith.
The world premiere of James MacMillan’s Symphony No. 4 is paired with Mahler’s monumental Fifth Symphony. Renowned Mahlerian Donald Runnicles conducts the BBC Scottish Symphony Orchestra.
Seth MacFarlane and other guest vocalists join the John Wilson Orchestra to celebrate the centenary of Frank Sinatra in this Late Night Prom.
The National Youth Orchestra of Great Britain brings Mahler’s epic Ninth Symphony to the Proms, paired with a brand-new work by Tansy Davies. Sir Mark Elder conducts.
Eric Whitacre, one of the biggest names in choral music, conducts a programme including his own 'Cloudburst', as well as other American Gershwin’s 'Rhapsody in Blue'.
Nicola Benedetti is the soloist in Korngold’s Violin Concerto as part of a programme which also sees the Bournemouth SO perform Prokofiev’s Fifth Symphony and music from Britten’s 'Peter Grimes'.
MistaJam and Sian Anderson present a Late Night Prom from some of the UK’s best urban artists, including Wretch 32, Stormzy and Krept & Konan.
Daniel Barenboim returns to the BBC Proms to perform Beethoven and Tchaikovsky with the West–Eastern Divan Orchestra, an ensemble featuring musicians from across the Middle East.
The Danish National Symphony Orchestra celebrates the 150th anniversary of Carl Nielsen, performing some of his best-loved orchestral works, alongside Brahms’s Violin Concerto.
Sir András Schiff brings Bach’s monumental work for solo keyboard to the Royal Albert Hall. Join the great pianist on a voyage through this masterpiece.
One of today’s greatest conductors brings Schubert's Ninth Symphony (the 'Great') to the Proms, along with Mozart's Piano Concerto No. 23, performed by the inimitable Maria João Pires.
Celebrate the music of Leonard Bernstein with John Wilson and his orchestra in this Prom which features highlights from 'Candide', 'Wonderful Town', 'Fancy Free', 'West Side Story' and 'Peter Pan'.
Cellist Yo-Yo Ma has the Royal Albert Hall stage to himself for this Late Night Prom as he takes on the challenge of J. S. Bach’s Six Cello Suites.
Pianist Benjamin Grosvenor, soprano Danielle de Niese and tenor Jonas Kaufmann are the stars at this year’s Last Night. The programme includes Richard Strauss, Shostakovich, Grieg and much more …
Katie Derham presents the launch of the world's greatest classical music festival from the Royal Albert Hall. The celebrations open with Tchaikovsky's ravishing Romeo and Juliet overture, the first in a series of musical works during the season marking 400 years since the death of Shakespeare. The 2016 BBC Proms also spotlights the cello, and tonight, the remarkable Argentine cellist Sol Gabetta makes her proms debut in Elgar's haunting Cello Concerto, the first of ten concertos for the instrument to be performed during the festival. Sakari Oramo conducts the BBC Symphony Orchestra.
Katie Derham presents the second half of the 2016 BBC Proms season opening from the Royal Albert Hall. Sakari Oramo conducts the BBC Symphony Orchestra and Chorus, the BBC National Chorus of Wales and mezzo-soprano soloist Olga Borodina in a performance of Prokofiev's celebrated cantata Alexander Nevsky. Created from the soundtrack Prokofiev originally composed for Sergey Eisenstein's landmark film, the music is dramatic and evocative, including the famous musical depiction of Battle on the Ice.
Could this be the glitziest Prom ever? Get your dancing shoes on and join Katie Derham and a whole host of your favourite Strictly Come Dancing professionals as they celebrate the music of dance. The BBC Concert Orchestra, conducted by Gavin Sutherland, embarks on a musical journey from foxtrot and waltz, to paso doble and tango, taking in a wonderful panorama of dancing and some stunning orchestral interludes on the way.
Michael Tippett's secular oratorio A Child of Our Time is his most widely performed work. It is an impassioned protest against persecution and tyranny with an overriding message of peace. Renowned British baritone and composer Roderick Williams takes a look at the story behind A Child of Our Time and introduces conductor Mark Wigglesworth, the BBC National Orchestra and Chorus of Wales and soloists Tamara Wilson (soprano), Susan Bickley (mezzo-soprano), Peter Hoare (tenor) and James Creswell (bass). In 1938, a young Polish Jew, whose parents were deported by the Nazis, shot a German diplomat in Paris. The Nazis seized on the assassination to rile Hitler's supporters into an anti-Semitic frenzy. Tippett shared the public horror at the events that followed and in 1939, began writing a musical protest, a work that expressed deep rage at the unprecedented crimes being committed by the Nazi regime, and despair at man's ability to commit acts of inhumanity.
Two Russian heavyweights and a living Scottish composer are the focus of tonight's prom, featuring the BBC Scottish Symphony Orchestra under the direction of chief conductor in waiting Thomas Dausgaard. Finnish soloist Pekka Kuusisto performs Tchaikovsky's passionate and virtuosic Violin Concerto. It is followed by Petrushka, the first of a trio of landmark Stravinsky ballet scores for the Ballet Russes to be performed by Scottish orchestras. The concert opens with a world premiere of the first part of a new BBC commission from Helen Grime. Two Eardley Pictures - I: Catterline in Winter was inspired by the landscape paintings of Joan Eardley and folk music of the far north east.
The depiction of astrological characters in The Planets, from the cheeky gameplay of Mercury to the shattering impact of Mars, could be made for the resonance of the Royal Albert Hall. The power of Strauss's Also sprach Zarathustra is no less cinematic.
Proms favourites the John Wilson Orchestra and their eponymous conductor celebrate the music and lyrics of one of the greatest song-writing partnerships in American history - George and Ira Gershwin. Expect hit after hit as singers Julian Ovenden, Louise Dearman and Matthew Ford perform crowd pleasers like Fascinatin' Rhythm, They All Laughed and many more. Classic orchestral numbers, including An American in Paris and a Rhapsody In Blue Overture, complete the line-up in a concert that features a bumper crop of the brothers' best-known tunes.
Valery Gergiev conducts the Munich Philharmonic Orchestra in three popular classics - Ravel's hypnotic Bolero, the ravishing suite from Richard Strauss's Der Rosenkavalier and Rachmaninov's romantic third piano concerto, with the outstanding young pianist Behzod Abduraimov. Also in the programme is Galina Ustvolskaya's searing third symphony, Jesus Messiah, Save Us!, with text read tonight by Alexei Petrenko. Presented by Katie Derham.
BBC Prom from the Royal Albert Hall which celebrates the career of composer, arranger, producer, conductor and all-round musical genius Quincy Jones. Jules Buckley and his Metropole Orkest lead the festivities on stage, celebrating Quincy's compositions, arrangements and productions from a career that has lasted over half a century. The musical and orchestral journey looks back at Quincy's early film and TV scores as well as his collaborations with the likes of Count Basie and Ray Charles, along with his momentous and iconic production work with The Brothers Johnson and Michael Jackson.
Multimillion-selling jazz supremo and master of all musical trades Jamie Cullum returns to the BBC Proms following his sell-out appearance in 2010. This time Jamie is joined by the talented conductor, composer and arranger Jules Buckley and the renegade musicians who make up The Heritage Orchestra. London's Roundhouse Choir, the Remi Harris Trio and emerging talent from BBC Introducing's canon join Jamie as he offers his own take on a collection of classic pop songs and delivers improvisational numbers from his enviable back catalogue and repertoire.
From the Royal Albert Hall, three glorious works by Mozart, all written during the final months of his life. Conductor Ivan Fischer and the Budapest Festival Orchestra are joined by Hanno Müller-Brachmann for the concert aria Per questa bella mano, and clarinettist Akos Acs is the soloist in the ever-popular Clarinet Concerto in A major. The prom concludes with Mozart's magnificent Requiem, with bass soloist Hanno Müller-Brachmann, soprano Lucy Crowe, mezzo-soprano Barbara Kozelj and tenor Jeremy Ovenden. The orchestra and soloists are joined by one of Europe's leading choirs, Collegium Vocale Gent. Presented by Petroc Trelawny.
The Aurora Orchestra with conductor and founder Nicholas Collon return to the Proms with another performance entirely from memory. Not a note of music or a single music stand will be seen on the Royal Albert Hall stage as they tackle Mozart's final symphony, a piece packed full of joy and invention. Presenter Tom Service explores the process of committing a complete symphony to memory and, with the orchestra's help, unpicks this great work on stage for the Proms audience, deconstructing the final movement to explore Mozart's compositional genius.
From the Royal Albert Hall, Daniel Barenboim returns to the Proms with his West-Eastern Divan Orchestra, the celebrated ensemble of young Arabs and Israelis. Following his highly acclaimed Proms performance of Wagner's Ring in 2013, Barenboim conducts two Wagner overtures - Tannhauser and The Mastersingers of Nuremberg - alongside music from Gotterdammerung. The great pianist Martha Argerich is the soloist in Liszt's Piano Concerto No 1 and the programme also includes Jorg Widmann's lively Con Brio. Presented by Samira Ahmed.
Sir Simon Rattle conducts the Berlin Philharmonic in Mahler's radical Seventh Symphony.
Marin Alsop returns to the Proms stage to conduct Verdi’s magnificent Requiem, with the Orchestra of the Age of Enlightenment and the Proms Youth Choir. The evening’s soloists include soprano Tamara Wilson.
CBeebies favourites take a musical journey through the countryside, around the world, back in time and into space with the BBC Concert Orchestra and conductor Jessica Cottis. Enjoy inspirational classical pieces and CBeebies themes while joining in with Andy, Cat, Chris, Gem, Rebecca, Mr Bloom and Mr William Shakespeare at the Royal Albert Hall.
Live from the Royal Albert Hall, Katie Derham introduces the final concert of the 2016 BBC Proms. The celebrations are led by the combined forces of the BBC Symphony Orchestra and Chorus and the BBC Singers, with Finnish chief conductor Sakari Oramo, who returns to conduct the Last Night of the Proms for the second time. Peruvian tenor Juan Diego Florez is the star soloist, bringing some sparkling arias from the operas of Rossini, Donizetti and Offenbach. Also on the programme is the world premiere of a piece by young Scottish composer Tom Harrold, written for and performed by the Proms Youth Ensemble, along with players from the BBC Symphony Orchestra. We also hear Borodin's exuberant Polovtsian Dances, Britten's Matinées musicales, Butterworth's The Banks of Green Willow, and Jonathan Dove's Our revels now are ended, with baritone Duncan Rock.
Katie Derham introduces the second half of the Last Night of the Proms live from the Royal Albert Hall. In this Olympic year, the second part of the concert begins with American composer Michael Torke's Javelin, which was originally performed at the opening ceremony of the 1996 Atlanta Olympics. A selection of young singers perform Vaughan Williams's 1938 tribute to Henry Wood's 50th anniversary - Serenade to Music. The cross-genre British composer Anne Dudley contributes a special arrangement entitled Fiesta Caribena! And star tenor Juan Diego Florez returns to perform more spine-tingling Donizetti. The programme takes a trip around the UK in a celebration of Henry Wood's Fantasia on British Sea Songs, with contributions from the Proms in the Park in Colwyn Bay, Glasgow Green and Belfast. The Proms season comes to an end with the climax of Rule Britannia, Land of Hope and Glory and Jerusalem. The BBC Symphony Orchestra and Chorus and the BBC Singers are conducted by Sakari Oramo.
BBC Proms 2017 kicks off in style tonight at the Royal Albert Hall. Beethoven's dramatic Third Piano Concerto is performed by star soloist Igor Levit with the BBC Symphony Orchestra and conductor Edward Gardner. This opening concert of the world's biggest music festival also includes a raucous new work by Tom Coult, St John's Dance, the first of 13 world premieres at Proms 2017. Presented by Katie Derham.
The First Night of the Proms culminates with Harmonium, a dazzling choral work from American music titan John Adams, who celebrates his 70th birthday this year. Harmonium is a thrilling and captivating setting of poetry by John Donne and Emily Dickinson, performed by the BBC Symphony Orchestra, BBC Symphony Chorus and the BBC Proms Youth Choir, conducted by Edward Gardner.
Broadcast of Prom 4: Daniel Barenboim and Staatskapel Berlin Inspirational maestro Daniel Barenboim makes his second appearance in this opening weekend of the 2017 Proms season. Conducting his German orchestra Staatskappelle Berlin, Barenboim brings an entirely English programme to the Royal Albert Hall, including Elgar's poignant Second Symphony and the UK premiere of Sir Harrison Birtwistle's Deep Time, a work dedicated to the memory of Birtwistle's friend and colleague Sir Peter Maxwell Davies.
Broadcast of Prom 8: Celebrating John Williams Celebrate the 85th birthday of one of the world’s favourite film composers in an evening of big emotions and even bigger melodies.
Broadcast of Prom 3: Bernard Haitink conducts Mozart and Schumann BBC Proms legend Bernard Haitink returns to the Royal Albert Hall to conduct his beloved Chamber Orchestra of Europe. Acclaimed German violinist Isabelle Faust plays Mozart's joyous Third Violin Concerto, which is paired tonight with his groundbreaking Prague Symphony. Schumann's Second Symphony closes the programme.
Broadcast of Prom 13: Malcolm Sargent's 500th Prom Nicknamed 'Flash Harry', Sir Malcolm Sargent was the chief conductor of the Proms for two decades, bringing the concerts to TV audiences for the first time. Marking the 50th anniversary of his death, conductor Sir Andrew Davis, the BBC Symphony Orchestra and sensational young pianist Beatrice Rana recreate Sargent's 500th Prom from 1966. Alongside Schumann and Berlioz, there's a feast of English music, including works by Elgar and Holst, culminating in Britten's much-loved Young Person's Guide to the Orchestra.
Broadcast of Prom 15: The Songs of Scott Walker (1967–70) Jarvis Cocker leads an eclectic line-up in this late night tribute to the 60s cult icon Scott Walker. Conductor Jules Buckley has arranged tracks from Walker's four eponymous albums, performed with live orchestral backing for the very first time. Featuring Jules Buckley's Heritage Orchestra and London Contemporary Voices.
Broadcast of Prom 21: Beethoven – Symphony No. 9, ‘Choral’ Beethoven's much-loved Ninth Symphony, with its passionate plea for unity, is performed by the BBC National Orchestra & Chorus of Wales and the CBSO Chorus, conducted by Xian Zhang. Its companion piece is the European premiere of A European Requiem, written in 2015 by the great Scottish composer Sir James MacMillan.
Broadcast of Prom 9: Beethoven – Fidelio Beethoven’s only opera is a passionate musical protest against political oppression that premiered in the wake of the French Revolution. Stuart Skelton stars as the imprisoned Florestan, with soprano Ricarda Merbeth as Leonore. Juanjo Mena conducts.
Broadcast of Prom 27: Ella and Dizzy: A Centenary Tribute A special Proms tribute to jazz greats Ella Fitzgerald and Dizzy Gillespie, in the centenary year of their births. Grammy Award-winning singer Dianne Reeves and sensational trumpeter James Morrison perform with the BBC Concert Orchestra under the baton of Hollywood music legend John Mauceri, as they showcase some of the music most closely associated with Ella and Dizzy.
Broadcast of Prom 28: National Youth Orchestra of Great Britain The National Youth Orchestra of Great Britain returns to the BBC Proms under the baton of renowned composer and conductor Thomas Ades. The formidable young musicians perform Stravinsky's thrilling ballet score The Rite of Spring, the London premiere of Mural by Francisco Coll and Ades's own work Polaris.
Broadcast of Prom 35: John Wilson conducts Oklahoma! Cowboys and farm girls are let loose in the Royal Albert Hall as the John Wilson Orchestra transports us to the Great American Plains in Oklahoma! Rodgers and Hammerstein's first ever musical was an instant hit when it premiered on Broadway in 1943 and it's not hard to see why - it's chock-full of toe-tapping classics, including Oh, What a Beautiful Mornin', People Will Say We're in Love, and of course the title song itself. With a stellar cast, sensational dance numbers and the unique energy of the John Wilson Orchestra, the magic of the original lives on in 2017.
Broadcast of Prom 37: Rachmaninov – Piano Concerto No. 3 This all-Rachmaninov programme features two of the composer's greatest and most-loved works performed by the BBC Scottish Symphony Orchestra under conductor Thomas Dausgaard. Alexander Gavrylyuk is the soloist for the famously demanding Third Piano Concerto, which is followed by the capricious and impassioned Second Symphony. The Latvian Radio Choir joins the line-up, setting both pieces alongside the Russian Orthodox chants that the composer would have known.
Broadcast of Prom 10: Aurora Orchestra – Beethoven’s ‘Eroica’ The fearlessly brilliant members of Aurora Orchestra put Beethoven's revolutionary Eroica Symphony under the Proms microscope. Presenter Tom Service and conductor Nicholas Collon perform a lively and revealing on-stage dissection of the score that changed musical history. The Prom culminates with a full performance of the symphony, which the orchestra will play entirely from memory.
Broadcast of Prom 41: Philip Glass and Ravi Shankar Two goliaths of 20th-century music, Ravi Shankar and Philip Glass, recorded the studio album Passages together in 1989. The result was a unique fusion of Hindustani sitar music with American minimalism. Tonight the album is performed live and in full for the first time, with Shankar's daughter Anoushka playing the sitar alongside a dazzling array of Indian soloists and the Britten Sinfonia, conducted by Karen Kamensek.
Broadcast of Prom 49: Bach’s St John Passion In one of a series of Proms performances marking the 500th anniversary of the Protestant Reformation, John Butt directs his Dunedin Consort in a complete performance of Bach's powerful St John Passion, with Nicolas Mulroy as the Evangelist and Matthew Brook as Jesus. Reflecting the church setting for which it was written, the performance includes congregational singing from the Proms audience.
Broadcast of Prom 53: Beneath the Underdog: Charles Mingus Revisited A giant in 20th-century jazz, the legendary composer, bandleader and bass player Charles Mingus is celebrated by conductor Jules Buckley and his Metropole Orkest. Plus a brilliant line-up of soloists, including saxophonist Shabaka Hutchings, trumpeter Christian Scott and singer Kandace Springs, are on the bill.
Broadcast of Prom 50: Beethoven, Stravinsky and Gerald Barry Katie Derham introduces the first of six weekly programmes celebrating the 125th anniversary of the Proms, featuring some of the most memorable concerts from the unrivalled Proms archive. Katie is joined by conductor Mirga Gražinyte-Tyla to mark Beethoven’s 250th birthday year with another chance to see her acclaimed Proms appearance with the City of Birmingham Symphony Orchestra from 2017. As well as a thrillingly fresh interpretation of Beethoven’s famous Fifth Symphony, the concert also includes his Leonore Overture No 3 and a world premiere by Irish maverick Gerald Barry, performed by tenor Allan Clayton. All this alongside Stravinsky’s Violin Concerto in D Major performed by Leila Josefowicz.
Broadcast of Prom 57: Swing No End Singer and broadcaster Clare Teal heads the charge in this big band spectacular. Travel back in time with this rip-roaring Prom to the 1930s and 1940s and celebrate the irrepressible music of Duke Ellington, Benny Goodman, Count Basie, Tommy Dorsey, Stan Kenton and more, plus a special tribute to the unassuming giant of the big band world, Mary Lou Williams. Band leaders Guy Barker and Winston Rollins take to the stage alongside their eponymous big bands with help from a myriad of guest artists.
Broadcast of Prom 65: Stax Records: 50 Years of Soul Founded in 1957, Memphis-based Stax Records was synonymous with southern soul - a distinctive blend of funk, gospel and R&B that brought listeners across America together at a time of racial conflict and political unrest. In this Late Night Prom, Jools Holland and his Rhythm & Blues Orchestra pay tribute to the pioneering label and celebrate the 50th anniversary of the Stax/Volt Revue's first tour of the UK, in a concert featuring some of the label's greatest surviving artists. Stax legends Booker T Jones and Sam Moore appear alongside Sir Tom Jones, a longtime fan and interpreter of the Stax songbook. Both Jones and Moore were part of the 1967 tour and join fellow Stax artists William Bell, Steve Cropper and Eddie Floyd in this unique coming-together. They are joined by more fans of the Stax sound in Beverley Knight, James Morrison, Nadia Rose & Sweetie Irie and Ruby Turner.
Broadcast of Prom 46: Schoenberg – Gurrelieder In one of the highlights of this year's Proms season, Sir Simon Rattle brings Schoenberg's colossal Gurrelieder to the Royal Albert Hall, uniting the London Symphony Orchestra & Chorus, CBSO Chorus, Orfeo Catala and a stunning line-up of soloists including Eva-Maria Westbroek, Simon O'Neill and speaker Thomas Quasthoff. An epic love story conceived on a Wagnerian scale, it reaches its climax with a truly unforgettable depiction of sunrise.
Broadcast of Prom 55: Classical Music of India and Pakistan To mark the 70th anniversary of independence from British rule and the subsequent Partition of India from Pakistan and Bangladesh, this special late-night Prom celebrates the power of music to heal and unify. Curated by the cultural heritage trust Darbar, it brings together virtuoso soloists and world-leading groups representing the three great traditions of classical music from India and Pakistan. From late evening into the night, the concert takes us from the Hindustani music of north India to the Carnatic music of the south, and leads to an ecstatic climax with devotional Sufi qawwali from Pakistan.
Broadcast of Prom 73: Sir András Schiff performs Bach’s The Well-Tempered Clavier After his extraordinary performance of Bach's Goldberg Variations at the 2015 Proms, world-renowned pianist Sir Andras Schiff returns to the Royal Albert Hall for another solo Bach recital. He performs Book One of Bach's The Well-Tempered Clavier, a cycle that he will complete next year with Book Two. Almost three centuries after Bach composed his two sequences of preludes and fugues in all 24 keys, 'the 48' remains a touchstone for all great pianists.
Broadcast of Prom 70: Missy Mazzoli, Bartók and Dvořák Bartok's sparkling Second Piano Concerto and Dvorak's Eighth Symphony are in the spotlight as American pianist Jeremy Denk joins conductor Karina Canellakis and the BBC Symphony Orchestra. The concert opens with Sinfonia (for Orbiting Spheres) by young American composer Missy Mazzoli, music 'in the shape of the solar system'.
Broadcast of Prom 62: Chineke! The UK’s first majority BME orchestra, Chineke!, makes its Proms debut. 2016 BBC Young Musician winner, cellist Sheku Kanneh-Mason, is the soloist, and the concert also includes works by composers George Walker and Hannah Kendall.
The BBC Proms 2017 season comes to a close with the BBC Symphony Orchestra and their Finnish chief conductor Sakari Oramo leading proceedings live from London's Royal Albert Hall. Soprano superstar Nina Stemme performs music from Wagner's Tristan and Isolde, the BBC Symphony Chorus and BBC Singers mark 100 years of Finnish independence with a performance of Sibelius's glorious Finlandia and Kodaly's Budavari Te Deum is performed by soprano Lucy Crowe, mezzo Christine Rice, tenor Ben Johnson and bass John Relyea. Also on the programme is the world premiere of Finnish composer Lotta Wennakoski's Flounce, as well as a performance of Malcolm Sargent's An Impression on a Windy Day. Presented by Katie Derham.
The Last Night of the Proms celebrations continue live from the Royal Albert Hall in London. John Adams's seventieth birthday is marked with the London premiere of his exhilarating Lola Montez Does the Spider Dance, and solo star soprano Nina Stemme performs Weill's Surabaya Johnny and The Saga of Jenny, followed by Gershwin's The Lorelei. The programme takes a trip around the UK with Henry Wood's Fantasia on British Sea Songs, with contributions from the Proms in the Park events in Swansea, Glasgow and Belfast, before the BBC Proms 2017 is brought to a rousing close with Rule Britannia, Land of Hope and Glory and Jerusalem. The BBC Symphony Orchestra and Chorus and BBC Singers are conducted by Sakari Oramo. Presented by Katie Derham.
Katie Derham returns with the magazine show Proms Extra to review the opening week of Proms 2017 with her special guests. This week's review includes Elgar's Second Symphony conducted by Daniel Barenboim and a trip to the movies courtesy of the iconic John Williams.
Join Katie Derham as she looks back at the week's events from the Proms, with conductors Xian Zhang, Jules Buckley and violinist Tai Murray. This programme focuses on Walton's Facade from the Malcolm Sargent Prom and celebrates the genius of Scott Walker. Plus there is Chord of the Week with David Owen Norris.
Katie Derham presents the companion guide to the Proms. Tonight's show has the tenor Stuart Skelton, soprano Ailish Tynan and gospel conductor and composer Ken Burton discussing Beethoven's Ninth Symphony, and a Proms centenary tribute to Ella Fitzgerald and Dizzy Gillespie.
Proms Extra continues to explore the Proms season as it passes the halfway mark. Katie Derham is joined by harpist Catrin Finch and singer Julian Ovenden, and the show turns the spotlight on the National Youth Orchestra of Great Britain and their performance of Thomas Ades's Polaris, John Wilson Orchestra's Oklahoma! and David Owen Norris returns with Chord of the Week.
Katie Derham is joined in the studio by baritone Roderick Williams and composer Hannah Kendall. Music featured comes from Rachmaninov's Second Symphony, Aurora Orchestra's performance of Beethoven's Eroica and the Ravi Shankar/Philip Glass collaboration Passages.
Katie Derham reviews the sixth full week of Proms activity in this penulitimate episode of Proms Extra. She is joined by jazz saxophonist Soweto Kinch and conductor John Butt to discuss Bach's St John Passion, performed in week five of the Proms by John Butt's Dunedin Consort, and the Charles Mingus Prom, featuring Kandace Springs, Shabaka Hutchings and Christian Scott. David Owen Norris offers another Chord of the Week.
Katie Derham presents the final Proms Extra for the Proms season. On this show, she is joined by percussionist Dame Evelyn Glennie, star saxophonist Jess Gillam and acclaimed pianist Stephen Hough as they cast an eye over Stravinsky's Violin Concerto, The Big Band Prom and the Jools Holland Stax Prom.
The CBSO perform Beethoven's dramatic overture, celebrating the triumph of truth over tyranny in music of radiant beauty. Mirga Gražinytė-Tyla conducts. (performance from Prom #50)
Tenor Allan Clayton is the soloist in the world premiere of Gerald Barry's new work, inspired by revolutionary events in Canada’s history. Mirga Gražinytė-Tyla conducts the CBSO. (performance from Prom #50)
Violinist Leila Josefowicz performs Stravinsky's fiercely brilliant neo-Classical concerto, with the CBSO and Mirga Gražinytė-Tyla. (Performance from Prom #50)
Sheku Kanneh-Masson performs an arrangement of the Hungarian Rhapsody by the 19th-Century Bohemian cellist and composer David Popper. (Performance from Prom #62)
World premiere of BBC commission of Hannah Kendall's The Spark Catchers which takes inspiration from the urgent energy of Lemn Sissay's poem of the same name. (Performance from Prom #62)
Rimsky-Korsakov's popular 'Capriccio on Spanish Themes' is based on five lively and exuberant Spanish folk tunes. (Performance from Prom #62)
The European premiere of Missy Mazzoli's mesmeric Sinfonia - music 'in the shape of the solar system' that weaves and coils itself in a sequence of pulsing loops.
Live from Glasgow Green, Jamie MacDougall introduces the BBC Scottish Symphony Orchestra and a host of guests as part of the UK-wide Last Night of the Proms celebrations. Conducted by Stephen Bell, the BBC SSO is joined by a host of award-winning guest performers, including Scottish folk singer and Capercaillie lead vocalist Karen Matheson, jazz singer and BBC Radio 2 presenter Clare Teal, Irish soprano Ailish Tynan and comedian Jason Manford, plus traditional trio Charlie Stewart, Josie Duncan and Pablo Lafuente. Expect fireworks, musical and otherwise, on a night of fantastic music.
Josie d'Arby and Tim Rhys-Evans present the first half of BBC Proms in the Park live from Singleton Park, Swansea. In an evening celebrating the music of film and TV, they are joined by soul singer Mica Paris, who pays homage to jazz legend Ella Fitzgerald (in what would have been her centenary year), Olivier award winner and West End star Rebecca Trehearn and BBC Young Musician 2016 finalist, saxophonist Jess Gillam. They perform with the BBC National Orchestra and Chorus of Wales, conducted by Gavin Sutherland.
BBC Proms in the Park returns to Singleton Park, Swansea, with a show that features some of film and TV's greatest hits, plus all of the best of the traditional 'Last Night' celebrations. Soul singer Mica Paris tops the bill and pays homage to jazz legend Ella Fitzgerald. The BBC National Orchestra and Chorus of Wales are also joined on stage by Olivier Award winner and West End star Rebecca Trehearn and 2016 BBC Young Musician finalist, saxophonist Jess Gillam. Highlights presented by Josie d'Arby and Tim Rhys-Evans.
The traditional Last Night, Proms in the Park celebrations from venues around the UK. Gethin Jones and YolanDa Brown present a stellar mix of classical and contemporary performances, including internationally acclaimed percussionist Dame Evelyn Glennie and legend of the flute Sir James Galway in Castle Coole, Enniskillen; rising star saxophonist Jess Gillam and soul diva Mica Paris from Swansea's Singleton Park; big band aficionado Clare Teal and Jason Manford in Glasgow Green; while opera superstar Sir Bryn Terfel and the sensational sounds of 60s icon Ray Davies draw the crowds to London's Hyde Park. All accompanied of course, by the BBC's acclaimed orchestras.
This year's extravaganza from Castle Coole, Co Fermanagh, features a stellar line-up including Sir James and Lady Jeanne Galway, Dame Evelyn Glennie, Adrian Dunbar, Ruthie Henshall and Anuna.
Filmed live from Glasgow Green in September, the BBC Scottish Symphony Orchestra celebrates the Last Night of the Proms with world class musical entertainment. Conducted by Stephen Bell, the BBC SSO is joined by a host of musical talent, including Scottish folk singer and Capercaillie lead vocalist Karen Matheson, award-winning jazz singer and BBC Radio 2 presenter Clare Teal, Irish soprano Ailish Tynan as well as comedian and West End musical star Jason Manford. Actor Tom Urie ticks off a bucket list ambition to sing with an orchestra as he tackles the momentous Nessun Dorma. The evening is presented by tenor and BBC Radio Scotland presenter Jamie MacDougall.
Join in the Last night of the Proms celebrations in Hyde Park, hosted by Michael Ball, with Proms in the Park favourites the BBC Concert Orchestra under the baton of Richard Balcombe, and special guest Sir Bryn Terfel, headlined by Sir Ray Davies.
An all-British concert launches the 2018 season. Vaughan Williams atmospheric Whitman settings and Holst’s ever-popular 1918 suite The Planets sit alongside a new collaboration by Anna Meredith and 59 Productions.
BBC Young Musician celebrates its 40th birthday with a concert featuring illustrious past winners and finalists, including Nicola Benedetti, Freddy Kempf and Sheku Kanneh-Mason, as well as this year’s winner. With music by Ravel and Saint-Saëns.
23-year-old vocalist, multi-instrumentalist and arranger Jacob Collier is already a multi-Grammy Award-winner. Here he teams up with Jules Buckley, the Metropole Orkest and special guests Sam Amidon and Take 6 for a special Proms performance.
Mendelssohn’s precocious First Piano Concerto joins Schumann’s forward-looking Fourth Symphony and music by Lili Boulanger and Morfydd Owen – both of whom died tragically young – in the BBC National Orchestra of Wales’s first Prom of the season.
The London Contemporary Orchestra leads a late-night tribute to the legacy of the BBC Radiophonic Workshop – pioneers of experimental electronic music – which includes Daphne Oram’s groundbreaking Still Point and music by RW stalwart Delia Derbyshire.
Karina Canellakis directs the BBC Symphony Orchestra in two Russian classics: Rachmaninov’s exhilarating Symphonic Dances and Shostakovich’s First Cello Concerto, with Alisa Weilerstein as soloist. Beethoven’s spirited overture Coriolan opens the concert.
A concert of darkness and light opens with the world premiere of Tansy Davies’s 9/11-inspired What Did We See? and closes with Brahms’s sunny Second Symphony. Paul Lewis joins Ben Gernon and the BBC Philharmonic for Beethoven’s 'Emperor' Concerto.
Vaughan Williams’s The Lark Ascending and Pastoral Symphony sit alongside music by Holst and Parry’s stirring Fifth Symphony in this centenary celebration of Hubert Parry – father of 20th-century English music. Martyn Brabbins conducts the BBC NOW.
Leading reggae and dancehall producer Mister Savona brings together some of Cuba and Jamaica’s most influential musicians for a concert combing the sounds of roots reggae, dub and dancehall with son, salsa and Afro-Cuban to create a new musical fusion.
The BBC Concert Orchestra collaborates with some of the folk world’s leading musicians, including Julie Fowlis, The Unthanks and Sam Lee, in a concert that celebrates traditional music while also looking to the future of this ever-evolving genre.
George Benjamin and the National Youth Orchestra in a concert of orchestral masterworks that includes Debussy’s La Mer and Ligeti’s mesmerising Lontano. Pianist Tamara Stefanovich is the soloist in Ravel’s Concerto for the Left Hand.
Richard Farnes conducts the BBC Symphony Orchestra and soloists Golda Schultz and Johan Reuter in Brahms’s much-loved Requiem. Marking Thea Musgrave’s 90th birthday, the performance opens with her dramatic Phoenix Rising.
Celebrating the music of a modern New York, the Heritage Orchestra and conductor Jules Buckley present the sound of NYC. With guest artists drawn from across the Big Apple, expect anything from pagan-gospel and disco-punk to feminist rap or DIY indie.
The conflict of war runs through this concert by Edward Gardner and the BBC Symphony Orchestra. Vaughan Williams’s beautiful cantata Dona nobis pacem and Lili Boulanger frame Elgar’s elegiac Cello Concerto.
Ravel’s magical opera The Child and the Spells follows his fairy-tale ballet Mother Goose and the oriental aura of Shéhérazade.
Recreating a Prom conducted by Leonard Bernstein in 1987, the BBC Scottish Symphony Orchestra and Thomas Dausgaard pair two of the best-loved and most beautiful works in the repertoire: Mozart’s Clarinet Concerto and Mahler’s Fifth Symphony.
Dance to the Gypsy rhythms of Hungarian folk music in works by Liszt and Sarasate, while Brahms’s dramatic First Symphony, with its transcendent finale, is at the heart of this second concert by Iván Fischer and the Budapest Festival Orchestra.
Launching a Bernstein bank-holiday weekend on what would have been the composer’s 100th birthday, John Wilson conducts Bernstein’s hit Broadway musical On The Town, which follows the adventures of three sailors on shore leave in 1944.
Bernstein-protégée Marin Alsop returns to the Proms with one of the great American symphony orchestras to perform a politically charged programme that includes Shostakovich’s Fifth Symphony alongside Bernstein’s own Second Symphony.
Following his performance of Book 1 in 2017, distinguished pianist and Bach specialist Sir András Schiff returns to present the complete Book 2 of J. S. Bach’s The Well-Tempered Clavier.
Senegalese cultural icon Youssou Ndour makes his Proms debut in a special late-night appearance. He’s joined by his group Le Super Étoile de Dakar for a performance embracing his signature mix of Cuban rumba, hip hop, jazz and soul.
Explore the raw sensuality and charged rhythms of the tango in all its guises. The Britten Sinfonia join forces with a tango band to take the dance from its dusty beginning in the streets of Buenos Aires right up to the present day.
The BBC Proms 2018 season comes to a close with the BBC Symphony Orchestra and their much-loved former chief conductor and Last Night of the Proms veteran Sir Andrew Davis steering proceedings live from the Royal Albert Hall. Long-standing nautical traditions of the evening are extended in Stanford's Songs of the Sea, featuring Canadian baritone Gerald Finley. The centenary of the end of the Great War is marked with a new work from Roxanna Panufnik, which also rounds off the season's original premieres and features BBC Singers and BBC Symphony Chorus. The evening includes music by Hindemith, Berlioz and Charles Hubert Parry, who is celebrated 100 years after his death with a performance of Blest Pair of Sirens. Coverage also includes visits to Proms in the Parks across the Nation, also celebrating this annual great night in classical music.
Katie Derham presents live coverage as the Last Night of the Proms continues from the Royal Albert Hall with the ever-popular Marche militaire francaise by Saint-Saens. Award-winning 18-year-old saxophonist Jess Gillam performs Scaramouche by Milhaud, and baritone Gerry Finley performs the song Soliloquy from Rodgers and Hammerstein's Carousel. To mark 100 years since 1918 there is a nationwide sing-around of traditional First World War songs, with contributions from the Proms in the Park events in Colwyn Bay, Glasgow and Belfast. The 2018 Proms are brought to a familiar and much-loved rousing close with Rule Britannia, Land of Hope and Glory, and Jerusalem. The BBC Symphony Orchestra and Chorus and BBC Singers are conducted by Sir Andrew Davis.
Jamie MacDougall presents coverage of part one of Scotland's Proms in the Park live from Glasgow Green. Featuring the BBC Scottish Symphony Orchestra conducted by Stephen Bell, the show features music from a range of styles and a host of guest performers including Sophie Ellis-Bextor, Radio Scotland Young Traditional Musician of the Year Hannah Rarity, soprano Elizabeth Watts, Scottish-Egyptian duet The Ayoub Sisters and, marking their 10th anniversary, a group of young performers from Sistema Scotland.
Josie d'Arby and Tim Rhys-Evans present the first half of BBC Proms in the Park live from Colwyn Bay. They are joined by Welsh mezzo soprano Katherine Jenkins, West End star and actor Lee Mead, BBC Young Musician 2018 Lauren Zhang and Only Kids Aloud, performing popular classical, musical theatre and film favourites. They perform with the BBC National Orchestra and Chorus of Wales, conducted by Grant Llewellyn.
The BBC Proms in the Park returns to north Wales and Colwyn Bay for an evening of popular, classical, musical theatre and film favourites, plus all the traditional 'Last Night' celebrations. Josie d'Arby and Tim Rhys-Evans present highlights of this special concert featuring the Welsh mezzo soprano Katherine Jenkins, West End star and actor Lee Mead, BBC Young Musician 2018 Lauren Zhang and Only Kids Aloud - all performing with the BBC National Orchestra and Chorus of Wales.
The traditional Last Night of the Proms is celebrated in style with concerts from parks around the UK. Sean Fletcher and YolanDa Brown present a stunning mix of classical and contemporary performances. Artists include one of Britain's leading sopranos Elizabeth Watts and pop diva Sophie Ellis-Bextor in Glasgow Green. World-famous classical singer Katherine Jenkins and show-stopping West End star Lee Mead perform at Eirias Park in Colwyn Bay alongside 2018 BBC Young Musician of the Year, pianist Lauren Zhang. Internationally acclaimed Israeli mandolinist Avi Avital and Midge Ure entertain in Titanic Slipways, Belfast, while rising star saxophonist and former Young Musician finalist Jess Gillam, and the sensational voice of soul Gladys Knight, draw the crowds to London's Hyde Park. They all come together for the traditional Last Night celebrations - accompanied by the BBC's orchestras.
This year's extravaganza from Titanic Slipways, Belfast, features a stellar line-up including Midge Ure, Kim Criswell, Xuefei Yang, Avi Avital and Itamar Doari, Karl McGuckin, the Ulster Youth Choir and the Ulster Orchestra under the baton of David Brophy.
Jamie MacDougall presents highlights of Scotland's Proms in the Park on Glasgow Green. Featuring the BBC Scottish Symphony Orchestra conducted by Stephen Bell, the show features music from a range of styles and a host of guest performers including Sophie Ellis-Bextor, Radio Scotland Young Traditional Musician of the Year Hannah Rarity, soprano Elizabeth Watts and Scottish-Egyptian duet The Ayoub Sisters.
The BBC Symphony Orchestra, conducted by Karina Canellakis, perform Dvorak’s The Golden Spinning Wheel and a commission commemorating the 50th anniversary of the moon landings.
The BBC Symphony Orchestra and BBC Symphony Chorus, conducted by Karina Canellakis, perform Janácek’s Glagolitic Mass in the second half of First Night of the Proms 2019.
Join Katie Derham and Jess Gillam at the Royal Albert Hall for a Proms Bohemian rhapsody. The Bamberg Symphony Orchestra, conducted by Jakob Hrusa, perform Smetana’s legendary Ma Vlast and, with American superstar violinist Joshua Bell, Dvorak’s Violin Concerto.
Suzy Klein introduces the BBC Philharmonic and Omer Meir Wellber in a performance of works by Ben-Haim, Schumann, Schoenberg and, with Yeol Eum Son, Mozart's Piano Concerto No 15 in B flat, K450.
Cult band Public Service Broadcasting join the Multi-Story Orchestra and London Contemporary Voices to perform a specially commissioned new arrangement of their 2015 album The Race for Space.
Mark Wigglesworth conducts the National Youth Orchestra of Great Britain in Auerbach, Prokofiev and, with Nicola Benedetti, Tchaikovsky's Violin Concerto.
Katie Derham introduces two pieces originally premiered by Proms founder Sir Henry Wood. Leif Ove Andsnes performs Britten’s Piano Concerto while Claudia Mahnke and Stuart Skelton sing Mahler’s poignant Das Lied von der Erde. Edward Gardner conducts the BBC Symphony Orchestra.
The BBC Philharmonic, conducted by John Storgårds, performs Rachmaninov's The Isle of the Dead, Shostakovich’s Symphony No 11 and the world premiere of Outi Tarkiainen’s Midnight Sun Variations.
Three-time Grammy Award-winner Angélique Kidjo makes her Proms debut together with her nine-piece band in a late-night tribute to salsa legend Celia Cruz.
John Wilson's virtuoso orchestra celebrates the music of one of the world's most famous film studios, Warner Brothers, including works by Max Steiner and Erich Korngold.
Cerys Matthews introduces the London Contemporary Orchestra in a late-night Prom featuring sci-fi film music including excerpts from Alien: Covenant, Interstellar, Under the Skin and Gravity.
The BBC National Orchestra and Chorus of Wales, conducted by Nathalie Stutzmann, with Fatma Said, Kathryn Rudge, Sunnyboy Dladla and David Shipley in Mozart's Requiem.
Sir Antonio Pappano conducts the National Youth Orchestra of the USA in Benjamin Beckman's Occidentalis, Strauss's Alpine Symphony and, with mezzo Joyce DiDonato, Berlioz's Les nuits d'été.
An evening of music to celebrate the 200th anniversary of Queen Victoria's birth including Mendelssohn's 'Scottish' Symphony and First Piano Concerto, performed by Stephen Hough on Victoria's piano.
The London Symphony Orchestra, LSO Chorus, Orfeó Català and the Orfeó Català Youth Choir, conducted by Sir Simon Rattle, perform works by Koechlin, Varèse and Walton's cantata, Belshazzar's Feast.
BBC 2016 Young Musician winner and superstar Sheku Kanneh-Mason performs Elgar's passionate Cello Concerto with the City of Birmingham Symphony Orchestra and their music director Mirga Gražinyte-Tyla. Introduced by Tom Service and Sheku's sister, pianist Isata Kanneh-Mason.
Katie Derham presents flavours of Finland, Russia and Germany from three 20th-century favourites, featuring Yannick Nézet-Séguin and the Bavarian Radio Symphony Orchestra.
First transmitted in 2019. Clara Amfo introduces a celebration of jazz and blues legend Nina Simone with The Metropole Orkest led by Jules Buckley, Ledisi, Lisa Fisher and more.
A 150th anniversary tribute to Sir Henry Wood, founder-conductor of the Proms, featuring many of the works he both premiered and arranged across nearly 50 years of the festival.
The Shanghai Symphony Orchestra, conducted by Long Yu, makes its Proms debut in a programme including works by Qigang Chen, Rachmaninov and, with Eric Lu, Mozart’s Piano Concerto No 23 in A major.
Cerys Matthews introduces an evening of jazz, gospel and Broadway-style music inspired by Duke Ellington's three sacred concerts. In a Proms premiere, Peter Edwards conducts the Nu Civilisation Orchestra in a new version of these landmark works, written originally between 1965 and 1973.
The BBC Scottish Symphony Orchestra performs music by Vaughan Williams, Brahms and a new work - a birthday tribute to conductor Martyn Brabbins - inspired by Elgar's 'Enigma' Variations.
Mathew Baynton, Nicholas Collon and the Aurora Orchestra present Berlioz’s Symphonie fantastique from memory, in a specially devised production incorporating elements of theatre, spectacular lighting and choreography as well as Berlioz’s own words about his music.
Radiohead lead guitarist and award-winning film composer Jonny Greenwood curates a late-night Prom culminating in the world premiere of his work Horror vacui, written for solo violin and 68 strings.
Katie Derham hosts the climax of the world's greatest classical music festival live from London's Royal Albert Hall.
Katie Derham introduces live coverage from the Royal Albert Hall of the climax of the world’s greatest classical music festival, including the traditional Last Night classics.
To celebrate 50 years since the first astronauts walked on the moon, join the CBeebies Prommers for this third CBeebies Prom, which sees them taking a musical journey to the moon. Featuring music performed by the orchestra Chineke! conducted by Kwamé Ryan, with additional performances by the Chineke! Junior Orchestra and the first ever CBeebies Proms Choir, the preschool audience can hear pieces by composers such as Handel, Puccini, John Adams, Benjamin Britten and Jessie Montgomery as well as the world premiere of Hans Zimmer's new work, Earth. With specially made pieces of animation from some of CBeebies' most popular shows such as Clangers, Go Jetters and Moon and Me, an interactive song inspired by Neil Armstrong and special Nasa archive footage from the moon landing itself, join some of CBeebies's favourite presenters as they take you on a musical voyage to the stars.
The traditional Last Night Proms in the Park celebrations from around the UK. YolanDa Brown and Josie d’Arby present a thrilling mix of classical and contemporary performances.
International sensation Barry Manilow plays Proms in Hyde Park with a career spanning over 50 years, a catalogue of hits and accompaniment from the BBC Concert Orchestra.
Katie Derham presents the first night of the world’s greatest live classical music festival, with a feast of music including Beethoven’s Third Symphony, Aaron Copland’s Quiet City and a new work by young British composer Hannah Kendall, all brought to you by the BBC Symphony Orchestra and BBC Singers, with conductor Sakari Oramo. Join Katie and special guest Stephen Fry as they celebrate the return of live music to the Royal Albert Hall.
Organist Jonathan Scott performs his own virtuosic arrangements of works by Rossini, Mascagni, Dukas, plus a climactic Saint-Saëns's Symphony No. 3, on the world-famous Royal Albert Hall organ.
Sir Simon Rattle and the LSO with a programme of unmissable music featuring star pianist Mitsuko Uchida playing Beethoven, works by Elgar and Vaughan Williams, and a new composition by Thomas Adès.
In a Viennese spectacular, the BBC Concert Orchestra are joined by soloists Sophie Bevan and Robert Murray, performing works by Lehár and Johann Strauss II, conducted by Bramwell Tovey.
The London Sinfonietta perform cutting edge contemporary works by Philip Glass, Tansy Davies, Steve Reich and Anna Meredith.
In a change to the originally advertised programme, John Storgårds, the BBC Philharmonic's Chief Guest Conductor, joins the orchestra to conduct Haydn, Britten and Tchaikovsky.
Nicola Benedetti leads a high-energy evening of baroque music with the Orchestra of the Age of Enlightenment, led by Jonathan Cohen.
Sitar virtuoso Anoushka Shankar takes to the stage in an evening dedicated to her father and musical guru, Ravi, in what would have been his centenary year. Anoushka is joined in the first half by electronic music producer and performer Gold Panda for a new imagining of Ravi’s music. In the second half, Jules Buckley, the Britten Sinfonia and soloist Manu Delago accompany Anoushka in a selection of her music. Josie d’Arby presents this unique evening from the Royal Albert Hall.
Stephen Hough plays Beethoven in a concert featuring a World Premiere from Jay Capperauld.
Laura Marling teams up with the 12 Ensemble for a retrospective journey through her back catalogue, as well as showcasing tracks from her 2020 album, Song for Our Daughter.
London based eight-piece band KOKOROKO bring their ‘horn fuelled’ Afrobeat sound to the Proms, led by trumpeter Sheila Maurice-Grey.
To celebrate Beethoven’s 250th anniversary, Tom Service and the Aurora Orchestra present a unique evening in which conductor Nicholas Collon and the orchestra take apart Beethoven’s popular Seventh Symphony and show us the inner workings of the composer’s creative genius, followed by a performance of the work in the orchestra’s signature style - from memory! Also on the bill at the Royal Albert Hall is a new work by British composer Richard Ayres, whose piece is inspired by Beethoven’s struggle with his loss of hearing.
Superstar siblings Sheku and Isata Kanneh-Mason perform their first Prom together, an evening of chamber music for cello and piano.
Ryan Bancroft joins BBC NOW as principal conductor at BBC Hoddinott Hall in Cardiff Bay for his first official engagement, his Proms debut and the first Prom from Wales! Martinu’s quirky Jazz Suite complements John Adams’s Chamber Symphony, written in 1992. After the world premiere of a new BBC commission by British composer Gavin Higgins, there are two evocative American classics by Barber and Copland. Acclaimed soprano Natalya Romaniw from Swansea, who represented Wales in Cardiff Singer of the World, joins the orchestra for this unforgettable Prom.
Featuring South African soprano Golda Schultz with the BBC Symphony Orchestra under its principal guest conductor Dalia Stasevska. Presented by Katie Derham.
Conductor Dalia Stasevska and the BBC Symphony Orchestra kick off a six-week season with Vaughan Williams’s ravishing Serenade to Music and Poulenc’s dazzling Organ Concerto. They’re joined by the BBC Singers and a cast of soloists, including soprano Elizabeth Llewellyn, tenor Allan Clayton and organist Daniel Hyde, for a celebration of the power of music to comfort and lift your spirits. Katie Derham presents from the Royal Albert Hall in London.
Katie Derham presents from the Royal Albert Hall, as the opening concert of the 2021 Proms season continues in front of a live audience. Conductor Dalia Stasevska and the BBC Symphony Orchestra perform Sibelius’s thrilling Second Symphony. They are joined by soloists including soprano Elizabeth Llewellyn and tenor Allan Clayton for the world premiere of When Soft Voices Die, a poignant piece for our times by Scottish composer Sir James MacMillan.
The Scottish Chamber Orchestra and their young Principal Conductor Maxim Emelyanychev showcase Mozart’s final three symphonies – composed over a period of just two months in the summer of 1788.
The City of Birmingham Symphony Orchestra and Music Director Mirga Gražinytė-Tyla champion the music of a too-long neglected composer. A pupil of Vaughan Williams, Ruth Gipps started her career as an oboist with what was then the City of Birmingham Orchestra in 1944, before becoming established as a composer. Her Symphony No. 2 takes a wide-screen, cinematic view of the Second World War, embracing exhilaration, anxiety and, finally, ecstatic rejoicing. Conflict of a very different kind runs through The Exterminating Angel Symphony by Thomas Adès (50 this year), inspired by Louis Buñuel’s Surrealist film. Brahms’s Third Symphony strikes a more autumnal tone, inspired by a visit to the River Rhine in 1883. The critic Eduard Hanslick pronounced it ‘artistically the most nearly perfect’ of the composer’s symphonies to date.
Musical borrowings, reworkings and reinventions run through this season’s Proms. The invisible thread linking tonight’s concert really begins with Bach. A lilting chaconne from his Cantata No. 150 underpins the finale of Brahms’s Symphony No. 4, and the latter’s elegant synthesis of heart and head is itself the inspiration for American composer Elizabeth Ogonek’s Cloudline, a lyrical homage to ancient musical forms and techniques. The chaconne’s repeating patterns are echoed elsewhere in the circling bass line of Purcell’s powerful Lament from Dido and Aeneas. Cellist Guy Johnston is the soloist in anniversary-composer Saint-Saëns’s Cello Concerto No .1.
Smell the greasepaint and feel the blaze of those Broadway lights, as the BBC Concert Orchestra whisks you away for a night at the musicals. The toe-tapping favourites include songs from musicals including South Pacific, My Fair Lady, Anything Goes, Annie Get Your Gun and High Society, all performed by the ever-versatile BBC Concert Orchestra – and some special guest soloists.
Rising star Jonathon Heyward conducts the talented teenagers of the National Youth Orchestra of Great Britain in one of the all-time symphonic greats. Propelling the symphony into the Romantic age, Beethoven’s ‘Eroica’ is a celebration of scope and drama, a musical depiction of heroism that surges with pioneering spirit. Nicola Benedetti is the soloist in Prokofiev’s Violin Concerto No. 2 with its song-like slow movement – a work whose sardonic wit is balanced by a new lyricism that would come to dominate the composer’s later works. The Prom also includes a new NYOGB commission by British composer, jazz trumpeter and former BBC Radio 3 New Generation Artist, Laura Jurd.
Nicholas Collon and the Aurora Orchestra’s from-memory performances have become a thrilling recent fixture of the Proms. Now, following symphonies by Beethoven, Brahms, Shostakovich and Berlioz, they tackle their most audacious challenge yet: a complete performance of the colourful 1945 suite from Stravinsky’s ballet The Firebird. Russian fairy tales and folk melodies collide with Stravinsky’s bold musical modernism to create a memorable score. Radio 3 presenter Tom Service introduces the work from the stage, exploring its textures and themes and dismantling its intricate musical narrative with the help of Collon and his musicians. The concert opens with another Russian classic: Rachmaninov’s virtuosic Rhapsody on a Theme of Paganini, with former BBC Radio 3 New Generation Artist Pavel Kolesnikov as soloist.
Award-winning Icelandic pianist Víkingur Ólafsson makes his much-anticipated Proms debut, as soloist in both Bach’s Keyboard Concerto in F minor, whose energised outer movements frame a ravishing central Adagio, and Mozart’s pioneering Piano Concerto K491, a rare minor-key work whose stormy, richly orchestrated music climaxes in a relentless dance. The Philharmonia Orchestra and its dynamic Finnish Principal Conductor Designate Santtu-Matias Rouvali frame the concert with two symphonies: Prokofiev’s playful ‘Classical’ Symphony, with its clever juxtaposition of traditional forms and contemporary colours, and the more loaded irony of Shostakovich’s compact Symphony No. 9.
A host of British opera stars join Ben Glassberg and the BBC Philharmonic for a night rich in emotion and drama. After a year of lockdowns and social distancing, the themes of isolation and loneliness as well as the joy of reunion have particular poignancy in excerpts from much-loved operas including Handel’s Rodelinda, Beethoven’s Fidelio, Humperdinck’s Hansel and Gretel and Puccini’s La bohème.
British saxophonist, composer, DJ and bandleader Nubya Garcia is one of the brightest of a new generation of jazz talent, drawing comparison with greats such as Sonny Rollins and Dexter Gordon. Named a ‘major voice’ by The New York Times, she has devised a brand of ‘eclectic, danceable, political jazz’ that draws on influences from Africa, Latin America and the Caribbean. Tonight marks her Proms debut.
The London Symphony Orchestra and Sir Simon Rattle mark 2021’s Stravinsky anniversary with a series of symphonic snapshots. We follow Stravinsky’s view of the symphony from the experimental, colour-blocked ‘ritual’ of the Symphonies of Wind Instruments, through the transitional Symphony in C – reflecting both the composer’s European past and his American future – to arrive at the bold Symphony in Three Movements.
The Chineke! Orchestra returns for its fourth visit to the Proms, celebrating diversity in composers as well as performers. Black British composer Samuel Coleridge-Taylor’s overture to his popular cantata based on the tale of a Native American leader quotes the spiritual ‘Nobody knows the trouble I’ve seen’. There are further meetings of African and European musical styles in Nigerian composer Fela Sowande’s African Suite and the piano concerto by Florence Price, the first female African-American composer to win renown in America. By contrast, Coleridge-Taylor’s Symphony, written as a 20-year old student of Stanford at London’s Royal College of Music, reveals the influence of his hero, Dvořák.
From an icy Italian winter to the heady, sensual warmth of a South American summer: violinist Joshua Bell leads the Academy of St Martin in the Fields on a musical journey through the sights and sounds of two continents and four very different seasons. Inspired by Vivaldi’s best-known work, Piazzolla – Argentina’s 20th-century tango king, whose 100th anniversary we celebrate this year – created his own response, complete with musical quotations. While Vivaldi’s virtuosic concertos celebrate contrast – the freshness of spring, with its sudden thunderstorms, versus the languid heat of summer – Piazzolla’s musical landscape remains more constant, always swaying to the pervasive rhythm of the tango.
Author Michael Morpurgo joins the seven talented Kanneh-Mason siblings and starry musical friends for this special Family Prom. Saint-Saëns’s much-loved suite The Carnival of the Animals – a musical menagerie packed with braying donkeys, energetic kangaroos, a serene swan and an aquarium of glinting fish – gets a fresh update in witty new poems by Morpurgo.
The BBC Scottish Symphony Orchestra and Principal Guest Conductor Ilan Volkov pair Beethoven’s dramatic concert aria ‘Ah! perfido’ with the Second Symphony – a work whose vitality and ‘smiling’ mood belie the private struggles and despair of a composer wrestling with hearing loss – with a new commission from celebrated American composer George Lewis. This world premiere blends a conventional orchestra with spatialised electronics, exploiting the unique space of the Royal Albert Hall to create, in Lewis’s words, ‘a medium for meditation on what processes of decolonisation might sound like’.
Blending soul, jazz, art-pop and spoken word, singer-songwriter Moses Sumney defies traditional categories. His ever-evolving voice has channelled political rage and emotional optimism into everything from sprawling orchestral tracks to electronica. Here he performs songs from his albums Aromanticism and græ in new orchestral arrangements, masterminded by Jules Buckley.
Sir John Eliot Gardiner makes his 60th Proms appearance directing his own Monteverdi Choir and English Baroque Soloists in Handel’s vividly theatrical Dixit Dominus – a concerto for choir that blazes with virtuosity and colour. It’s paired with Bach’s Easter cantata Christ lag in Todes Banden – a fiery, dramatic setting of Luther’s popular hymn. Mezzo-soprano Ann Hallenberg is the soloist in the young Handel’s cantata of praise to the Virgin Mary, Donna, che in ciel, containing music the composer later borrowed for his opera Agrippina.
The Sinfonia of London makes its much-anticipated official concert debut under John Wilson, who re-established the ensemble in 2018. Following on from their award-winning recording, this orchestral ‘army of generals’ brings with it Korngold’s stirring, filmic Symphony in F sharp. It’s part of a musical bird’s-eye view of 19th- and 20th-century Vienna that also includes the overture to Die Fledermaus and Ravel’s dizzying La valse.
Bach’s crowning masterpiece, the St Matthew Passion combines moments of extraordinary fragility and tenderness with raw choral power and explosive jubilation, bitter grief with passages of consolation. With double chorus and orchestra, its scope and ambition is vast – a piece made for the Royal Albert Hall. Following on from their gripping account of Handel’s Theodora in 2018, period-instrument ensemble Arcangelo and Director Jonathan Cohen return to the Proms, joined by a glittering line-up of soloists including Roderick Williams and rising star Stuart Jackson.
With his ‘thrilling vocal heroics’ and ‘magnetic stage presence’, Stuart Skelton is one of the great tenors of his generation, a regular in all the major international opera houses. The Australian singer is joined by charismatic Latvian accordionist Ksenija Sidorova for the climax of the 2021 festival – a musical celebration like no other.
Katie Derham hosts continued live coverage from the Royal Albert Hall, at the climax of the world’s greatest classical music festival. Latvian accordionist Ksenija Sidorova and Australian tenor Stuart Skelton join Sakari Oramo and the BBC Symphony Orchestra and BBC Singers for a jubilant programme including music by Florence Price, Latin flavours from Piazzolla and Troilo, English folk courtesy of Percy Grainger and, of course, all the traditional favourites including Rule, Britannia, Land of Hope and Glory and Jerusalem. Katie is joined by special guests Gareth Malone and Maggie Aderin-Pocock.
This summer the world’s largest classical music festival returns in its full glory to the Royal Albert Hall for an unforgettable eight-week season. Running from 15 July to 10 September, the 2022 BBC Proms will showcase large-scale repertoire not heard at the festival since 2019.
Giuseppe Verdi had a complicated relationship with religion: he asked to be buried with just ‘one priest, one candle, one cross’. But as a born dramatist, he knew how to tell a great story – and his colossal Requiem encompasses death, rebirth and the end of the world itself, in music that simply blazes with passion and power. Now, in the vast spaces of the Royal Albert Hall, Sakari Oramo assembles two choruses, a multinational team of solo singers (including 2021 Cardiff Singer of the World Song Prize winner Masabane Cecilia Rangwanasha) and the full forces of the BBC Symphony Orchestra, and prepares to raise the roof. A truly spectacular First Night of the 2022 BBC Proms.
British conductor John Wilson has long been a Proms favourite, but last year’s debut appearance of his new super-orchestra the Sinfonia of London caused a sensation. ‘Astonishing,’ wrote The Times. For The Spectator, this was ‘an orchestra so thrillingly alive with the sheer glory of it all that hearing them play felt like being a teenager in love’. Now Wilson and the Sinfonia are back, in an all-British programme that pairs much-loved classics by Elgar and Vaughan-Williams with Walton’s kaleidoscopic Partita, Bax’s stirring musical seascape and Huw Watkins’s spirited Flute Concerto, played by its dedicatee Adam Walker.
Celebrating the BBC’s centenary year, the Proms partners with Radio 1 Relax for a late-night wind-down. Relax with Radio 1’s Chillest Show presenter Sian Eleri, who appears onstage to introduce a stripped-back set of collaborations and explorations.
Happy and glorious: the story of British music is inextricably linked with royalty, and down the centuries composers ranging from Handel and Elgar to Walton, Parry and Vaughan Williams have risen to royal occasions with music of breath-taking pageantry, beauty and power. In the Queen’s Platinum Jubilee year the BBC Concert Orchestra and BBC Singers present a celebration of music and royalty in all its splendour: from the music of the Tudor court to Britten’s Coronation opera Gloriana, by way of Handel’s majestic Coronation Anthems, choral music by the current Master of the Queen’s Music Judith Weir, and a specially commissioned new work by Cheryl Frances-Hoad.
‘Behold, the sea itself!’ Vaughan Williams’s A Sea Symphony takes the poetry of Walt Whitman and opens the floodgates to a spring tide of inspiration. Andrew Manze’s Vaughan Williams recordings have been praised for their ‘rare sensitivity and warmth’, and in the composer’s 150th-anniversary year, A Sea Symphony gets the deluxe treatment from two of the BBC’s great symphonic choruses, plus the operatic voices of soloists Elizabeth Llewellyn and Andrew Foster-Williams. But the concert opens the way Vaughan Williams would have wanted: with a surging musical seascape from his Welsh pupil Grace Williams, and an equally nautical opener by Doreen Carwithen, composed in 1952 and receiving its first Proms performance in this, her centenary year.
Life on a French river barge is tough, and for a young wife it can be lonely too. But in this closed and arduous world, even a dream of a better world can spark jealousy. Il tabarro is a side of Puccini that’s too rarely seen – a gritty, red-blooded drama of life on the edge, told with all his flair for melody and suspense. Who better to perform it than Sir Mark Elder, one of our greatest living opera conductors, and the orchestra that he’s directed for over two decades – the Hallé. Natalya Romaniw stars as the lovelorn Giorgetta; first, though, Elder and his orchestra conjure up Dukas’s musical magic spell, and join Respighi amid the glittering Fountains of Rome.
Fantastic worlds, epic adventures, complex characters and huge moral choices – the universe of computer gaming is a natural match for orchestral music, and in the 21st century games have created a huge and passionate global audience for some of the most vivid, ambitious and inventive music currently being written for symphony orchestra. In this first ever Gaming Prom, Robert Ames – best-known at the Proms for his explorations of sci-fi and electroacoustic music – takes an electronically expanded Royal Philharmonic Orchestra on an odyssey from the classic console titles of the 1980s, through Jessica Curry’s haunted soundscapes to the European concert premiere of music from Hildur Guðnadóttir’s and Sam Slater’s score for Battlefield 2042.
When Mozart composed his piano concertos, he had a very specific performer in mind – himself. For Norwegian pianist Leif Ove Andsnes, that’s part of the appeal. ‘When you realise how quickly Mozart developed during the early years of the 1780s it makes you ask: why did this happen? What was going on?’ Tonight, this endlessly engaging, multi-award-winning pianist puts himself in Mozart’s shoes, as he plays two contrasting masterworks from 1785: the tempestuous and tender Concerto No. 20, and the sunny, gloriously playful Concerto No. 22. Throughout, he’ll direct the Mahler Chamber Orchestra from the keyboard, just as Mozart would have done. Expect eloquence, insight and (because this is Mozart, after all) lots and lots of fun.
The newly formed Ukrainian Freedom Orchestra, made up of Ukrainian musicians – some from Ukraine’s major cities, some now displaced as refugees, and others who play in European orchestras – is a special late addition to this year’s Proms. Under Canadian-Ukrainian conductor Keri-Lynn Wilson the orchestra is a symbol of the remarkable resolve and determination shown by the people of Ukraine during the dark months of conflict – but also a beacon of hope for peace. They celebrate Ukraine’s leading living composer, Valentin Silvestrov, who escaped Kyiv with his daughter and granddaughter in March. ‘It is now clear how little we appreciate the times when peace reigns,’ he has since said, ‘and how fragile civilisation is.’
No prizes for identifying the real hero of Richard Strauss’s Ein Heldenleben. With its swashbuckling self-confidence and self-mocking humour, this ‘Hero’s Life’ is very much the world according to Richard Strauss – an exuberant, off-the-scale showpiece for the Oslo Philharmonic, making its first Proms appearance under its recently appointed and widely acclaimed Chief Conductor Klaus Makëlä. Joining them, in Liszt’s First Piano Concerto is the phenomenal Yuja Wang, who’s said that she ‘feels like a rock star’ when playing at the Proms. Sibelius’s awe-inspiring panorama of the Finnish forests opens a high-octane evening with one of Europe’s great orchestras, and two of the most talked-about classical musicians in the world today.
Three composers, three landscapes. Elgar wrote his Cello Concerto in the woodlands of Sussex; for many listeners, its autumnal colours evoke emotions too deep for words. From his home in Finland, Sibelius created a symphony that has the grandeur and inevitability of a great river – though some have heard it as a stirring song of national awakening. And elemental forces are the very bedrock of Anna Thorvaldsottir’s inspiration. The BBC Philharmonic, under Eva Kollinainen – a Finnish conductor with close links to Iceland – teams up with charismatic soloist Kian Soltani in Elgar’s hugely popular concerto, and gives the world premiere of a newly forged orchestral work by Iceland-born Anna Thorvaldsottir, for whom composition is ‘a natural part of my life’.
‘I think and feel in sounds,’ said Maurice Ravel. So, when he wrote his ballet Daphnis and Chloe, he created a sumptuous musical panorama in which you can hear every drop of dew, every flurry of birdsong and every ray of glittering light. Sounds thrilling? Now hear it performed by the ‘world’s greatest orchestra of teenagers’ – playing with an energy and joy that make even the Royal Albert Hall feel a bit on the small side. The National Youth Orchestra of Great Britain’s annual Prom is always a highlight of the season, and tonight its 150-plus players are working on a cinematic scale: Simone Dinnerstein performs Gershwin’s Rhapsody in Blue, and there’s a spectacular, specially commissioned opener from Hollywood legend Danny Elfman.
Viennese orchestral playing is a byword for excellence, rooted in generations of tradition. But under its distinguished (and adventurous) American Music Director Marin Alsop, the Vienna Radio Symphony Orchestra takes that tradition as a starting point to look outwards – to explore. Bartók’s bloodcurdling ballet suite prepares the way for Prokofiev’s Third Piano Concerto: energising, unsentimental brilliance, brought to life by former BBC Radio 3 New Generation Artist Benjamin Grosvenor. And then, two very different facets of the Central European tradition: the windswept drama and dancing Bohemian melodies of Dvořák’s magnificent Seventh Symphony, and the UK premiere of Heliosis – written specially for Alsop and the Vienna RSO by a young Viennese composer with a flair for drama.
In her 80th-anniversary year – and 50 years since the release of her album Young, Gifted and Black – the Proms pays tribute to the ‘Queen of Soul’, Aretha Franklin. A singer, songwriter, pianist and one of the best-selling recording artists of all time, whose song ‘Respect’ became an anthem of the American Civil Rights Movement, Franklin is remembered in a unique Prom featuring a collection of her greatest hits with a dynamic orchestral backing. Jules Buckley conducts his newly formed ensemble in its Proms debut, joined by American singer-songwriter and Quincy Jones protégée Sheléa.
Cynthia Erivo is a creative phenomenon: a London-born, Tony, Grammy and Emmy award-winning actress, singer, songwriter and producer, whose career has taken her from her childhood in South London to the West End and Broadway, and whose recordings have also thrilled audiences on both sides of the Atlantic. Tonight, backed by the BBC Concert Orchestra she salutes the legendary female voices that have shown her the way: artists such as Nina Simone, Shirley Bassey, Billie Holiday and Gladys Knight. ‘I wanted to pay homage to them,’ she says. ‘Women who have influenced my sound, the music I’ve listened to, and the way I tell my story.’
The end has come, and in the silence after the Last Trumpet, a solitary bird is the only sound heard on Earth. The ambition of Gustav Mahler’s ‘Resurrection’ Symphony staggers the imagination – an emotional odyssey on a cosmic scale that embraces tenderness, rage, dark humour and – yes – the end of the world itself. Sir Simon Rattle was still a teenager when he conducted his first performance of Mahler’s Second Symphony, and it’s been a personal touchstone at every stage of his career. Now, as he prepares to step down as Music Director of the London Symphony Orchestra, he pairs it with a short (but very personal) tribute from the late Harrison Birtwistle, one of Britain’s most distinguished recent composers.
Over a century of public service broadcasting, the BBC has forged a global reputation for its coverage of the planet we call home – from the oceans and mountains to rivers, glaciers, deserts and the infinite wonders of life on Earth itself. Tonight, the Proms hosts a stunning audio-visual celebration of the BBC’s world-famous Natural History Unit, from David Attenborough’s pioneering early adventures through to the landmark series of the 21st century. Expect breath-taking images, natural sounds, spoken words and music by composers including Hans Zimmer and George Fenton, performed live in the spectacular surroundings of the Royal Albert Hall by Ben Palmer and the BBC Scottish Symphony Orchestra.
Archive footage, dancing astronauts and a flashing, blinking Sputnik right here in the Royal Albert Hall – when cult ‘retro-futurists’ Public Service Broadcasting brought The Race to Space to the Proms in 2019, it’s safe to say that the results were out of this world. So in the year that the BBC celebrates a century of – well, public-service broadcasting – it makes perfect sense to invite them back with This New Noise: a joyously eclectic, album-length celebration of 100 years of BBC Radio, backed by the BBC Symphony Orchestra and delivered with all the wit and showmanship of a band on an ongoing mission to ‘teach the lessons of the past through the music of the future’.
‘Be embraced, all you millions!’ Since the earliest days of the Proms, Beethoven’s Ninth Symphony has had a special place in each season – and with its climactic choral ‘Ode to Joy’, it’s one of those works that takes on a new meaning every time it’s played. This year, it’s performed by Chineke! – Europe’s first majority Black and ethnically diverse orchestra, along with Chineke! Voices. BBC Cardiff Singer of the World Nicole Cabell leads a world-class team of solo singers, and opens the Prom with the haunting Lilacs, the heartfelt song-cycle with which George Walker became the first African American composer to win the Pulitzer Prize for Music.
‘Nicola Benedetti – now, she really can play,’ says the American composer, trumpeter and all-round jazz legend Wynton Marsalis, and after Benedetti gave the world premiere of the concerto that he composed for her in 2015, The Guardian wrote of her ‘sparky performance’. Thomas Søndergård and The Royal Scottish National Orchestra gives its Proms premiere tonight: the big, generous heart of a concert with a spring in its step, that opens with Thomas Adès’s wonderfully sleazy Powder her Face suite and ends amid the headstrong urban energy of West Side Story. In between comes a blast of fresh sea air from Benjamin Britten.
It’s time to put on your party clothes, grab your favourite flag and raise the roof of the Royal Albert Hall! There’s nothing quite like the Last Night of the Proms – the happiest annual celebration in the classical music calendar. BBC Symphony Orchestra Principal Guest Conductor Dalia Stasevska returns to host a concert that stars soprano Lise Davidsen and cellist Sheku Kanneh-Mason in party pieces by Verdi, Wagner and Coleridge-Taylor, as well as a salute to a century of innovation from rising British composer James B. Wilson – before giving the 2022 BBC Proms a send-off with all the traditional Last Night favourites. Until next year!
It’s time to put on your party clothes, grab your favourite flag and raise the roof of the Royal Albert Hall! There’s nothing quite like the Last Night of the Proms – the happiest annual celebration in the classical music calendar. BBC Symphony Orchestra Principal Guest Conductor Dalia Stasevska returns to host a concert that stars soprano Lise Davidsen and cellist Sheku Kanneh-Mason in party pieces by Verdi, Wagner and Coleridge-Taylor, as well as a salute to a century of innovation from rising British composer James B. Wilson – before giving the 2022 BBC Proms a send-off with all the traditional Last Night favourites. Until next year!
Take a whistlestop tour through the very best music from the 2022 Proms season in this one-off special. Eight weeks of world-class concerts become just 100 minutes of standout performances from the countless musicians who graced the Royal Albert Hall stage this summer. The show is packed with tunes we know and love, with something for everyone. Emotional highlights include Elgar's sublime Nimrod, the Proms' tribute to the late, great Aretha Franklin, and a spine-tingling performance of the Ukrainian national anthem by the Ukrainian Freedom Orchestra. Along the way, expect favourites like Handel's majestic Zadok the Priest, Gershwin's Rhapsody in Blue, Beethoven's epic Ode to Joy and Dukas's Sorcerer's Apprentice. There's also fireworks from international soloists Yuja Wang, Kian Soltani, and Nicola Benedetti, as well as numbers from the first ever Gaming Prom and international superstar Cynthia Erivo's Proms debut performance.
Join CBeebies for an ocean adventure travelling the musical world in the Royal Albert Hall submarine to find endangered creatures and tackle tricky environmental problems. The musical repertoire played by the Southbank Sinfonia is: Argentum (excerpt) by Dani Howard Dolphin Dance ( BBC Commission) by Dominque le Gendre Overture from 'Wassermusik' by Georg Philipp Telemann The Fairy Garden from 'Mother Goose' by Maurice Ravel G.R.S. from 'Enigma Variations' by Edward Elgar Storm from 'Peter Grimes' by Benjamin Britten Whalesong (BBC Commission) by Mason Bates CBeebies Medley arranged by Daniel Whibley Celebration Dance by Eleanor Alberga
The 2023 Proms features a huge breadth of programming; from Berlioz to Bollywood, large scale symphonic and choral work to intimate chamber concerts and exciting Proms debuts. The 2023 BBC Proms will run from Friday 14 July to Saturday 9 September 2023 comprising 84 Proms: 72 Proms at the Royal Albert Hall, six at venues across the UK, and the first weekend-long festival of Proms at Sage Gateshead
Clive Myrie presents live from the Royal Albert Hall as the annual music festival is launched with Sibelius, Grieg, Britten and a world premiere from Ukrainian composer Bohdana Frolyak.
Finnish violinist and conductor Pekka Kuusisto leads The Deutsche Kammerphilharmonie Bremen in a concert of works by Beethoven, Vivaldi and Andrea Tarrodi.
The BBC National Orchestra of Wales and their conductor laureate, Tadaaki Otaka, perform perhaps the most famous classical symphony ever written, Beethoven’s Fifth.
The BBC Scottish Symphony Orchestra and new Chief Conductor Ryan Wigglesworth perform Beethoven’s Symphony No. 9 for the first of their two Proms together this season.
Celebrating the musical legacy of Bollywood, the Proms pays tribute to Lata Mangeshkar, the voice behind the hit songs that defined Indian cinema’s greatest films.
South Korean star violinist Bomsori performs Bruch’s First Violin Concerto with conductor Anja Bihlmaier and the BBC Philharmonic.
Grammy award-winning jazz legend Dee Dee Bridgewater joins trumpeter Sean Jones and Carnegie Hall’s National Youth Jazz Orchestra, comprising outstanding young musicians from across the USA, as they make their BBC Proms debut.
The BBC National Orchestra of Wales and Principal Conductor Ryan Bancroft return for the second of their consecutive Proms. Tchaikovsky’s Symphony No. 5 is paired with Prokofiev’s Piano Concerto No. 3, with soloist Isata Kanneh-Mason.
Klaus Mäkelä and the BBC Symphony Orchestra and Chorus perform Walton’s choral symphony Belshazzar’s Feast, while Yuja Wang is the soloist in Rachmaninov’s Rhapsody on a Theme of Paganini.
The Bournemouth Symphony Orchestra and Chief Conductor Kirill Karabits present Rachmaninov’s Symphony No. 2 alongside a work by Karabits’s own father. Horn virtuoso Felix Klieser makes his Proms debut with Mozart’s sunny Concerto No. 4.
Budapest Festival Orchestra and Iván Fischer are joined by Sir András Schiff for one of the great Romantic piano concertos from Schumann. Weber’s overture to Der Freischütz and Mendelssohn’s ‘Scottish’ Symphony complete the programme.
Works by Copland and Hindemith bookend Strauss’s Four Last Songs – featuring South African soprano Masabane Cecilia Rangwanasha – in this Prom from the National Youth Orchestra.
John Wilson and the Sinfonia of London perform Rachmaninov’s famous Second Piano Concerto with soloist Alim Beisembayev. Bookending the Prom are Lili Boulanger’s tone-poem D’un matin de printemps and Walton’s First Symphony.
The BBC Concert Orchestra brings a symphonic edge to the beats that took the industrial North and Midlands by storm in the 1960s and 1970s, in a stomping celebration of underground British club culture.
Relax into a late-night musical meditation with Grammy-nominated vocal group VOCES8 and a playlist that drifts from the Renaissance to Radiohead.
Sir Simon Rattle’s final UK performance as Music Director of the London Symphony Orchestra. He conducts Mahler’s epic farewell symphony, haunted by loss but urgently clinging to dance and song, alongside Poulenc’s choral masterpiece Figure humaine.
The Chineke! Orchestra – Europe’s first majority Black and ethnically diverse ensemble – returns to the Proms with Beethoven’s joyful Fourth Symphony, and continues our focus on Samuel Coleridge-Taylor.
Encounter music from The Lord of the Rings, Harry Potter, Game of Thrones and other titles in a Prom celebrating soundtracks from the worlds of film, TV and gaming.
Join the Horrible Histories team and the English National Opera Chorus and Orchestra for a high-decibel dive into ’Orrible Opera.
John Butt and the award-winning Dunedin Consort perform Mozart’s magnificent Mass in C minor with soloists including Lucy Crowe, Jess Dandy and Nardus Williams.
Cellist Sheku Kanneh-Mason and soprano Lise Davidsen join conductor Marin Alsop and the BBC Symphony Orchestra and Chorus for the biggest musical party of the year.
Cellist Sheku Kanneh-Mason and soprano Lise Davidsen join conductor Marin Alsop and the BBC Symphony Orchestra and Chorus for the biggest musical party of the year.
With works from Bach, Beethoven, Clara Schumann, Shostakovich, Sibelius, Elgar and more, this Proms season is jam-packed full of classic composers and repertoire. Hear them performed by some of the greatest orchestras in the world in a season that guarantees the ultimate concert experience.
In her First Night of the Proms debut, conductor Elim Chan presents Beethoven’s iconic Fifth Symphony alongside Handel’s Music for the Royal Fireworks and Clara Schumann’s tender Piano Concerto, featuring star soloist Isata Kanneh-Mason.
The entire Hallé family visits from Manchester to celebrate Sir Mark Elder’s last season as Music Director after 25 years in the role. Together they present Sir James MacMillan’s Timotheus, Bacchus and Cecilia and Mahler’s life-affirming Symphony No. 5.
Verdi’s Requiem was first performed 150 years ago and given its British premiere at the Royal Albert Hall the following year. Ryan Bancroft leads the BBC NOW and massed singers in a performance of this vivid choral masterpieces.
The BBC Concert Orchestra and Guy Barker are joined by a starry line up of singers for a celebration of one of the most iconic voices of the 20th century, Sarah Vaughan, with songs including 'If You Could See Me Now’ and ‘Broken-Hearted Melody’.
Nicholas Collon and the BBC Philharmonic perform the most vibrant and unignorable symphony of the 20th century, Messiaen’s Turangalîla, after the world premiere of Anna Clyne’s The Gorgeous Nothings, written specially for the Proms
John Wilson and his Sinfonia of London perform a programme of scintillating American classics including Copland’s ballet Billy the Kid, haunting works by Barber and Ives, Gershwin’s jazz-infused Rhapsody in Blue and John Adam’s Harmonielehre.
Brothers Braimah and Sheku Kanneh-Mason and the Brazilian guitarist Plínio Fernandes join forces with the dynamic Fantasia Orchestra for a family-friendly concert of folk songs, dances, prayers and incantations
The National Youth Orchestra, comprising some of Britain’s most talented young players, performs Mahler’s anguished, ultimately triumphant Symphony No.1, alongside works by Wagner and Missy Mazzoli and a new commission from Dani Howard.
Edith Bowman presents a night for film lovers, with music from blockbusters including Everything Everywhere All at Once, All Quiet on the Western Front and Tár.
Sir Antonio Pappano and his London Symphony Orchestra are joined by three choirs and three outstanding vocal soloists for a work of hope that emerged from the ashes of destruction: Benjamin Britten’s War Requiem
Gemma New joins the BBC Scottish Symphony Orchestra for Mendelssohn’s musical retelling of Shakespeare’s A Midsummer Night’s Dream, following Mozart’s heavenly Clarinet Concerto with Anthony McGill and Mel Bonis’s colourful Salomé
For their only UK appearance of 2024, Sam Smith joins the BBC Concert Orchestra for a retrospective look at their seminal debut solo album In the Lonely Hour, released 10 years ago and featuring tracks such as ‘Stay With Me’ and ‘Lay Me Down’.
Holst’s suite The Planets is one of classical music’s most extraordinary acts of imagination. Student musicians from Helsinki and London unite to perform the work alongside Sibelius’s The Wood Nymph and a new piece from Finnish-American composer Lara Poe.
Aurora Orchestra and Nicholas Collon mark the 200th anniversary of Beethoven’s monumental Ninth Symphony by bringing their unique Orchestral Theatre approach to the iconic work with the help of the BBC Singers and the National Youth Choir of Great Britain
The BBC Concert Orchestra lends its power and exuberance to an evening that celebrates a pivotal movement in late 20th-century club culture. Get ready for all the glitz, glamour and groove of disco at the Proms!
Emanuel Ax, Leonidas Kavakos and Yo-Yo Ma come together to form a classical supergroup, bringing greater intimacy than ever before to Beethoven’s ‘Pastoral’ Sixth Symphony while also performing one of the composer’s best-loved chamber works.
Marking a century since Henry Mancini’s birth, Edwin Outwater and the BBC Concert Orchestra celebrate the man and his music in styles ranging from jazz to light classical and film music.
Riccardo Minasi conducts his dynamic Ensemble Resonanz in a pair of Mozart’s most thrilling overtures – from The Marriage of Figaro and Don Giovanni – alongside his achingly beautiful Sinfonia concertante and the ‘Jupiter’ Symphony
A celebration of some of the most exciting new classical music premiered in the Royal Albert Hall this summer chosen by Tom Service, presenter of Radio 3’s New Music Show.
A journey through 2024’s five-star BBC Proms season, celebrating Mozart, Sam Smith, Beethoven, Mancini, Holst, Bob Marley and so much more.
Katie Derham hosts classical music's biggest party of the year, with soloists Sir Stephen Hough and Angel Blue and the BBC Symphony Orchestra under Sakari Oramo.
Katie Derham invites you to join her for the season's glittering finale, with all the traditional favourites and some exciting surprises.
Join Duggee, Bluey, the Octonauts and lots more of your CBeebies friends to celebrate the natural world in music and song at the spectacular Wildlife Jamboree. Kwamé Ryan leads the Sinfonia Smith Square, BBC Singers & CBeebies East London Schools’ Choir.
Florence Welch – aka Florence + The Machine – joins Jules Buckley and his Orchestra for a celebration of Lungs, her BRIT Award-winning debut album, released to huge acclaim 15 years ago.
Doctor Who makes its much-anticipated return to the Proms with a brand-new show celebrating the Doctor’s latest adventures. The BBC National Orchestra of Wales and a host of special guests present a concert like no other in all of space and time…
The 2025 BBC Proms season brings together many of the world’s finest international artists and orchestras, featuring more than 40 outstanding ensembles from across the UK: a series of concerts that can only be experienced at the world’s greatest classical music festival. Running from Friday 18 July to Saturday 13 September 2025, the season features 86 Proms, with 72 at the Royal Albert Hall and 14 at venues across the UK
The 2025 First Night sees Mendelssohn’s ‘Hebrides’ Overture and Sibelius’s Violin Concerto featured alongside British classics from Bliss and Vaughan Williams, plus a world premiere from Master of the King’s Music Errollyn Wallen
Nicholas McCarthy, the world’s only professional one-handed concert pianist, makes his Proms debut alongside the Bournemouth Symphony Orchestra in a concert of 20th-century classics.
Summer from The Four Seasons and Bach’s Air are among the highlights in a concert of Baroque delights featuring violinist Théotime Langlois de Swarte making his Proms debut.
Grammy Award-winning sensation Samara Joy sings Billie Holiday, Duke Ellington, Frank Sinatra and Sun Ra’s timeless classics. Andi Oliver hosts this Proms debut from a rising star.
The first televised Prom from The Glasshouse in Gateshead, featuring two classical masterpieces. David Fray plays Bach's dark and dramatic Keyboard Concerto in D Minor, and some 200 singers perform in Mendelssohn's rousing 'Lobgesang' Symphony with soloists Hera Hyesang Park, Adele Charvet & Benjamin Hulett. Conducted by Dinis Sousa with Royal Northern Sinfonia.
The most iconic four notes in music history open Beethoven’s famous symphony, performed by the Scottish Chamber Orchestra and conducted by Maxim Emelyanychev. Saint-Saëns’ much loved Fifth Piano Concerto, known as ‘The Egyptian’, follows, with French pianist and star of the Paris 2024 Olympics opening ceremony Alexandre Kantorow as the soloist.
A concert of musical postcards from the Americas featuring Dvorák’s masterful ‘New World’ Symphony. The Prom features two pieces from North America alongside a trumpet concerto full of the sounds of Latin America by Mexican composer Arturo Márquez, where Venezuelan virtuoso Pacho Flores performs on four types of trumpet. The prom is presented by fellow trumpeter Alison Balsom.
Step into a glittering world of waltzes, romance and high-kicking operetta as the BBC Concert Orchestra marks 200 years since the birth of Johann Strauss II. With favourites like the Blue Danube and the Laughing Song, plus gems from Lehár, Kalman and Korngold. Soprano Erin Morley joins conductor Anna-Maria Helsing for this joyful journey through Vienna’s golden age.
Anita Rani introduces a concert that sees sitar superstar Anoushka Shankar join forces with conductor Robert Ames and London Contemporary Orchestra to perform a newly orchestrated version of her Chapters trilogy. Each Chapter of her three albums is inspired by one of the three countries she has called home, and the trilogy sonically carries the listener from afternoon, to night, to the dawn of a new day.
Explore this 20th-century masterpiece from the inside out as Nicholas Collon and the Aurora Orchestra return to the Proms with a signature memorised performance marking the 50th anniversary of Shostakovich’s death. Actors join the orchestra in this immersive performance, bringing to life a symphony born in the shadows of Stalinist Russia, but which would emerge as a powerful statement of artistic defiance.
Beethoven’s Ninth Symphony – one of the most iconic and uplifting works in the classical canon – roars to life in the Royal Albert Hall. Presented by trumpet superstar Alison Balsom, this is a celebration of music at its most profound and exhilarating. Fabio Luisi conducts the Danish National Symphony Orchestra and Choir with a stellar quartet of soloists for an unforgettable performance.
A musical celebration of landscapes and seascapes from the Royal Albert Hall performed by the BBC National Orchestra of Wales. From the soaring flight of Vaughan Williams’s The Lark Ascending, Elgar’s beloved Enigma Variations featuring Nimrod, Britten’s stormy Four Sea Interludes from Peter Grimes, and Walton’s Crown Imperial Coronation March, to lesser known gems from some of Britain’s most illustrious composers, this is musical Britain at its very best. Clive Myrie presents and is joined by special guests Alison Balson and Gyles Brandreth.
The electrifying combination of young superstar Finnish conductor Klaus Mäkelä and the Royal Concertgebouw Orchestra brings Mahler’s epic and life-affirming symphony with its famous Adagietto to the Proms. It sits alongside Berio’s Rendering – an ingenius work inspired by Schubert. Presented by Alison Balsom.
Featuring hits by Stevie Wonder, Aretha Franklin, Marvin Gaye, Curtis Mayfield and more. Trevor Nelson hosts at the BBC Proms, tracing the musical path of the United States’ civil rights movement from spirituals through gospel to soul. Sixteen voices, including Beverley Knight and Jacob Lusk, join conductor Daniel Bartholomew-Poyser, the LJ Singers and the BBC Concert Orchestra to celebrate music that took risks, pleaded for freedom and soundtracked history.
Tom Service curates a musical snapshot in a special compilation of new music performed at the 2025 Proms. Featuring seven new pieces, including two world premieres, a dazzling trumpet concerto and cinematic soundscapes. Interviews with composers, including Errollyn Wallen, John Rutter and Anna Clyne, reveal the inspiration behind their pieces.
A night of thrills and suspense awaits as Alfred Hitchcock’s favourite composer – Bernard Herrmann – is celebrated at the Royal Albert Hall. Highlights include the themes from Vertigo, Psycho and Taxi Driver, as well as Erich Korngold’s sumptuous cello concerto from superstar American Sterling Elliott. Charismatic conductor Edwin Outwater leads the BBC Concert Orchestra, while Edith Bowman presents.
A galaxy of sound from Britain’s brightest young musicians. The National Youth Orchestra of Great Britain and conductor Dalia Stasevska blast off on a celestial musical journey featuring Holst’s The Planets and John Williams’s Star Wars. Presented by actor, comedian and amateur violinist Nick Mohammed, who himself conducted in his university orchestra, this is a night of music that’s truly out of this world.
Clive Myrie presents from the Royal Albert Hall as Europe’s first majority black and ethnically diverse orchestra celebrates its 10th anniversary. For this landmark concert, Chineke! performs Shostakovich’s epic Tenth Symphony alongside classics from Coleridge-Taylor and Valerie Coleman.
One of the world’s great orchestras make a much-anticipated return to the Royal Albert Hall, conducted by Franz Welser-Möst with two landmark symphonies that each broke the musical mould - Mozart’s ‘Prague’ and Tchaikovsky’s ‘Pathétique’. Petroc Trelawny presents.
The world's biggest classical music party gets under way live at the Royal Albert Hall. Katie Derham presents alongside a host of special guests, with performances from conductor Elim Chan, soprano Louise Alder and star trumpeter Alison Balsom, who is playing for the final time after an illustrious career. Highlights include Dukas's mischievous Sorcerer’s Apprentice, Hummel's Trumpet Concerto and Mussorgsky’s exciting A Night on the Bare Mountain.
French baroque at its very best as Rameau’s Les Indes galantes suite is performed by the Scottish Chamber Orchestra under the baton of their charismatic maestro Maxim Emelyanychev.
The 2025 Proms season is crowned with a brand new, specially commissioned, orchestral arrangement of Queen's masterpiece, Bohemian Rhapsody, celebrating the song's 50th anniversary in grand style with guest soloists and surprises. Also on the programme, superstar soprano Louise Alder enchants in a My Fair Lady medley, and iconic trumpeter Alison Balsom performs Bernstein. And of course, all the traditional favourites return to close the season, including Sea Songs, Rule, Britannia!, Elgar, Parry and Auld Lang Syne. Presented by Katie Derham, who is joined by special guests including Ted Lasso star Nick Mohammed.
A feast of show-stopping highlights from the biggest classical music festival in the world. From Mendelssohn to Mahler, Vaughan Williams to Vivaldi, Star Wars to Shostakovich - there's something for everyone in this musical mixtape of the season. Including performances from Anoushka Shankar, Pacho Flores, Liya Petrova, Nicholas McCarthy, Klaus Makela, Dalia Stasevska, Le Consort Ensemble and more!
The multiple Grammy Award-winning singer joins a full orchestra for this one-off gig at the Royal Albert Hall, with incredible new arrangements of some of her most-loved songs. St. Vincent is musician Annie Clark, whose artistry is in full hypnotic flow in this one-off spectacular. Conductor and arranger Jules Buckley brings the full might of his 60-strong orchestra to revel in other-wordly new arrangements of songs from seven St Vincent albums. Rachel Eckroth co-arranges and plays keyboards amongst the ensemble. A night of wonder and inimitable artistry which had the audience spellbound.
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