The 117th season of the Proms gets under way at the Royal Albert Hall with music by Brahms, Liszt, Janácek and a world premiere curtain-raiser by British composer Judith Weir.

Nineteen-year-old pianist Benjamin Grosvenor makes his Proms debut as the soloist in Liszt's dramatic 2nd Piano Concerto and there is an international line-up of soloists for a performance of Janácek's extraordinary choral work, the Glagolitic Mass. They are joined by the forces of the BBC Singers, the BBC Symphony Chorus and the BBC Symphony Orchestra under the baton of chief conductor Jirí Belohlávek.  Katie Derham is in the presenter box and during the course of the evening meets Jirí Belohlávek, Benjamin Grosvenor and organist, David Goode.

First Night of the Proms

Mark Elder Conducts The Halle

Season 64

Suzy Klein and Zeb Soanes present music from Sibelius, including his seventh symphony. Hungarian-born pianist Andras Schiff joins Sir Mark Elder and the Halle for a performance of Bartok's lyrical Third Piano Concerto, written at the end of the composer's life while in exile in New York, and the concert ends with Janacek's show-stopping Sinfonietta, an exhilarating evocation of his home city of Brno. Includes the interval conversation with Mark Elder, Andras Schiff and members of the Halle.

From the Royal Albert Hall a programme infused with the spirit and rhythms of Spain presented by the BBC Philharmonic and their newly appointed Basque-born Chief Conductor Juanjo Mena, who speaks to us during the interval. Music by Debussy and Ravel frame a performance of Manuel de Falla's Evocations in Sound, Nights in the Gardens of Spain - with piano soloist Steven Osborne.

Spanish Night with the BBC Philharmonic

From the Royal Albert Hall, Katie Derham introduces Stravinsky's revolutionary work composed for Diaghilev and his Ballets Russes - The Rite of Spring.  The concert begins with Weber's intoxicating music from his last opera, the Oberon Overture, and followed by Brahms' sumptuous Double Concerto for Violin and Cello with sibling soloists Renaud and Gautier Capuçon, who this season make their first ever Proms appearance.  This is the second Prom given by Orchestre Philharmonique de Radio France led by the South Korean conductor Myung-Whun Chung. During the interval Katie meets members of the orchestra and the Capuçon brothers.

Stravinsky's Rite of Spring

Simon Russell Beale introduces Roger Norrington's radical take on Mahler's epic masterpiece, the epitome of late-Romantic symphonies. This performance of Symphony No 9 which took place at the Royal Albert Hall during the 2011 Proms season was one of Norrington's final concerts as principal conductor of his beloved Stuttgart Radio Symphony Orchestra.

Mahler's Ninth Symphony

Conductor Vladimir Jurowski brings three visions of Hungary to the Royal Albert Hall. The sparklingly tuneful Galanta Dances of Kodaly to the rhythmic vitality of Bartok's First Piano Concerto, with soloist Jean-Efflam Bavouzet, and finishing with music by one of this season's featured composers, Liszt - his Faust Symphony.

Hungarian Night with the London Philharmonic

The City of Birmingham Symphony Orchestra comes to the Royal Albert Hall with new music director, the Latvian conductor Andris Nelsons.

International superstar Midori is the soloist in Walton's Violin Concerto and the programme is bookended with music by Richard Strauss, his narrative tone poem Don Juan, and from the opera Salome - Dance of the Seven Veils with soloist Nadezhda Serdiuk.  The CBSO Chorus sing the patriotic cantata by Prokofiev drawn from the music he composed for Eisentein's epic film about the medieval Russian hero Alexander Nevsky. Presenter Katie Derham goes to Birmingham to see Nelsons with his orchestra in rehearsal and explores how the chemistry is working.

Walton's Violin Concerto

The musicians of the BBC Symphony Orchestra, the BBC Singers and conductor Sir Andrew Davis present a Prom from the Royal Albert Hall. Proms favourite Tasmin Little joins for a performance of Elgar's evergreen Violin Concerto, and the concert concludes with Strauss's popular orchestral showpiece Till Eulenspiegel. Choral and orchestral music from that mischievous radical Percy Grainger rounds out what promises to be a highlight of this year's Proms season.

Elgar's Violin Concerto

Highlights of the Human Planet Prom, featuring Nitin Sawhney's evocative music for the acclaimed television series interspersed with performances by artists and ensembles from around the world.  Charles Hazlewood conducts the BBC Concert Orchestra in specially commissioned new arrangements of the Human Planet score with accompanying visuals from the series. Featuring behind-the-scenes documentary content and interviews with the artists, the concert is hosted by explorer and TV presenter Paul Rose.

Human Planet

Their first appearance at the Proms in 2007 set the Royal Albert Hall alight. Back then, they were called the Simón Bolívar Youth Orchestra of Venezuela and famously are a product of the country's El Sistema programme which offers every child a free musical education. Led by their dynamic conductor Gustavo Dudamel, tonight they perform Mahler's second Symphony, Resurrection - a work for vast forces including offstage brass, two solo singers, and a large choir as well as the orchestra.  Mahler takes listeners on a spectacular journey through the entire gamut of emotions and questions whether there is life after death. The symphony begins with a huge funeral march and across the work makes a progression from darkness to light - death to everlasting life.  Presented by Katie Derham.

Simón Bolívar Symphony Orchestra

Donald Runnicles conducts the BBC Scottish Symphony Orchestra in a night of ravishing French music from the last century. From Ravel's Boléro and Daphnis and Chloë to Debussy's Prélude à L'après-midi d'un faune, the programme also includes the mysteriously beautiful cello concerto by composer Henri Dutilleux, performed by Lynn Harrell. Presented by Suzy Klein and Samira Ahmed.

French Night with the BBC Scottish Symphony Orchestra

Harry Potter, James Bond and Henry V rub shoulders in a concert of great music from the movies. It's all here, from the terror of the Psycho shower scene and the thrill of Star Wars to the heartbreaking beauty of Cinema Paradiso, and includes a special tribute to the late great John Barry. The BBC Concert Orchestra is joined by conductor Keith Lockhart, and the talented young British violinist Chloë Hanslip. Presented by Charles Hazlewood and Samira Ahmed.

Film Music Night

The National Youth Orchestra of Great Britain's annual visit to the Proms with repertoire selected by conductor Vladimir Jurowski designed to resonate with this ensemble of teenage performers.  The concert opens with a Concerto for Turntables and Orchestra by Gabriel Prokofiev, grandson of Sergei, bringing echoes of club nights, dance floor beats and remixes into the concert hall.  Making his second Proms appearance this season is Benjamin Grosvenor, the soloist in Britten's sizzling early Piano Concerto.  Star-crossed young lovers make an appearance in the second half of the concert in form of music for the ballet Romeo and Juliet by Prokofiev senior.

The National Youth Orchestra

The 19-year-old British pianist Benjamin Grosvenor makes his Proms debut at the opening of the 2011 season - the youngest soloist ever to appear at a Proms First Night. Benjamin is the soloist in Liszt's Piano Concerto No 2, with the BBC Symphony Orchestra conducted by Jirí Belohlàvek, followed by a brilliant encore for solo piano - Brahms's Hungarian Dance No 5.

Benjamin Grosvenor at the First Night of the Proms

Northumbrian smallpiper Kathryn Tickell and friends celebrate the music of Percy Grainger in a Prom at the Royal Albert Hall. Molly on the Shore, Shepherd's Hey, Early One Morning - Grainger was a pioneering collector of folk music from around the world and the concert includes traditional and contemporary folk music using material which formed the basis of Grainger's arrangements. Special guests include English folk singer June Tabor and also on stage are the Northern Sinfonia conducted by John Harle. Introduced by Charles Hazlewood.

Kathryn Tickell and Friends

In the first of a pair of Brahms Proms, the Chamber Orchestra of Europe conducted by Bernard Haitink, perform Brahms's Third Symphony and Piano Concerto No 1. Haitink describes the COE as 'a group of exceptionally talented musicians', which would also apply to the soloist who joins them in the second half, pianist Emanuel Ax. Presenter Charles Hazlewood also talks to Haitink during a break in rehearsals.

Brahms Night with Bernard Haintink and Emanuel Ax

From the Royal Albert Hall Katie Derham introduces two masterworks by Brahms performed by the Chamber Orchestra of Europe conducted by Bernard Haitink.  The concert begins with Brahms' mighty Piano Concerto No 2 with international soloist Emanuel Ax, one of the giants of the keyboard.  In the second half Symphony No 4, the composer's final and best loved symphony. During the interval, a sideways look at Brahms and his music.

Brahms' Symphony No 4

This concert sold out on the first day of booking, but television viewers can take a front row seat for this Proms performance of Verdi's dramatic masterpiece. A choir of 400, the BBC Symphony Orchestra and a stellar line-up of soloists are conducted by the legendary Verdi specialist Semyon Bychkov.

Verdi's Requiem

The Aussie comedy quintet bring their internationally-acclaimed show to the BBC Proms. The Spaghetti Western Orchestra's unique take on the music of legendary film composer Ennio Morricone involves the inventive use of cereal packets and asthma inhalers, among other instruments. Presented by Charles Hazlewood.

Spaghetti Western Orchestra

The first-ever Comedy Prom, hosted by musician, actor and comedian Tim Minchin at the Royal Albert Hall.  Tim weaves his way through an unpredictable evening of musical comedy, fun and surprises and is joined by guests including Maestro winner Sue Perkins, musical cabaret duo Kit and the Widow, the puppet Mongrels, and Doc Brown.  Soprano Susan Bullock and pianist Danny Driver attempt to keep the musical standard from plummeting too far. Jules Buckley conducts the BBC Concert Orchestra.

The Comedy Prom

An intimate evening at the Royal Albert Hall with star Canadian pianist Angela Hewitt. Beginning with solo music by Brahms, she is joined by the BBC Scottish Symphony Orchestra and conductor Andrew Manze for a performance of Schumann's Introduction and Concert Allegro, a sort of mini-piano concerto that the composer wrote as a wedding anniversary gift to his wife Clara. The concert ends with Schoenberg's orchestration of Brahms' G minor Piano Quartet.

Angela Hewitt Plays Brahms and Schumann

A celebration of the Golden Age of Hollywood film musicals performed by John Wilson who, returning to the Proms for a third season, conducts his hand-picked, high-octane orchestra and a line-up of star soloists.  Hooray for Hollywood takes us from the dawn of the 'talkies' and the birth of the movie musical through to the 1960s. There are excerpts from 42nd Street, Top Hat, Strike Up the Band, Swing Time and Shall We Dance, with a special tribute to the RKO films of Fred Astaire and Ginger Rogers.

Hooray for Hollywood

A performance of Beethoven's late masterpiece, the Missa Solemnis, as Sir Colin Davis conducts the London Symphony Orchestra and Chorus and a stellar line-up of soloists.

Beethoven's Missa Solemnis

Highlights from a live extravaganza never seen at the BBC Proms before, as everyone from Stone Age Man to Queen Victoria descends upon the Royal Albert Hall for a very special concert featuring smash hit Horrible Histories songs alongside some awesome orchestral pieces. Comedy and classical music combine in an hour of songs, silliness and surprises as the Horrible Histories team joins forces with the Aurora Orchestra and their conductor Nick Collon for a ridiculous romp through the story of classical music.

The Horrible Histories Big Prom Party

Suzy Klein introduces 'people's violinist' Nigel Kennedy's return to the Proms with a concert of solo Bach, as he performs Partitas No 2 and No 3. Kennedy's other great musical love is jazz and he stresses the parallels between the music of Bach and jazz. The concert ends with Kennedy and three of his friends playing arrangements of numbers by Fats Waller.

Nigel Kennedy Plays Bach

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.

Last Night of the Proms - Part 1

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.

Last Night of the Proms - Part 2

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.

First Night of the Proms

Seasons80

Season 65 Episodes27

Discussion

Episode Summary