BBC Proms 2011

Prom time is rolling around again - tickets went on sale last weekend. I haven't got a printed programme yet so haven't really got down to exploring what's on. I dived in to get tickets for Havergal Brian's massive Gothic Symphony (I went to it's first(?) performance in 1961 and saw the very old composer take a bow), the Verdi Requiem (Semyon Bychkov with the BBC SO and an excellent quartet of soloists including the great Ferruccio Furlanetto) and the Simon Bolivar Orchestra's take on Mahler 2 (should be interesting). Seemingly obvious choices as all three concerts sold out very quickly.

On a quick run through on-line, I didn't think the programme was quite up to some previous years - no Rattle/Berlin Phil. or Minnesota Orchestra visiting - but there is a semi-staged Rinaldo from Glyndebourne (a picnic in Hyde Park and then seats for less than a couple of glasses of Glyndebourne champagne) and Antonio Pappano is doing William Tell with his friends from the Academy of St Cecilia in Rome.

Anyone got any 'must go' tips? There is certainly plenty of good stuff to enjoy on the radio or on-line at home for the summer.

I must look at what is on offer this year. Havergal Brian sounds exciting - just the thing the Proms should be doing - programming works and composers outside the mainstream. Goodness knows when this work was last performed, and even on cd there are only 2 available choices I believe. I have it on CD and enjoyed it when I listened to it a couple of years ago.

Did you see the repeat showing of Mahler's 8th on TV yesterday? An excellent performance, the audience went wild at the end.

2> I was out last night, but I should find time for it on iPlayer in the next week.

Nearly there! I am rather tempted to go along to William Tell on Saturday - still some tickets left. I have just read this review - http://www.prestoclassical.co.uk/news.php?date=2011-07-11 - of the CD with most of the same performers as the Prom (no Finley, though) and it sounds good.

Let us know what you think abbott.

The 2011 BBC Proms begins 7.30pm tonight at the Royal Albert Hall. Don't forget to tune in live on BBC Radio 3 or on BBC Two from 8.00pm

Tonight is our First Night, this year featuring Benjamin Grosvenor making his Proms debut and the BBC Symphony Orchestra under conductor Jiří Bělohlávek.

Get into the Proms mood with Sean Rafferty and Petroc Trelawny as they present a special First Night of the Proms edition of BBC Radio 3’s ‘In Tune’ live from Royal College of Music at 5.30pm http://www.bbc.co.uk/programmes/b012fvc9

On Saturday the Proms presents a rare revival of Rossini’s William Tell featuring Antonio Pappano and the Orchestra and Chorus of the Academy of Santa Cecilla, Rome.

On Sunday experience one of the Proms biggest undertakings, Havergal Brian’s mammoth ‘ The Gothic’ Symphony featuring over a thousand performers - and that’s just the opening few days!

The season spans 90 concerts over 58 days culminating in the world-famous Last Night of the Proms on 10 September. There are Proms concerts each day of the season sometimes even two.

NEWS & FEATURES

How to experience the BBC Proms

In person
Whether you fancy attending a lunch time recital, a weekend matinee, a late night concert or one (or more) of the 74 Proms this season - there are still thousands of tickets available - visit http://www.royalalberthall.com/ or call 0845 401 5040* to book yours now.

If a concert has no remaining seats, check back regularly online at http://www.royalalberthall.com/ as returns do become available

Prom on the day for £5.00
For every Proms concert, including concerts where all seats have sold out, over a 1000 Promming (or standing) tickets in the Arena and Gallery are available on the day for just £5.00. See How to Prom for more details http://www.bbc.co.uk/proms/features/how-to-prom

Get closer to the music with Proms Plus
With FREE talks, workshops, family events and more there are a myriad of ways to become involved in this year’s BBC Proms. To find out more about our range of Proms Plus activities each day visit http://www.bbc.co.uk/proms/whats-on/2011/categories/proms-plus

New this year - Proms Plus Lates
If you aren’t quite ready to leave after the final note, we have a new series of Proms Plus Lates after selected Proms. Featuring music and poetry! from young artists it is the perfect way to round off a great evening at the Proms. Enjoy the first Proms Plus Late after the First Night concert in the Elgar Room of the Royal Albert Hall. Find out more http://www.bbc.co.uk/proms/whats-on/2011/categories/late-night-concerts-and-even...

Listen live on BBC Radio 3
All BBC Proms are broadcast live on BBC Radio 3 and in HD Sound on our website at http://www.bbc.co.uk/proms

Watch on BBC Television
From the opening night all the way to the famous Last Night of the Proms selected Proms are broadcast across BBC TV - check here to find out which ones http://www.bbc.co.uk/proms/features/broadcasts

Listen and Watch again on BBC iPlayer
Missed a Prom? You can listen and watch online for 7 days after broadcast.
http://www.bbc.co.uk/iplayer/episode/b012n19t/BBC_Proms_2011_First_Night_of_the_...

Press the Red button
BBC Red Button returns with a selection of services. Maestro Cam and Solo Cam will give viewers alternative perspectives on the Proms from amongst the musicians themselves. By pressing red, viewers can also listen to live commentary from an expert conductor and hear their unique insights into the music as the work is played. This service will be available for six Proms, beginning with the First Night of the Proms. Find out more http://www.bbc.co.uk/blogs/bbcinternet/2011/07/whats_on_bbc_red_button_4th_-.htm...

Join us on Facebook & Twitter
The Proms team will be on the spot bringing you all the action from behind-the-scenes. If you are attending a Prom, or tuning in from home we’d love your feedback! Find us on Twitter http://twitter.com/bbcproms and use the #bbcproms hashtag or join us on Facebook at www.facebook.com/theproms http://www.facebook.com/theproms

Follow the First Night Live Blog
Catch up with what happens in the lead up and on a concert night as Jon Jacob blogs live from the Royal Albert Hall. Find out more at http://www.thoroughlygood.me/2011/07/05/bbc-proms-2011-first-night-live-blog/

Ask a Question
Have you got a burning question about the Proms? BBC Radio 3 Controller and BBC Proms Director, Roger Wright, awaits your questions for the regular Ask the Director sessions online throughout the season. Click here http://www.bbc.co.uk/proms/features/ask-the-director

PROMS THIS WEEK

Friday 15 July, 7.30pm Prom 1: First Night of the Proms

Saturday 16 July, 6.30pm Prom 2: Rossini – William Tell

Sunday 17 July, 4.00pm Organ recital – Bach, Bingham, Alain & Liszt

Sunday 17 July, 7.00pm, Prom 4: Brian – Symphony No. 1, 'The Gothic'

Monday 18 July, 1.00pm Proms Chamber Music 1: Esfahani plays Bach's Goldberg Variations

Monday 18 July, 7.30pm Prom 5: Messiaen, Dusapin & Beethoven

Tuesday 19 July, 7.00pm Prom 6: Weber, Brahms & Stravinsky

Tuesday 19 July, 10.00pm Prom 7: Schubert – String Quintet

Wednesday 20 July, 7.30pm Prom 8: Dvořák & Smetana

Thursday 21 July, 7.30pm Prom 9: Sibelius, Bartók and Janáček

See the full season online at http://www.bbc.co.uk/proms

Saturday 16th July 2011 (starting this evening)
Time: 18:30 to 23.00

Live from the Royal Albert Hall, London, Sean Rafferty presents Antonio Pappano conducting the Chorus and Orchestra of the Academy of Santa Cecilia, Rome, in a rare performance of Rossini's grandest of operas about the legendary founding fathers of Switzerland and the hero who shoots an apple from his son's head. Michele Pertusi takes the title role and the character of Arnold, one of Rossini's most demanding tenor parts, is sung by American tenor John Osborn. Rossini: William Tell (Act 1). Michele Pertusi, baritone (William Tell), John Osborn, tenor (Arnold Melchthal), Matthew Rose, bass (Walter Furst), Frederic Caton (Melchthal), Elena Xanthoudakis, soprano (Jemmy), Nicolas Courjal, bass (Gesler), Carlo Bosi, tenor (Rodolphe), Celso Albelo, tenor (Ruodi), Mark Stone, baritone (Leuthold), Malyn Bystrom, soprano (Mathilde), Patricia Bardon, mezzo (Hedwige), Davide Malvestio, bass (Huntsman), Chorus and Orchestra of the Academy of Santa Cecilia, Rome/Antonio Pappano.

Proms Intro
Date: Saturday 16th July 2011 (starting this evening)
Time: 19:35 to 19:55 (20 minutes long)

William Tell.

In front of an audience at the Royal College of Music, opera historian Benjamin Walton and Royal Opera House programme contributor Sarah Lenton join Petroc Trelawny to explore Rossini's William Tell and the influence it had on the grand tradition of French opera.

Interval
Date: Saturday 16th July 2011 (starting this evening)
Time: 21:00 to 21:20 (20 minutes long)

Sean Rafferty finds out about the Accademia di Santa Cecilia - whose members have included Palestrina, Corelli and Rossini - presents music and poetry highlights from the Late Night Proms and previews the week ahead in the Royal Albert Hall.

> 2: The 'Gothic' was performed at the Proms First Night in 1980 (which is when I first heard it). The only commercial recordings are the Lenard on Marco Polo/Naxos, and I understand the premiere broadcast recording conducted by Boult in 1966 has ben released by the BBC.

I'm really looking forward to hearing this rare work Robert, it should be quite an occasion. I wonder if it is being recorded for TV broadcast?

An appetizer earlier today:

Sunday 17th July 2011 (starting this afternoon)
Time: 17:15 to 18:00 (45 minutes long)

Havergal Brian's Gothic Symphony: Live from the Royal College of Music, London, Sarah Walker presents the first in a series of live introductions to the music being performed on Proms Choral Sundays. With the help of musicians from the BBC National Orchestra of Wales to perform excerpts, Sarah explores Havergal Brian's Gothic Symphony, an immense work which calls for two orchestras, multiple choirs and soloists plus brass bands.

Sunday 17th July 2011 (starting this evening)
Time: 19:00 to 21:15 (2 hours and 15 minutes long)

Live from the Royal Albert Hall, London, Tom Service presents the first in a season of Choral Sunday Proms, featuring the grandest statement of British choral music - Havergal Brian's Gothic Symphony. Two BBC orchestras, four brass bands, six choruses, four youth choruses and four star soloists join together for the Proms debut of this epic English 'Symphony of a Thousand'. Brian: Symphony No 1 in D minor (Gothic). Susan Gritton (soprano), Christine Rice (mezzo), Peter Auty (tenor), Alastair Miles (bass), CBSO Youth Chorus, Eltham College Boys' Choir, Southend Boys' and Girls' Choirs, Bach Choir, BBC National Chorus of Wales, Brighton Festival Chorus, Cor Caerdydd, Huddersfield Choral Society, London Symphony Chorus, BBC Concert Orchestra, BBC National Orchestra of Wales/Martyn Brabbins.

According to the BBC website, it's only down to be broadcast on Radio 3. Pity.

Yes, what a shame. Only one prom broadcast on TV so far. I seem to remember that there were more last year. Anyway, this evening:

Live from the Royal Albert Hall, London, Rob Cowan presents the brothers Capucon perfoming a pair of works by German Romantic composers from either end of the 19th century. Weber: Oberon Overture. Brahms: Concerto in A minor (Double Concerto). Renaud Capucon (violin), Gautier Capucon (cello), Orchestre Philharmonique de Radio France/Myung-Whun Chung.

Live from the Royal Albert Hall, London, Rob Cowan presents Myung-Whun Chung conducting the Orchestre Philharmonique de Radio France in Stravinsky's ballet The Rite of Spring, one of the most influential orchestral works of the 20th century.

Later:

Tuesday 19th July 2011
Time: 22:00 to 23:15 (1 hour and 15 minutes long)

Live from the Royal Albert Hall, London, Petroc Trelawny presents a late-night Prom featuring one of the greatest pieces of chamber music, Schubert's Quintet in C, D956, written when the composer was barely 30 years old, but near death. The Belcea Quartet is joined by distinguished cellist and founder member of the Berg Quartet Valentin Erben.

Yesterday I went to the lunch-time chamber Prom at the Cadogan Hall to hear Mahan Esfahani, the young Iranian harpsichord player, perform Bach's Goldberg Variations. It was an interesting experience. Listening to the variations on CD, even with Glenn Gould singing along, I have always thought of it as a rather cool, intellectual piece and ended up feeling relaxed and refreshed. (Bach's title for the work, read out by the Radio 3 presenter, was "Keyboard exercise, consisting of an ARIA with diverse variations for harpsichord with two manuals. Composed for connoisseurs, for the refreshment of their spirits, by Johann Sebastian Bach") Actually watching Esfahani made it a much more challenging experience - for most of the ride not relaxing at all! His wide range of facial expressions and grimaces made very clear what hard work this was. At times he slumped back in his seat looking quite exhausted and when he arrived at the energetic Var. 30 I could only think of a distance runner coming into the final straight giving his all to breast the tape. The repeated aria was a blessed relief.

This may sound a bit critical, but I don't mean it in that way. This was a very exciting reading which did emphasise the greatly added value you (can)get from attending a live concert compared with listening on the radio, however good your hi-fi. The concert is, I think, repeated on Saturday next as well as being available on iPlayer. I'll let my impressions settle down a bit and then listen again to see how it sounds without the visual input.

This sounds a fantastic concert Abbott. A pity I'm not likely to catch the broadcast on Saturday since I'm camping for the weekend in the wilds of Northumberland. Possibly too late, also, to get much of the iPlayer stream. I'll also miss tomorrows TV broadcast - Spanish Nigh, a shame also.

If you missed any of our first week from Benjamin’s Grosvenor’s encore at the First Night, to the gathering of more than 1000 performers for Brian’s ‘The Gothic’ Symphony, you can catch up now online on the BBC Proms website http://www.bbc.co.uk/proms

Coming up, we are live on BBC Four tonight for a Franco-Spanish evening with the BBC Philharmonic . On Saturday we invite the world to the Royal Albert Hall for the first of our special Human Planet Proms, plus we take the Proms to Kensington Gardens for the FREE Human Planet in the Park event.

On Sunday, we continue our choral theme with Verdi’s Requiem while next week a chance to hear Mahler’s Ninth Symphony, Stravinsky’s The Firebird and Beethoven’s Seventh... so much to enjoy!

NEWS & FEATURES

Human Planet in the Park
Featuring big-screen video projections, excerpts from Nitin Sawhney’s score for the BBC One series and musicians from Papua New Guinea, Greenland, Mongolia, Zambia and Sakha Republic, these are two special Proms not to be missed! As part of our weekend celebrating Human Planet you can also join us for a free event at Kensington Gardens from 1pm on Saturday featuring a variety of workshops, exotic food and live music for the whole family to enjoy. See more…http://www.bbc.co.uk/proms/whats-on/2011/july-23/98

Visit the BBC Proms website
The BBC Proms website is the place to find all the information you need for this year’s BBC Proms. See what is coming up next, read the free programme notes, and after concert, see images or catch up with clips.

Don’t forget you can also find the BBC Proms on Facebook and Twitter http://twitter.com/bbcproms. You can be part of the discussion @bbcproms - use the hashtag #bbcproms.

Are you a budding poet?
If so, then this is the challenge for you! Write a poem inspired by any piece of music in this year’s Proms season and you may get the chance to hear it read out at a Proms Plus event on 5 September and broadcast on BBC Radio 3. For all the details and how to enter visit, and terms and conditions visit http://www.bbc.co.uk/proms/features/poetry-competition

World Routes Academy
Join us for the first Carnatic concert at the Proms next Wednesday night. Aruna Sairam, is widely regarded as the leading South Indian female vocalist of her generation. She is joined by young veena virtuoso, Hari Sivanesan, the latest recipient of the BBC Radio 3 World Routes Academy. This special Late Night Prom marks the culmination of Aruna and Hari’s extraordinary musical journey together. More... http://www.bbc.co.uk/proms/whats-on/2011/july-27/20

How to experience the BBC Proms

Listen live on BBC Radio 3
All BBC Proms are broadcast live on BBC Radio 3 and in HD Sound on our website at http://www.bbc.co.uk/proms

Watch on BBC Television
selected Proms are broadcast across BBC TV - check here to find out which ones http://www.bbc.co.uk/proms/features/broadcasts

Catch up on BBC iPlayer
Missed a Prom? You can listen and watch online for 7 days after broadcast.
http://www.bbc.co.uk/iplayer/episode/b012n19t/BBC_Proms_2011_First_Night_of_the_...

Join us at the Royal Albert Hall
There are still thousands of tickets available - visit http://www.royalalberthall.com/ or call 0845 401 5040* to book yours now or why not Prom on the day for just £5.00 Fine out How htttp://www.bbc.co.uk/proms/features/how-to-prom

PROMS THIS WEEK

Friday 22 July 7.30pm Prom 10: Debussy, Ravel & Falla

Saturday 23 July 7.30pm Prom 11: Human Planet Prom

Sunday 24 July 11.00am Prom 12: Human Planet Prom

Sunday 24 July, 7.00pm Prom 13: Verdi - Requiem

Monday 25 July, 1.00pm Proms Chamber Music 2: Purcell, Sally Beamish & Brahms

Monday 25 July, 7.30pm Prom 14: Mahler - Symphony No. 9

Tuesday 26 July, 7.30pm Prom 15: Kodály, Bartók & Liszt

Wednesday 27 July, 7.00pm Prom 16: Berlioz, Fauré, Dusapin & Stravinsky

Wednesday 27 July, 10.00pm Prom 17: World Routes Academy

Thursday 28 July, 7.00pm Prom 18: Beethoven, Dalbavie & Carter

Friday 29 July, 7.30pm Prom 19: Honegger, Frank Bridge, Berg, Castiglioni & Debussy

See the full season online at http://www.bbc.co.uk/proms

Join us on BBC Four tonight for a Hungarian evening with the London Philharmonic or live on BBC Radio 3 from the Royal Albert Hall for Prom 19 – an evening with the BBC Symphony Orchestra led by Oliver Knussen.

On Saturday morning Horrible Histories takes over the Royal Albert Hall for our free family Prom (tickets went fast but read on for information about Promming on the day).

On Sunday, our choral theme continues this week featuring familiar favourites as well as neglected works of Rachmaninov, while next week we host a special mid-week Percy Grainger evening, plus a chance to hear works by Strauss, Prokofiev, Beethoven, Liszt, Elgar, Brahms and Ravel, culminating in a big night of Mahler next Friday as Gustavo Dudamel joins his old friends in the Simón Bolívar Symphony Orchestra to tackle a colossus – Mahler’s Symphony No. 2.

Don’t forget you can catch up on the last seven days of Proms now online on the BBC Proms website http://www.bbc.co.uk/proms

NEWS & FEATURES

Horrible Histories
Seated tickets went in a flash, but there are over a thousand FREE Promming places available on the day our Horrible Histories Free Family Prom – see our How to Prom information for more details – Promming tickets will be sold down the day queues from approx 9.45am and doors will open (approx) 10.15am. Our Horrible Histories Prom will be broadcast live on BBC Radio 3 (or you can catch up via the BBC iPlayer). It will also be recorded for broadcast on BBC One and CBBC, so keep a look out for this Prom on your television screen in the future.

Human Planet in the Park
Last Saturday, as part of our Human Planet weekend, we staged a Human Planet in the Park event in Kensington Gardens featuring artists from as far away as Mongolia, the Sakha Republic and Papua New Guinea. The Proms Plus Family Orchestra and Chorus also created and performed a world music soundscape followed by the fabulous Ifield Community Choir and Drummers.

There were fabulous workshop tents where families made colourful feathered headdresses, instruments out of junk and wrote their own poetry with Michael Rosen. People dined on Ghanaian curries and drank pina coladas (minus the alcohol!). You can view all the images from the day on the Proms website… http://www.bbc.co.uk/proms/whats-on/2011/july-23/98

Take home a piece of the Proms!
Proms 2011 merchandise is available from Door 6 at the Royal Albert Hall during the Proms season – this year we have a range of ladies’ and mens’ T-shirts, badges and fridge magnets, conductor’s batons, Proms mugs (including a special Last Night of the Proms edition) and even an iPhone cover! Visit Door 6 at the Royal Albert Hall to see the full range.

Proms Poetry Competition closing soon!
Your task is to write a poem inspired by any piece of music in this year’s Proms season – send your entry into the Proms Poetry competition for the chance to hear it read out at a Proms Plus event on 5 September and broadcast on BBC Radio 3. For all the details how to enter visit http://www.bbc.co.uk/proms/features/poetry-competition but be quick, entries close on August 6. (Terms and conditions apply).

HOW TO EXPERIENCE THE BBC PROMS

Listen live on BBC Radio 3
All BBC Proms are broadcast live on BBC Radio 3 and in HD sound on our website at http://www.bbc.co.uk/proms

Watch on BBC Television
http://www.bbc.co.uk/proms/features/broadcasts

Catch up on BBC iPlayer
Missed a Prom? You can listen and watch online for 7 days after broadcast.
http://www.bbc.co.uk/iplayer/episode/b012n19t/BBC_Proms_2011_First_Night_of_the_...

Join us at the Royal Albert Hall
Book your tickets now To book your ticket visit http://www.royalalberthall.com/ or call 0845 401 5040* to book yours now – or why not Prom on the day for just £5.00? Find out How htttp://www.bbc.co.uk/proms/features/how-to-prom

Visit the BBC Proms website
The BBC Proms website is the place to find all the information you need for this year’s BBC Proms. See what is coming up next, read the free programme notes, and after concert, see images or catch up with clips - http://www.bbc.co.uk/proms

Don’t forget, you can also find the BBC Proms on Facebook and Twitter http://twitter.com/bbcproms. You can be part of the discussion @bbcproms – ¬use the hashtag #bbcproms.


PROMS THIS WEEK

Friday 29 July 7.30pm Prom 19: Honegger, Bridge, Berg, Castiglioni & Debussy

Saturday 30 July 11.00am Prom 20: Horrible Histories – Free Family Prom

Saturday 30 July 7.30pm Prom 21: Strauss, Walton & Prokofiev

Sunday 31 July 7.00pm Prom 22: Rachmaninov

Monday 1 August 1.00pm Proms Chamber Music 3: Les Talens Lyriques

Monday 1 August 7.30pm Prom 23: Beethoven, Saint-Saëns & Liszt

Tuesday 2 August 7.00pm Prom 24: Elgar, Grainger & Strauss

Tuesday 2 August 10.15pm Prom 25: Grainger

Wednesday 3 August 7.30pm Prom 26: Debussy, Dutilleux & Ravel

Thursday 4 August 7.00pm Prom 27: Robin Holloway, Strauss & Brahms

Thursday 4 August 10.00pm Prom 28: Tallis Scholars

Friday 5 August 7.30pm Prom 29: Simón Bolívar Symphony Orchestra plays Mahler

See the full season online at http://www.bbc.co.uk/proms

Sunday 31st July 2011 (starting this afternoon)
Time: 17:15 to 18:00 (45 minutes long)

Proms Plus Intro: Rachmaninov's Choral Music.

Live from the Royal College of Music, London, Sarah Walker explores Rachmaninov's colourful choral works and considers the context of their composition, with recorded examples and live illustrations from members of the BBC Philharmonic.

Sunday 31st July 2011 (starting this evening)
Time: 19:00 to 19:50 (50 minutes long)

Live from the Royal Albert Hall, London, Penny Gore presents a Choral Sunday Proms concert devoted to the music of Rachmaninov. Rachmaninov: Spring; Women's and Men's Dances (Aleko); Three Russian Songs. Svetla Vassileva (soprano), Misha Didyk (tenor), Alexei Tanovitski (bass), Chorus of the Mariinsky Theatre, BBC Philharmonic/Gianandrea Noseda.

Sunday 31st July 2011 (starting this evening)
Time: 20:10 to 21:15 (1 hour and 5 minutes long)

Presented by Penny Gore, live from the Royal Albert Hall, London. An all-Rachmaninov choral Prom concludes with a performance of a short work, Vocalise, and the evocative choral symphony The Bells, for which the composer turned to a Russian translation of poems by Edgar Allan Poe. Rachmaninov: Vocalise; Rachmaninov: The Bells. Svetla Vassileva (soprano), Misha Didyk (tenor), Alexei Tanovitski (bass), Chorus of the Mariinsky Theatre, BBC Philharmonic/Gianandrea Noseda.

Coming up in Week 4:

Live every night from the Royal Albert Hall and BBC Radio 3. Join us on BBC Two and BBC Four this weekend.

Tonight we welcome back Music Director of the Los Angeles Philharmonic, Gustavo Dudamel joining his old friends in the Simón Bolívar Symphony Orchestra to tackle a colossus - Mahler's Symphony No. 2. Please note seated tickets have sold out and we are expecting lots of Prommers - if you can't make it down to join us at the Royal Albert Hall catch the Prom live on BBC Radio 3 or on BBC Two on Saturday from 9.00pm

Saturday is another big Proms night - discover what happens when a DJ takes to the stage as we welcome DJ Switch & NYO perform Gabriel Prokofiev’s Concerto for Turntables and Orchestra (find out how you can join our live Q&A with Gabriel Prokofiev), while Benjamin Grosvenor takes on Britten's Piano Concerto, plus Prokofiev's Romeo & Juliet. We also welcome Nigel Kennedy back to the BBC Proms for a special Late Night evening of solo Bach

Next week more Brahms, Mahler, and Lizst; a chance to hear young pianist Alice Sara Ott and the Royal Stockholm Philharmonic Orchestra, and we celebrate the 75th birthday of Steve Reich…

If you have missed a minute of the Proms thus far, don’t forget you can catch up on the last seven days of Proms now online on the BBC Proms website http://www.bbc.co.uk/proms

NEWS & FEATURES

Live Q & A with Gabriel Prokofiev starts soon!
Join us for a live Q&A session with Gabriel Prokofiev - composer, producer and grandson of Sergei - whose work Concerto for Turntables and Orchestra is being performed by DJ Switch and the National Youth Orchestra of Great Britain as part of Prom 30. Our live half hour session with Gabriel Prokofiev will take place from 11.30am today (Friday 5 August) on the BBC Proms Twitter stream. Find out how you can participate (even if you aren’t a Twitter user!). More http://www.bbc.co.uk/proms/features/liveqanda

Inspire Day at the BBC Proms
This weekend is the culmination of the 2011 BBC Proms Inspire Young Composes competition – we are inviting all entrants to a day of composing and networking at the Royal College of Music, followed by a Proms Plus concert featuring the competition's winning and highly commended pieces.

The pieces by winners Jack Sheen, Hannah Dilkes, George Rimmer and highly commended Henry Tozer, Rob Jones, Owain Park, Eva Barnsley, Susana Gomez Vazquez, Michael Brailey, Yuanfan Yan and Sylvia Lim will be perfromed by the Aurora Orchestra and presented by Nick Collon. Highly commended pieces by Daniel Evans and James Albany Hoyle will be broadcast at a later date.

The Proms Plus Young Composers Concert is open to all but places are limited so please arrive in good time. The concert will be broadcast on BBC Radio 3 on 12 August, so look out for it! http://www.bbc.co.uk/proms/whats-on/2011/august-06/115

What is your BBC Proms highlight?
@RMoore_ @BBCPhilharmonic's Debussy, Ravel & Falla - and the Verdi Requiem. Amazing music & amazing musicianship! #bbcproms

@Georgedoesmusic Enjoyed the Dalbavie concerto a lot! Also Beethoven 7 was a joy from start to finish. Fave beetsymph! #bbcproms

@curlybunny Still got songs from #hhprom going round in my head! Amazing! So clever and catchy - fabulous!

@wheresrunnicles Jurowski @LPOrchestra has been my #bbcpromshighlight. The most consistently enjoyable prom for me.

You can tweet us at #bbcproms, post on our Facebook page or leave us a comment on our Proms website – we love you feedback so go on join the discussion this year about the BBC Proms and let us know your highlights. http://www.bbc.co.uk/proms

Don’t forget you can also ask Proms Director Roger Wright a question – read Roger’s latest posts and find out how to submit your question on our website http://www.bbc.co.uk/proms/features/ask-the-director

Travelling to the Royal Albert Hall this weekend?
Please note a number of 2012 Olympic Test Events are being carried out in and around Kensington and you may experience delays in travelling to the Royal Albert Hall. Visit the Transport for London website for more information http://www.tfl.gov.uk/

Proms Quiz
Test your knowledge of classical music and the Proms with our quiz – can you beat the current top score? (A word of warning…we hear it can be addictive!) http://www.bbc.co.uk/proms/features/proms-quiz

HOW TO EXPERIENCE THE BBC PROMS

Listen live on BBC Radio 3
All BBC Proms are broadcast live on BBC Radio 3 and in HD sound on our website at http://www.bbc.co.uk/proms

Watch on BBC Television
http://www.bbc.co.uk/proms/features/broadcasts

Catch up on BBC iPlayer
Missed a Prom? You can listen and watch online for 7 days after broadcast.
http://www.bbc.co.uk/iplayer/episode/b012n19t/BBC_Proms_2011_First_Night_of_the_...

Join us at the Royal Albert Hall
Book your tickets now To book your ticket visit http://www.royalalberthall.com/ or call 0845 401 5040* to book yours now – or why not Prom on the day for just £5.00? Find out How htttp://www.bbc.co.uk/proms/features/how-to-prom

Visit the BBC Proms website
The BBC Proms website is the place to find all the information you need for this year’s BBC Proms. See what is coming up next, read the free programme notes, and after concert, see images or catch up with clips - http://www.bbc.co.uk/proms


PROMS THIS WEEK

Friday 5 August, 7.30pm Prom 29: Simón Bolívar Symphony Orchestra plays Mahler

Saturday 6 August, 6.30pm Prom 30: National Youth Orchestra of Great Britain

Saturday 6 August 10.00pm, Prom 31: Nigel Kennedy plays Bach

Sunday 7 August, 7.00pm Prom 32: Brahms & Mahler

Monday 8 August, 1.00pm Proms Chamber Music 4: Katia Buniatishvili plays Liszt & Prokofiev

Monday 8 August, 7.30pm Prom 33: Sibelius, Grieg & Nielsen

Tuesday 9 August, 7.00pm Prom 34: Bridge, Holt, Dupré & Saint-Saëns

Wednesday 10 August, 7.00pm Prom 35: Liszt, Glière & Rachmaninov

Wednesday 10 August, 10.15pm Prom 36: Steve Reich & Ensemble Modern

Thursday 11 August, 7.30pm Prom 37: Bridge, Brahms, Holst & Elgar

See the full season online at http://www.bbc.co.uk/proms

Saturday 6th August 2011 (starting this evening)
Time: 22:00 to 23:30 (1 hour and 30 minutes long)

Live from the Royal Albert Hall, London, Suzy Klein presents a late-night Prom in which Nigel Kennedy brings his unique musical style and his love of the works of Bach to a programme of solo violin works. Bach: Partita No 3 in E (Prelude); Partita No 2 in D minor.

Thanks antimuzak! I caught the end of Dudamel's Mahler 2 with the OSSB last night and it sounded wonderful! Was the rest as good? Apparently it is on British TV tonight: BBC2 9pm. I heard the SB Youth Chorus and Orch. (a huge crowd bedecked in red, yellow and blue!) play it at home under Simon Rattle five or six years ago, and that has to be the most exciting concert I've ever been to. At the end, many of the kids who had played (a lot of them from the poorest parts of town) were drifting about the corridors with looks of sheer extasy in their faces. Transformative stuff!

Sunday 7th August 2011 (starting this afternoon)
Time: 17:15 to 18:00 (45 minutes long)

Proms Plus Intro.

Live from the Royal College of Music, London, Andrew McGregor explores Mahler's Das klagende Lied, with recorded excerpts and live examples performed by members of the BBC Symphony Orchestra and BBC Singers.

Sunday 7th August 2011 (starting this evening)
Time: 19:00 to 19:50 (50 minutes long)

Live from the Royal Albert Hall, London, Sara Mohr-Pietsch presents a Prom in which soloist Christian Tetzlaff joins the BBC Symphony Orchestra under Edward Gardner for a performance of Brahms's great and technically demanding Violin Concerto in D.

Sunday 7th August 2011 (starting this evening)
Time: 20:10 to 21:30 (1 hour and 20 minutes long)

Live from the Royal Albert Hall, London, Sara Mohr-Pietsch presents Edward Gardner conducting the BBC Symphony Orchestra, the BBC Singers and four leading soloists in the original version of Mahler's rarely heard Das klagende Lied. Mahler: Das klagende Lied (original version). Melanie Diener (soprano), Anna Larsson (mezzo), Stuart Skelton (tenor), Christopher Purves (baritone), Augustus Bell, Matthew Lloyd-Wilson, Oluwatimilehin Otudeko, Theodore Beeny, Thomas Fetherstonhaugh and Timothy Fairbairn (trebles), BBC Singers, BBC Symphony Orchestra/Edward Gardner.

I'm glad I wasn't the only one a bit disappointed by the Simon Bolivar Orchestra's Mahler 2 (see the Times critic today). It was too slow for my taste and there was some imprecision in the playing of the quieter bits. The finale was fine with everyone blowing/banging/fiddling at full tilt and the National Youth Choir was brilliant. We sat at the back of the circle so there were some balance problems with the off-stage brass (just behind us in the gallery) and the mezzo's "O roschen rot..." barely reached us. I watched again on TV and the sound engineers had done their stuff fixing those problems but I still felt that the enormously positive reception at the end was deserved more for the orchestra's history than for the performance itself.

I thought the BBC broadcast was fine with some excellent playing from the orchestra and, as you say, the choir was excellent. I enjoyed the performance and was surprised to do so given the critical reception earlier Dudamel performances of Mahler have received.

Next week's musical treats include: the recreation of an all-Britten Prom from 1963; we welcome the Orchestraof the Mariinsky Theatre under Valery Gergiev for Swan Lake; Emmanuel Ax, Bernard Haitink and the Chamber Orchestra of Europe present two evenings of Brahms; Yuja Wang makes her Proms debut performing Bartók’s Piano Concerto No. 2 ; and a Late Night Prom with Viktoria Mullova and Matthew Barley explores the worlds of Gypsy and Jazz alongside Hungarian classic, Kodály’s Duo.

Don’t forget you can catch up on the last seven days of Proms now online on the BBC Proms website http://www.bbc.co.uk/proms

PROMS NEWS & FEATURES

The Proms goes to the movies!
Tonight Keith Lockhart and the BBC Concert Orchestra pay tribute to the rich legacy of film music from Hollywood and beyond featuring pieces from Psycho to Star Wars plus a tribute to the late John Barry - you can listen live on BBC Radio 3 or watch on BBC Four from 7.30pm tonight http://www.bbc.co.uk/proms/whats-on/2011/august-12/43

Get a taste of the Spaghetti Western Orchestra
The five inventive multitaskers of the Spaghetti Western Orchestra present their own unique take on Western soundtracks and the music of Ennio Morricone in a special Late Night Prom tonight - listen in for asthma inhalers, cereal packets and other unlikely instruments. You can listen live on BBC Radio 3 or watch on BBC Four from 7.30pm Friday 26 August. See a preview of their performance here. http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/entertainment-arts-14489095

Catch Horrible Histories Prom on BBC TV
Just announced! Our Horrible Histories Prom will be broadcast on CBBC at 5.15pm on 9 September and repeated a week later on BBC One - you can get a sneak peek of the goings-on at BBC's YouTube Channel http://youtu.be/Al1zdtfAnG8

Proms in the Park
Saturday 10 September sees the spectacular conclusion of the 2011 season as the world-famous Last Night of the Proms celebrations spill out from London's Royal Albert Hall, and people come together at venues across the UK to be part of the magic of the Last Night.

This year's line-up includes international stars Katherine Jenkins and Westlife. It has also been just been announced that Rolf Harris will be joining the party! Book your tickets now.

Find out more about Last Night celebrations in London, Caerphilly (Wales), Bangor (Northern Ireland), Dundee (Scotland) and on BBC Big Screens around the nation. http://www.bbc.co.uk/proms/features/proms-in-the-park

Proms Poetry Competition - deadline extended!
Have you got your Proms poem to us yet? The deadline for the 2011 Proms Poetry Competition has been extended until Monday 15 August due to some technical problems with downloading the application form and conflicting information about age categories. For all the details, information about how to enter and terms and conditions, visit our website http://www.bbc.co.uk/proms/features/proms-in-the-park

Travelling to the Proms this weekend?
Please note 2012 Olympic Test Events are being carried out in and around London this weekend and you may experience delays in travelling to the Royal Albert Hall and Cadogan Hall. Visit the Transport for London website for more information http://www.tfl.gov.uk/

What does the BBC Proms mean to you?
Join the discussion about the BBC Proms and let us know your highlights. Don’t forget you can tweet us at @bbcproms or use the #bbcproms hashtag, post on our Facebook page or leave us a comment on the Proms website –. http://www.bbc.co.uk/proms

Don’t forget you can also ask Proms Director, Roger Wright, a question – read Roger’s latest posts and find out how to submit your question on our website http://www.bbc.co.uk/proms/features/ask-the-director

HOW TO EXPERIENCE THE BBC PROMS

Listen live to the Proms on BBC Radio 3
http://www.bbc.co.uk/proms

Watch the Proms on BBC Television
http://www.bbc.co.uk/proms/features/broadcasts

Catch up on BBC iPlayer
http://www.bbc.co.uk/programmes/b007v097/episodes/player

Join us at the Royal Albert Hall
http://www.bbc.co.uk/proms/features/how-to-book
Visit the BBC Proms website
http://www.bbc.co.uk/proms

PROMS THIS WEEK

Friday 12 August, 7.00pm Prom 38: Film Music Prom

Friday 12 August, 10.15pm Prom 39: Spaghetti Western Orchestra

Saturday 13 August, 3.00pm, Proms Saturday Matinee 1: Bennett, Dutilleux & Maconchy

Saturday 13 August, 7.30pm Prom 40: Comedy Prom

Sunday 14 August, 7.00pm Prom 41: Joby Talbot & Britten

Monday 15 August, 1.00pm Proms Chamber Music 5: Britten & Bridge

Monday 15 August, 7.30pm, Prom 42: Tchaikovsky - Swan Lake

Tuesday 16 August, 7.00pm Prom 43: Copland, Bax, Barber, Bartók & Prokofiev

Wednesday 17 August, 7.30pm, Prom 44: Shostakovich, Stravinsky & Tchaikovsky

Thursday 18 August, 7.00pm, Prom 45: Thomas Larcher & Bruckner

Thursday 18 August, 10.15pm Prom 46: Viktoria Mullova & Matthew Barley

Friday 19 August, 7.00pm Prom 47: Brahms - Symphony No. 3 & Piano Concerto No. 1

Friday 19 August, 10.00pm Prom 48: Brahms & Schumann

See the full season online at http://www.bbc.co.uk/proms

Saturday 13th August 2011 (starting this afternoon)
Time: 14:00 to 15:00 (1 hour long)

Live from Cadogan Hall, London, Catherine Bott presents a piano recital by BBC Radio 3 New Generation Artist Khatia Buniatishvili. Liszt: Piano Sonata in B minor; Liebestraume No 3 (O Lieb, so lang du lieben kannst!). Prokofiev: Piano Sonata No 7 in B flat.

Sunday 14th August 2011 (starting this afternoon)
Time: 17:15 to 18:00 (45 minutes long)

Intro: Britten's Choral Music. Live from the Royal College of Music, London, Sara Mohr-Pietsch explores Britten's works in tonight's Prom and considers the context of their composition, with recorded examples and live illustrations by members of the BBC Symphony Orchestra.

Sunday 14th August 2011 (starting this evening)
Time: 19:00 to 21.30

Live from the Royal Albert Hall, London, Christopher Cook presents a choral Prom in which Jiri Belohlavek leads a re-creation of an all-Britten concert originally conducted in 1963 by the composer, with a contemporary twist from Joby Talbot. Purcell arr Talbot: Chacony in G minor. Britten: Cantata Misericordium; Sinfonia da Requiem. Amanda Roocroft (soprano), Christine Rice (mezzo), Alan Oke (tenor), Leigh Melrose (baritone), Trinity Boys Choir, BBC Singers, BBC Symphony Chorus and Orchestra/Mark Wigglesworth. Britten: Spring Symphony. Amanda Roocroft (soprano), Christine Rice (mezzo), Alan Oke (tenor), Leigh Melrose (baritone), Trinity Boys Choir, BBC Singers, BBC Symphony Chorus and Orchestra/Mark Wigglesworth.

Tuesday 16th August 2011
Time: 19:00 to 22:30 (50 minutes long)

Live from the Royal Albert Hall, London, Martin Handley presents a Prom in which Andrew Litton and the Royal Philharmonic Orchestra perform music by composers associated with Boston Symphony Orchestra conductor Serge Koussevitzky. With Copland's Fanfare for the Common Man, which was later incorporated into his Third Symphony, written for the Koussevitzky Music Foundation, and Bax: Second Symphony, dedicated to the Russian conductor. Copland: Fanfare for the Common Man. Bax: Symphony No 2. Royal Philharmonic/Andrew Litton.

With a piece by Barber, whose work the Russian-American conductor championed in the 1940s, and a piano concerto by Bartok, who had music commissioned by the Koussevitzky Foundation. Barber: Adagio for Strings. Bartok: Piano Concerto No 2. Yuja Wang (piano), Royal Philharmonic/Andrew Litton.

Concludes with Prokofiev's Fourth Symphony, a work premiered under the Russian-American maestro. Prokofiev: Symphony No 4 (revised version - 1947). Royal Philharmonic/Andrew Litton.

The Steve Reich concert was amazing.

Didn't catch that one, I'll try on the BBC iPlayer.

Dear Proms fans,

Love Brahms? Then this weekend at the BBC Proms is for you. Tonight and tomorrow at the Royal Albert Hall we welcome Bernard Haitink, Emanuel Ax and the Chamber Orchestra Europe for two Proms devoted to Brahms.

Angela Hewitt and the BBC Scottish Symphony Orchestra under Andrew Manze continue our Brahms theme with a Late Night Prom which places Brahms alongside his contemporary, Schumann, and gives Proms audiences a chance to hear Schoenberg's arrangement of Brahms's Piano Quartet in G minor.

Our Choral Sunday takes in music championed by or written in memory of the late Richard Hickox, including a performance of Mozart’s Requiem.

Coming up next week, the BBC Symphony Orchestra returns for Brahms’s Symphony No. I alongside works by Liszt and Wagner and a world premiere from Kevin Volans by pianist Barry Douglas.

Also, we welcome the LSO led by Valery Gergiev for the first of their two appearances - performing works by Dutilleux and Prokofiev; Susan Graham and the Gustav Mahler Jugendorchester under Sir Colin Davis for an evening of Stravinsky, Ravel and Tchaikovsky; and the Glyndebourne Festival Opera makes its annual Proms visit with Handel’s Rinaldo.

Don’t forget you can catch up on the last seven days of Proms online on the BBC Proms website http://www.bbc.co.uk/proms/.

ARTIST UPDATES

Prom Plus Literary (Saturday 20 August)
American conductor Andrew Litton is our focus this weekend for our free Proms Plus Literary at the Royal College of Music - our series in which musicians from this year's Proms season introduce a personal choice of readings from their favourite fiction and poetry. Just announced actor Charles Dance joins us on Saturday to deliver the readings.

Prom 50 (Sunday 21 August)
Due to indisposition James Rutherford has unfortunately had to cancel for Sunday evening’s Prom. We are delighted to announce Henk Neven will join us to perform in Mozart's Requiem.

PROMS NEWS & FEATURES

The Proms on BBC Television
Tonight on BBC Four from 7.30pm and Saturday on BBC Two from 9.00pm we celebrate Brahms with two Proms direct from the Royal Albert Hall featuring Bernard Haitink, Emanuel Ax and the Chamber Orchestra of Europe. http://www.bbc.co.uk/proms/whats-on/2011/people/chamber-orchestra-of-europe

On Sunday join us at 7.30pm on BBC Four for the Verdi’s Requiem recorded earlier this Proms season featuring a stellar line up of soloists and massed voices from the BBC Symphony Chorus, BBC National Chorus of Wales and the London Philharmonic Choir. http://www.bbc.co.uk/proms/whats-on/2011/july-24/15

The Proms at Cadogan Hall
Love your lunchtime concerts? Don’t miss our remaining Proms Chamber Music and Saturday Matinees coming up at Cadogan Hall. Next week’s highlights include Emmanuel Pahud performing works by Martinů and Prokofiev, and the world premiere of a new work by Stevie Wishart. You can see a full list of all lunchtime and matinee performances still to come this season on the Proms website http://www.bbc.co.uk/proms/

Late Night Proms
We've already enjoyed music from the spaghetti westerns, American minimalism, an evening of Bach with Nigel Kennedy, renaissance, folk and gypsy sounds - but there is still more to come in our Late Night Proms! Tonight Angela Hewitt continues Brahms theme and coming up this Wednesday night, Marc-André Hamelin pays a tribute to Liszt. Next week Iván Fischer and the Budapest Festival Orchestra invite you to delve into their music library, while in our final week of the 2011 season, we celebrate the artistry of jazz legend Stan Kenton. Find out more about our Late Night Proms http://www.bbc.co.uk/proms/whats-on/2011/categories/late-night-concerts-and-even...

Proms in the Park
Saturday 10 September sees the spectacular conclusion of the 2011 season as the world-famous Last Night of the Proms celebrations spill out from London's Royal Albert Hall, and people come together at venues across the UK to be part of the magic of the Last Night.

At Hyde Park, this year's line-up includes international stars Katherine Jenkins and Westlife as well as Rolf Harris joining the party!

Find out more about Last Night celebrations in London, Caerphilly (Wales), Bangor (Northern Ireland), Dundee (Scotland) and on BBC Big Screens around the nation http://www.bbc.co.uk/proms/features/proms-in-the-park

HOW TO EXPERIENCE THE BBC PROMS

Listen live to the Proms on BBC Radio 3
http://www.bbc.co.uk/proms

Watch the Proms on BBC Television
http://www.bbc.co.uk/proms/features/broadcasts

Catch up on BBC iPlayer
http://www.bbc.co.uk/programmes/b007v097/episodes/player

Join us at the Royal Albert Hall
http://www.bbc.co.uk/proms/features/how-to-book

Prom on the day for £5
http://www.bbc.co.uk/proms/features/how-to-prom

Visit the BBC Proms website
http://www.bbc.co.uk/proms

Follow us on Twitter
http://twitter.com/bbcproms

Join us on Facebook
http://www.facebook.com/theproms

Ask the Proms Director a question
http://www.bbc.co.uk/proms/features/ask-the-director

PROMS THIS WEEK

Friday 19 August, 7.00pm Prom 47: Brahms - Symphony No. 3 & Piano Concerto No. 1

Friday 19 August, 10.00pm Prom 48: Brahms & Schumann

Saturday 20 August, 3.00pm Proms Saturday Matinee 2: Maxwell Davies, Aperghis & Sir Harrison Birtwistle

Saturday 20 August, 7.30pm Prom 49: Brahms - Piano Concerto No. 2 & Symphony No. 4

Sunday 21 August, 7.00pm Prom 50: Britten, Colin Matthews & Mozart

Monday 22 August, 1.00pm Proms Chamber Music 6: Emmanuel Pahud & Eric Le Sage

Monday 22 August, 7.30pm Prom 51: Wagner, Liszt, Kevin Volans & Brahms

Tuesday 23 August, 7.30pm Prom 52: Prokofiev & Dutilleux

Wednesday 24 August, 7.00pm Prom 53: Stravinsky, Ravel & Tchaikovsky

Wednesday 24 August, 10.00pm Prom 54: Marc-André Hamelin plays Liszt

Thursday 25 August, 7.00pm Prom 55: Glyndebourne Festival Opera - Handel’s Rinaldo

Friday 26 August, 7.30pm Prom 56: R. Strauss & Mahler

See the full season online at http://www.bbc.co.uk/proms/

Proms Plus Choral Sundays
Sunday 21st August 2011 (starting this afternoon)
Time: 17:15 to 18:00 (45 minutes long)

Proms Plus Intro.

In an audience discussion live from the Royal College of Music, London, Matthew Rowe explores the works in tonight's Prom, including Mozart's Requiem, and considers the context of their composition with recorded examples and live illustrations from members of the City of London Sinfonia.

Sunday 21st August 2011 (starting this evening)
Time: 19:00 to 21.30

Live from the Royal Albert Hall, London, Sara Mohr-Pietsch presents a choral Prom in which Stephen Layton conducts the City of London Sinfonia and Polyphony in Britten's tribute to his teacher Frank Bridge and a new work by Colin Matthews which arose out of what the composer describes as an obsession with the First World War. Britten: Variations on a Theme of Frank Bridge. Colin Matthews: No Man's Land.

Live from the Royal Albert Hall, London. Episode 2.
Stephen Layton conducts a distinguished array of soloists, Polyphony and the City of London Sinfonia in Mozart's tragic masterpiece the Requiem, which was composed in the final months of his life and left unfinished at his death. Mozart compl Sussmayr: Requiem in D minor. Emma Bell (soprano), Renata Pokupic (mezzo), Ian Bostridge (tenor), Roderick Williams (baritone), James Rutherford (bass), Polyphony, City of London Sinfonia/Stephen Layton.

Dear Proms fans,

There are just two weeks left of the 2011 BBC Proms season!

Thousands have already joined us at the Royal Albert Hall, Cadogan Hall and the Royal College of Music, and many more on BBC Radio 3, BBC Four, BBC Two and BBC HD - but there is still time to experience the world's greatest classical music festival.

Tickets are still available for a number of Proms including a recital from Thierry Escaich on the grand Royal Albert Hall organ; Berlioz’s rarely performed French version of Weber’s opera, Der Freischütz conducted by Sir John Eliot Gardiner, and a Late Night tribute to jazz legend Stan Kenton.

Don’t forget over a thousand Promming (standing) tickets are available for just £5 at each Prom at the Royal Albert Hall - for more information about Promming see our How to Prom information (please note other ticketing arrangements apply for the Last Night of the Proms).

If you have missed any of the action from the Proms you can catch up on the last seven days online on the BBC Proms website http://www.bbc.co.uk/proms or check out all our recent clips.

PROMS NEWS & FEATURES

The Proms on BBC Television

Also this Sunday at 7pm on BBC Four, a second chance to experience the Simón Bolívar Symphony Orchestra under Gustavo Dudamel performing Mahler’s Symphony No. 2. Watch an excerpt from the 1st Movement http://youtu.be/cl2Fi6t2vMk and the stunning finale http://youtu.be/1q7pDdAa7Tk now.

Create Your Own Prom
Experience a Late Night Prom with a difference next Friday with the Budapest Festival Orchestra under conductor Iván Fischer. During this special Prom you have a chance to choose the music as Iván leads the audience through a list of 285 classical favourites from the Budapest Festival Orchestra’s music library from Anderson's The Typewriter to Stravinsky's The Rite of Spring. This Prom has no programme until the works are chosen on the night! More... http://www.bbc.co.uk/proms/whats-on/2011/september-02/75

Proms Saturday Matinees
There is still time to experience the magic of the Proms at Cadogan Hall as part of our Proms Saturday Matinees. Coming up tomorrow at 3pm a chance to hear a world premiere from Stevie Wishart based on the texts of Hildegard of Bingen. Next Saturday 3 September at 3pm the Britten Sinfonia and the BBC Singers are joined by cellist Natalie Clein for a programme of Tippet, Tavener and Sofia Gubaidulina’s The Canticle of the Sun. More... http://www.bbc.co.uk/proms/whats-on/2011/categories/matinee-performances

Where will you be on the Last Night of the Proms?
Preparations are well under way for the Last Night celebrations which will spill out from London's Royal Albert Hall as people come together at venues across the UK to be part of the magic. Where will you be?

Celebrated pianist Lang Lang makes a special appearance on the Hyde Park stage before hot-footing it to appear at the Last Night in the Royal Albert Hall - on the same night. Find ot more about Last Night celebrations in London, Caerphilly (Wales), Bangor (Northern Ireland), Dundee (Scotland) and on BBC Big Screens around the nation. More... http://www.bbc.co.uk/proms/features/proms-in-the-park

Travelling to the Proms this weekend?
Visit the Transport for London website for more information about travelling to Cadogan Hall and the Royal Albert Hall for the BBC Proms this weekend. http://www.tfl.gov.uk/

HOW TO EXPERIENCE THE BBC PROMS

Listen live to the Proms on BBC Radio 3
http://www.bbc.co.uk/proms

Watch the Proms on BBC Television
http://www.bbc.co.uk/proms/features/broadcasts

Catch up on BBC iPlayer
http://www.bbc.co.uk/programmes/b007v097/episodes/player

Join us at the Royal Albert Hall
http://www.bbc.co.uk/proms/features/how-to-book

Prom on the day for £5
http://www.bbc.co.uk/proms/features/how-to-prom

Visit the BBC Proms website
http://www.bbc.co.uk/proms

Follow us on Twitter
http://twitter.com/bbcproms

Join us on Facebook
http://www.facebook.com/theproms

Ask the Proms Director a question
http://www.bbc.co.uk/proms/features/ask-the-director

PROMS THIS WEEK

Friday 26 August, 7.30pm Prom 56: Strauss & Mahler

Saturday 27 August, 3.00pm Proms Saturday Matinee 3: Hildegard, Britten, Sir Harrison Birtwistle & Stevie Wishart

Saturday 27 August, 7.30pm Prom 57: Anders Hillborg, Mozart & Beethoven

Sunday 28 August, 7.00pm Prom 58: Mendelssohn - Elijah

Monday 29 August, 1.00pm Proms Chamber Music 7: Yo-Yo Ma & Kathryn Stott

Monday 29 August, 7.30pm Prom 59: Hooray for Hollywood

Tuesday 30 August, 7.30pm Prom 60: Mozart & Bruckner

Wednesday 31 August, 7.30pm Prom 61: Fitkin & Beethoven

Thursday 1 September, 7.30pm Prom 62 Israel Philharmonic Orchestra

Friday 2 September, 7.00pm Prom 63: Liszt & Mahler

Friday 2 September, 10.00pm Prom 64: Audience Choice

See the full season online at http://www.bbc.co.uk/proms

Friday 26th August 2011
Time: 19:30 to 19:55 (25 minutes long)

Live from the Royal Albert Hall, London, Tom Service presents Semyon Bychkov's second Prom of the season, in which he conducts an early piano concerto by Strauss that contains echoes of Brahms and Liszt. Strauss: Burleske. Kirill Gerstein (piano), BBC Symphony Orchestra/Semyon Bychkov.

Friday 26th August 2011
Time: 20:15 to 22:00 (1 hour and 45 minutes long)

Live from the Royal Albert Hall, London, Semyon Bychkov conducts the BBC Symphony Orchestra in Mahler's Sixth Symphony, a work whose hammer-blows seem to portend the crises in Mahler's own life and the wider world. Mahler: Symphony No 6 in A minor (Tragic). BBC Symphony Orchestra/Semyon Bychkov.

I went to Mahler 6 - I loved Bychkov's pace and enjoyed the wind principals, particularly the horn, tuba and cor anglais. I reckon this was as good a performance of this work that I have heard. The off-stage cow-bells were iffy in the hall but mave have sounded better on air. When they first appeared I thought someone had dropped something in the gallery.

I love Strauss' lieder and opera but the piano work tonight didn't grab me - well played and interesting kettle drum riffs, but Iwon't rush back to it.

I heard the second half of this concert which sounded good, even on a not so good radio (I'm away on holiday this week).

Today:

BBC Proms Chamber Music
Saturday 27th August 2011 (starting this afternoon)
Time: 14:00 to 15:00 (1 hour long)

Live from Cadogan Hall, London, Catherine Bott presents a recital in which celebrated flautist Emmanuel Pahud performs music by Martinu, Dutilleux and Prokofiev, with piano accompaniment by Eric Le Sage. The programme has a sunny nature, in spite of the fact that all pieces were composed in the 1940s under the shadow of World War II. Martinu: Flute Sonata. Dutilleux: Sonatine. Prokofiev: Flute Sonata.

BBC Proms Saturday Matinee
Saturday 27th August 2011 (starting this afternoon)
Time: 15:00 to 16:30 (1 hour and 30 minutes long)

Live from Cadogan Hall, London, Christopher Cook presents a Prom in which the BBC Singers and Sinfonye perform songs by Hildegard of Bingen and a new work based on them as well as other pieces setting medieval lyrics. Hildegard of Bingen: Symphonia armonie celestium revelationum (selection). Britten: Sacred and Profane. Harrison Birtwistle: Narration: A Description of the Passing of a Year. Stevie Wishart: Out of This World. BBC Singers, Sinfonye/Stevie Wishart, Robert Hollingworth.

Also, bound to be good:

Saturday 27th August 2011 (starting this evening)
Time: 19:30 to 20:30 (1 hour long)

Live from the Royal Albert Hall, London, Petroc Trelawny presents a Prom in which David Zinman conducts the Tonhalle Orchestra Zurich in a post-minimalist work from Sweden and Mozart's final piano concerto, with leading soloist Maria Joao Pires. Anders Hillborg: Cold Heat. Mozart: Piano Concerto No 27 in B flat, K595. Maria Joao Pires (piano), Tonhalle Orchestra Zurich/David Zinman.

Saturday 27th August 2011 (starting this evening)
Time: 20:50 to 22:00 (1 hour and 10 minutes long)

Live from the Royal Albert Hall, London, a Prom in which David Zinman conducts the Tonhalle Orchestra Zurich concludes with Beethoven's Third Symphony, a work considered one of the great pinnacles of Western music, and which was inspired by the ideals of the French Revolution. Beethoven: Symphony No 3 in E flat (Eroica). Tonhalle Orchestra Zurich/David Zinma.

Proms Plus Choral Sundays
Sunday 28th August 2011 (starting this afternoon)
Time: 17:15 to 18:00 (45 minutes long)

Live from the Royal College of Music, London, Andrew McGregor explores Mendelssohn's Elijah with recorded excerpts and live music examples performed by members of the Gabrieli Consort and Players.

BBC Proms Chamber Music
Monday 29th August 2011 (starting in 3 hours and 25 minutes)
Time: 13:00 to 14:00 (1 hour long)

Live from Cadogan Hall, London, Catherine Bott presents a concert in which Yo-Yo Ma and Kathryn Stott perform a varied programme, combining the old and the new. With a work by Graham Fitkin, composed for Yo-Yo Ma's 50th birthday, and one of the most romantic works of the cello repertoire: Rachmaninov's Cello Sonata. Graham Fitkin: L. Egberto Gismonti/Geraldo Carneiro: Bodas de prata; Quatro Cantos. Rachmaninov: Cello Sonata in G minor. Yo-Yo Ma (cello), Kathryn Stott (piano). Incl 1.00 News.

Dear Proms Fans,

We can't quite believe it, but it is the final week of the 2011 BBC Proms season, however, there is still time to join us! Coming up - a recital on the grand Royal Albert Hall organ from Thierry Escaich, Beethoven’s Missa solemnis live from the Royal Albert Hall on BBC Four, a Late Night tribute to jazz-legend Stan Kenton, a chance to hear the Pittsburgh Symphony Orchestra and the Philadelphia Orchestra, plus German Romantic Opera given the French ‘grand opera’ treatment in Weber’s Der Freischütz conducted by Sir John Eliot Gardiner...not to mention the world-famous Last Night of the Proms and Last Night celebrations around the UK - read on to find out how you can be a part!

PROMS NEWS & FEATURES

The Proms on BBC Television
Get ready for another big weekend of the Proms on BBC Television. Tonight on BBC Four at 7.30pm, an evening of Brahms and Schumann with Angela Hewitt and BBC Scottish Symphony Orchestra (recorded earlier this season).

Coming up on Sunday the Proms is live on BBC Radio 3 and BBC Four for our final Choral Sunday with Beethoven’s Missa Solemnis featuring the London Symphony Orchestra under conductor Sir Colin Davis as well as soloists Helena Juntunen, Sarah Connolly, Paul Groves and Matthew Rose with the London Philharmonic Choir and London Symphony Chorus.

And, of course, don’t miss the world famous Last Night of the Proms! The Last Night celebrations will be live on BBC Radio 3 and on BBC Two (first half) and BBC One (second half), and digital TV viewers can also catch up with our concerts around the UK by pressing the red button during the Last Night of the Proms on BBC TV (concerts live and in full on Sky, Virgin and Freesat / live excerpts only on Freeview). All concerts will be available on BBC iPlayer for seven days after the event. Read on for more details of our events around the UK.

Late Night Proms
Coming up tonight at the Royal Albert Hall during our special Late Night Prom you have a chance to choose the music as Iván Fischer leads the audience though a list of classical favourites from the Budapest Festival Orchestra’s music library and asks the audience to choose what they would like to hear. This Prom has no programme until the works are chosen by the audience tonight! Tickets are still available so come and join the fun at the Royal Albert Hall at 10pm tonight. More... http://www.bbc.co.uk/proms/whats-on/2011/september-02/75

Where will you be on the Last Night of the Proms?
Thousands will gather across the UK to be part of the magic of the Last Night of the Proms...where will you be?

At Hyde Park, presenter Sir Terry Wogan leads a host of musical stars, including Katherine Jenkins, Russell Watson, Josh Groban, Rolf Harris and special guests Westlife, with the BBC Concert Orchestra under Keith Lockhart. Celebrated pianist Lang Lang makes a special appearance on the Hyde Park stage before hot-footing it to appear at the Last Night in the Royal Albert Hall - on the same night.

Last Night celebrations are also taking place in Caerphilly (Wales), Bangor (Northern Ireland), Dundee (Scotland) and on BBC Big Screens in: Belfast (City Hall)*, Birmingham (Victoria Square), Bradford (Centenary Square), Bristol (Millennium Square), Cardiff (The Hayes), Coventry (Millennium Place), Derby (Market Place)*, Dover (Market Square), Edinburgh (Festival Square), Leeds (Millennium Square), Leicester (Humberstone Gate), Manchester (Exchange Square), Middlesbrough (Centre Square)*, Norwich (Chapelfield Plain), Plymouth (Armada Way)*, Portsmouth (Guildhall Square)*, Swindon (Wharf Green)*, Waltham Forest (Walthamstow Town Square), and Woolwich (General Gordon Place). (Belfast, Edinburgh and Cardiff screens will be carrying their national Proms in the Parks programme screenings - *Locations with additional entertainment.) Fine out more information about Proms in the Park and our Last Night celebrations More...http://www.bbc.co.uk/proms/features/proms-in-the-park

HOW TO EXPERIENCE THE BBC PROMS

Listen live to the Proms on BBC Radio 3
http://www.bbc.co.uk/proms

Watch the Proms on BBC Television
http://www.bbc.co.uk/proms/features/broadcasts

Catch up on BBC iPlayer
http://www.bbc.co.uk/programmes/b007v097/episodes/player

Join us at the Royal Albert Hall
http://www.bbc.co.uk/proms/features/how-to-book

Prom on the day for £5
http://www.bbc.co.uk/proms/features/how-to-prom

Visit the BBC Proms website
http://www.bbc.co.uk/proms

Follow us on Twitter
http://twitter.com/bbcproms

Join us on Facebook
http://www.facebook.com/theproms

Ask the Proms Director a question
http://www.bbc.co.uk/proms/features/ask-the-director

PROMS THIS WEEK

Friday 2 September, 7.00pm Prom 63: Liszt & Mahler

Friday 2 September, 10.00pm Prom 64: Audience Choice

Saturday 3 September, 3.00pm Proms Saturday Matinee 4: Tippett, John Tavener & Gubaidulina

Saturday 3 September, 7.00pm Prom 65: Elgar, Berkeley, Rachmaninov & Kodály

Sunday 4 September, 4.00pm Prom 66: Organ recital - Thierry Escaich

Sunday 4 September, 7.00pm Prom 67: Beethoven - Missa Solemnis

Monday 5 September, 1.00pm Proms Chamber Music 8: Christian Tetzlaff & Lars Vogt

Monday 5 September, 7.30pm Prom 68: Pittsburgh Symphony Orchestra & Hélène Grimaud

Tuesday 6 September, 7.30pm Prom 69: Pittsburgh Symphony Orchestra & Anne-Sophie Mutter

Wednesday 7 September, 7.00pm Prom 70: Bridge, Sir Harrison Birtwistle & Holst

Wednesday 7 September, 10.15pm Prom 71: Tribute to Stan Kenton

Thursday 8 September, 7.30pm Prom 72: Philadelphia Orchestra & Janine Jansen

Friday 9 September, 7.30pm Prom 73: Weber arr. Berlioz - Der Freischütz

Saturday 10 September, 7.30pm Prom 74: Last Night of the Proms

See the full season online at bbc.co.uk/proms

Sunday 4th September 2011 (starting this afternoon)
Time: 17:15 to 18:00 (45 minutes long)

Proms Plus Intro.

Live from the Royal College of Music, London, Sara Mohr-Pietsch explores Beethoven's Missa solemnis, with recorded excerpts and live music examples performed by members of the London Symphony Orchestra.

Sunday 4th September 2011 (starting this evening)
Time: 19:00 to 20:45 (1 hour and 45 minutes long)

Live from the Royal Albert Hall, London, Andrew McGregor presents the last of this season's choral Proms, in which Colin Davis conducts leading soloists, the London Symphony Orchestra and Chorus, and the London Philharmonic Choir in Beethoven's monumental Missa Solemnis. Beethoven: Missa Solemnis. Helena Juntunen (soprano), Sarah Connolly (mezzo-soprano), Paul Groves (tenor), Matthew Rose (bass), London Philharmonic Choir, London Symphony Chorus, London Symphony Orchestra/Colin Davis.

Tonight we welcome Proms favourite Sir John Eliot Gardiner with the Monteverdi Choir and the Orchestre Révolutionnaire et Romantique to perform Berlioz’s French version of Weber’s Der Freischütz in its first Proms outing - there are still a few seats left or you can Prom for just £5! More http://www.bbc.co.uk/proms/whats-on/2011/september-09/84

On BBC Television tonight you have the chance to catch our Horrible Histories Prom on CBBC from 5.45pm and our Nigel Kennedy Prom recorded earlier this season on BBC Four from 7.30pm.

Coming up on Saturday, celebrations will spill over into all four nations of the UK as we once again embark on the world-famous Last Night of the Proms from the Royal Albert Hall! Read on to find out how you can share in our big night...

PROMS NEWS & FEATURES

Horrible Histories Prom on CBBC tonight
Our Horrible Histories Prom will be broadcast on CBBC tonight. Please note an update to the start time - Horrible Histories will screen on CBBC from 5.45pm today (with a repeat coming up soon on BBC One) - you can get a sneak peek of the show's antics at BBC's YouTube Channel. Watch a clip: http://youtu.be/Al1zdtfAnG8

Nigel Kennedy Prom on BBC Four tonight
Nigel Kennedy returned to the Proms with a concert of solo Bach and some special arrangements of numbers by Fats Waller as an encore. See the full Prom recorded earlier this season at 7.30pm tonight on BBC Four. Watch a clip of Bach's Partita No.2 http://youtu.be/Tj74_vnnFFA and a Bach arrangement with band http://youtu.be/oLVLNoxF4L0

Calling all Prommers - we need your help!
Attending the Last Night of the Proms? Then you can take part in the world premiere of a Musicians Benevolent Fund commission written by Sir Peter Maxwell Davies to mark the Fund's 90th birthday and to thank the Promenaders’ Musical Charities for collecting for musicians in need at the BBC Proms every year. Read Roger Wright’s blog to find out more and listen to an audio file of the music and look at the score to learn your part. More http://www.bbc.co.uk/blogs/radio3/2011/09/calling-all-prommers---come-an.shtml

What is your 2011 BBC Proms highlight?
BBC Radio 3 presenter Suzy Klein is looking for your best moments from the 2011 Proms, to be shared on BBC Radio 3’s Last Night broadcast on Saturday.

Tweet your highlight to @bbcproms using the #bbcproms hashtag http://twitter.com/search/%23bbcproms or post on our Facebook page http://www.facebook.com/theproms

LAST NIGHT OF THE PROMS

Where will you be on the Last Night of the Proms?
Tomorrow is the final day of the 2011 BBC Proms and thousands will join us as Last Night celebrations spill out from London's Royal Albert Hall as people come together at venues across the UK to be part of the magic of the Last Night of the Proms. Where will you be for the classical music party of the year?

Join us at the Royal Albert Hall - a very limited number of £5 promming (standing) tickets are available on the Last Night and you may be lucky! More http://www.bbc.co.uk/proms/features/last-night-booking

Join us at Hyde Park London
Presenter Sir Terry Wogan leads a host of musical stars, including Katherine Jenkins, Russell Watson, Josh Groban, Rolf Harris and special guests Westlife, with the BBC Concert Orchestra under Keith Lockhart. Celebrated pianist Lang Lang makes a special appearance on the Hyde Park stage before hot-footing it to appear at the Last Night in the Royal Albert Hall - on the same night. More http://www.bbc.co.uk/proms/whats-on/2011/september-10/189

Join Last Night celebrations across the UK
Events are also taking place in Caerphilly (Wales), Bangor (Northern Ireland), Dundee (Scotland). More http://www.bbc.co.uk/proms/features/proms-in-the-park

Watch on a BBC Big Screen
Find out which BBC Big Screens will be showing the Last Night of the Proms. Please note Belfast, Edinburgh and Cardiff screens will be carrying their own national Proms in the Park programme screenings. More http://www.bbc.co.uk/proms/features/proms-in-the-park-big-screens

Watch on BBC Television
You can watch of the first part of the Last Night of the Proms live on BBC Two and BBC HD (with a special highlight of Lang Lang performing at Proms in the Park in Hyde Park) and the second part live on BBC One.

Press the red button
Sky, Virgin and Freesat viewers can choose from four live full concerts - Northern Ireland, Scotland, Wales and London's Hyde Park. Freeview viewers can switch between the Royal Albert Hall, and highlights from the other four concerts.

Listen on BBC Radio and online
Listen live to the Last Night in the Royal Albert Hall on BBC Radio 3 or BBC Radio 2 for the Last Night celebrations in Hyde Park from 7.30pm until 10.45pm. You can also stream BBC Radio 3 and BBC Radio 2 online.

Catch up on BBC iPlayer
All BBC Proms last night concerts will be on BBC iplayer – catch up online for 7 days after broadcast with the action from Royal Albert Hall, Hyde Park, Caerphilly (Wales), Bangor (North Ireland) or Dundee (Scotland).

Join us around the world
A number of international television and radio stations will be broadcasting the Last Night of the Proms – check your local guides for more!