Synonymous with the summer months, the BBC Proms are one of the world’s largest music festivals. The eight-week long season of daily orchestral classical music performances is an eclectic mix of international artists and innovative programming.Expectation for this year’s event is high following the success of 2010’s festivities and the BBC has kicked off proceedings by formally announcing the programme for the 117th anniversary of the concert season.
Choral works are set to dominate the weekends, with all eight Sundays devoted to choral works.
Other highlights within the 90 concerts include the return of Gustavo Dudamel and the Simon Bolivar Symphony Orchestra, Nigel Kennedy in a solo Late Night recital devoted to the music of JS Bach, Steve Reich with three of his seminal works in a Late Night Prom and the first Comedy Prom, hosted by Tim Minchin.
This year’s Proms, which run from July 15th to September 10th, will also feature a concerto for turntables and orchestra as well as Hollywood film music concerts.
Roger Wright, director BBC Proms and controller BBC Radio 3, commented on the diverse programme.
“Building on the tremendous success of last year’s Proms, which achieved higher than ever attendances at the events and a record TV reach of 18 million, I hope that our audiences will respond again to the wealth of great music, outstanding artists and new ideas,” Mr Wright explained.
“I am keen to underline the BBC’s commitment to funding, organising and broadcasting this great national institution and proud of its unequalled ability to bring the best classical music to such wide audiences.”
Performances will be broadcast on Radio 3 as well as on BBC Two and BBC Four throughout the season. All broadcast proms will be available to view for a further seven days on the BBC Proms website.