Composers from the Music Sales roster have been chosen to perform or have their work performed at the BBC Proms later this year. With the full line-up announced last week, the eight-week long season promises to be an exciting and diverse celebration of classical music.Opening up the 117th anniversary of the festival, a new BBC commission by Judith Weir is planned, while there is also the opportunity to see new works from Joby Talbot, Kevin Volans, John Tavener and Simon Holt.
This year’s Proms hold a high level of expectation following the success of 2010’s performances and the BBC has packed an eclectic mix of artists old and new into this offering.
Celebrating the 75th birthday of Richard Rodney Bennett, his music is included in a Saturday Matinee concert and in the Film Music Prom. As one of Britain’s most respected musicians, and with over 200 works for concert hall to his name, the performance is expected to be a popular offering.
The Seventh Symphony by Jean Sibelius features, along with the Adagio for Strings by Samuel Barber and music by Isaac Albeniz.
Other highlights within the 90 concerts include performances of work by Sir Peter Maxwell Davies, Igor Stravinsky, Carl Nielsen and Elizabeth Maconchy.
Stravinsky’s The Firebird will be performed on Wednesday July 27th and is also set to be broadcast live on BBC3. One of the composer’s earlier works, the composition can be characterised by its dissonant and rhythmic nature.
“I hope that our audiences will respond again to the wealth of great music, outstanding artists and new ideas,” Roger Wright, director of the BBC Proms and controller of BBC Radio 3, said.
Seats go on sale on May 7th 2011 and standing tickets bought on the day remain priced at £5. Full details are available on the Proms website.