Synopsis

With Louise Fryer

Another chance to hear the opening Prom of the 2010 season, given last Friday at the Royal Albert Hall, London. Mahler's spectacular 'Symphony of a Thousand' launches the 2010 BBC Proms. "Try to imagine the whole universe beginning to ring and resound. There are no longer human voices, but planets and suns revolving" - so Mahler described his Eighth Symphony. It's a celebratory start to two months of music making at the world's greatest music festival and a tribute to the Proms founder and conductor - Sir Henry Wood - who gave the work its UK premiere 80 years ago.
Presented by Petroc Trelawny.

Mahler: Symphony No. 8 in E flat major, 'Symphony of a Thousand'

Mardi Byers (soprano)
Twyla Robinson (soprano)
Malin Christensson (soprano)
Stephanie Blythe (mezzo-soprano)
Kelley O'Connor (mezzo-soprano)
Stefan Vinke (tenor)
Hanno Müller-Brachmann (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)

Followed by performances from last year's Cheltenham Festival, including:

Mendelssohn: Songs without words
Ashley Wass (piano)

Tabakova: Suite in a Jazz Style
Maxim Rysanov (viola)
Ashley Wass (piano)

Mendelssohn: Piano Quartet no.2
Tai Murray (violin)
Maxim Rysanov (viola)
Andreas Brantelid (cello)
Ashley Wass (piano).