What's On / Music Guide
Your Guide to the Proms 2009 Season
Seasoned enthusiast or complete newcomer, it's easy to feel a little overwhelmed when faced with the fascinating variety of concerts that make up the BBC Proms 2009 season. There's something to appeal to everyone, with more than 76 main concerts in the Royal Albert Hall, 19 Chamber Proms at Cadogan Hall plus numerous other special events to choose from.
To help you start planning your own unique BBC Proms experience, we've picked out a small selection from this year's programme as a hopefully tempting taster of what's on offer, but a leisurely browse through the Full Concert Listings is a must, there's so much more to explore!
Where to start? Well, if you're planning to attend a live concert, listen on BBC Radio 3 or over the Internet - or watch the broadcasts on BBC TV - this Guide will help you find what interests you. Look down the list of headings and click to find a selection of concerts we've chosen to point you in the right direction.
And if you want to come along, when you've made your choices, go to How to Book for box office details. No matter which concerts you choose, you'll find the same unique, friendly atmosphere at every event: there's no dress code - you'll be in company with hundreds of other music lovers simply intent on enjoying the music. There is nothing quite like the BBC Proms, anywhere in the world - come in, or tune in, and be part of it!
We'll start with some shortcuts to other pages. These will tell you how to book, how to find the special family events which are such a popular feature of the Proms, and where to find composers or artists whom you're keen on.
Below are our selections. But don't just take our word for it - the Proms by Day pages give full details of all the concerts, if you can't find what you're looking for here.
Classical, for Starters
Share the special atmosphere of being a Promenader with hundreds of other friendly music lovers, either near to the action onstage in the Arena or gaze down from the dizzy heights of the Gallery. Enjoy some of classical music's best loved repertoire:
- 25 Jul Prom 12 - Elgar's Cockaigne Overture and Holst's The Planets
- Listen to an extract from Elgar's Cockaigne
- Listen to an extract from Holst's The Planets
- 28 Jul Prom 16 - Stravinsky's The Firebird
- Listen to an extract from Stravinsky's The Firebird
- 4 Aug Prom 26 - Mendelssohn's Violin Concerto and Prokofiev Romeo and Juliet excerpts
- Listen to an extract from Mendelssohn's Violin Concerto
- Listen to an extract from Prokofiev's Romeo and Juliet
- 10 Aug Prom 34 - Tchaikovsky's Violin Concerto and Khachaturian's Spartacus
- Listen to an extract from Tchaikovsky's Violin Concerto
Young People
Special events for the younger generation of classical music fans and the perfect way to introduce children to the Proms!
- 26 Jul Prom 13 - FREE Family Prom
- Listen to an extract from Britten's Young Person's Guide to the Orchestra
- 1 Aug Prom 21 - Family Concert matinee with the BBC Concert Orchestra
- 2 Aug Prom 23 - Family Concert matinee with the BBC Concert Orchestra
- 23 Aug Prom 51 Haydn's Symphony in D major, Hob.1:101 'The Clock'
- Listen to an extract from Haydn's Symphony in D major, Hob.1:101 'The Clock'
- 9 Aug Prom 32 - Saint-Saens' Carnival of the Animals
- See also: Proms Family Events
Concertos
If you want to hear the best soloists in the world display their virtuosity and musicality - come to the Proms! Top artists love the uniquely electric atmosphere generated by the Proms audience with its renowned ability for intense concentration on the music.
- 29 Jul Prom 18 Mozart's Violin Concerto No.3 (with Arabella Steinbacher)
- 31 Jul Prom 20 Schumann's Piano Concerto in A Minor, Op.54
- Listen to an extract from Schumann's Piano Concerto in A Minor, Op.54
- 19 Aug Prom 46 Rachmaninov's Rhapsody on a theme of Paganini (with Denis Matsuev)
- 28 Aug Prom 57 Tchaikovsky's Variations on a Rococo Theme (with Steven Isserlis, cello) and Concert Fantasy in G Major, Op. 56 (with Stephen Hough, piano)
Big Orchestral Sounds
There is nothing to beat the thrill of a large orchestra at full throttle in the Royal Albert Hall - once experienced, never forgotten! Here are some works which are guaranteed to make an impact, whether you are in the hall or listening on the radio or internet.
- 3 Aug Prom 25 Beethoven's Symphony No.3 in E-flat, 'Eroica'
- Listen to an extract from Beethoven's Symphony No.3 in E flat, 'Eroica'
- 6 Aug Prom 29 Respighi's The Pines of Rome
- 13 Aug Prom 38 Ravel's La Valse and Stravinsky's The Rite of Spring
- 26 Aug Prom 55 R. Strauss' Symphonia domestica
Choral
There is a wide range of choral concerts to choose from this season with repertoire from church music to Romantic masterpieces and much more.
- 22 Jul Prom 8 Concert to celebrate 800th anniversary of foundation of University of Cambridge
- 26 Jul Prom 14 Holst's First Choral Symphony
- 2 Aug Prom 24 Berlioz's Te Deum
- 12 Aug Prom 36 Handel's Zadok the Priest
- Listen to an extract from Handel's Zadok the Priest
- 8 Sep Prom 71 Maxwell Davies' Westerlings and Solstice of Light
Matinee Concerts
Matinee Concerts
If you are unable to attend an evening concert, why not take a stroll in Hyde Park followed by an lunchtime matinee with the Chamber Proms at Cadogan Hall, an intimate venue perfect for fascinating recitals and ensembles, or try one of the Royal Albert Hall Sunday afternoon matinee performances.
- 20 Jul PCM1 Music from the Court of Henry VII
- 10 Aug PCM4 Works by Purcell (arr. Britten) Mozart, John Woolrich (world premiere) and Stravinsky
- 9 Aug PROM 32 Mozart's Piano Concerto for 2 pianos, Saint-Saens' Carnival of the Animals
- 29 Aug and 30 Aug PCM 7-14 New Generation Artists 10th Anniversary Weekend
Late Nighters
Are you a night owl? Come along to a Late Night Prom, there's a special atmosphere and a diverse range of exciting repertoire to choose from.
- 20 Jul Prom 6 Haydn's Seven Last Words, James Macmillan's Seven Last Words from the Cross
- 28 Jul Prom 17 J.S Bach - selected Motets
- 18 Aug Prom 45 Ukulele Orchestra of Great Britain
- 21 Aug Prom 49 Mendelssohn's Octet
Opera and operetta
The 2009 season commemorates the 250th anniversary of Handel's death and the 350th birthday of Purcell - what better way to appreciate their music than with their operas. There are other operatic treats in store too...
Radio 3 live
- Listen: Radio 3
- Hear every Prom live
Watch & Listen
- BBC Proms 2009
- All Proms broadcasts - available for 7 days
2009 Calendar
| S | M | T | W | T | F | S |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| July | ||||||
| 17 | 18 | |||||
| 19 | 20 | 21 | 22 | 23 | 24 | 25 |
| 26 | 27 | 28 | 29 | 30 | 31 | |
| August | ||||||
| 1 | ||||||
| 2 | 3 | 4 | 5 | 6 | 7 | 8 |
| 9 | 10 | 11 | 12 | 13 | 14 | 15 |
| 16 | 17 | 18 | 19 | 20 | 21 | 22 |
| 23 | 24 | 25 | 26 | 27 | 28 | 29 |
| 30 | 31 | |||||
| September | ||||||
| 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | 5 | ||
| 6 | 7 | 8 | 9 | 10 | 11 | 12 |
© MMIX