The biggest musical festival in the world celebrates 80 years of BBC involvement with 90 concerts
BBC Proms stars 2007
What's on at the BBC Proms this week
An institution that's survived being bombed out of its home in the Blitz, industrial action, the odd backstage fire and the occasional maestro's objection to the Last Night patriotic hoo-ha in time of war (Mark Elder, promptly replaced; he’s long since been forgiven) needn't fear a mere date. There are plenty more – until Sept 8 – and 90 concerts to choose from, most in the beloved characterful, acoustically unpredictable and, on a good night, sweatily jam-packed Albert Hall.
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The BBC, reminding us yet again it's the world's biggest commissioner of new music (which alone justifies the licence fee), loves an anniversary, especially its own; and 2007 marks the 80th anniversary of BBC involvement with the then Henry Wood Proms, with an emphasis on premieres – world, British, London – given in the London summer just when most capitals shut up musical shop for the holidays. Other themes are Elgar, Shakespeare (no anniversary, but what the hell) and poets Auden and Blake. Not that the 90 concerts harp – or bang or fiddle – on a handful of subjects: along with performers from Soweto to Tanglewood, Bergen to Boston, His Majesty's Sagbutts and Cornetts to Grimethorpe Colliery Band, the world's greatest orchestras take part, including the Vienna Philharmonic, Amsterdam's Royal Concertgebouw, bands from Lahti, Leipzig and Lucerne…
Besides the Albert Hall, music is made in the nearby Cadogan Hall, that comparative rarity, a London venue both comfortable and acoustically fine. It’s perfect for the more intimate works that get lost in the RAH’s spaces and has found its niche for lunchtime and Saturday matinee concerts for those nervous of plunging into promming proper.
But everyone should actually prom once: that’s to say ignore the seating and go for the Arena or Gallery areas to stand, squat, loll or – if there’s space – lie with the real devotees. For a fiver you get some of the greatest performers in the world, but these are day tickets so be prepared to queue (or invest in season and half-season Prom tickets, even better value). The prommers may be best known for the silly hats, hooters and actually rather irritating high jinks on the ceremonial Last Night; but the rest of the season finds them rapt and informed. ‘We love you,’ said the Vienna Phil in a collective letter via The Times after one concert when the magic between audience and artists gelled into something rare.
Despite its vastness, musicians all say the same thing: the Albert Hall’s curved auditorium embraces the performer and an unexpected intimacy results. Even semi-staged operas take off without benefit of scenery or costumes (look out for Wagner’s ‘Götterdämmerung’ and Verdi’s ‘Macbeth’ this year) because of the electricity generated between public and performers. If you can’t get into the Last Night’s frolics there are always the Proms in the Park around Britain. Londoners can enjoy, if he’s their bag, Terry Wogan in Hyde Park.
Their own live entertainment ends with a big screen link-up with the streamers, placards, ‘Jerusalem’ and ‘Rule Britannia’ from the Albert Hall. Only the most po-faced will see anything sinister in this. As a national celebration, false noses and facetious tee-shirts beat a march-past of the latest military hardware any day.
BBC Proms highlights
BBC Proms stars 2007
What's on at the BBC Proms this week
Visit the official BBC Proms website for more information
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