The 100th season of the BBC Proms opens spectacularly with one of the largest scores ever written, Schoenberg's vast cantata Gurrelieder. Conductor Andrew Davis says: "What a superb start to the Proms. Huge orchestral forces are needed for Schoenberg's epic but although it's daunting to perform it's not at all daunting to listen to. This is a great classical masterpiece, the apotheosis of the late Romantic cantata and an incredible journey through misty Nordic mythology exploring the themes of love and death. It's perfect for the Royal Albert Hall and we have a magnificent line-up of soloists tonight." These include the great Wagnerian baritone Hans Hotter, making his Proms debut at the age of 85. On this First Night of the Proms' 100th year, Davis conducts the BBC Symphony Orchestra, the BBC Singers, the Philharmonia Chorus and the BBC Symphony Chorus.
In this evening's live concert from the Royal Albert Hall Simon Rattle conducts the City of Birmingham Symphony Orchestra in a typically eclectic programme.
The "first 100 years" theme continues with this re-creation of a Wagner night, a regular feature of the Proms' early years. It's given by the BBC Nationalà Orchestra of Wales under their principal conductor Tadaaki Otaka.
The BBC Philharmonic come to the Proms in their 60th anniversary year. Under their principal conductor Yan Pascal Tortelier and as part of the celebration of the Proms' first hundred years, they perform two of the many works which received their British premiere at these concerts. The first is Ravel's Piano Concerto for the Left Hand (originally written for a pianist who lost his right arm in the First World War - tonight's soloist is Jean-Yves Thibaudet) followed by Sibelius's powerful First Symphony. The programme is introduced by Richard Baker.
Viennese Night is one of the Proms' most popular traditions. Richard Baker introduces highlights of last night's concert from the Royal Albert Hall, featuring a sparkling selection of waltzes, polkas and marches from the Strauss family, plus some operetta treats sung by soprano Felicity Lott.
In a season marking 100 years of the Promenade Concerts, tonight's has a special significance. It is being given as a tribute to Sir Henry Wood, founder-conductor of the Proms, who died 50 years ago today. All four pieces being performed by the BBC Symphony Orchestra have special associations with Sir Henry, as the conductor, Andrew Davis, will explain from the platform.
Age and youth come together for a performance of Brahms's mighty Fourth Symphony. Italian maestro Carlo Maria Giulini, who celebrated his 80th birthday earlier this year, conducts the European Youth Orchestra and beforehand talks about his approach to Brahms, and about the orchestra.
The world's great orchestras have all visited the Proms over the years, and usually provide some of the highlights each season. Tonight's guests are the Los Angeles Philharmonic under their music director Esa-Pekka Salonen, who bring a work that was written for them, Lutoslawski's Fourth Symphony. The composer, who died earlier this year, conducted its UK premiere at last year's Proms.
Live from the Royal Albert Hall, Carl Orff's Carmina Burana provides the thrilling climax to this concert which opens with two British works - the Overture to a Picaresque Comedy by Arnold Bax and Sir Malcolm Arnold's Second Symphony, written for tonight's performers, the Bournemouth Symphony Orchestra.
Live from the Royal Albert Hall , theseason'sfarewell concert starts majestically with the full orchestral arrangement by the Proms' founder, Henry Wood , of Bach's great Toccata and Fugue in D minor. Five Variants of Dives and Lazarus by Vaughan Williams is followed by Walton's choral masterpiece, Belshazzar's Feast.
The first 100 years of Promenade Concerts are brought to a rousing conclusion in the second half of tonight's live concert. Joining in the music-making and festivities are two of Britain's most brilliant young artists, percussionist Evelyn Glennie , soloist in Paul Creston's Marimba Concertino, and Welsh baritone Bryn Terfel.