The Proms

The BBC Proms are an eight-week summer season of daily orchestral classical music concerts held annually in Central London, predominantly in the Royal Albert Hall in South Kensington. With over 100 events it is the biggest classical music festival in the world.

History

The first Proms concert was held on 10 August 1895 in the Queen's Hall in Langham Place and was arranged by Robert Newman. Newman's idea was to encourage an audience who, though not normally attending classical concerts, would be attracted by the cheap ticket prices and more informal atmosphere (in addition to promenading, eating, drinking and smoking were all allowed).

Related Topics:
10 August - 1895 - Queen's Hall - Robert Newman

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However, it is the conductor Henry Joseph Wood whose name is most closely associated with the concerts. As conductor from that first concert, Wood was largely responsible for expanding the repertoire heard in later concerts, such that by the 1920s the concerts had grown from being made up of largely more popular, less demanding works, to presenting music by contemporary composers such as Claude Debussy, Richard Strauss and Ralph Vaughan Williams. A bronze bust of Wood, belonging to the Royal Academy of Music, is placed in front of the Organ for the whole season.

Related Topics:
Conductor - Henry Joseph Wood - 1920s - Claude Debussy - Richard Strauss - Ralph Vaughan Williams - Royal Academy of Music - Organ

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In 1927, the BBC — later based at Broadcasting House opposite the hall — took over the running of the concerts, and when the BBC Symphony Orchestra was formed in 1930 it became the main orchestra for the concerts. At this time the season consisted of nights dedicated to particular composers; Mondays were Wagner, Fridays were Beethoven with other major composers being featured on other days. There were no Sunday performances.

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1927 - BBC - Broadcasting House - BBC Symphony Orchestra - 1930 - Wagner - Beethoven

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However, with the outbreak of World War II in 1939, the BBC withdrew its support. The Proms continued though, under private sponsorship, until the Queen's Hall was gutted by an air raid in 1941 (its site is now the St Georges Hotel). The following year, the Proms moved to their current home, the Royal Albert Hall, and the BBC took over once more.

Related Topics:
World War II - 1941

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From the 1950s, the number of guest orchestras giving concerts in the season began to increase, with the first major international conductors (Leopold Stokowski, Georg Solti and Carlo Maria Giulini) performing in 1963, and the first foreign orchestra, the Moscow Radio Orchestra, performing in 1966. Since that time, almost every major international orchestra, conductor and soloist has performed at the Proms.

Related Topics:
1950s - Leopold Stokowski - Georg Solti - Carlo Maria Giulini - 1963 - Moscow Radio Orchestra - 1966

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The other major conductor associated with the Proms was Sir Malcolm Sargent who was Chief Conductor between 1948 to 1966. The charity founded in his name continues to hold a special 'Promenade Concert' each year shortly after the main season ends. The charity also benefits (along with the Musicians' Benevolent Fund and a third "musical" charity, chosen each year) by many thousands of pounds from a collection made by the prommers after most concerts. (The Malcolm Sargent Cancer Fund for Children merged with CLIC in early 2005 forming CLIC - Sargent)

Related Topics:
Malcolm Sargent - 1948 - 1966 - Musicians' Benevolent Fund - Malcolm Sargent Cancer Fund for Children - CLIC - CLIC - Sargent

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The Proms continue today, and still present newly commissioned music alongside pieces more central to the repertoire and early music. Innovations continue, with pre-Prom talks, lunchtime chamber concerts, children's Proms, Proms in the Park either appearing, or being featured more heavily over the past few years. In the UK, all concerts are broadcast on BBC Radio 3, an increasing number are shown on BBC4 with some also broadcast on BBC1 and BBC2. It is also possible to hear the concerts live from the BBC Proms website. The Last Night is also broadcast in many countries around the world.

Related Topics:
UK - BBC Radio 3 - BBC4 - BBC1 - BBC2

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