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.

Last Night of the Proms

Most people's perception of the Proms is taken from the 'Last Night', although this concert is quite different from the others. In the UK, it is usually broadcast on BBC2 (first half) and BBC1 (second half). The concert is traditionally in a lighter 'winding-down' vein, with more popular classics being followed by a series of patriotic pieces in the second half of the concert, including Hubert Parry's Jerusalem (a setting of a poem by William Blake), Edward Elgar's Pomp and Circumstance March No. 1 (Land of Hope and Glory) and Rule Britannia.

Related Topics:
UK - BBC2 - BBC1 - Hubert Parry - Jerusalem - Edward Elgar - Pomp and Circumstance March - Land of Hope and Glory - Rule Britannia

~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~

Tickets are highly sought after, and it is necessary to have attended several other Proms in the season to stand a chance of obtaining one. Prommers will likely queue up much earlier than usual (even over night) in order to gain a good place to stand in the hall. This, in part, adds to the atmosphere. Additionally, fancy dress is in order: from Dinner Jackets to patriotic T-shirts. Flags, balloons, party poppers etc. are all welcome, provided due reverence is paid to the music. Sir Henry Wood's bust is crowned with a laurel wreath by representatives of the Promenaders, who then wipe an imaginary bead of sweat from his forehead. Near the end, the conductor will make a speech thanking the musicians, audiences and mentioning the main themes covered through the season. Finally, after the National Anthem, Auld Lang Syne is sung.

Related Topics:
National Anthem - Auld Lang Syne

~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~

The limited capacity of the Royal Albert Hall would be filled many times over with people wishing to attend the Last Night. To accommodate these people, and to cater for those who are not near London, the Proms in the Park concerts were started a few years ago. Initially, they were just in Hyde Park, adjacent to the Hall. More locations were added in recent years, and in 2005, Belfast, Glasgow, Swansea and Manchester hosted a Last Night Prom in the Park. Each location has their own live concert, before joining with the Royal Albert Hall for the traditional finale.

Related Topics:
Hyde Park - 2005 - Belfast - Glasgow - Swansea - Manchester

~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~

Leonard Slatkin, chief conductor of the BBC Symphony Orchestra until recently, expressed a desire to tone down the nationalism of the Last Night somewhat, and since 2002 Rule Britannia has only been heard as part of Henry Wood's Fantasia on British Sea Songs (another piece traditional to the last night) rather than separately. Slatkin's first Last Night was in 2001, just days after 9/11 attacks: it was obviously more reflective and restrained than normal. He was the first non-British person to conduct the final night, and presided over the evening with great sensitivity. A slightly revised programme included Samuel Barber's melancholy Adagio for Strings.

Related Topics:
Leonard Slatkin - 2002 - Fantasia on British Sea Songs - 2001 - 9/11 attacks - Samuel Barber - Adagio for Strings

~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~