Programmes for the BBC Proms 2018 have been announced, and several popular works by Sibelius are included. All of the concerts listed take place at the Royal Albert Hall.
Click the Prom numbers for links to the BBC Proms website and to book tickets (general booking opening: 19 May 2018).
Tuesday 24 July 2018 at 7.30 pm – Prom 14
Richard Wagner: The Mastersingers of Nuremberg – overture
Franz Schubert: Songs
Bernd Alois Zimmermann: Symphony in One Movement
Franz Schubert: ‘Wanderer’ Fantasy (arr. Liszt)
Jean Sibelius: Symphony No. 7
Elizabeth Watts, soprano
Louis Lortie, piano
BBC Philharmonic / John Storgårds
Sunday 29 July 2018 at 1 pm – Prom 19
Sunday 29 July 2018 at 5 pm – Prom 20
Music by Kerry Andrew, Mason Bates, Joseph Bologne de Saint-Georges, Copland, Dvořák, Elgar, Orff, Purcell, Sibelius, Stravinsky and Tchaikovsky
Naomi Wilkinson, presenter
Ten Pieces Children’s Choir
BBC Singers
BBC Symphony Orchestra / Rafael Payare
‘Ten Pieces Prom’
Monday 13 August 2018 at 7.30pm – Prom 42
Arvo Pärt: Symphony No. 3
Edvard Grieg: Piano Concerto
Jean Sibelius: Symphony No. 5
Khatia Buniatishvili, piano
Estonian Festival Orchestra / Paavo Järvi
Tuesday 21 August 2018 at 7pm – Prom 52
Rolf Wallin: Violin Concerto (first performance)
Jean Sibelius: Symphony No. 2
Alina Ibragimova, violin
Bergen Philharmonic Orchestra / Edward Gardner
Good to see three symphonies by Sibelius at this years Proms. The masterpieces that are No.2, 5 and 7. plus the ‘Ten Pieces Prom’. The Proms were established in 1895 by Robert Newman who had appointed Henry Wood as its permanent conductor. I am no musical snob, but the trend in recent years to feature music of a more ‘Pop’ nature has made me feel decidedly annoyed. I think that Sibelius One members will know the type of programming that I am referring to. Much fine music is never heard at the Proms, so I hope that the Proms will stick to the great classical tradition. Pop and Rock etc. is featured to saturation point in the media.
I tuned into the ‘Ten Pieces Prom’ yesterday. The opening work was Finlandia. The capacity audience, mainly children and parents were given a background on Sibelius and how his famous piece came to be written. The BBC Symphony orchestra under Rafael Payare began….however I was in disbelieve when the orchestra arrived at that great hymn. The woodwind section was bypassed completely and the strings took up the great tune immediately The effect on me was cataclysmic. Why was the music truncated in this way, time was surely not a problem. Many of the audience might have been hearing Sibelius’s music for the first time. Jean Sibelius is a composer who makes every note count. I would love to know who decided on this silly cut.
I am traveling to GB from the states and the only Prom I can attend with Sibelius on the program is #42. I can’t seem to purchase tickets and I am not sure what the procedure is. I would appreciate some help here The website says tickets are not available.
Thank you!
Maureen