ABC Classic is celebrating the renowned BBC Proms, the world’s largest and longest-running classical music festival, throughout September. This year, the station offers exclusive access for Australian audiences to enjoy a selection of over 30 concerts from this prestigious event. Listeners can tune in at their convenience on ABC Classic or via the ABC Listen app.
The Melbourne Symphony Orchestra’s performance stands out as a major highlight of this year’s Proms. Under the direction of chief conductor Jaime Martín, the orchestra will perform Tchaikovsky’s First Piano Concerto, featuring acclaimed pianist Khatia Buniatishvili. In addition, the programme includes Dvořák’s Sixth Symphony and “Haunted Hills,” a piece by Australian composer Margaret Sutherland.
Concerts will be broadcast across various programs, including Lunchtime Concert, Evenings, Weekend Baroque, Screen Sounds, and Saturday Night At The Opera. The event features a remarkable roster of artists, such as Janine Jansen, Augustin Hadelich, Martin Fröst, Joshua Bell, and Anna Lapwood. Major orchestras participating include the Vienna Philharmonic Orchestra, Leipzig Gewandhaus Orchestra, Danish National Symphony, Budapest Festival Orchestra, and the Royal Concertgebouw Orchestra.
Listeners can look forward to a diverse array of performances throughout the month. Highlights include the First Night of the Proms on September 1, featuring Lisa Batiashvili performing the Sibelius Violin Concerto with the BBC Symphony Orchestra and chorus, conducted by Sakari Oramo. Other notable concerts include Prom 7, which celebrates French music with the Orchestre National de France, and Prom 10, showcasing the Scottish Chamber Orchestra performing Saint-Saëns’s Piano Concerto No. 5.
The month continues with Prom 9, where the BBC Symphony Orchestra will perform Mendelssohn’s Violin Concerto, featuring Augustin Hadelich as the soloist. Furthermore, Prom 17 will present the BBC Philharmonic performing clarinet concertos by Copland and Shaw, conducted by Joshua Weilerstein.
As the month progresses, audiences can delight in Prom 27 with Rachmaninov’s ‘Paganini’ Variations, and Prom 18, which highlights the late-night performance of Arvo Pärt at 90 by the Estonian Philharmonic Chamber Choir.
The BBC Proms on ABC Classic offers an exceptional opportunity for music lovers to experience world-class performances from the comfort of their homes. With a variety of programming designed to appeal to diverse tastes, this month-long celebration promises to be a memorable event in the classical music calendar.
Listeners can catch the latest classical music stories and updates directly from ABC Classic, ensuring they remain informed and engaged with the vibrant world of classical music.
