About this season
The World's Greatest Classical Music Festival. The BBC Proms is a classical music festival held every summer at the Royal Albert Hall in London, and in recent years has explored an innovative series of Proms around the UK with concerts in all four nations. Its aim: to bring the best in classical music to the widest possible audience, which remains true to founder-conductor Henry Wood’s original vision in 1895. Whether you are a classical connoisseur or think classical music isn’t for you, there is something for everyone in the eight-week stretch of concerts.
Episodes (7)
1. Sir Malcolm Sargent Memorial Promenade Concert
Aired 19 July 1968
Part of the First Night of the 74th Season of Proms, recorded in the Royal Albert Hall earlier this evening. BBC Symphony Orchestra Led by Hugh Maguire Conductor, Colin Davis Vaughan Williams's Serenade to Music with sixteen soloists William Walton's Viola Concerto with Peter Schidlof as soloist
2. An Evening at the Proms
Aired 8 August 1968
First of four visits to the 74th Season of Henry Wood Promenade Concerts at the Royal Albert Hall. BBC Symphony Orchestra Leader, Hugh Bean Conductor, Colin Davis Peter Katin (piano) Introduced by Richard Baker. (Part of the concert recorded on Saturday, July 27)
3. An Evening at the Proms
Aired 13 August 1968
The second of four visits to the 74th Season of Henry Wood Promenade Concerts at the Royal Albert Hall. BBC Symphony Orchestra Led by Hugh Maguire Conducted by Sir Adrian Boult in a performance of Holst's Suite "The Planets" with the BBC Women's Chorus Introduced by Richard Baker. (Part of the concert recorded on July 30)
4. An Evening at the Proms
Aired 20 August 1968
The third of four visits to the 74th Season of Henry Wood Promenade Concerts at the Royal Albert Hall. New Philharmonia Orchestra Guest Leader, Jack Rothstein Conducted by Sir Adrian Boult, Frederik Prausnitz with Michael Roll (piano) Introduced by John Warrack. (Part of the concert recorded on August 19)
5. An Evening at the Proms
Aired 27 August 1968
Last of four visits to the 74th Season of Henry Wood Promenade Concerts at the Royal Albert Hall. State Orchestra of the U.S.S.R. Leader, Isaac Zhuk Conductor, Evgeny Svetlanov in a performance of Tchaikovsky's Symphony No. 6, in B minor (Pathetique). Introduced by Richard Baker. (Part of the concert recorded on August 22)
6. Triple Concerto
Aired 8 September 1968
Isaac Stern, Leonard Rose, Eugene Istomin perform Beethoven's Concerto in C major for piano, violin, cello and orchestra.The work is preceded by Overture: Armida by Haydn with the BBC Symphony Orchestra led by Hugh Maguire Conductor, Colin Davis Part of the Promenade Concert recorded on Thursday, September 5 Introduced by Richard Baker. (Colour)
7. Last Night of the Proms
Aired 14 September 1968
BBC television cameras are at the Royal Albert Hall, London, for a live transmission of part of the final concert in the 74th season of Henry Wood Promenade Concerts. BBC Symphony Orchestra Led by Hugh Maguire Conductor, Colin Davis Sybil Michelow, contralto Introduced by Richard Baker. This occasion is steeped in tradition, which is very jealously guarded by the enthusiastic Promenaders. But this year sees two 'firsts'. Although Colin Davis stepped in for Sir Malcolm Sargent last year, this is his first official 'Last Night.' And South African - born contralto Sybil Michelow makes her 'Last Night' debut as the soloist in 'Rule, Britannia.'