The Last Night of the Proms

If you are in the UK during summer and especially on Saturday 13 September 2008 you’ll be in for a treat to see and hear the 114th Last Night of the BBC Proms.



Introduction to the Proms

The BBC Proms are an annual, 8 week season of classical musical concerts which are held in the Royal Albert Hall in London. Along with the BBC Symphony Orchestra there will be other international orchestras and artists performing. This year the season is from 18 July until 13 September inclusive and will include over 70 concerts conducted by Sir Roger Norrington


History of the Proms

The first Proms concert was held on 10 August 1895 in the Queens Hall in London and was created by Sir Henry Wood. In those days, they were then called the Promenade Concerts.

Sir Henry Wood’s mission was simple - to provide top quality music for everybody, in grand surroundings, at affordable prices. This mission remains the same to this day.

The BBC took over the Proms in 1927.

The Proms were given a new home of the Royal Albert Hall in the 1940s.

Proms in the Park were introduced in 1996

The Last Night of the Proms

The Last Night of the Proms is one of the most popular classical music concerts in the world, which is watched and listened to by millions of people from around the world.

It is performed in two parts: The first part encompasses traditional classical music whereas the second part has a reputation of being fun and has become a great British tradition - especially with the Promenaders, up to 1,000 of them, who stand in the Arena directly in front of the orchestra.

Everyone usually remembers the Last Night of the Proms by lots of flag waving and promenaders wearing silly hats. It has a jubilant atmosphere with lots of pomp and ceremony.

Proms in The Park

Proms in the Park is part of the Last Night of the Proms. It is where live open air concerts in Belfast, Glasgow, Swansea and London participate in this spectacular finale of the Proms.

Tickets

Tickets for the Last Night of the Proms are on sale to the general public from 27 May onwards but are always in high demand and have special stipulations - they must be bought in conjunction with 6 other BBC Proms performances.

Ways to Watch and Listen

On the television: BBC1, BBC2, BBC4, BBC HD,
On the radio: BBC Radio 3, BBC Radio World Service
On the computer: BBC iPlayer

Click The BBC Proms for full details