Pick of the Proms: The Definitive Guide to the Proms 2024
We’ve guided you through Glastonbury, now it’s time to pick out some Proms. The World’s Greatest Classical Music Festival is back for another year of world-beating music.
This year’s programme is a smorgasbord of classical icons, late night jazz, and pop legends, taking place not only at the Royal Albert Hall but at venues all over the country, including Aberdeen, Newport, The Sage Gateshead in Newcastle, The Glasshouse International Centre for Music. Naturally the 2024 programme is packed with the biggest names in classical music and stunning works from the classical canon. This year will also see Florence and the Machine, Sam Smith, and Jordan Rakei taking the stage, as well as an orchestral celebration of Nick Drake with Jules Buckley and orchestra. There’s even Doctor Who Prom for the sci-fi minded music lovers amongst you. With at least one event per day from now until 14th September, you certainly won’t miss out.
Sold out? Did you know you can buy Promming tickets on the day for each Prom. These tickets go on sale every morning on the Royal Albert Hall website for both the arena and the balcony, costing around £7. You’ll need to be quick though as these can get snapped up fast.
So with so much to choose from, what to pick? Fear not, SIREN have got some top recommendations for you:
Prom 6: Verdi’s Requiem, 23rd July
A staple on the Proms programme for the last 150 years, Verdi’s Requiem is pure drama and features the infamous Dies Irae.
Prom 20: Songs and Dances with the Kanneh-Masons, 4th August
Brothers Braimah and Sheku Kanneh-Mason take to the stage with guitarist Plínio Fernandes and a brilliant programme of folk songs and dances.
Prom 21: The Sinfonia of London and John Wilson, 4th August
John Wilson returns to the proms with a brilliant programme of American music: Copland, Gershwin, Ives and Adams.
Prom 33: Titans of British Music, 13th August
BBC Symphony Orchestra presents an all-British prom and a love letter to London with Elgar’s ‘Cockaigne’ (In London Town), Holst’s ‘Hammersmith’, Vaughan Williams’ ‘London Symphony’, as well as songs by Stanford.
Prom 34: 21st-Century Soundtrack, 14th August
One for our fellow music supervisors and film score enthusiasts. An incredible array of scores performed by the London Contemporary Orchestra including Hildur Guðnadóttir’s Tàr, Anna Meredith’s The End We Start From, Son Lux’s Everything Everywhere All At Once and Colin Stetson’s The Menu.
Prom 42: Beethoven’s Ninth by Heart, 21st August
The Aurora Orchestra doing what they do best… playing massive works completely from memory, this time alongside the BBC Singers and National Youth Choir of Great Britain.
Prom 44: Lahav Shani plays and directs Prokofiev, 23rd August
Prokofiev’s Third Piano Concerto is one of those extraordinary showstoppers that demands incredible virtuosity and leaves jaws on the floor. Lahav Shani is not only playing but will be conducting at the same time.
Prom 45: Dalia Stasevska Conducts Sibelius’ Fifth Symphony, 24th August
Alongside Mahler’s ‘Ruckert-Lieder’ (with vocalist Jamie Barton) and the UK premiere of Julius Eastman’s Symphony No.2, Dalia Stasevska conducts Sibelius’ wonderful Fifth Symphony.
Proms Aberdeen: ‘I Never Laid Eyes on Aeneas …’ Women’s Stories from the Ancient World, 1st September
If you’re in Aberdeen near Cowdray Hall on 1st September, this is a fascinating piece of programming. Songs for voice (Nardus Williams) and lute (Elizabeth Kenny), exploring women’s voices in antiquity.
Proms 62: Rattle conducts Mahler’s Sixth, 6th September
Clash of the titans: Sir Simon Rattle and Mahler’s Sixth Symphony. Prepare to have your socks completely blown off (and maybe your ears too).
Full programme and ticket details can be found here: https://www.bbc.co.uk/proms
