BBC Proms: Bach and Mendelssohn with Royal Northern Sinfonia
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Celebratory. Majestic. Two towering musical masterpieces.
Who’s on stage
The incredible sound of our home orchestra Royal Northern Sinfonia and Principal Conductor Dinis Sousa gets even bigger with over 200 singers from Chorus of Royal Northern Sinfonia, Huddersfield Choral Society and Voices of the Rivers’ Edge. Expressive pianist David Fray captivates in an emotive concert that will be recorded live for future broadcast on BBC Radio and TV.
What they’re playing
We have a double whammy of classical masterpieces on the bill tonight. Experience Bach’s dark and dramatic Keyboard Concerto in D minor followed by Mendelssohn’s Second Symphony. Better known as Lobgesang (Hymn of Praise), it’s the ultimate expression of joy and faith.
Need to know
Price: £8 promming (standing), £24.50-£52.50 seated.
Running time: 2 hours including a 20 minute interval.
Age: under 14s must be accompanied by an adult.
What you'll hear
Johann Sebastian Bach Keyboard Concerto in D Minor
Felix Mendelssohn Symphony No. 2 ‘Lobgesang’
Who's playing it
Dinis Sousa conductor
David Fray piano
TBC soprano
Adèle Charvet mezzo-soprano
Benjamin Hulett tenor
Chorus of Royal Northern Sinfonia
Voices of the River’s Edge
Huddersfield Choral Society
Royal Northern Sinfonia
What's happening in the music
Right from the very first notes, Lobgesang – Hymn of Praise in English – really lives up to its name. A bold, bright trombone fanfare sets the tone for an epic declaration of faith as joyful and triumphant as the composer’s famous Wedding March. Whether you have a faith or not, the sheer might and majesty of this piece will warm your heart and soul.
All hail Joseph Gutenburg
Mendelssohn wrote Lobgesang in 1840 for the German city of Leipzig’s 400th anniversary celebrations for Johannes Gutenburg’s printing press. Another song he wrote for the occasion, Festgesang, later became the tune for favourite Christmas carol Hark! The Herald Angels Sing. So not only did Gutenburg change the world forever with his invention he also inspired two great musical masterpieces.
Take a listen
Check out what happened last time an enormous choir gathered together in Sage One – this epic performance Tippett’s mighty A Child of Our Time.
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