BBC Symphony Orchestra and the Proms

I never realized the important role that the BBC Symphony Orchestra play till I sat and heard a couple of symphonic programmes they presented at the Royal Albert Hall which opened in 1871 and became the nation's village hall. Naturally I was so attracted to the BBC's Proms which they presented putting together world's leading conductors, ensembles and musicians. The BBC Symphony Orchestra has played a central role at the heart of British musical scene since its start in 1930 and providing a solid platform for BBC Proms.

It is so strongly committed to the 20th century contemporary and classical music having premiered over 1000 works by composers like Bartok, Britten (whom I just heard), Hindemith, Stravinsky, Shostakovic etc. However, their leading commissions included Elliot Carter, Brian Ellias, Vic Hoyland and Matthias Pintcher all of whom I had never heard before.

No regrets, though:

Section of the strings of the BBC Symphony Orchestra

BBC Symphony Orchestra is an associate orchestra with the Barbican and perform an annual season of concerts that are very popular.

The BBC that celebrated its 80th anniversary recently primiered the works of Julian Anderson, Peter Ectvos and Kaiija Saariaho for the occasion. They also mounted a performance of Smetania's opera, The Bartender's Bride.

They are also schedule to mount a complete Sibelius symphony cycle (that I am sorry to miss) Dvorak's opera The Jacobian and Total Immersion days dedicated to the music of Brett Dean, Jonathan Harvey and Arvo Part.

Having said thus, let's turn to the Proms and how they came to be.

I am sure no music loving Brit would have missed seeing at least one Prom ever since it began in 1895; the inspiring music range orchestrated by world's leading artists.

The vision of its founder-conductor, Henry Wood, the Proms began in 1895. Wood was to introduce the greatest classical music to the widest possible audiences. Last year, BBC continued to uphold Wood's dreams of spreading the aura of classical music to the world's nations.

He was creative and ambitious in many ways and sought to educate even the young towards classical music and today the BBC is paying homage to his cherished desires.

Today, also happens to be the bicentenary of his birth and in celebrating the event, the spotlight is on Franz Liszt who is played by the British composer, Frank Bridge.

Also the focus on Brahms' will see four of his symphonies played tonight that will include the The Third Piano Concerto from the Violin Concerto by the Croatian pianist, Dejan Lazic.

Tomorrow is also a great day for the BBC - So when Havergal Brian's sensational The Gothic Symphony receives its Proms premier. They will launch a series featuring choral repertoire every Sunday with a workshop in the afternoons for those who are interested in attending.

At times, they make a penultimate presence and this year's Proms are confined to all-English programme with Frank Bridge whose music is home to the Brits, opens the season with a tone-poem inspired by a gruesome tale of eponymous heroine whose brothers kill her lover and who later visits her in a dream and reveal where to find his body, whereupon she cuts off his head and conceal it in a pot of basil and when the brothers steal the head, she pines and dies.

I had been and seen this symphony played before but today it is different. BBC-SO is the still point of turning world's music that defines eras with perfect constructions. They present varied musical giants, upcoming stars and of course the Masters of the past and go deep into the hearts of music lovers. They explore pushing the boundaries of all type of music and choral, vocal genius of one and all. BBC-SP takes all on emotional journey with innovation and vibrance. Overwhelming, stunning, passionate and moving are the programmes with selected diversity to please different tastes of people.