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FIRST NIGHT OF THE PROMS

BBC SYMPHONY ORCHESTRA IGOR LEVIT EDWARD GARDNER

WITH WORKS BY TOM COULT, LUDWIG VAN BEETHOVEN AND JOHN ADAMS AT THE ROYAL ALBERT HALL

FIRST NIGHT OF THE PROMS

TOM COULT St John’s Dance The BBC Symphony Orchestra and Igor Levit, conducted by Edward Gardner, follow the tried formula for the First Night of the Proms LUDWIG VAN BEETHOVEN at London’s Royal Albert Hall, combining an exciting new work by a Piano Concerto No. 3 in C minor, Op. 37 British artist, Tom Coult’s St John’s Dance, with a repertoire classic – Beethoven’s 3rd Piano Concerto – and a topical piece such as John JOHN ADAMS Adam’s Harmonium, marking the composer’s 70th birthday. Harmonium The world premiere of Coult’s St John’s Dance proves an intriguing start of the night. Inspired by the medieval phenomenon of unstoppable, involuntary dancing that afflicted whole communities and could last Piano Igor Levit for weeks, the new piece is a proper boost of energy. Orchestra BBC Symphony Orchestra Acting as the perfect counterbalance, Igor Levit performs Beethoven’s Choruses BBC Symphony Chorus 3rd Piano Concerto “with rare grace and intimacy” (The Indipendent). BBC Proms Youth Choir The soloist, regarded as one of the top pianists of his generation, is Chorus Master Neil Ferris also responsible for one of the opening night’s highlights: the Russian- Conductor Edward Gardner German pianist chooses Liszt’s transcription of Beethoven’s Ode to Joy, the official hymn of the European Union, as his encore – a Video Director Rhodri Huw spellbinding moment by the outspoken musician who has advocated the EU as “a project of unity and peace”. For the grand finale of the First Night of the Proms, John Adam’s Length: approx. 110' Harmonium receives “a glowing performance” (The Daily Telegraph) by its gargantuan choir: alongside the BBCSO under Edward Gardner, Shot in HDTV 1080/50i the BBC Symphony Chorus and the BBC Proms Youth Choir make Cat. no. A 025 50367 0000 up the choral forces for the most well-known secular Minimalist choral work, doing “a formidable job” in “this stratospherically high, A co-production of rhythmically difficult, super-exposed job.” (The Observer) BBC and UNITEL

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