Back at the launch of the BBC Proms season, four dates were billed as ‘Mystery Proms’ – events with music and performers to be announced. Today, the Proms team has announced the details of those four mystery Proms.
Friday 20 August
Mozart’s Requiem
Excerpts from operas by Jean-Philippe Rameau and an orchestral work by Joseph Bologne, Chevalier de Saint-Georges
Britten Sinfonia and National Youth Chamber Choir
David Bates conductor
Monday 23 August
Catrin Finch harp and
Seckou Keita kora
Wednesday 8 September
Mahler Symphony No.5
Proms Festival Orchestra
Friday 10 September
Bach Goldberg
Pavel Kolesnikov piano
The Proms Festival Orchestra – a new creation consisting of freelance musicians – on Wednesday 8 September catches my eye in particular, casting my mind back to the Parliament Square demonstration last October highlighting how the Government had failed freelance musicians in setting up the Self-Employment Income Support Scheme.
David Pickard, Director of the Proms said of the formation of the ensemble, “We are very pleased to be able to engage so many outstanding freelance musicians to form our first Proms Festival Orchestra. Coming together for Mahler’s Fifth Symphony will be an extraordinary and moving experience given the tremendous challenges faced by freelance musicians throughout the pandemic.”
