After the radical changes to last year's Last Night, tradition returned with a twist in a programme that celebrated the Queen's Golden Jubilee and the centenaries of William Walton and Richard Rodgers.

For the first time the traditional Last Night of the Proms celebrations included folksong arrangements from Ireland, Scotland and Wales.

"This was a Last Night which had pushed all the expected patriotic buttons - but had nonetheless taken the audience on an interesting - and international - musical journey," wrote BBC News Online's Alex Webb.

But what did you think?

This debate is now closed. Please see below for a selection of your comments.

We love watching the Last Night and the great British songs including Rule Britannia. And we know enough history not to be offended by the "apparent" jingoism of the words. Do not let the politically correct in Britain or an American conductor change traditions which are essentially harmless and good fun. (Patriotism to the American is waving and wearing the American flag over everyone and everything in the forlorn hope that it will cover their multitude of sins against the international community). You British have a far better record - be proud of it.
Surendra Pillai, Sri Lanka

Very dissapointed with second half. Why mess about with something that has worked so well for so long . If I had wanted to hear an American musical I would have gone to the theatre, movies or rented a video. The last night of the Proms should be about passion, patriosm and good music. Last Saturday you failed dismally in many areas and I can only hope that the error of your ways is corrected by next year.
John W Mclaren, England

What a disapointment, does Slatkin think he is conducting the Bostan Pops?

Sue, US

It's expected that the last night will build up to a big finale - a high point in volume and mass participation. How that atmosphere is created - whether with traditional choices or fresher ideas - doesn't matter that much, as long as the atmosphere is created. But it wasn't there. Britten's arrangement of the national anthem was inappropriate at the end because it flattened any atmosphere that might have been there. There was also a feeling that the audience and the conductor weren't on the same wavelength, and this must've been connected with the poor programming choices too.
Elizabeth, UK

As an expat I was pleased to see that the BBC was making the Last Night Available via the internet and arranged my day so that I could watch. What a disapointment, does Slatkin think he is conducting the Bostan Pops? Last year we all wept for America,this year we wanted to cheer for Britain! Hopefully next year he will get it right.. starting with a soloist for Rule Britania and ending with a version of God Save The Queen we can all sing.
Sue, US

I am not a massive classical music fan or a religious viewer of the last night, but the patriotism, tradtion and spine-tinglingness of the last night has never left me disappointed - before this year. I was just wondering when the final few songs were going to begin when the credits rolled. A major anti-climax.
James Smith, UK

I would restore the traditional format

Chris, UK

I was lucky enough to be part of the choir which sang on the stage in Hyde Park during the final part of the Last Night. From where I was standing, I could sense the obvious disappointment from the crowd that Rule Britannia was cut so short, and that an encore was not done. Also, the different arrangement to the National Anthem clearly confused many and perhaps was not appropriate for the Last Night.

My advice to the BBC is that the Last Night is one of the few truly popular classical concerts around, and the Last Night is not the occasion for supercilious experimentation. I would restore the traditional format - i.e. full version of Rule Britannia, plus God save the Queen as we know it. The Last Night has always been popular because it allows people to join in and to wave the flag. If the BBC denies people that opportunity, it does so at its own peril.
Chris, UK

Perhaps all of the "disappointed" should come to Toronto next year. The TSO's Last Night of the Proms features all of the classics performed by the professionals and audience alike, with Union Flags and Maple Leaf Flags waved with vigour. And of course, being in Toronto, you won't have to walk home in the rain afterwards!
Adrian, Canada

Have we suddenly become another American State? The second half of the last night had more input from the USA than it did from good old Britain. Does everything have to be so PC there's no room for tradition? OK, tweak a little but this was just plain awful! The whole excited feel and fun was totally lost. The last night is dead.
Elizabeth Da Vall, uk

I was pleased to see the Last Night return to a semblance of normality. That having been said, it was only a semblance of normality. The first half; no problem - but what have you done with the second half? I have always enjoyed the proms - the last night as well as other concerts throughout the season. Please can we return to complete normality next year - everything performed in the right sequence, at the right speed, with all the verses that are normally performed and with a soloist for Rule Britannia. PLEASE!
Geoff Hunt, United Kingdom

The final part of the Last Night was watered down out of existence.
SW, UK

What a farce the finale to the last night was. To keep the prommers quiet as he did was a disgrace but the thing that I thought summed up Slatkin was his speech, the reference to how much money was taken at the box office was irrelevant. I hope that he does only have one more year left.
Ian, England

A huge disappointment. One can only think fondly of Sir Andrew Davies' Last Night in 2000 and the glorious Jane Eaglen's Britannia.
Will, UK

I had the great pleasure of attending the Last Night Prom in Hyde Park. I must say that although a lot of people seem unhappy with a change to the classic format that would have been nice to have seen, the night was refreshing galore of music to suit many tastes. I think credit should be given where credit is due, and people should think of how much hard work goes into organising such an event, so a big pat on the back for all those involved at the BBC. I am already looking forward to making sure this is the first time of many that I attend a magnificent musical celebration!
Martin, St Albans, England

I have to agree with Andy from England. the Last Night of the Proms is quintessentially British and very traditional, hence the unique audience. Although I sympathise with the sentiment to modify last year's performance this should not be an excuse to meddle further. I also support the comment that Audra MacDonald talent and considerable contribution was out of place for the Last Night and suggest that football terrace anthems should similarly appear on a different night. However I will admit that the arrangement of British folksongs worked well as does the Proms in the Park. Finally as for the comment about some segments being offensive, no doubt the contributor will have a similar view about the German National Anthem! BBC, "If it's not broke don't fix it". Please bring back Sir Andrew Davis.
Martin, UK

Given the number of Prom concerts why is it so bad to keep to the traditional second half. We don't need to apologise for having a rousing party once a year. Change for the sake of change is almost always, as in this case, for the worse.
Simon Barker, England

I was bitterly disappointed in the Last Night of the Proms. It has to be the worst I have seen in 10 years, completely losing the sense of patriotism and occasion that this night is all about.

Audra MacDonald, although a good singer was totally inappropriate for the night and would have been best left in the musicals. Leonard Slatkin appeared to prefer the sound of his own voice with his cheap jokes adding nothing to the sense of occasion, only distracting from it. The National Anthem was a disgrace and Rule Britannia without the usual great soloist was a disaster. As the cameras panned the 3 outdoor sites it was obvious that the usual level of excitement and passion was not there, in fact several people looked totally bored, something that I have not experienced either as an attendee or as an avid viewer of the Last Night of the Proms in the past years.

I have a great number of friends in the U.S.A who love the British traditions, this is one of those which they agree should not be �dumbed down� in an attempt to be politically correct. Other nations are proud to honour and maintain their own traditions, so should we!
Helen Hart, England

We were in Hyde Park this year, as every year, and were confused by the order of the '"key" songs we've come to expect. Will it be reset next year?
James Beswick, UK

Marvellous! I was just channel-flicking when I caught the opening bars of Grieg's Piano Concerto and was hooked from that moment on. I've seen three last nights (and my favourite still has to be Sir Colin Davis conducting Rossini etc, all those years ago!), and I thought the music of this year's was superb. Hats off also to Leonard Slatkin: A superb conductor and a welcome breath of fresh air and new perspective for the most famous concert of the year. I didn't think the deviation from the normal programme detracted much from the overall enjoyment!
Steve, UK

It was good to see a change but a real shame to see Rule Britannia being cut down. This music (with a lead singer) is usually the highlight of the Proms. It really spoilt the night not having this in its full glorious version.
Steven Preston, UK

Last year, we were bitterly disappointed as we felt the proms should have carried on as before (in spite of the events of 11 September). This year was just appalling and we shall not follow the event again unless the old format is re-established. This is just dumb.
Frank Coppins, UK

I watched the Proms, but was disappointed with the second half. I do believe that the format needs tweaking, but the core pieces should be left alone and in the same piece. I agree that it is imperialist etc, but there are many countries with the same sort of celebrations. As a instrumentalist myself, the orchestra was brilliant. The deliberate errors by the leader on the hornpipe were extremely enjoyable.
Alan, England

It wasn't just change on Saturday night. It was butchery. I am not ashamed of my heritage, and wave the Union Jack proudly. Isn't it time the BBC did the same? Introducing the four British songs was wonderful, but why change the order and degrade Rule Britannia?

It has always amazed me that such a British event has such enormous support all over the world. I sang Rule Britannia for an international audience recently - and everyone joined in with huge enthusiasm. Lots of different nationalities, all waving whatever flag they wanted.

So why can't the BBC accept that even though nationalities have their differences, they all come together in a wonderful spirit for the last night of the Proms and thoroughly enjoy themselves?
Anne Perret, UK

I'm not really a fan of the music played on the Last Night, but a friend had a spare ticket so I went. I enjoyed it more than I expected - the atmosphere is of fun rather than archaic jingoism. It's also great to see so many young people at a classical concert - too often classical music is perceived as being more about snobbery than enjoyment.
Frank, UK

I'd like to thank the BBC for a well-organised and impressive Proms, even in Hyde Park. I've never been part of such a large or well-behaved crowd. I would certainly dispute an earlier claim of the audience being a bunch of "drunken yobs". On the contrary, it was lovely to participate in the great British tradition of the Last Night of the Proms.
Mel Beatty, US

Oh come on now, what do you expect when they choose an American conductor. This never would have happened with Andrew Davies or Colin Davis. This is a showpiece British festival not an American musical.
Susan Havelock, England

The American contribution to The Last Night of the Proms was too invasive. The soloist was wonderful but she sang far too many songs. It was like attending one of her concerts. I understand Slatkin will only do one more year - thank goodness. If he doesn't like our way of doing things, why doesn't he go home and organise an American version.

Why are we not allowed to be proud to be British? Americans fly their flag from their homes, not just their public buildings and lose no opportunity to tell anyone how great it is to be American. We have to think who we might offend if we were to do the same.
June Gilmore, UK

Leonard Slatkin degraded Britishness by undermining the importance of Rule Britannia, arrogantly excluding the audience from participation and the final insult, not allowing the viewers to sing the first verse of the National Anthem.

The depth of feeling of our own British roots should not be underestimated - I much prefer songs about the sea being a natural defence, rather than weapons of mass destruction.
Margaret Brandreth Jones, England

Worst last night ever. If you saw the crowds for the Jubilee you realise what we stand for and are all about. Rule Britannia was shambolic without the soloist. I have tapes from years past and if you compare, this years was not a patch on previous years. If it ain't broke, don't fix it.
Ian Gibson, England

I want my money back for the licence fee. The BBC is so biased that it holds back on posting the comments that show this to be the worst last night ever. What a farce.
Andy, England

Your traditions are more precious to the rest of us than you realize, or could possibly imagine.
Louis Edwards, USA

Please keep the last night traditional, with a correct national anthem and a soloist for Rule Britannia.
Michael Farmer, England

The second half of the last night of the Proms was another great event of patriotism - together with the great event of Her Majesty's Golden Jubilee, we have at last awoken again a sense of pride to be British!

Excellent finale and perfect ending with The National Anthem as arranged by Britten.
Alan McBurnie, UK

I was disappointed that there was so much "dumbing down" of the patriotic side of the Proms. I love the Proms and my ultimate goal is to be inside the Albert Hall for the Last Night of the Proms, but feel that as the years go that the pomp and circumstance of the night will be taken away. Think again, BBC we won't put up with it.
Diane Every, England

The BBC, which seems to have decided that it has a mission to pander to the juvenile and the left-wing, should no longer be the custodian of these concerts which were intended to provide musical education for the many - not political brainwashing.
Julia Taylor, England

I've been in Hyde Park's Proms in the Park each year since it began. This year, though predictably a lot more rousing than last, disappointed on several fronts. Firstly, we missed the beginning of Pomp and Circumstance. Then they made us sing the second verse of God Save the Queen, which though an interesting idea, is simply not the right thing to do with a national anthem.

Personally I prefer having all the songs in their accustomed position and order, and being linked up to the Albert Hall for the entire second half - which is absolutely not to be tampered with.
Clare Padfield, UK

My vote is a cultural and artistic failure. I thought it was very offensive that the public were instructed not to sing the first verse of the National Anthem.

This programme was designed by someone with no understanding of British culture or history. The words of Rule Britannia are important - "never, never shall be slaves" is not imperialist, it reflected the sentiments of an age when Britain ended slavery in the UK because as the Lord Chief Justice stated "the air of England was too pure to be breathed by a slave".
Elinor Williams, Berkshire, UK

I thoroughly enjoyed the Last Night at the Royal Albert Hall, and the flag waving was truly European. The Proms are not an event for the British only, as history and choice of music has shown for the last years. I didn't miss the former British jingoism at all.
Bernd, Germany

The balance of the programme on the Last Night was tilted far too much towards the Rogers and Hart. Although an accomplished singer and entertainer and vivacious personality, Audra MacDonald should have been on a different night.

Britannia was the agent of democracy and the rule of law, that is why her appeal is self evidently international. The traditional theme and spirit of the Last Night of the Proms is delightfully and madly unique. Let's keep it that way.
Robert Sutherland Smith., UK

Well Done The Beeb! A brilliant series of concerts together with a refreshingly novel Last Night presentation from maestro Leonard Slatkin. Congratulations to all concerned.
Declan Whitbread, England

Thought the Last Night was really good it was the first one I had ever seen. Great patriotic songs like Land of Hope and Glory and Rule Britannia. Disappointed that only the second verse of God Save The Queen was sung though. Why was that anyway?
Mike, UK

This was one of the best Last Nights in Years. I listened on the radio, and the new music (variations on a theme by Purcell) was superb! It was an extremely well balanced programme, and having the second verse of God Save the Queen was fantastic - I was waving my flag!
Jane, UK

On reflection, the standard formula did need a little refreshing, and for me the second half worked brilliantly. You'll Never Walk Alone should join the regular anthems, as a song which inspires the British (football fans in particular) but offends no-one.

But that modern cacophony - call that music?
Liz James, UK

I started to record the programme so that we could see it again. I soon cut the recording as it was just not worth the tape. The beauty of the Proms is that it has a wonderful tradition and format. Change that and you lose out.

The Americans want to change us and what we do and enjoy. Their ideas are great - for them but not us. Rogers and Hammerstein is fine but not at the Proms.
Edina Hill, Great Britain

The Last Night concert was fantastic! I watched via streaming video over the internet. My only complaint is that I was not there to hear it in person. Well, maybe someday.
Jay Paxton, USA

I was very disappointed in the second half. Audra McDonald sang four songs and this was far too much. (She had a lovely voice but it was not the Audra McDonald show). The order was wrong and the whole thing ended like a damp squib and we were left wondering when the finale was coming and then realised that it was over. I am extremely glad that I had not bought tickets, I would have had to ask for my money back. Back to real tradition please.
Linda Regan, UK

The other British national tunes in part two were welcome. The utterly disproportionate amount of time given to Rogers made me very angry - I nearly switched off! We are used to wonderfully skilled orchestration and arrangements in our end of Proms party (some of which eventually arrived thank goodness).
Pander, UK

Its supporters claim it is just a musical party - but it is an affront to civilised society when the BBC supports a concert that includes items desiring world domination and a return to an imperialist past. This anachronism must be changed - and the sooner the better. There are many pieces suitable for a musical party (Arnold's Grand, Grand Overture - Ibert Divertissement, etc). It is not necessary to be offensive at the same time as celebratory. The lyrics of items such as Rule Britannia! and Land of Hope and Glory are as appropriate as the Horst Wessel would be in the Berlin Proms.

It's not even that the offensive items are of musical quality - they are there for the musically moronic.
Robert Steadman, UK

The Proms was brilliant - it is the tradition that makes it so good. The live links to Hyde Park, Gateshead & Belfast add to the occasion, more for next year. It is the one big truly British show of the Year.
JCL, Hemel-Hempstead

I have never been so ashamed by a BBC production in all my life as I was watching the Last Night of the Proms. It was obvious that singing only the second verse of the national anthem was to directly humiliate our great British public. I do not know of anyone who knows the words to the second verse, as it is never sung. This is nothing to be ashamed of, as the unity of a nation to be able to sing should be respected, regardless of the song. Many millions of people hold the national anthem dear to them and being able to join in makes us proud and helps remember all those who have lost their lives for this great country.

Why should such an occasion be spoilt by some lefty opinion that because we don't know the second verse we are all pseudo-patriots? Learn a little respect BBC and remember that the first B of BBC stands for British, not Brussels!
Steve, England

Drunken yobs singing over substandard music with offensive words.... is this how Britain wants to be portrayed in the 21st century?
Candice Smithson, England

The revised schedule persuaded me even more that the real villain of the piece is Henry Wood's Fantasia on British Sea Songs - it should be retired. The BBC Symphony Orchestra are one of this country's finest orchestras. To have them perform this inane music year-on-year is demeaning to their artistry. The leader's deliberate faux-pas during the Hornpipe spoke volumes.
Steven Kelly, UK

I always enjoy the promenade concerts and have no objections to bringing the proms up to date and trying new things. But I do object to tampering with the final part of the Last Night. This is a tradition which should not be changed. Last night's concert failed totally to generate the usual excitement and atmosphere. Please restore the traditional format.
Sue Haigh, England

Last year (2001) was my first Last Night of the Proms. I had been to many Prom concerts before, but never the Last Night. After the tragic events a few days beforehand the programme was changed around quite a bit, and too be honest with myself, a disappointment. However, it probably made this year just that extra bit special. All I can remember is looking around me, seeing the thousands of flags, people smiling, singing, and then in the centre of it all, the conductor smiling away and obviously enjoying himself. The rest of the programme was brilliant, apart from the Purcell, which as much as it was different, it wasn't really enjoyable.
Thomas Edwards, UK

Excellent, well done BBC. In a world that is moving so fast, tradition is something people can identify with that reminds the British people of our values. You do not have to change things for the sake of change. Change is often used to give the appearance of making something better when it fact it is wasted activity with no achievement.

I thought the arrangement of the National anthem was the best I have heard in a long time.
Rob Young, UK

Nick Kenyon stated that this year we were returning to the original for Rule Britannia That is not true. 1905 saw audience participation on four verses with organ and orchestra. Wood thoroughly approved of this In 1938 he wrote"the ritual is now established" but added "the young promenader is determined not to take the music too seriously" - a suuficient rebuff for those philistines and fundamentalists who wish to dispense with the "jingoism".

But why was Slatkin allowed to to maul the Sea Songs with their inherent narrative? No bugle call. No clarinet cadenza. No trombone quartet with its superb close harmony. Instead a p/c tour with a funereal Danny Boy. Isn't Home Sweet Home universal enough? Then the anti-climax - a sanitised choral version of Rule Britannia. The final insult - no lusty singing of the National Anthem in Jubilee Year. Familiar words were consigned to a hushed pianissimo. Why not the magnificent setting by Bliss. And please no more American cabaret. In September 2001, Slatkin promised this year he would do the Last Night our way. Perhaps in 2003....??
Don Laming, England

I think the many of the changes made to the second half made it very flat. It totally lacked the atmosphere that was there when Andrew Davies was was in charge. There is nothing wrong with change but why so much at the same time. Why not try one thing at a time and select pieces which are likely to work with the audience. The inclusion of so much Richard Rogers was either the influence of Leonard Slatkin or the BBC pandering to American audiences. The phrase "...and my next number" is hardly what you expect to hear at a concert of classical music.

I suppose Rule Britannia holds as little for Leonard Slatkin as God Bless America does for us, but can he please remember who he is working for and in which country he is working. Vey poor second half but liked the variations on a theme by Purcell. If you want something new, that is the slot for it and the type of work as well.
Jeffrey Patton, U.K.

Rule Britannia didn't work - its usual proms performance gains from the contrast between the rich, often overplayed, tones of the soloist and the raucous jollity of the crowd chorus. This year the verse was bland and the chorus lacked fire. I have been giving Slatkin the benefit of the doubt till now. Tell him to stop it!
Annie Robson, UK

Last Night was awful - simply awful. We don't want an evening of American cabaret songs. If you could find someone to sing that load of rubbish it is a pity you could not get someone to sing Rule Britannia. That was the point at which we switched off. I do not think we will switch on again next year. How typically anti-patriotic of the BBC
James Goodsman, UK