Performances of Benjamin Britten at BBC Music
(See all works in BBC Music by Benjamin Britten)Tue 5 Aug 2025
- 19:00Royal Albert Hall
The BBC National Orchestra of Wales and Nil Venditti celebrate Britain’s land- and sea-scapes with works including Vaughan Williams’s The Lark Ascending and Britten’s Four Sea Interludes from ‘Peter Grimes’
The BBC National Orchestra of Wales and Nil Venditti celebrate Britain’s land- and sea-scapes with works including Vaughan Williams’s The Lark Ascending and Britten’s Four Sea Interludes from ‘Peter Grimes’
Programme
- Coronation March ‘Crown Imperial’(6 mins)arr. Tausky
- The Lark Ascending(13 mins)
- Isle of Beauty(3 mins)
- The Evening Star(3 mins)
- Four Sea Interludes from ‘Peter Grimes’(16 mins)
- interval
- Dance Overture(6 mins)
- Bird Songs(10 mins)BBC commission: world premiere
- The Rustling of Grass(3 mins)arr. Zoë Birtwhistle
- The Shepherd(4 mins)
- Elegy for Strings(7 mins)
- ‘Enigma’ Variations(31 mins)
Performers
- Liya Petrovaviolin
- Nil Venditticonductor
Fri 8 Aug 2025
- 21:00Ulster Hall
The Proms celebrates the centenary of the Shipping Forecast with presenters from Radio 4’s Continuity team, music inspired by the oceans and the elements, and a new work by Poet Laureate Simon Armitage and his group LYR
The Proms celebrates the centenary of the Shipping Forecast with presenters from Radio 4’s Continuity team, music inspired by the oceans and the elements, and a new work by Poet Laureate Simon Armitage and his group LYR
Programme
- Sailing By(3 mins)
- Four Sea Interludes from ‘Peter Grimes’ – Storm(5 mins)
- Oceans(9 mins)
- Pórt na bPúcaí(5 mins)arr. Neil Martin
- YonderlandBBC commission: world premiere
- Restless Oceans(4 mins)
- Miroirs – Une barque sur l’océan(8 mins)
- The Padstow Lifeboat(5 mins)
Performers
- Caroline Nichollspresenter
- Al Ryanpresenter
- Chloé van Soeterstèdeconductor
- 8 – 9 Aug 2025Royal Albert Hall
Experience the Royal Albert Hall at its most magical and intimate: Anna Lapwood joins cellist Anastasia Kobekina, pianist Hayato Sumino and Norwegian ensemble Barokksolistene for this all-night Prom (11pm - 7am)
Experience the Royal Albert Hall at its most magical and intimate: Anna Lapwood joins cellist Anastasia Kobekina, pianist Hayato Sumino and Norwegian ensemble Barokksolistene for this all-night Prom (11pm - 7am)
Programme
- Toccata in B minor from ‘10 Pieces for Organ’(4 mins)
- Limina Luminis(6 mins)
- Pirates of the Caribbean – suite(18 mins)Klaus Nadelt/Hans Zimmer arr. Anna Lapwood
- interval
- The Old Bachelor – Hornpipe(3 mins)
- The Three Ravens (Arr. for Ensemble by Bjarte Eike)(4 mins)
- The Dancing Master – The Virgin Queen; Stingo; Bobbing Joe(4 mins)John Playford/Trad., arr. B. Eike/Barroksolistene
- Pass around the grog (sea shanty)(2 mins)John Playford/Trad., arr. B. Eike/Barokksolistene
- Da skeklers(4 mins)trad., Shetlands, arr. Christ Stout
- Three Wedding Tunes from Fanø(5 mins)trad., Denmark, arr. B. Eike
- Dance Collection from Uhrovec – Slovak Dance No. 328arr. Miloš Valent
- Old Norse(3 mins)trad., Shetlands, arr. B. Eike
- Hopp sa halta(6 mins)
- La traverséetrad., Canada, arr. B. Eike/Barokksolistene
- Tabhair dom do lámh (Give me your hand)(4 mins)arr. B. Eike/Barokksolistene
- Wild Mountain Thyme (Will ye go, lassie?)(4 mins)trad., Scotland, arr. Barokksolistene
- The Dancing Master – Beggar Boy; Scots Rant; Scotch Cap; All in a garden green; Newcastle(6 mins)arr. B. Eike
- Haul away!(4 mins)trad., English sea shanty arr. Barokksolistene/Thomas Guthrie
- The Dancing Master – Wallom Green (plus improvisations)(8 mins)arr. B. Eike
- interval
- All things are quite silent(4 mins)
- Arise, shine(5 mins)
- O nata lux(3 mins)
- Seek Him That Make the Seven Stars(6 mins)
- Grandmother Moon(4 mins)
- Sleep(6 mins)
- Come to me(6 mins)
- Leonardo Dreams of His Flying Machine(9 mins)
- Make You Feel My Love(4 mins)arr. Anna Lapwood
- interval
- Waltz in E flat major 'Grande valse brillante', Op 18(6 mins)
- Polonaise in A flat major 'Heroic', Op 53(7 mins)
- Nocturne II: After Dawn(3 mins)
- Danse macabre(8 mins)arr. Franz Liszt/H. Sumino
- Boléro(9 mins)arr. H. Sumino
- Everything in Its Right Place(3 mins)
- Like Spinning Plates(3 mins)with Anastasia Kobekina (cello)
- interval
- O frondens virga(3 mins)
- Cello Suite No 1 in G majorPrelude; Menuets I & II
- Postcard(1 mins)
- Cello Suite No 2 in D minor(3 mins)Courante
- Prelude II(2 mins)
- Cello Suite No 2 in D minor(3 mins)Sarabande
- Narrenschiff [Ship of Fools](5 mins)
- Grāmata čellam [The Book] – Pianissimo(4 mins)
- Suite for Solo Cello No. 3, Op 87(2 mins)Barcarolla
- Song for Ainola(2 mins)
- Cello Suite No 3 in C major(4 mins)Prelude
- Fandango(5 mins)arr. Giovanni Sollima
- interval
- Hymn (after Byrd)(5 mins)
- Many Fruited Dog Tooth(12 mins)
- Full like drips from ‘Honey Siren’(3 mins)
- One Without from ‘Aftersun’(5 mins)
- Prière du Christ montant vers son Père [Prayer of Christ Ascending Towards His Father] from ‘L’Ascension’(9 mins)
- interval
- Distance(5 mins)
- Tamala/If Only I Knew(5 mins)
- Bimo(5 mins)
- Bamba, the Light of Touba(5 mins)arr. David Mantovani
- Future Strings(5 mins)
- interval
- Turning Page(4 mins)
- You Are Enough(3 mins)
- Touch(4 mins)
- Sight(4 mins)
- North(5 mins)
- Nine(5 mins)
- Saturn(5 mins)
Performers
- Anna Lapwoodorgan/conductor
- Bjarte Eikeviolin/director
- Anastasia Kobekinacello
- Hayato Suminopiano
- 12 Ensembleensemble
- Seckou Keitakora/voice
- Sleeping At Lastensemble
Composers
Part ofProms 2025
Fri 19 Sep 2025
- 14:30St Paul's Church, Knightsbridge
Conductor Martyn Brabbins returns to conduct the BBC Singers in the world premiere of Bristol-based composer John Pickard's BBC commission, Elemental.
Conductor Martyn Brabbins returns to conduct the BBC Singers in the world premiere of Bristol-based composer John Pickard's BBC commission, Elemental.
Programme
- Hymns from the Rig Veda, H90, Op 24
- The Ballad of Little Musgrave
- Missa Brevis
- Five Part-Song from The Greek Anthology, Op. 45
- interval
- ElementalWorld Premiere: BBC Commission
Performers
- Elizabeth Bassharp
- Andrew Barclaypercussion
- Richard Pearcepiano
- BBC Singersensemble
- Martyn Brabbinsconductor
Part ofBBC Singers 2025-26
Fri 26 Sep 2025
- 14:30Maida Vale Studios
The BBC Singers are joined by Owain Park in a programme exploring the theme of nature through choral music.
The BBC Singers are joined by Owain Park in a programme exploring the theme of nature through choral music.
Programme
- Song of June
- The Sycamore
- Sat on the shore
- In heaven it is always autumn
- The Evening Primrose
- Myrthen - No. 7 'Die Lotosblume'
- The Heaven's Flock
- Beyond the Night Sky
- Silence and Music
- Venematka (The Boat Journey)
- On life's dividing sea
- Sweet Day
- A Contemplation upon Flowers
- Butterfly
Performers
- BBC Singersensemble
- Owain Parkconductor
Part ofBBC Singers 2025-26
Thu 12 Mar 2026
- 14:00City Halls
Britten's playful 'Young Person's Guide To The Orchestra' is paired with the composer's Cello Symphony. Plus, there's music inspired by the enchanting imagination of William Shakespeare.
Britten's playful 'Young Person's Guide To The Orchestra' is paired with the composer's Cello Symphony. Plus, there's music inspired by the enchanting imagination of William Shakespeare.
Programme
- Aurora(10 mins)
- Cello Symphony(34 mins)
- interval
- Falstaff(30 mins)
- The Young Person’s Guide to the Orchestra(17 mins)
Performers
- Alban Gerhardtcello
- Ryan WigglesworthConductor
- 19:30BBC Hoddinott Hall, Cardiff
Marrying unmistakeable Britten with flavours of Copland and hints of jazz, Britten’s American Overture launches this evening conducted by the acclaimed Tomas Djupsjöbacka.
Marrying unmistakeable Britten with flavours of Copland and hints of jazz, Britten’s American Overture launches this evening conducted by the acclaimed Tomas Djupsjöbacka.
Programme
- An American Overture
- Love ReturnsUK premiere
- Symphony No. 2
- Symphonic Metamorphosis of Themes by Carl Maria von Weber
Performers
- Tomas DjupsjöbackaConductor
- Steven Bankssaxophone
Thu 16 Apr 2026
- 14:00City Halls
Guest Conductor Elim Chan reveals the deadly secrets of Bartók’s thrilling work 'Bluebeard’s Castle' with the help of two world-class soloists.
Guest Conductor Elim Chan reveals the deadly secrets of Bartók’s thrilling work 'Bluebeard’s Castle' with the help of two world-class soloists.
Programme
- Four Sea Interludes from ‘Peter Grimes’(16 mins)
- Hamlet Suite(23 mins)
- interval
- Duke Bluebeard’s Castle(55 mins)
Performers
- Alice Cootemezzo-soprano
- Gábor Bretzbaritone
- Elim ChanConductor
Fri 17 Apr 2026
- 19:30Music Hall, Aberdeen
Alice Coote & Gábor Bretz join conductor Elim Chan for Bartók’s thrilling work 'Bluebeard’s Castle' revealing deadly secrets. Plus pieces by Britten & Shostakovich in this dramatic concert!
Alice Coote & Gábor Bretz join conductor Elim Chan for Bartók’s thrilling work 'Bluebeard’s Castle' revealing deadly secrets. Plus pieces by Britten & Shostakovich in this dramatic concert!
Programme
- Four Sea Interludes from ‘Peter Grimes’(16 mins)
- Hamlet Suite(23 mins)
- interval
- Duke Bluebeard’s Castle(55 mins)(one-act opera)
Performers
- Alice Cootemezzo soprano
- Gábor Bretzbaritone
- Elim ChanConductor
Mon 15 Jun 2026
- 11:00Snape Maltings Concert Hall
Britten at his most joyful: the upbeat Welcome Ode and the sparkling Young Person’s Guide to the Orchestra, a lively tour of every instrument. A spirited celebration, complete with fresh narration by Rory Kinnear.
Britten at his most joyful: the upbeat Welcome Ode and the sparkling Young Person’s Guide to the Orchestra, a lively tour of every instrument. A spirited celebration, complete with fresh narration by Rory Kinnear.
Programme
- Welcome Ode, for young people’s chorus and orchestra, Op.95(9 mins)
- The Young Person’s Guide to the Orchestra(17 mins)
Performers
- Rory KinnearNarrator
- Ryan WigglesworthConductor
Composers
