Last Night of the Proms: Maxwell Davies, Bartok, Wagner, Liszt

BBC PROMS 2011

Live from the Royal Albert Hall, London

Presented by Sean Rafferty and Suzy Klein

Conductor Edward Gardner leads the traditional festivities of the Last Night of the Proms with performers including super-star pianist Lang Lang playing Liszt and soprano Susan Bullock singing Wagner.

Gardner, who is the youngest Last Night conductor since Sir Henry Wood himself on the first Last Night in 1895, brings a youthful verve to the celebrations, and it's an event he's looking forward to greatly: "I was aware of the Last Night as a kid and to be involved is extraordinary." He's joined by leading dramatic soprano Susan Bullock who performs Brunnhilde's famous 'Immolation Scene' which concludes Wagner's epic Ring cycle, as well as leading the customary communal singing after the Interval. Super-star pianist Lang Lang - the man who's inspired millions of Chinese children to take up the piano - performs Liszt, a composer who he describes as a "rock star" but also a "truly great musician" - words that could equally describe Lang Lang himself.

But it's the Prommers who give the Proms their special atmosphere. Standing night after night in the arena and the gallery their attentiveness and enthusiasm for the music inspires performers to produce exceptional performances. They also organise the nightly collection which raises thousands of pounds every year for musical charities. So it's fitting that this year the party begins with a celebration of the Prommers with a new work by Peter Maxwell Davies commissioned by the Musicians Belevolent Fund who are one of the beneficiaries of the annual collection

Sir Peter Maxwell Davies: Musica benevolens (Musicians Benevolent Fund commission - World Premiere)
Bartók: The Miraculous Mandarin - suite
Wagner: Götterdämmerung - Immolation Scene
Liszt: Piano Concerto No. 1 in E flat major

Lang Lang (piano)
Susan Bullock (soprano)
The Fanfare Trumpeters of the Household Division
BBC Symphony Chorus
BBC Symphony Orchestra
Edward Gardner (conductor).