Prom 7 (part 1): Shostakovich, Bartok and Tavener

Live from the Royal Albert Hall, London

Presented by Penny Gore

The BBC Symphony Orchestra and Jirí Belohlávek live at the BBC Proms. Shostakovich's great 10th Symphony, Isabelle Faust in Bartok's 2nd Violin Concerto , and a John Tavener premiere.

Tavener: Gnosis (BBC commission; world premiere)
Bartók: Violin Concerto No. 2

7.30pm Interval

7.50pm
Shostakovich: Symphony No. 10 in E minor, Op. 93

Isabelle Faust (violin)
Sarah Connolly (mezzo-soprano)
Michael Cox (alto flute)
BBC Symphony Orchestra
Jirí Belohlávek (conductor)

Isabelle Faust's association with Bartók extends back to her very first recording. Now, fresh from an acclaimed disc of both the composer's violin concertos, she joins the BBC SO and Conductor Laureate Ji?í B?lohlávek for Bartók's Second Violin Concerto. Written under the threat of Fascism, it's a passionate national statement, lively with folk rhythms.

By the early 1950s and Shostakovich's 10th Symphony, threat had become reality. This violent, despairing work paints a vivid portrait ofthe horrors of Stalin's Russia. The evening opens with the first of two posthumous premieres this season from the late John Tavener ? some of the last works from England's great musical mystic. Gnosis - written for mezzo-soprano Sarah Connolly with solo alto flute,strings and percussion.

This Prom will be repeated on Thursday 24th July at 2pm.