Prom 15 (part 1): Prokofiev, Qigang Chen and Rachmaninov

BBC National Orchestra of Wales conducted by Xian Zhang live at the BBC Proms, in music by Prokofiev, a work by China's Qigang Chen and Rachmaninov's much-loved Second Symphony

Live from the Royal Albert Hall, London
Presented by Katie Derham

Prokofiev: Symphony No. 1 in D major, 'Classical'
Qigang Chen: Iris dévoilée

7.30 pm - INTERVAL

7.50 pm
Rachmaninov: Symphony No. 2 in E minor

Meng Meng (soprano)
Anu Komsi (soprano)
Piia Komsi (soprano)
Jia Li (pipa)
Jing Chang (zheng)
Nan Wang (erhu)

BBC National Orchestra of Wales
Xian Zhang (conductor)

Following last night's Prokofiev piano concerto cycle, tonight's Prom opens with the Russian's bright and joyous 'Classical' Symphony, which surprised critics of the young firebrand composer with its formal elegance. It's paired with Rachmaninov's Second Symphony - beloved for its intimate, lyrical slow movement. Rachmaninov might be the original composer of the 'big tune', but it's an instinct China's Qigang Chen - a pupil of Messiaen - shares. East and West come together for his evocative Iris dévoilée, pairing traditional Chinese instruments with Western harmonies.

[This Prom will be repeated on Friday 31st July at 2pm].