Rachmaninov and Copland

As part of Radio 3’s Proms Marathon Monday, Linton Stephens introduces the next in our series of Proms highlights from the 2025 season so far.

Rachmaninov and Copland (Thursday 31 July)
Presented by Katie Derham from the Royal Albert Hall in London.

Elsa Barraine: Symphony No. 2
Aaron Copland: Clarinet Concerto
Artie Shaw: Clarinet Concerto

Sergey Rachmaninov: Symphonic Dances

Martin Fröst, clarinet
BBC Philharmonic Orchestra
Joshua Weilerstein, conductor

The thrum of urban America – jazz clubs and bustling sidewalks, pulsing Latin rhythms and night-time lights – runs through this Prom given by Joshua Weilerstein and the BBC Philharmonic Orchestra. Rachmaninov’s enigmatic final masterpiece, the Symphonic Dances, blends Russian soul with bold colours from the composer’s adopted homeland. Copland’s Clarinet Concerto draws on the virtuoso skills of jazz legend Benny Goodman, while bandleader Artie Shaw wrote his Clarinet Concerto for his own considerable skills as a player. Elsa Barraine’s tautly lyrical Symphony No. 2 opens the programme.