22/08/2009

Visiting musicians are always made extremely welcome at the BBC Proms and in this concert the Royal Albert Hall plays host to Hungary’s leading ensemble: the Budapest Festival Orchestra. Their 25-year partnership with conductor Ivan Fischer has proved to be a great success story in classical music - and the celebrated maestro will be bringing his musical vision to bear on Antonin Dvorak’s 7th Symphony. The Czech composer wrote the symphony 125 years ago, after a visit to London, when he was warmly received. The Symphony was first performed here a year later and continues to be hugely popular; it may not be his most well-known, but many people think it’s Dvorak’s best symphony: dark and dramatic, and deeply passionate.

World Service broadcast programme:
Dvorak: Symphony No.7

Performers:
Budapest Festival Orchestra
Ivan Fischer, conductor