Series synopsis
BBC Proms is a British documentary television series that premiered on BBC One on September 13, 1947.
The World's Greatest Classical Music Festival. The BBC Proms is a classical music festival held every summer at the Royal Albert Hall in London, and in recent years has explored an innovative series of Proms around the UK with concerts in all four nations. Its aim: to bring the best in classical music to the widest possible audience, which remains true to founder-conductor Henry Wood’s original vision in 1895. Whether you are a classical connoisseur or think classical music isn’t for you, ther ...
Premise
The World's Greatest Classical Music Festival. The BBC Proms is a classical music festival held every summer at the Royal Albert Hall in London, and in recent years has explored an innovative series of Proms around the UK with concerts in all four nations. Its aim: to bring the best in classical music to the widest possible audience, which remains true to founder-conductor Henry Wood’s original vision in 1895. Whether you are a classical connoisseur or think classical music isn’t for you, there is something for everyone in the eight-week stretch of concerts.
Cast and characters
Guest cast
- Donald Runnicles as Conductor
- Zeb Soanes as Self - Presenter
- Pete Tong
- Jules Buckley as Conductor
- St. Vincent as Self
- Claudia Winkleman as Self
- Jade Thirlwall as Self
- Karen Ní Bhroin as Self - Conductor
- Antonio Pappano as Conductor
- Maria Agresta as Self - Soprano
- Semyon Bychkov as Conductor
- Marina Poplavskaya as Self - Soprano
Episodes
This series spans 20 seasons with 61 episodes.
| Season | Episodes | First aired | Last aired |
|---|---|---|---|
| Season 0 | 11 | July 27, 2013 | September 10, 2023 |
| Season 1 | 1 | September 13, 1947 | September 13, 1947 |
| Season 2 | 1 | January 17, 1948 | January 17, 1948 |
| Season 3 | 0 | ||
| Season 4 | 0 | ||
| Season 5 | 0 | ||
| Season 6 | 0 | ||
| Season 7 | 2 | July 25, 1953 | September 19, 1953 |
| Season 8 | 3 | July 24, 1954 | September 18, 1954 |
| Season 9 | 2 | July 23, 1955 | September 17, 1955 |
| Season 10 | 2 | July 21, 1956 | September 15, 1956 |
| Season 11 | 2 | July 20, 1957 | September 14, 1957 |
| Season 12 | 2 | July 26, 1958 | September 20, 1958 |
| Season 13 | 3 | July 25, 1959 | September 19, 1959 |
| Season 14 | 2 | July 23, 1960 | September 17, 1960 |
| Season 15 | 3 | July 22, 1961 | September 16, 1961 |
| Season 16 | 2 | July 21, 1962 | September 15, 1962 |
| Season 17 | 3 | July 20, 1963 | July 25, 1963 |
| Season 18 | 10 | July 25, 1964 | September 19, 1964 |
| Season 19 | 12 | July 17, 1965 | September 11, 1965 |
| Episode | Title | Air date |
|---|---|---|
| 1 |
Proms Extra 2013 - Episode 1 Katie Derham presents a new weekly review of the standout performances, artists and stories from the 2013 Proms season. In this episode, she looks back on the musical highlights of the opening fortnight, including a special report from Daniel Barenboim's Ring Cycle. Her studio guests include conductor Semyon Bychkov, soprano Susan Bullock and pianist Stephen Hough - and there is a special performance from one of the star soloists of the season, young Japanese pianist Nobuyuki Tsujii. |
July 27, 2013 |
| 2 |
Proms Extra 2013 - Episode 2 Katie Derham looks back on another week of concerts from the BBC Proms, including a spectacular performance of Ravel's Bolero featuring Spanish dancers. Her studio guests include jazz pianist Julian Joseph, composer Tarik O'Regan, and ballerina Tamara Rojo. |
August 3, 2013 |
| 3 |
Proms Extra 2013 - Episode 3 Katie Derham looks back on another week of concerts from the BBC Proms, including soloist Mitsuko Uchida's performance of Beethoven's Piano Concerto No 4. Her studio guests include conductor Vasily Petrenko, and trumpeter Alison Balsom, and we spend 24 hours with violinist Daniel Hope on a whirlwind day. |
August 10, 2013 |
| Episode | Title | Air date |
|---|---|---|
| 1 |
Last Night of the Fifty-Third Season of Henry Wood Promenade Concerts (Prom 49) Viewers are taken to the Royal Albert Hall for the first television visit to the 'Proms'. On this last night, the BBC Symphony Orchestra is conducted by each of the conductors taking part in this series. Sung by Trefor Jones Conductor, Stanford Robinson 8.0 The Prom Season reviewed by a Music Critic (From the Studio) Pianist, Natasha Litvin Conductor, Sir Malcolm Sargent |
September 13, 1947 |
| Episode | Title | Air date |
|---|---|---|
| 1 |
The Last Night of the Proms (Prom 49) Viewers are taken to the Royal Albert Hall for the second part of the last Promenade Concert of the winter season. Margherita Grandi (soprano) BBC Symphony Orchestra Conductor, Sir Adrian Boult Royal Hunt and Storm (The Trojans) - Berlioz Aria: Vissi d'arte (Tosca) - Puccini Spanish Caprice - Rimsky-Korsakov |
January 17, 1948 |
| Episode | Title | Air date |
|---|---|---|
| 1 |
First Night of the Proms (Prom 1) Television cameras at the Royal Albert Hall, London. |
July 25, 1953 |
| 2 |
Last Night of the Proms (Prom 49) Television cameras are at the Royal Albert Hall, London, for the second half of the closing concert in the 1953 summer series of Henry Wood Promenade Concerts. Constance Shacklock (contralto) BBC Symphony Orchestra (Leader, Paul Beard) Conductor, Sir Malcolm Sargent Introduced by Alvar Lidell. March: Pomp and Circumstance No. 1. in D - Elgar Variations and Fugue on a Theme of Purcell - Benjamin Britten Rule, Britannia - Arne-Sargent Jerusalem - Parry (Constance Shacklock appears by permission of the General Administrator, Royal Opera House Covent Garden, Ltd.) |
September 19, 1953 |
| Episode | Title | Air date |
|---|---|---|
| 1 |
First Night of the Proms (Prom 1) Television cameras are at the Royal Albert Hall, London, for part of the opening concert in the Diamond Jubilee season of Henry Wood Promenade Concerts. BBC Symphony Orchestra (Leader, Paul Beard) Conductor, Sir Malcolm Sargent Eileen Joyce (piano) Introduced by Alvar Lidell. |
July 24, 1954 |
| 2 |
Diamond Jubilee Season: Anniversary Prom (Prom 15) Television cameras are in the Royal Albert Hall for part of this Anniversary Concert of the Henry Wood Promenade Concerts, which were inaugurated on August 10, 1895. BBC Symphony Orchestra (Leader, Paul Beard) Conductor, Sir Malcolm Sargent Mark Hambourg (piano) Introduced by Alvar Lidell. An Impression on a Windy Day - Malcolm Sargent Hungarian Fantasia for piano and orchestra - Liszt |
August 10, 1954 |
| 3 |
Last Night of the Proms (Prom 49) The close of the Diamond Jubilee Season BBC Symphony Orchestra Leader, Paul Beard Conductor, Sir Malcolm Sargent Constance Shacklock (contralto) March: Pomp and Circumstance No. 1, in D - Elgar Spanish Caprice - Rimsky-Korsakow Sea Songs - arr. Wood Rule, Britannia - Arne-Sargent Jerusalem - Parry Introduced by Alvar Lidell From the Royal Albert Hall, London |
September 18, 1954 |
| Episode | Title | Air date |
|---|---|---|
| 1 |
First Night of the Proms (Prom 1) Television cameras are at the Royal Albert Hall, London, for part of the first of the Henry Wood Promenade Concerts MOISEIWITSCH (piano) BBC Symphony Orchestra (Leader, Paul Beard) Conductor Sir Malcolm Sargent Piano Concerto No. 5, in E flat (The Emperor)......Beethoven Introduced by ALVAR LIDELL Television presentation by ANTONY CRAXTON at 8.15 |
July 23, 1955 |
| 2 |
Saturday-Night Out (Prom 49) Robert Beatty 'The Man with the Mike' invites you to join him at the Royal Albert Hall, London for the Last Night of the Proms. BBC Symphony Orchestra (Leader, Paul Beard) Conductor, Sir Malcolm Sargent Constance Shacklock (contralto) Introduced by Alvar Lidell. March: Pomp and Circumstance No. 1, in D - Elgar Minuet of the Will o' the Wisp; Hungarian March (The Damnation of Faust) - Berlioz Sea Songs - arr. Henry Wood Rule, Britannia - Arne Jerusalem - Parry |
September 17, 1955 |
| Episode | Title | Air date |
|---|---|---|
| 1 |
First Night of the Proms (Prom 1) Television cameras are at the ROYAL ALBERT HALL, LONDON for part of the opening concert BBC SYMPHONY ORCHESTRA (Leader, Paul Beard) Conductor, Sir Malcolm Sargent Denis Matthews (piano) Overture: Cockaigne by Elgar Piano Concerto No. 23 in A (K.488) by Mozart Introduced by Alvar Lidell Television presentation at 7.30 by Antony Craxton |
July 21, 1956 |
| 2 |
Last Night of the Proms (Prom 49) Constance Shacklock (contralto) BBC Symphony Orchestra (Leader, Paul Beard) Conductor, Sir Malcolm Sargent Introduced by Alvar Lidell. |
September 15, 1956 |
| Episode | Title | Air date |
|---|---|---|
| 1 |
First Night of the Proms (Prom 1) The second part of the opening concert of the Henry Wood Promenade Concerts at the Royal Albert Hall in London. BBC Symphony Orchestra (Leader, Paul Beard) Conductor, Sir Malcolm Sargent Soloist, Eileen Joyce Overture: The Mastersingers......... Wagner Piano Concerto No. 2, in G minor Saint-Saens Variations and Fugue on a theme of Purcell (The Young Person's Guide to the Orchestra) Benjamin Britten Introduced by Alvar Lidell. |
July 20, 1957 |
| 2 |
The Last Night of the Proms (Prom 49) Constance Shacklock (mezzo-soprano) BBC Symphony Orchestra (Leader, Paul Beard) Conductor; Sir Malcolm Sargent Introduced by Alvar Lidell. |
September 14, 1957 |
| Episode | Title | Air date |
|---|---|---|
| 1 |
First Night of The Proms (Prom 1) Television cameras are at the Royal Albert Hall, London for the first part of the opening concert of the Henry Wood Promenade Concerts BBC Symphony Orchestra (Leader, Paul Beard) Conducted by Sir Malcolm Sargent Soloists Gloria Lane (mezzo-soprano), Moiseiwitsch (piano) Overture: The Mastersingers...Wagner Aria: Softly Awakes my Heart (Samson and Delilah)...Saint-Saens Rhapsody on a Theme of Paganini, for piano and orchestra...Rachmaninov Introduced by Alvar Lidell |
July 26, 1958 |
| 2 |
The Last Night of the Proms (Prom 49) Monica Sinclair (contralto) BBC Symphony Orchestra (Leader, Paul Beard) Conductor, Sir Malcolm Sargent Introduced by Alvar Lidell. |
September 20, 1958 |
| Episode | Title | Air date |
|---|---|---|
| 1 |
First Night of The Proms (Prom 1) Television cameras are at the Royal Albert Hall, London, for the first part of the opening concert of the Henry Wood Promenade Concerts. Introduced by Alvar Lidell BBC Symphony Orchestra (Leader, Paul Beard) Conducted by Sir Malcolm Sargent Norma Procter (contralto) A London Overture - John Ireland In Haven: Sabbath Morning at Sea; Where Corals Lie (Sea Pictures) - Elgar Scherzo: L'Apprenti Sorcier - Dukas |
July 25, 1959 |
| 2 |
Henry Wood Promenade Concerts (Prom 25) From the Royal Albert Hall, London National Youth Orchestra of Great Britain Conducted by Walter Susskind Kathleen Jones (piano) Mozart...Piano Concerto No. 20 in D minor (K.466) |
August 22, 1959 |
| 3 |
Last Night of The Proms (Prom 49) From the Royal Albert Hall, London. Constance Shacklock (mezzo-soprano) BBC Symphony Orchestra (Leader, Paul Beard) Conducted by Sir Malcolm Sargent March: Pomp and Circumstance No.1, in D...Elgar Symphonic Poem: From Bohemia's Woods and Fields...Smetana Sea Songs...arr. Henry Wood Rule, Britannia...Arne Jerusalem...Parry National Anthem Introduced by Alvar Lidell |
September 19, 1959 |
| Episode | Title | Air date |
|---|---|---|
| 1 |
First Night of the Proms (Prom 1) Henry Wood Promenade Concerts First Night Television cameras are at the Royal Albert Hall, London, for the first part of the opening concert of the Henry Wood Promenade Concerts BBC Symphony Orchestra (Leader, Paul Beard) Conducted by Sir Malcolm Sargent Soloists, Clifford Curzon (piano), Amy Shuard (soprano) Prelude: The Mastersingers...Wagner Aria: In questa reggia (Turandot)...Puccini Piano Concerto No.4, in G...Beethoven Introduced by Alvar Lidell (Amy Shuard appears by permission of the General Administrator, Royal Opera House Covent Garden, Ltd.) |
July 23, 1960 |
| 2 |
Last Night of the Proms (Prom 49) March: Pomp and Circumstance No. 1, in D...Elgar Suite: Beni Mora...Holst Sea Songs...arr. Henry Wood Rule, Britannia...Arne Jerusalem...Parry Constance Shacklock (contralto) BBC Symphony Orchestra (Leader, Paul Beard) Conducted by Sir Malcolm Sargent Introduced by Alvar Lidell |
September 17, 1960 |
| Episode | Title | Air date |
|---|---|---|
| 1 |
First Night of the Proms (Prom 1) First Night of the Proms Television cameras are at the Royal Albert Hall, for the first part of the opening concert of the Henry Wood Promenade Concerts BBC Symphony Orchestra, leader, Paul Beard Conducted by Sir Malcolm Sargent Introduced by Alvar Lidell Rossini Overture: The Journey to Rheims Shostakovich Piano Concerto No. 2, Op. 102 - John Ogdon, Piano |
July 22, 1961 |
| 2 |
Gilbert and Sullivan (Prom 19) From the Henry Wood Promenade Concerts, excerpts from 'The Gondoliers'. |
August 12, 1961 |
| 3 |
The Last Night of the Proms (Prom 49) |
September 16, 1961 |
| Episode | Title | Air date |
|---|---|---|
| 1 |
First Night of the Proms (Prom 1) Television cameras are at the Royal Albert Hall, London, for the first part of the opening concert of the Henry Wood Promenade Concerts. BBC Symphony Orchestra Leader, Paul Beard Conducted by Sir Malcolm Sargent Patricia Carroll, piano Introduced by Kenneth Kendall. |
July 21, 1962 |
| 2 |
The Last Night of the Proms (Prom 49) Monica Sinclair contralto BBC Symphony Orchestra Leader, Paul Beard Conducted by Sir Malcolm Sargent The National Anthem Introduced by Tom Fleming. From the Royal Albert Hall, London Pomp and Circumstance March No. 1 - Elgar From Bohemia's Fields and Woods - Smetana Sea Songs - arr. Henry Wood Rule, Britannia - Arne Jerusalem - Parry |
September 15, 1962 |
| Episode | Title | Air date |
|---|---|---|
| 1 |
First Night of the Proms (Prom 1) BBC Television cameras are at the Royal Albert Hall, London, for the first part of the opening concert of the Henry Wood Promenade Concerts. BBC Symphony Orchestra Leader, Hugh Maguire Conducted by Sir Malcolm Sargent Jose Luis Garcia (violin), Roy Malan (violin), Kenneth Sillito (violin), Ronald Thomas (violin), Moura Lympany (piano) Introduced by Robert Hudson. |
July 20, 1963 |
| 2 |
Henry Wood Promenade Concert (Prom 3) Leopold Stokowski conducts the BBC Symphony Orchestra Leader, Hugh Maguire Recording of part of Tuesday's concert at the Royal Albert Hall, London. |
July 25, 1963 |
| 3 |
The Last Night of the Proms (Prom 49) Monica Sinclair (contralto) BBC Symphony Orchestra Leader, Hugh Maguire Conducted by Sir Malcolm Sargent The National Anthem Introduced by Robert Hudson from the Royal Albert Hall, London. |
July 14, 1963 |
| Episode | Title | Air date |
|---|---|---|
| 1 |
First Night of the Proms (Prom 1) Television cameras are at the Royal Albert Hall, London, for part of the opening concert of the 70th Season of Henry Wood Promenade Concerts. BBC Symphony Orchestra Leader, Hugh Maguire Conducted by Sir Malcolm Sargent Derek Collyer (violin) Introduced by Richard Baker. |
July 25, 1964 |
| 2 |
War Requiem (Prom 9) by Benjamin Britten. Text from the Latin Mass for the Dead and poems by Wilfred Owen. Direct from the Promenade Concert at the Royal Albert Hall, London. Heather Harper soprano; Peter Pears tenor; Thomas Hemsley baritone The Melos Ensemble Conducted by Benjamin Britten BBC Chorus and Choral Society Boys from Emanuel School Conductor, Christian Strover London Philharmonic Choir Conductor, Frederic Jackson Simon Preston organ and chamber organ BBC Symphony Orchestra Leader, Hugh Maguire Conducted by Meredith Davies Introduced by Richard Baker. |
August 4, 1964 |
| 3 |
Henry Wood Promenade Concert (Prom 13) Part of the concert recorded at the Royal Albert Hall, London on Saturday, August 8. Norma Fisher (piano) Philharmonia Orchestra Leader, Hugh Bean Conducted by Norman Del Mar Introduced by Richard Baker. |
August 11, 1964 |
| Episode | Title | Air date |
|---|---|---|
| 1 |
First Night of the Proms Television cameras are at the Royal Albert Hall, London, for the first half of the opening concert of the 71st Season of Henry Wood Promenade Concerts. BBC Symphony Orchestra Leader, Hugh Maguire Conducted by Sir Malcolm Sargent Gillian Weir (organ) Introduced by Richard Baker. |
July 17, 1965 |
| 2 |
Sunday Prom The first of a series of six outstanding programmes recorded from the BBC's 1965 season of Promenade Concerts at the Royal Albert Hall, London. Norma Fisher (piano) BBC Symphony Orchestra Leader, Hugh Maguire Conducted by Sir Malcolm Sargent Introduced by Tom Fleming. Recorded on Saturday, July 24 |
July 25, 1965 |
| 3 |
Sunday Prom The second of a series of six outstanding programmes recorded from the BBC's 1965 season of Promenade Concerts at the Royal Albert Hall, London. Yehudi Menuhin (violin) Orchestra of the Royal Opera House Covent Garden Leader, Charles Taylor Conducted by Sir Adrian Boult Introduced by Jeremy James. Recorded on Wednesday, July 21 |
August 1, 1965 |
Production
Release
| Original network/platform | BBC One |
|---|---|
| First aired | September 13, 1947 |
| Last aired | January 1, 2026 |
| Runtime | 180 minutes |
| Status | Returning Series |