Promming in London
Royal Albert Hall, 31 July 2022.
Fancy some classical music in the ultimate relaxed setting? Excited about the idea of bringing a picknick blanket, a pillow, maybe even a book and to listen to some of the world’s most exciting classical musicians in one of the world’s most famous concert halls? Then try to go promming at the Royal Albert Hall in London. The BBC Proms are one of the annual highlights in the classical music world. Every summer, for about eight weeks, the seats are cleared out of the huge arena of the Royal Albert Hall, and about 1,000 cheap standing tickets are sold on the day of the (daily) concerts to those happy to stand either in the arena or high up in the gallery, all the way on the top of the huge, round concert hall. If you don’t want to stand for the whole concert – just spread out a blanket, take off your shoes, and take a seat. The Proms have been going on since 1895, but they go back to an even older tradition: in 18th and 19th century London, musical performances were held in London’s pleasure gardens (public gardens that also provided entertainment) for an audience that was free to leisurely stroll around the gardens – the name “proms” comes from the French verb se promener, to stroll. For those too lazy to stand, there are also regular seated tickets available, but if you want to be a true prommer, you must go for the promming, the standing tickets.
Walking up to the gallery.
Our own favourite promming area is the gallery. Once you enter the gallery, grab a spot next to the railing. If you go for more than one concert, you will start spotting some regulars who always seem to be in the same spot, like the eccentric gentleman in a three-piece suit who is always accompanied by a bunch of teddy bears. You find all sorts of types at the proms, from students, couples, and families with kids (including colouring books, crayons, and stuffed animals) to elderly couples who are carefully balancing their drinks.
View across the gallery.
Some of our highlights so far: a moving concert by the Ukrainian Freedom Orchestra of Valentin Silvestrov’s symphony no. 7, Frédéric Chopin’s piano concerto no. 2 in F minor, an aria from Ludwig van Beethoven’s opera Fidelio and Johannes Brahms’s symphony no. 4. The orchestra emerged from an idea by the Canadian-Ukrainian conductor Keri-Lynn Wilson and consists of musicians from major Ukrainian cities (some of whom are now refugees) and Ukrainian musicians who play in European orchestras. The orchestra has been assembled for a tour through Europe and the USA to raise funds to support Ukrainian artists affected by the war with Russia. And another favourite: Patricia Kopatchinskaja’s interpretation of Dmitry Shostakovich’s violin concerto no. 1 in a minor, followed by the Aurora Orchestra’s from-memory performance of Ludwig van Beethoven’s symphony no. 5 in C minor (we particularly enjoyed being taught how to “clap” the opening of the symphony before the performance, competing with other sections of the auditorium in rhythmic precision).
Applaus for the Ukrainian Freedom Orchestra.
The BBC Proms 2022 will be running until 10 September 2022.