Set List | 'Prelude and Fugue in E Flat Major, BWV 552, St Anne', J S Bach, 'Improvisation on Bachs Prelude and Fugue in E Flat Major BWV 552, St Anne', M Baker, 'Fantasia and Fugue in G Major, BWV 572 (Pièce dorgue)', J S Bach, 'Improvisation on Bachs Fantasia in G Major, BWV 572 (Pièce dorgue)', M Baker, 'Passacaglia and Fugue in C Minor, BWV 582', J S Bach, trans. A Davis, 'Improvisation on English Melodies', M Baker |
Performance Notes | In 2021, the BBC Proms returns to the Royal Albert Hall for a summer of live music, as it has done every year since 1941. With 52 concerts over 44 days, featuring 30 orchestras and ensembles and more than 2,000 musicians, this ambitious season promises a celebration of live music on a scale not seen since before the pandemic. From the power of a symphony orchestra to the sheer joy of a single performer on the Halls magnificent organ, this summer we look forward to coming together through music. Every Prom will be live on BBC Radio 3 and BBC Sounds.
When the Royal Albert Hall was officially opened in 1871, it welcomed its first audience to the sound of the mighty Father Willis organ then powered by two steam engines. In the first of this seasons two organ recitals marking the Halls 150th anniversary, Olivier Latry Titular Organist at Pariss Notre-Dame Cathedral performs key organ works by J. S. Bach before taking them as a starting point for his own improvisations. The recital showcases the power and range of an instrument whose 9,999 pipes would stretch nine miles if laid end to end, an organ that has been played by celebrated recitalists and rock legends alike.
The season was shortened to six, rather than eight, weeks because of the financial risk to the BBC not knowing audience sizes due to the impact of the Covid-19 pandemic. |
Related Archival Material | Prospectus (RAHE/1/2021/5), Programme (RAHE/1/2021/8) |