Are you one of those people who find the world of Western classical music a bit
snobbish1 and
inaccessible2? The Proms – or the BBC
Promenade3 Concerts to give the world's largest music festival its full name - might help you change your mind.
For eight weeks every summer, the Royal Albert Hall in London opens its doors to all-comers and puts on a music show that is
varied4 and wide-ranging. Some music lovers want to get as close as possible to the conductor. They are happy to stand up to listen to orchestras and
soloists5 playing symphonies,
overtures6 and
concertos7 by the world's top composers – all for just £5.
The festival has been going since 1895 and has always tried to be informal and
relatively8 cheap. The Prommers – the classical music groupies who like to stand – typify this relaxed ethos. Before performances, they shout out jokes and every time the lid of the piano is lifted they shout "heave" in
unison9.
One of the highlights of the Proms is the Last Night, which has a worldwide screening. Popular classics are played while the Prommers wave flags and sing along to the
catchy10 tunes11. The Last Night is so popular with audiences that a
ballot12 has to be held - several months in advance - so that everyone who wants a ticket has a chance of getting one. But it has been criticised by some for being too British and
jingoistic13.
In recent years the Proms have grown so that they now include simultaneous screenings in other British cities, lunchtime concerts, talks, children's Proms, film and rock music, musicals, Indian classical music, and even tunes from the BBC series "Dr Who". The expanding offer is proving popular with audiences old and new. Perhaps classical music isn't quite so elitist, after all.
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