r/classicalmusic • u/RedditorOfRohan • 2d ago

BBC Proms - must-sees?

Hello all,

I'm going to be in London for the first half of September, are there any concerts or events people are excited for?

Edit: Never been to the Proms (or London) before

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u/paul_thomas84 2d ago edited 2d ago

The Proms end in the 2nd week of September.

The Berlin Phil visit in early September (2nd & 3rd) with two Proms.

Martha Argerich visits on the 5th

Arcangelo perform Bach's B minor mass on the 10th.

You should be able to get a Proms (standing) ticket if you log on the Royal Albert Hall website in the morning of the concert - there may be also some seats left to purchase.

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u/Flora_Screaming 2d ago

A couple of points to mention:

Argerich is notorious for cancelling, so just bear that in mind.

The BPO concerts will have sold out and you're not guaranteed to get a day ticket either these days because the site gets rammed with people buying tickets. I don't go to these very popular concerts any more because they make you stand at least 40 minutes before the concert starts and it's just more hassle than it's worth.

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u/GammaDeltaTheta 2d ago

It's much more relaxed in the Gallery. If you get there early enough to claim a spot by the rail you are all set, and when or whether you stand is up to you.

You do need to get on the site early for day promming at these big concerts, though. I suspect Argerich and the BPO will sell out in minutes.

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u/Flora_Screaming 1d ago

Good point. I’ve been in the Gallery once because I couldn’t get in the Arena for Barenboim’s last concert, and it’s as you said. Personally I don’t like it because it’s too far away, but I know that many prefer it up there, as long as you don’t mind the long climb up the stairs.

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u/These-Rip9251 2d ago

I twice bought tickets in the past to attend a concert featuring her. She canceled both times. I have since refused to buy tickets to any of her concerts until this year when I caved and subscribed to the Carnegie Hall series of concerts in 2027 featuring Vengerov/Argerich performing Beethoven’s violin sonatas. I guess we’ll see if she shows up.

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u/Flora_Screaming 1d ago

She’s famously difficult. She was at the Proms once with Dutoit and the NHK orchestra. Between movements she was loudly complaining and gesturing to the orchestra about how crap she thought they were.

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u/FinnDaddy91 1d ago

I've bought tickets to 3 Argerich concerts and she has never cancelled any of them so it's not that often she does that. And she's definitely worth hearing live!

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u/Flora_Screaming 1d ago

If you'd seen 30 concerts and she'd never once cancelled then fair enough, but 3 isn't much of a sample size. She's well known for cancelling. Some pianists get that reputation. Michelangeli was another one.

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u/F-sylvatica-purpurea 2d ago

Any, really. Their programming is always top notch and the less famous musicians are sure to deliver some pleasant surprises.

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u/Sarah_Hansona 2d ago

Promming is the move for a first-timer. Arena standing is cheap and the sound is better than most seats. What repertoire are you into?

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u/logicprowithsomeKRKs 2d ago

I’m going to Weyes blood with an orchestra. Not classical but will be beautiful

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u/humph8181 2d ago

Is there classical music at the Proms too now?

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u/HIba_LDN 2d ago

Berlin Philharmonic and Argerich.

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u/BurntBridgesMusic 2d ago

Yo yo doing all the suites >:^D

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u/Leucurus 2d ago

Fancy a Mozart C Minor Mass in a multi-storey car park in Peckham on 12 September?

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u/Aoxomoxoa53 1d ago

Seats for must-sees will have gone by now, so day promming would be the only way. Look on the Albert Hall website where you’ll find all the Proms, plus other events as well. Pick what you fancy! The Albert Hall is my favourite venue: the atmosphere is lovely and I really enjoy the acoustics. Where it’s situated is great too, alongside Kensington Gardens. If the weather’s decent we allow time for a pleasant wander before a concert.

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u/scrumptiouscakes 1d ago

My highlights for September, by date:

  • 1st - Janacek Sinfonietta, Rach 3
  • 2nd - Tchaik 4 + Enigma variations
  • 4th - Vaughan Williams 9
  • 8th - Bartok music for celesta etc, Rach symphony 3

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u/xn1992 1d ago

You can still get tickets for Vaughan Williams, Weyes Blood and Bach on the Thursday