Hello again! And welcome back to your daily guide to what's on at the 2025 BBC Proms. Today (Thursday 24 July), we've got a treat in store - a performance of one of the best-loved concertos in the repertoire.
What's on at the Proms today?
We begin in melodious form with a performance of Chant du Rossignol (Song of the Nightingale), a 20-minute tone poem adapted by Stravinsky from his 1914 opera The Nightingale. Dazzling with vivid orchestration and exotic colors, Chant blends Russian folklore with modernist brilliance in a shimmering, evocative sound world full of mystery and surprise.
Next up, and tonight's centrepiece, is Mendelssohn's radiant, lyrical Violin Concerto in E minor. This concerto remains one of the most beloved in the repertoire—and for good reason. From its unforgettable opening melody to its seamless structure and lyrical beauty, it speaks with both intimacy and brilliance.
Mendelssohn's fiddle concerto broke new ground with its immediate entry of the soloist and continuous flow between movements, yet it never sacrifices emotional depth or melodic charm. Its virtuosic demands are matched by its expressive warmth, making it a favourite for both audiences and performers.
A tale of wit and trickery
After the interval, we get a UK premiere for Tales (Tails) of the Signifying Monkey by American pianist and composer Anthony Davis. This brand new work is inspired by the fable of the same name from African folklore. It features a monkey who uses his wit and trickery to outsmart a lion, a more powerful creature. The story is considered a symbolic representation of African-American experiences, particularly during slavery, where individuals with less power used intelligence and language to navigate oppressive systems.
The final work on tonight's bill is Till Eulenspiegel’s Merry Pranks, Richard Strauss's mischievous tone poem depicting the escapades of a legendary trickster. Bursting with mischief and colour, Till Eulenspiegel showcases dazzling orchestration, sharp wit, and boundless energy. From irreverent horn calls to sudden mood shifts, Strauss crafts a vivid, humorous narrative that delights and surprises throughout.
Who is performing at tonight's Prom?
Tonight's performers are the BBC Symphony Orchestra, the Proms' resident orchestra, and conductor Sakari Oramo. The soloist in the Mendelssohn is the Grammy-winning Italian-German-American violinist Augustin Hadelich. You can see him dazzle in the work below.
What time is tonight's Prom?
Tonight's Prom, Mendelssohn’s Violin Concerto, begins at 7.30pm at the Royal Albert Hall. Tickets cost from £11 to £56.
Pics: Getty Images
