Season 48 · Episode 1

BBC Proms: BBC Proms 1994

The 100th season of the BBC Proms opens spectacularly with one of the largest scores ever written, Schoenberg's vast cantata Gurrelieder. Conductor Andrew Davis says: "What a superb start to the Proms. Huge orchestral forces are needed for Schoenberg's epic but although it's daunting to perform it's not at all daunting to listen to. This is a great classical masterpiece, the apotheosis of the late Romantic cantata and an incredible journey through misty Nordic mythology exploring the themes of love and death. It's perfect for the Royal Albert Hall and we have a magnificent line-up of soloists tonight." These include the great Wagnerian baritone Hans Hotter, making his Proms debut at the age of 85. On this First Night of the Proms' 100th year, Davis conducts the BBC Symphony Orchestra, the BBC Singers, the Philharmonia Chorus and the BBC Symphony Chorus. Introduced by James Naughtie, live from the Royal Albert Hall.