BBC Proms — 1978

Jul 1978

Verdi: Requiem The 84th season of Henry Wood Promenade Concerts opens with Verdi's vivid setting of the Reauiem. Written at the height of his powers, it expresses the ancient Latin text through glorious melodies for the four soloists, and superb choral climaxes. BBC2 joins with Radio 3 to relay tonight's concert live in stereo direct from the Royal Albert Hall. Sylvia Sass (soprano) Alfreda Hodgson (mezzo-soprano) Stuart Burrows (tenor) Gwynne Howetl (bass) BBC Symphony Chorus London Symphony Chorus BBC Symphony Orchestra leader BELA DEKANY conducted by Andrew Davis Introduced by PATRICIA HUGHES Lighting TOMMY THOMAS Sound vie GODRICH and GEOFFREY PARKER KLINTON PARKER Producer RODNEY GREENBERG

Aug 1978

In the first of six programmes recorded at this year's Henry Wood Promenade Concerts the BBC Symphony Orchestra is conducted by James Loughran and the soloist is Garrick Ohlsson in Piano Concerto No 2, in B flat major by Brahms Introduced by Richard Baker who also talks to GARRICK OHLSSON about his career and tonight's Concerto. Executive producer RODNEY GREENBERG Director PETER BUTLER iNext week in The Sunday Prom: The Jeunesses Musicales World Orchestra in Bartok's Concerto for Orchestra)

Aug 1978

50th Anniversary of Janacek's Death Leos Janacek, the foremost Czech composer of this century, died 50 years ago today. Tonight's Prom presents two of his major works together with music by his fellow countryman Dvorak. BBC2 joins with Radio 3 in stereo to relay the whole concert live from the Royal Albert Hall.

Aug 1978

In the second of six programmes recorded at this year's Henry Wood Promenade Concerts and in the presence of HRH The Prince of Wales The Jeunesses Musicales World Orchestra is conducted by Lawrence Foster in a performance of one of the masterworks of the 20th century Bartok Concerto for Orchestra Each year young musicians from many parts of the world get together. This year the United Kingdom and Switzerland are the hosts to the orchestra. They are playing one of the most attractive 20th-century works, which is a tremendous technical challenge for a young orchestra. Introduced by MICHAEL RODD Sound vie godrich Lighting tommy THOMAS Executive producer RODNEY GREENBERG Director ROY TIPPING iNext week in The Sunday Prom: Richard Strauss's Domestic Symphony, conducted by Charles Mackcrras )

Aug 1978

The third in a series of six programmes recorded at this year's Henry Wood Promenade Concerts Richard Strauss Symphonia Domestica This ' Domestic Symphony ' caused a storm of protest when first performed. Strauss had used a mammoth orchestra to depict intimate scenes from his domestic life - including baby's bathtime, a family quarrel and passionate lovemaking. Tonight his opulent score is accompanied by special illustrations for television. BBC Symphony Orchestra guest leader RAYMOND COHEN conducted by Charles Mackerras Introduced by SHEILA tract Sound GRAHAM HAINES Lighting TOMMY THOMAS Executive producer RODNEY GREENBERG Director ROY TIPPING

Aug 1978

Esther Rantzen is the hostess for the ever-popular Viennese Night with the BBC Symphony Orchestra led by MAURICE BRETT conducted by Walter Susskind Among the Strauss favourites in this concert are The Gypsy Baron overture, the Emperor Waltz and the Thunder and Lightning Polka. Suppe's overture The Beautiful Galatea opens the programme which' also includes the waltz Gold and Silver by Lehar. Sound KEITH HARLOW Lighting HARRY THOMAS Executive producer RODNEY GREENBERG Director DAVID BUCKTON

Aug 1978

BBC2 joins Radio 3 in stereo for a live relay of the first half of this evening's Henry Wood Promenade Concert from the Royal Albert Hall , London. Mozart Symphony No 41 in C major (Jupiter) (K 551) Mozart Flute Concerto in G major (K 313) Debussy Syrinx James Galway (flute) BBC Scottish Symphony Orchestra leader RAYMOND OVENS conductor Karl Anton Rickenbacher Introduced by CORMAC RIGBY Sound GRAHAM HAINES , JOHN MCCULLOCW Lighting TOMMY THOMAS Directed by RON ISTED For the best effect viewers with stereo Radio 3 should turn off TV sound and position their speakers on either side of the screen, but a few feet away. Stereo headphones provide a suitable alternative. (Next live BBC2 Prom: Sat 9 September Rozhdestvensky conducts the BBC Symphony Orchestra in Mozart, Britten and Shostakovich

Sept 1978

In tonight's programme, one of Schubert's most charming and graceful orchestral works, written when he was only 19: the Symphony No 5 in B flat major. given by the BBC Symphony Orchestra led by MAURICE BRETT conducted by Walter Susskind Sound KEITH HARLOW Lighting HARRY THOMAS Executive producer RODNEY GREENBERG Director DAVID BUCKTON

Sept 1978

A stereo relay with Radio 3 from the Royal Albert Hall, London. BBC Symphony Orchestra leader Bela Dekany conductor Gennadi Rozhdestvensky Mozart Symphony No 32 in C (Overture in the Italian Style K 318) Britten Diversions on a theme for Piano (left hand) and Orchestra soloist Victoria Postnikova During the interval (8.5-8.25*) Michael Berkeley, who introduces the programme, will talk to Gennadi Rozhdestvensky whose first appearance as Chief Conductor of the BBC Symphony Orchestra this is. There will also be a discussion chaired by Bernard Keeffe between Alexander Goehr and Wilfrid Mellers on the composer and his audience. Part 2 Shostakovich Symphony No 4 in C minor

Sept 1978

In the last of six programmes recorded at the 1978 Henry Wood Promenade Concerts, RICHARD BAKER introduces one of the worm's great orchestras, under their chief conductor, playing at the Proms for the first time. Sir Georg Solti conducts the Chicago Symphony Orchestra Tonight, in their first concert appearance on British television, they perform the majestic Symphony No 7 in E major by Bruckner. Before the performance, SIR GEORG talks to Humphrey Burton about his work in Chicago and explains how he approaches the challenge of Bruckner's Seventh. Lighting TOMMY THOMAS Sound GRAHAM HAINES Executive producer HUMPHREY BURTON Directed by RODNEY GREENBERG

Sept 1978

Introduced by Richard Baker BBC1 joins Radio 3 in stereo for the second half of tonight's closing concert of the 84th season of Henry Wood Promenade Concerts live from the Royal Albert Hall. Sir Charles Groves conducts the BBC Symphony Orchestra leader BELA DEKANY Elgar March: Pomp and Circumstance No 1, in D major Tippett Suite in D major (A Birthday Suite for Prince Charles) Henry Wood , arr Sargent Sea Songs Arne, arr Sargent Rule, Britannia Gillian Knight (mezzo-soprano) Parry, orch Elgar Jerusalem arr Gordon Jacob National Anthem with the BBC Singers director JOHN POOLE BBC Symphony Chorus conductor BRIAN WRIGHT Lighting TOMMY THOMAS Sound GRAHAM HAINES Director IAN ENGELMANN

Oct 1979

The Chicago Symphony Orchestra plays Beethoven's Symphony No 1, the second of three In Performance programmes featuring Sir Georg Solti. Under his direction the Chicago Symphony Orchestra has become one of the most dynamic and expressive of the world's great orchestras. Tonight's programme was recorded when the Chicago Symphony Orchestra made its first-ever appearance at the Proms.

Mar 1980

Tonight in The Lively Arts, an outstanding performance of this radiant and majestic work, recorded during the highly-acclaimed visit to the 1978 Proms by the Chicago Symphony Orchestra under its chief conductor Sir Georg Solti.