What does 'Last Night Of The Proms' mean

A. It's the last night of a series of musical concerts grouped under the overall title of The Henry Wood Promenade Concerts, which began life back in 1895. The idea of brining classical music to a larger audience was the brainchild of impresario Robert Newman who was manager of the newly built Queen's Hall in London. Newman decided to offer a wider range of music, with a minimum ticket price to encourage audiences to come and hear work, which may not be immediately familiar to them.

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Q. So where does Henry Wood come into the picture

A. Henry Wood had developed a reputation as an orchestra conductor and arranger and after meeting with Newman, the two discussed their idea of presenting music in a 'promenade' format, and in February 1895, Wood accepted Newman's offer of conductorship of a permanent orchestra, and his first Proms season.

Q. What exactly is a 'Prom'

A. The Promenade format of concert is a less formal arena for producing orchestral works. The audience are welcome to walk in and out - or promenade - as the concert proceeds. Those who prefer to more informal still are welcome to lie down in the gallery, and enjoy the music from that position. The standing audience with its relaxed dress code remain staples of the Proms to this day.

True to his original idea, Henry Wood invested in programmes that mixed familiar and adventurous programming. By the 1920's Wood had become responsible for the introduction of new works by the likes of Richard Strauss, Ravel, Vaughan Williams and Debussy. Wood refused to side with the distaste for the works of Wagner, brought on by a hatred of German art which was a result of the Great War.

In 1927, the BBC took over the financing of The Proms, an agreement again interrupted by war, in 1940 and 1941, Wood was forced to find private sponsorship for the Prom Seasons. The Proms moved to their current home, The Royal Albert Hall, in 1941 after its then home, The Queens Hall was destroyed in an air raid. The BBC resumed sponsorship the following year.

Q. Has the repertoire increased since the early days

A. To a degree of which Henry Wood would be justly proud, The Proms have grown in status and diversity, using out-of-London orchestras, and expanding its musical pallet to include entire operatic works, and in 1966, the first non-British orchestra, the Moscow Radio Orchestra performed at the prestigious Proms concerts.

Throughout the last half of the 20^th Century, The Proms have continued to expand, including jazz and film music, as well as late-night shows, and pre-performance talks, all befitting Henry Wood's original vision of music for the masses.

Q. So when can I go

A. The 2001 Season is running now, it lasts from 20 July until 15 September, the famous 'Last Night'. You can obtain a 3 promming place (a standing ticket) in advance, but they hold up to 1,000 tickets for sale on the door, even for sold-out concerts.

Q. And what about the famous Last Night

A. Because of the massive popularity of Last Night, you do have to book in advance, and you've no chance for this year, but could be lucky for the 2002 Season. The theme of the Night reflects the works played during that season, and of course, the traditional rendering of Pomp And Circumstance, Rule Britannia, and Jerusalem, as well as the 'assistance' to the orchestra during the equally famous Fantasia On British Sea Songs, which have always been a feature of the last Night performances. Some people frown on the whistles and party poppers that are a feature of Last Night, but it's all part of the eccentric British music lovers' greatest night out of the year.

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By:
Andy Hughes.