Tonight, we're making Proms history as we journey north
to the heart of Tyneside in glorious Gateshead.
Beneath the distinctive curves
of this majestic building, The Glasshouse,
the Royal Northern Sinfonia bring us two musical giants -
the intricate genius of Bach and that romantic fire of Mendelssohn.
This is one of six specially curated Proms
coming from the home of classical music
in the north-east, The Glasshouse,
and the first-ever television broadcast
of a Proms concert outside of London.
Close to 1,500 people are gathering here tonight
to see French pianist David Fray take centre stage,
bringing his poetic touch to Bach's dramatic D minor Keyboard Concerto,
and joined by the Royal Northern Sinfonia.
Known as one of Bach's most powerful and gripping pieces,
it was originally composed for harpsichord.
However, today, it's more commonly performed on the piano.
The piece is an energetic work known for its impactful opening,
a contrasting slow movement, and a dazzling and intricate finale,
with influences from his contemporary Vivaldi.
Fray has said that the Romantics
didn't have a monopoly on expressivity,
and that the light and darkness of Bach allow him to play in a way
for audiences to really hear what he's feeling.
APPLAUSE
And here comes conductor Dinis Sousa.
He marks his fourth year as principal director
of the Royal Northern Sinfonia.
With him, making his third appearance at the BBC Proms,
but his debut here at The Glasshouse,
playing Bach's Keyboard Concerto in D minor, it's David Fray.
APPLAUSE
CHEERING AND APPLAUSE
With high intensity and emotional depth,
Bach's Keyboard Concerto in D Minor.
A piece that really allows David Fray to showcase his passion
for the composer's music
in the uniquely expressive way in which he plays.
A piece full of intricacies,
and not one iota of that detail is lost in the hands of David Fray.
"Music is the air I breathe," says David.
"There is no separation between music and life.
"Music is life, and life is music."
Fitting words from our soloist
who makes his debut here at The Glasshouse in Gateshead this evening
as part of this year's Proms season.
I do believe he's going to treat us to an encore.
MUSIC: Air on the G String by Bach
APPLAUSE
The very recognisable Siloti piano arrangement,
a fast Air for string orchestra, a real crowd pleaser this evening.
Known more commonly as Air on a G String,
as the melody is usually played
on the lowest string on the violin - the G string.
And David Fray's delicate and sensitive performance
has gone down a real storm in Gateshead this evening.
Our Prommers of all ages proving that The Glasshouse really is
a home for live music that serves its community.
For the second half of tonight's Prom,
the Royal Northern Sinfonia is joined by some 230 singers
for Mendelssohn's Second Symphony, Lobgesang, or Hymn of Praise.
I caught up with principal conductor Dinis Sousa
between rehearsals earlier today, who talked me through
the significance of tonight's concert.
The idea that the first Prom outside of London to be televised
is going to be here and it's going to be this one,
it's just a huge honour and pleasure for us.
Us as an orchestra, as an organisation,
and I think also for the Proms.
It's a great way to celebrate the North East,
and this is the 20th anniversary of The Glasshouse as well.
You know, I think when you have a birthday or a big moment,
you sort of renew your vows and you sort of just...
And I think, for us, it's been a bit like that
because I know that classical music can seem difficult or prohibitive
or elitist, or all those things,
and I believe so passionately that we need to offer that to people,
whoever they are, and to have the opportunity to experience it.
So, we are just about to hear Mendelssohn's Second Symphony.
What does that work mean to you, Dinis?
Well, it's a really special piece of music.
It unlike any symphony that Mendelssohn ever wrote.
It's epic, it's huge, on every front.
It's called Lobgesang, isn't it, or Hymn of Praise?
Well, actually, when Mendelssohn was writing and coming up with
the title, he was really concerned about the English version of it.
He didn't want the word hymn in the title. Right.
He called it Festival Symphony for Chorus and Orchestra.
Because Hymn of Praise can sound so kind of...stuffy. Mm.
And what I love about it, actually,
is he sort of has a way of ramping things up.
I see the orchestra or whatever, rehearses these
amazingly long sequences that just keep ascending
and going higher and higher and everybody's, like, oh!
Oh, my God! It keeps getting better and better
and it's, like, waaah!
So, every time we get there, I'm, like... Ahh!
This is why we live!
We live through this music. At least I do.
APPLAUSE
And so, onto stage comes our conductor, Dinis Sousa,
to conduct this joyous festival symphony, as he explained it.
This is Mendelssohn's Second Symphony, Lobgesang.
APPLAUSE
IN GERMAN:
THEY REPEAT LINE
IN GERMAN:
CHOIR REPEAT LINE
CHOIR SINGS REFRAIN
HE REPEATS LINE
CHOIR REPEATS LINE
HE REPEATS LINE
THEY REPEAT LINE
CHOIR REPEATS LINE
CHEERING AND APPLAUSE
Talk about raising the roof! What a sound!
Mendelssohn's Lobgesang, Second Symphony.
The orchestra at 230 strong.
The choir were joined onstage tonight by our three soloists -
tenor Benjamin Hulett,
mezzo-soprano Adele Charvet,
and - making her Proms debut this evening -
the South Korean soprano Hera Hyesang Park.
CHEERING AND APPLAUSE
An absolutely stirring performance from all of the musicians tonight,
both physically and musically,
really putting their heart into every single note
sung, bowed, beat or blown.
A huge choral symphony,
marking this first televised Prom from The Glasshouse,
in the momentous 20th anniversary year for the venue.
APPLAUSE CONTINUES
Do join us again tomorrow night,
when we'll be back in the Royal Albert Hall
for Beethoven's fearless Fifth Symphony on BBC Two.
But for now, from all of us here in Gateshead, a very good night.
MUSIC: Keyboard Concerto No 3 in D Major, BWV 1054: III Allegro by Bach