Prom 43: Beethoven’s Ninth Symphony

Live at BBC Proms: Sakari Oramo conducts the BBC Symphony Orchestra and Chorus in Beethoven's great choral symphony. Plus new commissions from Dieter Ammann and Jonathan Dove.

Live from the Royal Albert Hall, London
Presented by Penny Gore

Jonathan Dove: We Are One Fire*
BBC commission: world premiere

Dieter Ammann: Piano Concerto
BBC co-commission with the Boston Symphony Orchestra, Konzerthaus Wien, Lucerne Festival, Münchner Philharmoniker and Taipei Symphony Orchestra, supported by Pro Helvetia: world premiere

8.05
INTERVAL - Proms Reading: Presenter Seán Williams discusses Beethoven, the man, and we hear readings which paint a picture of him and the culture at the time, including Schiller's 'An Ode to Joy', which forms part of the text for the composer's Symphony No. 9.

8.25
Ludwig van Beethoven: Symphony No 9 in D minor, 'Choral'

Anu Komsi (soprano)
Hilary Summers (contralto)
Michael Weinius (tenor)
Mika Kares (bass)
Andreas Haefliger (piano)
BBC Symphony Chorus
BBC Symphony Orchestra
Neil Ferris (conductor)*
Sakari Oramo (conductor)

Sakari Oramo conducts the annual Proms performance of Beethoven’s Ninth Symphony – Western music’s most powerful statement of universal fellowship. Finnish soprano Anu Komsi leads an international cast of soloists.

Beethoven’s Ninth Symphony is paired with two world premieres: a new choral work by Jonathan Dove, conducted by BBC Symphony Chorus Director Neil Ferris, and a much-anticipated Piano Concerto by Swiss composer Dieter Ammann, performed by his compatriot Andreas Haefliger.