Prom 42: Beethoven’s Ninth by Heart

Live at the BBC Proms: the Aurora Orchestra, the National Youth Choir and the BBC Singers, conducted by Nicholas Collon, in Beethoven's Ninth Symphony, with soloists led by Masabane Cecilia Rangwanasha.

Presented by Petroc Trelawny, live from the Royal Albert Hall, London.

A musical and dramatic exploration of Beethoven’s Symphony No. 9 (40 mins)

c. 8.10pm INTERVAL Chamber music recordings featuring members of the all-star Aurora Orchestra.

Beethoven: Symphony No. 9 in D minor, ‘Choral’

Masabane Cecilia Rangwanasha (soprano)
Marta Fontanals-Simmons (mezzo-soprano)
Brenden Gunnell (tenor)
Christopher Purves (baritone)
BBC Singers
National Youth Choir
Aurora Orchestra
Nicholas Collon (conductor)

Rhiannon May (actor)
Thomas Simper (actor/BSL interpreter)
James Bonas (stage director)

Beethoven’s final symphony is also his most powerful – a manifesto for social change, political upheaval and the limitless possibilities of human artistic expression. Mark the 200th anniversary of the monumental Ninth Symphony with a signature memorised presentation and performance from the Aurora Orchestra and Nicholas Collon, in collaboration with the BBC Singers, National Youth Choir of Great Britain, actor Rhiannon May and actor/BSL-interpreter Thomas Simper. This Prom is a bold, brilliant take on Beethoven’s symphonic journey from brutality to the uplifting embrace of love.