6 Minute English – The Proms

Sep 102015

For some people, classical music is seen as a bit elitist – but you can forget about that when it comes to the BBC Proms. It’s been called the largest and most democratic classical music festival in the world. And that’s because it’s very informal, open to everyone and cheap to get a ticket – if you don’t mind standing!

_______Show Transcript______

Finn
Hello and welcome to 6 Minute English. I’m Finn…

Neil
…and I’m Neil. Hello.

Finn
Now, Neil, are you doing anything interesting tonight?

Neil
Well, I was thinking of popping down to – that means visiting – my local pub to catch a band. What about you?

Finn
Well, my wife and I have got tickets for the Proms tonight.

Neil
The Proms? You mean that ceremony for high school leavers? I thought you left school decades ago, Finn.

Finn
Ah yes, very funny, Neil. Actually, yeah, it was almost two decades ago. Anyway, the Proms I’m talking about have nothing to do with that. These Proms, or as they’re also known, the BBC Proms, are the biggest classical music festival in the world, and they’re held in London every summer.

Neil
Ah, yes, of course I know the Proms. And I’ve even watched the Last Night of the Proms with all those waving flags and the patriotic singing by the audience. Not really my thing.

Finn
I know what you mean, but you shouldn’t judge the Proms by the concert on the last night, Neil. It’s not really typical. Although it is watched by millions of people around the world. And you know, the Proms is also a very old festival… but, how old, Neil? Is it:

a) 57 years?

b) 84 years?

c) 120 years old?

Neil
Well, I don’t know, so I’m going to guess and say 84 years.

Finn
OK. Well, we’ll find out the answer to that question later.

Neil
OK. So, come on then Finn, sell the Proms to me. What is it that I’m missing?

Finn
Well, rather a lot, actually. It’s not stuck-up – that means a bit superior – in fact, I think there’s something for everyone. For example, you might hear something like this…

Music
[Tchaikovsky’s Fourth Symphony]

Neil
Wow! That was pretty dramatic. It really grips you, doesn’t it? What was it?

Finn
Well, that was from the first movement of Tchaikovsky’s fourth symphony. And at the end you would hear the Prommers showing their appreciation by cheering and clapping.

Neil
Right, so it’s almost like Glastonbury, then! So that’s the point you’re making, is it – the Proms make classical music accessible to everyone. But who are these Prommers?

Finn
Ah, well for an answer to that, let’s hear from the Director of the BBC Proms, Edward Blakeman.

Edward Blakeman – Director of BBC Proms
So the Prommers, are quite literally the people who stand to listen to the concerts. And there is space for about 800 people, right in the middle of the hall. And this is a long tradition, back, going through the Proms. And it’s wonderful because it costs very little, and it means that almost anyone can afford to come to the Proms. So it is a wonderful place for all sorts of people to meet together, and by the way, it’s the best place in the hall to hear the music.

Finn
Now, the hall that he’s talking about is the Royal Albert Hall in London – and the Prommers are the people who come and stand as they listen to the music. You know, Neil, it’s only £5 a ticket.

Neil
Right, so you stand? That sounds like a proper gig. I think I might just give it a go, Finn. So, you’ve been trying to persuade me that it’s quite informal. But, at the same time you do get all those big, fancy classical music names, don’t you?

Finn
You do, absolutely. The top soloists – whether that’s on the piano, the violin or any other instrument, or singing – they all perform at the Proms. As do very big orchestras.

Neil
And I believe the BBC commissions new works from time to time. I was even told about rock musicians playing there. Can that be right, Finn?

Finn
Well, yes Neil. That’s actually true. The whole range of music is becoming wider year by year. They also screen concerts to other cities, they hold lunchtime and children’s concerts, they even play Indian classical music, like this type of thing…

Music
[Classical sitar music]

Neil
What, playing sitars (and tablas) at the Proms?

Finn
Yes. But the core of the eight-week festival is devoted to the heavyweight composers of the last 400 years – Bach, Mozart, Beethoven, Brahms and so on. Let me play you another extract of that Tchaikovsky symphony now Neil. Tell me what you think of this.

Music
[Tchaikovsky’s Fourth Symphony]

Neil
Now, that was totally different. Much slower and quite sad.

Finn
Yes, every symphony, concerto, or sonata will have a slow movement and it will often be deeply emotional.

Neil
Well, you can’t beat live music. So, I must get going.

Finn
Oh yeah? Are you off to see that gig at the pub, Neil?

Neil
Actually, yes. Or, you know what? I might go and catch a Prom after all.

Finn
OK. Well, before you hurry off, I have to give you the answer to the quiz. I asked how many years has the BBC Proms been going?

Neil
And I said 84.

Finn
And I’m sorry, Neil. That’s the wrong answer.

Neil
Oh no.

Finn
The correct answer was actually 120 years. Well, that brings us to the end of today’s 6 Minute English. We hope you enjoyed the programme. Join us again soon. Bye.

Neil
Goodbye.

Vocabulary and definitions

to pop down to – to visit somewhere
patriotic – showing love for your country
stuck-up – superior attitude
to be gripped by something – to be completely attentive to something
to cheer – to approve of something by shouting in a positive way
gig – an informal musical event
to commission – to pay a person to create something unique
symphony – a work using the whole orchestra
concerto – a work using a soloist plus orchestra
sonata – a work usually using just a soloist