|
|
| Battle Proms |
 |
| |
Proms has a Packed Programme!
Saturday 18th July
The ever-popular Battle Proms at Blenheim Palace will take place this year on Saturday 18 July. Once again JSL Productions deliver the ultimate summer event, with something for everyone: a stunning setting, rousing classical favourites, breathtaking spitfire fly-over, bold cavalry and infantrymen, and of course the thunderous cannons and fireworks!
Regulars to the Battle Proms will already know that this truly is a special occasion in the Oxfordshire summer calendar, with a packed programme:
Whilst the sun is still high, and you are enjoying a glass of something fizzy alongside a well-stocked picnic, you will be entertained by the sublime acoustic talents of young folk favourite Ruth Notman. Then the Napoloeonic Association pick up the pace with sensational skill-at-arms displays on horseback and on foot, expertly bringing to life the skirmishes of the most colourful and dramatic period of history.
As the sun begins to set behind the magnificent backdrop of Blenheim Palace, the historic rumble of the spitfire engine soars overhead, and the New English Concert Orchestra perform a soul-stirring programme of classic favourites, including Fingal’s Cave by Mendelssohn and The Blue Danube by Strauss II.
In the Battle Proms tradition of supporting young up-and-coming musicians, this year we are joined by the incredibly talented young clarinettist Anke Batty who, amongst her other numerous awards and prizes, was a Woodwind Finalist in the BBC Young Musician of the Year 2008. Uplifting arias, songs and duets will be performed by acclaimed tenor Michael Bracegirdle, joined of course by the wonderful soprano Denise Leigh.
As darkness begins to fall, the real action begins! Naturally, the programme would not be complete without Tchaikovsky's 1812 Overture with live cannon, and the unforgettable performance of Beethoven's Battle Symphony, the centrepiece work that gives this special event its name, and which was originally written to include the firing of 193 cannon as part of the score.
The Battle Proms rises dramatically to this challenge and, unlike the synthetic displays used at indoor performances, we use live cannon with real black powder explosions, each fired electronically to the original score by the orchestra’s percussionist; it’s the ultimate percussion section! This is the only concert in the world to stage this incredible piece as it was originally written; it really is a spectacle which has to be seen (and heard) to be believed!
And to round off a perfect evening’s entertainment, the soloists take to the stage to bring the crowd to their feet with all of the ‘last night of the proms’ favourites: Jerusalem, Land of Hope and Glory, Rule Britannia and more. The atmosphere is infectious; “We would love to come again next year - we are counting down the days!”, says a Battle Proms fan at last year’s event. As you sing along with the thousands of other promenaders and wave your flag to the spectacular firework finale lighting up the sky, you know this is a night you will never forget!
The Battle Proms are proud to support the charity Combat Stress: the Ex-Services Mental Welfare Society, who this year celebrate their 90th anniversary. Combat Stress specialises in helping veterans of the Armed Forces and Merchant Navy with psychological injuries caused through service to their country. Last year Battle Proms Concerts raised £13,000 for Combat Stress across all their concerts, both through audience donation and a contribution of the concert’s profits.
|
| |
|
