Proms on TV 2026
NYO at the Proms
Royal Albert Hall
The youth of today are not all lazing about at home on their Game Boys, or knocking golf balls through pensioners' windows. Some are entertaining us with a selection of Liszt, Ades, and Berlioz. And they do do a sterling job, it must be said.
Tonight's music is all about death and devilry, presented in that 'Royal Albert Hall' sort of way. Could there be echoes of Danse Macabre then, I wonder? I certainly hope so.
I'm spiffed when Petroc T announces that tonight's show will feature Franz Liszt because - despite his name being as well-known in the classical world as Coca Cola - I have not yet had the chance to get my teeth into any of his music. I do not believe he appeared at all in the 2025 Proms run? I suppose I put him in the same drawer as Chopin, due to the piano connotations. But there must be more to him than that?
This first piece is called Mephisto Waltz No 1, and I have to say that I like it - a lot. There is something rum about it, though it doesn't conjure up blood and gore. A gentle gothic feel, I would call it. And that is invariably a very good thing, musically.
Moving away from the Liszt, we hear the conductors own piece of work - Purgatorio–Dante ballet Part II. It's certainly unnerving, fitting with the evening's theme perfectly. Though I would struggle to play it on my HiFi for pleasure. It has something of the Egyptian Pharoes and snake charmers about its character.
Finally, the Berlioz, which I am looking forward to. Especially when I hear it is about the mental instability that arises from unrequited love. I hear you, Hector. I so hear you.
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