Concluding Remarks

Proms on TV
Concluding Remarks
Norton Cottages

One thing I have learned about the Proms in 2026 is that they do carry their own brand of political tension. Just like Brexit, there are two camps of thought: those in favour of the 'accessible' Proms [shall we call them 'Remainers'?], and those against it [Vote Leave]. I would place myself in the former camp, though I am not wholly unsympathetic with the latter. I can understand that a classical purist would not especially want to listen to Marvin Gaye or Supertramp. 

But the problem with that side of the room is that they only want to moan about it, and won't offer a alternative plan of accessibility for the 'Comman Man,' as is the premise of the Proms, is it not? More deeply, then, I suspect the message boils down to this: we want the riff raff out of our space. An effective way to do this would be to increase the ticket prices, and, yes, make the programme as academic (boring) as possible. 

I, for example, would be interested to watch an orchestra play a serious classical concert dressed in their civvies, as opposed to the jet-black gowns and dicky bows. Could a prestigious ensemble like the LSO or Vienna Philharmonic be convinced to play a Shostakovich in their Nike trainers and Levi jeans? [Other Western designer clothing brands are available.]
    Or... could we take the ultimate step and have a 'naturist' version of Beethoven's Fifth, under the proviso that we are post watershed, and that all modesties are preserved by the amusing placements of instruments and stands? Something for the purists to ponder on. No horn jokes, please. For now, though, I will be content to take James Bond and Disney alongside Bach and Brahms.

The second thing I have learned from Proms on TV in 2026, and this one is quite ironic... I sort of prefer the radio broadcasts! 

I think it is safe to say that, by now, my Proms FOMO has finally been laid to bed. I look forward to watching and listening next year. I had vowed not to do any more Blogs, but then I discover that 2027 is the centennial year of the BBC Proms. Given the fragility of today's BBC, one would be foolish to miss it. How can I approach it next year to make it meaningful? It's hard to tell where I'll be at in July 2027, but do watch this space.