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The Guardian
18 hours ago
- Entertainment
- The Guardian
BBCSSO/Wigglesworth/Batsashvili review – detailed and monumental Bruckner
The ghost of Richard Wagner hovers over Anton Bruckner's Seventh Symphony, most obviously in the monumental Adagio, completed mere months after the death of the Austrian composer's musical hero and occasional drinking buddy. The slow movement duly occupied centre stage in Ryan Wigglesworth's somewhat restrained interpretation with the BBC Scottish Symphony Orchestra, its utterances simple, yet profound. This was no funeral oration, however, but a fond farewell, its tender tones occasionally ruffled by the phalanx of Wagner tubas unsettling the harmonies towards the bottom of the orchestra. Wigglesworth's conducting benefited from his composer's ear: orchestral balance was spotless; instrumental colours blended with an instinct for detail. Equally effective was his way of always keeping something in reserve, especially important in Bruckner where the slow build is paramount. In the first movement, the architectural framework was clearly defined, the conductor adopting a (mostly) non-interventionist approach to phrasing and rubato. Not that the performance lacked incident, with great wodges of brass giving way to the sound of solitary flutes crying in the wilderness. In contrast, the scherzo was almost jaunty. It was left to the finale to climb one final mountain and end in a blaze of glory. A similar grasp of the musical trajectory paid dividends in Mozart's Piano Concerto No 20. Wigglesworth kept the orchestral sound down, though its sinister presence was always there, lurking beneath Mariam Batsashvili's vital account of the solo line. The Georgian pianist gave an enthralling, controlled performance, notes dropping like liquid pearls. Her choice of Beethoven's flinty cadenzas upped the dramatic stakes. The central Romance was finessed with a supple grace before a fiery finale in which the conductor finally allowed the orchestra its head. Batsashvili's encore, Liszt's La Campanella, was dispatched in a blur of coruscating finger work, proving she can showboat with the best. The concert opened with For Laura, after Bach, composed by the conductor in tribute to the BBCSSO's former leader Laura Samuel, who died last year. Inspired by her recording of the Gigue from Bach's third solo partita, Wigglesworth incorporated its themes into an elaborate 10-minute memorial for strings where wheeling violins soared heavenward in intricate canons and sombre cello lines hinted at heartbeats and lullabies. Listen again on BBC Sounds until 12 October. The Proms continue until 13 September.
The Guardian
2 days ago
- Entertainment
- The Guardian
The Traitors Prom review – iconic show's greatest hits turn the melodrama up to 11
Even the Royal Albert Hall's public announcement system was getting into the spirit of things. 'Traitors and faithful, this is your five-minute warning. Please take your seats. The concert begins in five minutes.' In the hall references to iconic moments of the TV show upped the ante. Three large screens played montages from the series, and a familiar-looking round table stood in the centre of the promming arena. Twelve dancers dressed alternately in the distinctive traitor cloaks and masks, or as the more cartoonish characters of the tasks (It-referencing clowns, lurching scarecrows trailing straw from a particularly nightmarish Wizard of Oz), stalked through the auditorium. The stage too was packed with the massed ranks of the BBC Scottish Symphony Orchestra, the BBC Symphony Chorus and the BBC Singers, all led by Irish conductor Karen Ní Bhroin, making a confident proms debut. Master of ceremonies for the first ever Traitors Prom was its much-loved presenter Claudia Winkleman – knitwear and fingerless gloves understandably missing on a humid July afternoon but clad in an elegant black velvet jacket, eyeliner and fringe intact. She arrived on stage heralded by a piper and a palpable sense of excitement. The reality TV show – basically wink murder in a gorgeously furnished highlands castle – has been one of the BBC's greatest successes in recent years. Its soundtrack, which features slowed down covers of chart hits, big on gothic menace, slow of beat, is an integral part of its atmosphere, with the occasional piece of classical music part of the mix (Beethoven, Mozart, Tchaikovsky – so long as the melodrama can be turned up to 11). 'With its themes of betrayal and treachery and intrigue, the Traitors fits classical music like a glove,' said Proms director Sam Jackson at the season's launch in April. In the event however, the classical content was slight, touched only glancingly on betrayal, and was careful not to overstay its welcome, while over-orchestrated cover versions of songs by the likes of Billie Eilish (Bad Guy), Oliva Rodrigo (vampire) and Imagine Dragons (Believer) and Sam Watts' Traitors theme tune dominated the programme. The BBCSSO and Ní Bhroin proved their versatility as they moved from the stodge of Hidden Citizens' Nothing Is as it Seems to whirling colours of Saint-Saëns's Danse macabre; tenor Andrés Presno was impassioned and sparklingly clear in Cavaradossi's heartbreaking aria E lucevan le stelle from Puccini's Tosca, the opening clarinet solo particularly beautiful. During Dance of the Clowns from Tchaikovsky's Nutcracker ballet eight performers in fright wigs and boiler suits jerked as if electrocuted at the front of the Albert Hall stage. Singers Hayla and Andrea Lykke, sharing pop performing duties, have powerful voices but in the hall lyrics were lost and both gave curiously uninvolved performances to each of their three numbers. Darrell Smith brought more energy to Believer and Sophie Ellis-Bextor's Murder on the Dancefloor, which closed the show on a high energy note. Luckily, a handful of ex-contestants were on hand – their tongues firmly in their cheeks – to keep things fun. Minah and Linda were on stage to reminisce briefly with Claudia, Alexander, whose backwards singing (you had to be there) was one of series 3's best moments, was 'discovered' in the ranks of the BBC Symphony Chorus. The concert's finale featured, of course, the unmasking of a traitor. Series 2 winner, Harry Clark, was found sitting at the Royal Albert Hall's organ. 'I'm the best traitor in the Proms,' he shouted, echoing his famous victory cry, twirling his cape. Available to listen again on BBC Sounds until 13 October. The concert was filmed for TV, transmission date to be announced.
Telegraph
2 days ago
- Entertainment
- Telegraph
The Traitors Prom, Royal Albert Hall, review: tremendous treacherous fun with Claudia Winkleman
Saggy scarecrows and clowns in blue boiler suits terrorised the aisles. Cloaked figures paraded with lanterns aloft. A funeral cortège processed slowly through the crowd. No, this wasn't a fancy dress fever dream. It was Claudia Winkleman and pals hosting the first of two Traitors-themed Proms in the Royal Albert Hall. You can see why the BBC is doing this. The Traitors is one of the corporation's biggest television shows. Three series in, the castle-based reality show – which sees 25 or so contestants split into Faithfuls and Traitors, with each person trying to figure out who is which, while the Traitors 'murder' people – has delighted viewers and won Baftas. Whether it's the Highland setting, the participants' backstabbing, the owls and Gothic allusions, the fiendish team tasks or Winkleman's warm presenting style, the Cluedo-meets-Big Brother programme has become a phenomenon. A 'celebrity' version, featuring the likes of Stephen Fry and Alan Carr, airs in the Autumn. In technical terms, the Beeb are leveraging their IP for all it's worth. And why not? After recent events, they're hardly going to put on a MasterChef Prom are they? This matinee (there's another performance this evening) was billed as a 'spine-tingling celebration of musical treachery' featuring the BBC Scottish Symphony Orchestra, the BBC Symphony Chorus and the BBC Singers and soloists. All the music was either in the show or inspired by it. So while we were treated to Sam Watts' stirring Traitors theme and a song called Nothing Is As It Seems that was used in the first ever episode, we also had – more tenuously – Olivia Rodrigo's Vampire (because vampires are spooky), Britney Spears' Toxic (because that's what Traitors are) and Pete Tong and Rob Dough's Clubbed to Death, which must have mistakenly found its way onto the programme from the Squid Games Prom. Interwoven within the music were the aforementioned creepy actors and Winkleman playing a loose version of the game with the audience. There was even a curiously underused replica of the show's round table in the middle of the auditorium floor. Winkleman triumphed with her usual deadpan humour, at one point telling us that already murdered were three members of the choir, various musicians, a family of five and 'a steward called Billy'. Some of the audience even wore their own capes. Four former contestants also made an appearance: Alexander Dragonetti, Linda Rands and Minah Shannon from series three. There was also a big reveal of a fourth, much-loved Traitor. I'd tell you who it was but I'd get murdered too. None of them got involved with the music, which was unfortunate because Rands – whose, 'Ooooh what have we just done?' face to fellow Traitors in the show's Traitors' Turret has become a meme and a Valentine's card – revealed she'd once been in the Netherlands' equivalent of the BBC Singers. Musically-speaking, Lacrimosa from Mozart's Requiem, O Fortuna from Carl Orff's Carmina Burana and Saint-Saëns' Danse Macabre were particularly fine, as was E Lucevan le Stelle from Tosca. There was also some fantastic bagpipe playing. Did this all hang together? Like those saggy scarecrows, sort of. But it didn't matter as it was tremendous fun (even the talking Victorian dolls). And the music was sublime.
Daily Mail
08-07-2025
- Entertainment
- Daily Mail
The Traitors host Claudia Winkleman is set to reunite with the show's most iconic stars for an unlikely reason - after THAT nail-biting third series
The Traitors host Claudia Winkleman is set to reunite with some of the series' most memorable stars, as the megahit takes over the BBC Proms. The presenter is set to front an unforgettable night of music, treachery and surprises at London's Royal Albert Hall, on Saturday 26 July. While the famous round table will be absent, BBC Radio 1 presenter Minah Shannon, former opera singer Linda Rands and classical music enthusiast Alexander Dragonetti will don their famous cloaks once again for the star-studded night. The cloaks will be well and truly on at the gothic Royal Albert Hall for two very special concerts with the BBC Scottish Symphony Orchestra, BBC Singers, BBC Symphony Chorus and a selection of guest vocalists, conducted by Karen Ní Bhroin. For fans who are unable to get their hands on tickets, the show will also be broadcast live on BBC Radio 3 at 3pm. The Proms audience will find themselves fully immersed in The Traitors with previous cast members, stand out moments from the show and the familiar heartbeats of the series making an appearance. The hit BBC TV series, which drew in an average audience of more than 10 million for Series three, features a variety of classical music to punctuate the action from the Scottish Highlands castle. The Traitors Prom will playfully feature these well-known classical works from composers including Mozart, Puccini and Tchaikovsky alongside so called 'Traitors Pop': gothic and symphonic versions of chart tracks by artists including Olivia Rodrigo, Billie Eilish, Britney Spears and The Hanging Tree, which plays a very special part in every series of The Traitors. The Proms Faithful will also get the chance to hear Sam Watts's original music from the series, with the world premiere of two specially extended orchestral versions of that famous theme tune. It comes after the BBC released a dramatic first-look trailer for the nine-part celebrity special version of The Traitors and confirmed who will be in the new series, after swirling rumours. The broadcaster has confirmed the exact list of celebrities who will transform into Traitors and Faithfuls. A variety of actors including; Stephen Fry, Ruth Codd, Celia Imrie, Tameka Empson and Mark Bonnar, are set to walk through the castle doors. The celebrities will attempt to win a cash prize of up to £100,000 for a charity of their choice. 'We're incredibly lucky these brilliant people have said yes,' Claudia said. She gave an eerie warning, 'I'd love to say we'll take it easy on them and they'll just wander round the castle and eat toast for a couple of weeks but that would be a lie.' Also confirmed for the show are presenters Jonathan Ross, Clare Balding and Kate Garraway, Olympic diver Tom Daley, rugby player Joe Marler, historian and writer David Olusoga and YouTuber Niko Omilana. The new series is set to hit screens in Autumn this year on BBC One and iPlayer. In April, the stars were spotted as they touched down at Inverness Airport and filming on the spin-off series and backstabbing finally commenced. While former Traitors star, Diane Carson, who appeared on the iconic show's second series, shared what it takes to win the game. The former teacher famously took part alongside her son Ross - and in a cunning move, the two famously concealed being related from their fellow contestants. She told the Sun her advice to the new celeb participants: 'They should park their career and just get on with playing the game. It's important to have fun.' The Traitors became an instant hit with its first season and has continued to attract audiences ever since. Series three averaged 10.3 million viewers across the 12 instalments because the biggest unscripted series since I'm A Celebrity's 2022 season.
BBC News
16-06-2025
- Entertainment
- BBC News
Winner of BBC Radio Scotland Young Classical Musician of the Year 2025 announced
Sofía Ros has been named the winner of the esteemed BBC Radio Scotland Young Classical Musician of the Year award. The accordionist triumphed in the grand final held at Glasgow's City Halls on 14 June 2025, performing alongside the BBC Scottish Symphony Orchestra under the baton of conductor Andrew Gourlay. The event, hosted by broadcaster and musician Jamie MacDougall, featured three talented young finalists: violinist Emma Baird, alto saxophonist Ziheng Huang and accordionist Sofía Ros. Each delivered an exceptional live performance in front of a packed audience and panel of expert judges: Alice Farnham (head judge - Conductor, Founder and Director of Women Conductors, author), Nick Zekulin (Head of music programme, Edinburgh International Festival) and Jennifer Martin (Composer and Music Consultant). Sofía said: 'I moved to Scotland from Spain when I was 13 to study music, and the BBC has been a big source of inspiration for me ever since. Getting the chance to perform with the BBC Scottish Symphony Orchestra at City Halls is a dream come true, and I'm so grateful for this opportunity and especially grateful to have won.' Hayley Valentine, Director of BBC Scotland, said: 'Sofía is a worthy winner of the BBC Radio Scotland Young Classical Musician of the Year award, and we look forward to showcasing more of her performances in the future. The level of entrants was incredibly high, and of course the three finalists were outstanding. We could not be more delighted with the event and indeed this competition, through which we hope more young people in Scotland will engage with classical music.' Heather Kane-Darling, Commissioning Editor at BBC Radio Scotland, said: 'Sofía is a truly deserving recipient of the BBC Radio Scotland Young Classical Musician of the Year award. We're excited to share more of her exceptional performances with our audiences in the future. The overall standard of entries, particularly among the three finalists, was remarkable and we are thrilled to spotlight these talented musicians through the competition. Our hope is that it will inspire more young people across Scotland to connect with and explore the world of classical music.' Professor Jeffrey Sharkey, Principal of the Royal Conservatoire of Scotland, said: 'It's been inspiring throughout to have such terrific young musicians demonstrating their technical excellence as well as their passion and creativity. BBC Radio Scotland's Young Classical Musician of the Year is such a valuable showcase for them and also for classical music in Scotland. My warmest congratulations to all involved.' As well as the title of BBC Radio Scotland Young Classical Musician 2025, the prize includes a further performance on BBC Radio Scotland later this year. The Young Classical Musician of the Year competition aims to encourage and highlight the wealth of talent in Scotland's vibrant classical scene. MG Follow for more
