BBC Philharmonic Proms Concert Review: A Triumph of Unity 2026

The BBC Philharmonic Proms concert at Manchester’s BBC Philharmonic was everything the festival does best, blending Beethoven’s Ninth Symphony with Bach and a world-premiere cello concerto. Under conductor Gianandrea Noseda, the orchestra delivered a performance that felt both timeless and urgent, a sonic embrace of unity that resonated with current events.

Program Highlights: Bach, Beethoven, and a New Concerto

The evening opened with Bach’s Fantasia and Fugue in G minor, arranged for orchestra by Andrew Davis. The piece shimmered with playful twists—celesta doubling the flute, wind sections bending the theme. It set a witty, exploratory tone that carried through the entire program.

Jessie Montgomery’s Cello Concerto: These Righteous Paths

The UK premiere of Jessie Montgomery’s cello concerto was the heart of the first half. Soloist Abel Selaocoe brought a unique fusion of skills, from classical cello to throat singing, mouth percussion, and African song. The concerto, inspired by playwright Robbie McCauley’s poems, weaves wordless vocalise and searchingly melodic lines into a genre-defying narrative.

Beethoven’s Ninth: A Vision of Brotherhood

The program concluded with Beethoven’s Ninth Symphony, Schiller’s ode to fellowship gaining newfound poignancy with Andy Burnham’s recent appointment as prime minister. The performance was both powerful and precise, the choir soaring in the final movement.

Comparative Table: Works Performed

Key Takeaways

• The program juxtaposed Baroque, contemporary, and Romantic works to create a cohesive musical narrative.
• Abel Selaocoe’s performance redefined the role of the soloist, blending instrumental and vocal traditions.
• Gianandrea Noseda’s direction highlighted the orchestra’s versatility and emotional range.
• The concert’s timing, coinciding with a political shift, lent Beethoven’s message of unity added weight.

FAQ

For music lovers, this BBC Philharmonic Proms concert was a masterclass in programming and performance. The fresh take on Bach, the boundary‑pushing cello concerto, and the emotionally charged Beethoven made for an unforgettable evening. If you missed it, watch for future broadcasts or recordings—this is a concert worth experiencing again and again.