Life, liberty…and great tunes. If America’s about anything, it’s about doing things your own way: and conductor John Wilson knows all about that!
Tonight, the man who brought Cole Porter to the Proms joins forces with Mancunian organist Jonathan Scott to celebrate the heroes who don’t fit the mould: from Copland’s Billy the Kid making a break for the West, to Philip Glass welcoming the Dalai Lama. Charles Ives blows a huge raspberry at a patriotic song (you’ll recognise the tune!) while over in Hollywood, Errol Flynn turns Robin Hood into the definitive all-American action hero – with a bit of help from Austrian romantic Erich Korngold.
So saddle up for a real adventure: big names, big personalities, and guaranteed entertainment. It’s the American way!
Journey Through Music, 6.30pm, Barbirolli Room: Violinist Julian Gregory leads an introductory session for families about the orchestra and the music that will be played in the concert. Our guest speaker will be tonight’s soloist Jonathan Scott.