On Friday, 30 August 2024, BBC Four presents a unique celebration of Beethoven’s Ninth Symphony, a masterpiece that has endured for 200 years. This memorable performance by the Aurora Orchestra, conducted by Nicholas Collon, is accompanied by an insightful exploration of the music and its composer.
Created during a period marked by Beethoven’s hearing loss, illness, and personal struggles, the Ninth Symphony stands as a testament to his genius. In this Prom, the Aurora Orchestra dissects and analyses the work, revealing its intricacies and making its grandeur accessible to all.
The orchestra culminates their exploration with a remarkable performance, playing the symphony entirely from memory. Joining them are solo vocalists Masabane Cecilia Rangwanasha, Marta Fontanals-Simmons, Brenden Gunnell, and Christopher Purves, along with the BBC Singers and the National Youth Choir of Great Britain, who collectively form the chorus for the triumphant final movement.
Beethoven’s Ninth Unwrapped airs on BBC Four at 8:00 PM on Friday, 30 August 2024.
