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An awesome and ridiculous film that leaves you thrilled beyond the point of your natural endurance
2012
Theatre
The show has suddenly become quite wonderful, and the galvanising factor is the terrific stage debut of Melanie C
Blood Brothers
Music
The British pop music industry may be eating itself but if Muse are the pick of what it can offer the world in 2010 then British music is in rude health indeed
Muse
I was smitten by both Gilberts enormous luxuriant moustache and the intelligence and nuance of this highly entertaining play
I totally recommend Babbo to anyone who is looking for really good and traditional Italian food
Always been a fan but never seen them live. I was ecstatic to be part of this epic event. WOW!
London,
Barry Millington's rating
Reader rating
Description: Beethoven's Symphony No 4 In B Flat and Berlioz's Te Deum are among the works performed, featuring organist Simon Preston and conducted by Susanna Malkki.
Phone: 0207589 8212
Website: www.royalalberthall.com
Trains: Tube: High Street Kensington 
, Tube / Bus: 9, 10, 52, 360 
Extra info: Pub, Food
Pivotal moments: Susanna Mälkki led the BBCSO
Calling for massed choral and orchestral forces, Berlioz’s Te Deum is a work for special occasions and spacious venues. It suits the Albert Hall and last night’s performance under the talented young Finnish conductor Susanna Mälkki conjured the apocalyptic spirit of the piece.
Though a thunderous setting of a hymn of praise to the Almighty, this Te Deum is actually a striving after the faith Berlioz never really had. The plangent wind figures in the Dignare, echoing the text’s pleas for mercy, stand out for their eloquence. And dramatic as the final Judex Crederis is, it is the underlying sense of terror that provides the awesome dimension.
Adroitly identifying the pivotal moments, Mälkki drew thrilling results from the five assembled choirs (Bach Choir, BBC Symphony and Crouch End Festival Choruses, together with choristers from St Paul’s Cathedral and Trinity Boys Choirs) and BBC Symphony Orchestra with organist Simon Preston. The Mozart specialist Jörg Schneider brought welcome subtlety rather than heroic weight to the solo tenor role.
Ben Foskett’s From Trumpet makes a virtue of elaborating an entire 12-minute work from a single rhythmic cell, at first so quietly as to test the concert manners of the large audience, but rising to a pounding, insistent climax.
Devoid of melodic interest, it makes its considerable impact by rhythmic, textural means. Beethoven similarly builds structures from single rhythmic cells, of course, though Mälkki’s fine account of the Fourth Symphony in B Flat Major, taut and streamlined as it was, also tapped its lyrical vein, not least in its tender Adagio.
Information: 0845 4015040, www.bbc.co.uk/proms On BBC Radio 3, 2.15pm on Friday
Details are correct at the time of publication - please check with venue before booking.
