What is the BBC Proms?
Q: What is the BBC Proms?
A: The BBC Proms is a series of concerts started by Henry Wood in 1895. It continues today in the Royal Albert Hall and features classical music.
Q: Where did promenade concerts take place in London before the BBC Proms?
A: Before the BBC Proms, promenade concerts took place in parks or leisure gardens throughout London. These included Vauxhall Gardens and Ranelagh Gardens.
Q: Who was George Frideric Handel?
A: George Frideric Handel was an 18th century composer whose music was performed at these parks. He composed Music for the Royal Fireworks which was performed to celebrate the Treaty of Aix-la-Chapelle at Vauxhall Gardens.
Q: Who was Dr Thomas Arne?
A: Dr Thomas Arne was a composer who was appointed as composer of Vauxhall Gardens in 1745. Many of his songs became popular there, including Rule Britannia.
Q: What other famous composers performed at Ranelagh Gardens?
A: Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart and Joseph Haydn both performed at Ranelagh Gardens during their visits to London.
Q: What type of music did English composers have played in these parks?
A: English composers had long songs (ballads) or drinking songs played, as well as choruses from oratorios by Handel. Later on, more music by famous composers such as Brahms, Liszt, Mendelssohn, Schubert, Schumann, Smetana and Wagner were featured on programmes too.
Q: Why did Henry Wood start his series of promenade concerts?
A:Henry Wood wanted to educate audiences so that they would appreciate good music through his series of promenade concerts which later became known as the BBC Proms
