Classical music festivals in your country

[Museo]

As the forum has members from a range of different countries, I thought it would be interesting to learn about the different classical music festivals in each country.

In the UK we have the Proms season which runs from July to September of each year and takes place in the Royal Albert Hall in London. The Proms have been running for 111 years and have a main theme each year - Mozart and Shostakovich for the 2006 season.

The "Last Night of the Proms" is the final event of the season and has become a British tradition which much flag waving and jollity. A standard set of pieces are always played such as sea shanties, "Rule Britannia", "Jerusalem", "I Vow To Thee My Country", "Land of Hope and Glory" and pieces from the theme for the season. The conductor makes a speech which is normally rudely interrupted by the "Promenaders".

I have been lucky enough to attend the Last Night of the Proms and found it a memorable experience and one that I wish to repeat.

 

[SecondBass]

The Last Night is a happy romp through a lot of raucous British music with the intention jumping up and down, waving flags and sounding hooters. Pomp and Circumstance, including Land of Hope and Glory, being where this goes completely nuts. Missed it this year, even on the Telly.

 

[Pompey]

I always hated the Last Night of the Proms, it's just a bunch of privileged louts jumping about when really the music should be for the masses. The more recent times of transmitting it to parks around the country is better, especially as they have acts on just for them.