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Beethoven's Ninth Symphony

BBC Proms 2026

Live at the BBC Proms: BBC Philharmonic Orchestra and Gianandrea Noseda in Bach and Beethoven. They are joined by Abel Selaocoe for the UK premiere of music by Jessie Montgomery.

Live at the BBC Proms: the BBC Philharmonic Orchestra and Gianandrea Noseda in Bach and Beethoven. They are joined by cellist Abel Selaocoe for a UK premiere of music by Jessie Montgomery.

Presented by Martin Handley, live from the Royal Albert Hall, London

Johann Sebastian Bach: Fantasia and Fugue in G minor, BWV 542 (orch. Andrew Davis)
Jessie Montgomery: These Righteous Paths (BBC co-commission: UK premiere)

c.7.45pm
Interval: Helen Wallace joins Martin Handley live at the Royal Albert Hall to look ahead to the big highlights in the upcoming week at the BBC Proms.

c.8.10pm
Ludwig van Beethoven: Symphony No. 9 in D minor, 'Choral'

Abel Selaocoe (cello)
Leah Hawkins (soprano)
Stephanie Wake-Edwards (mezzo-soprano)
Martin Muehle (tenor)
Derek Welton (bass)
Philharmonia Chorus
BBC Philharmonic
Gianandrea Noseda (conductor)

Genre-defying South African cellist Abel Selaocoe returns as soloist in the UK premiere of American composer Jessie Montgomery's 'These Righteous Paths' - inspired by her late mother, the poet and playwright Robbie McCauley. The concert opens with Bach's mighty Fantasia and Fugue in G minor in Andrew Davis's colourful orchestral arrangement. After the interval comes the monumental power of Beethoven's 'Choral' Symphony: a musical cry for freedom and brotherhood that culminates in the radiant 'Ode to Joy'.

2 months left to listen

2 hours, 29 minutes

Last on

Monday 19:00
BBC Radio 3

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Music Played

  • Johann Sebastian Bach

    Fantasia And Fugue In G Minor Bwv.542 (Great)

    Orchestra: BBC Philharmonic Orchestra. Conductor: Gianandrea Noseda.

  • Jessie Montgomery

    These Righteous Paths

    Performer: Abel Selaocoe. Orchestra: BBC Philharmonic Orchestra. Conductor: Gianandrea Noseda.

  • Abel Selaocoe

    Maya (Moiya)

  • Ludwig van Beethoven

    Symphony No. 9 In D Minor Op.125 (Choral)

    Performer: Leah Hawkins. Performer: Stephanie Wake-Edwards. Performer: Martin Muehle. Performer: Derek Welton. Orchestra: BBC Philharmonic Orchestra. Conductor: Gianandrea Noseda. Choir: Philharmonia Chorus.

  • Olivier Messiaen

    Preludes for Piano: I. La colombe

    Performer: Alexandra Dariescu.
    • Champs Hill Records.

  • Felix Mendelssohn

    Andante in E major, Op 81 No 1 (4 Pieces for string quartet)

    Ensemble: Quatuor Arod.
    • Erato/Warner Classics.

  • Gabriel Fauré

    Pelléas et Mélisande Suite, Op. 80: III. Sicilienne

    Orchestra: National Symphony Orchestra of Ireland. Conductor: Jean-Luc Tingaud.
    • Naxos.

  • George Frideric Handel

    Trio Sonata in G minor, HWV 393, 'Dresden' (1st mvt)

    Performer: Elizabeth Wallfisch. Performer: Anthony Robson. Performer: Richard Tunnicliffe. Performer: Paul Nicholson. Ensemble: Convivium.
    • Hyperion.

  • Alexander Scriabin

    10 Mazurkas Op.3 (no.2 in F sharp minor)

    Performer: Artur Pizarro.
    • Collins Digital.

  • Samuel Coleridge‐Taylor

    Clarinet Quintet in F sharp minor (2nd mvt)

    Performer: Stephan Siegenthaler. Ensemble: Leipziger Streichquartett.
    • CPO.

Broadcast

  • Monday 19:00
    BBC Radio 3