BBC Proms

BBC Proms 1978: Episode Guide & Ratings

1978 Episodes

1. First Night of the Proms

July 21st, 1978

Verdi: Requiem The 84th season of Henry Wood Promenade Concerts opens with Verdi's vivid setting of the Reauiem. Written at the height of his powers, it expresses the ancient Latin text through glorious melodies for the four soloists, and superb choral climaxes. BBC2 joins with Radio 3 to relay tonight's concert live in stereo direct from the Royal Albert Hall. Sylvia Sass (soprano) Alfreda Hodgson (mezzo-soprano) Stuart Burrows (tenor) Gwynne Howetl (bass) BBC Symphony Chorus London Symphony Chorus BBC Symphony Orchestra leader BELA DEKANY conducted by Andrew Davis Introduced by PATRICIA HUGHES Lighting TOMMY THOMAS Sound vie GODRICH and GEOFFREY PARKER KLINTON PARKER Producer RODNEY GREENBERG

2. The Sunday Prom

August 6th, 1978

In the first of six programmes recorded at this year's Henry Wood Promenade Concerts the BBC Symphony Orchestra is conducted by James Loughran and the soloist is Garrick Ohlsson in Piano Concerto No 2, in B flat major by Brahms Introduced by Richard Baker who also talks to GARRICK OHLSSON about his career and tonight's Concerto. Executive producer RODNEY GREENBERG Director PETER BUTLER iNext week in The Sunday Prom: The Jeunesses Musicales World Orchestra in Bartok's Concerto for Orchestra)

3. Live from the Proms

August 12th, 1978

50th Anniversary of Janacek's Death Leos Janacek, the foremost Czech composer of this century, died 50 years ago today. Tonight's Prom presents two of his major works together with music by his fellow countryman Dvorak. BBC2 joins with Radio 3 in stereo to relay the whole concert live from the Royal Albert Hall.

4. The Sunday Prom

August 13th, 1978

In the second of six programmes recorded at this year's Henry Wood Promenade Concerts and in the presence of HRH The Prince of Wales The Jeunesses Musicales World Orchestra is conducted by Lawrence Foster in a performance of one of the masterworks of the 20th century Bartok Concerto for Orchestra Each year young musicians from many parts of the world get together. This year the United Kingdom and Switzerland are the hosts to the orchestra. They are playing one of the most attractive 20th-century works, which is a tremendous technical challenge for a young orchestra. Introduced by MICHAEL RODD Sound vie godrich Lighting tommy THOMAS Executive producer RODNEY GREENBERG Director ROY TIPPING iNext week in The Sunday Prom: Richard Strauss's Domestic Symphony, conducted by Charles Mackcrras )

5. The Sunday Prom

August 20th, 1978

The third in a series of six programmes recorded at this year's Henry Wood Promenade Concerts Richard Strauss Symphonia Domestica This ' Domestic Symphony ' caused a storm of protest when first performed. Strauss had used a mammoth orchestra to depict intimate scenes from his domestic life - including baby's bathtime, a family quarrel and passionate lovemaking. Tonight his opulent score is accompanied by special illustrations for television. BBC Symphony Orchestra guest leader RAYMOND COHEN conducted by Charles Mackerras Introduced by SHEILA tract Sound GRAHAM HAINES Lighting TOMMY THOMAS Executive producer RODNEY GREENBERG Director ROY TIPPING

6. The Sunday Prom

August 27th, 1978

Esther Rantzen is the hostess for the ever-popular Viennese Night with the BBC Symphony Orchestra led by MAURICE BRETT conducted by Walter Susskind Among the Strauss favourites in this concert are The Gypsy Baron overture, the Emperor Waltz and the Thunder and Lightning Polka. Suppe's overture The Beautiful Galatea opens the programme which' also includes the waltz Gold and Silver by Lehar. Sound KEITH HARLOW Lighting HARRY THOMAS Executive producer RODNEY GREENBERG Director DAVID BUCKTON

7. Live from the Proms

August 28th, 1978

BBC2 joins Radio 3 in stereo for a live relay of the first half of this evening's Henry Wood Promenade Concert from the Royal Albert Hall , London. Mozart Symphony No 41 in C major (Jupiter) (K 551) Mozart Flute Concerto in G major (K 313) Debussy Syrinx James Galway (flute) BBC Scottish Symphony Orchestra leader RAYMOND OVENS conductor Karl Anton Rickenbacher Introduced by CORMAC RIGBY Sound GRAHAM HAINES , JOHN MCCULLOCW Lighting TOMMY THOMAS Directed by RON ISTED For the best effect viewers with stereo Radio 3 should turn off TV sound and position their speakers on either side of the screen, but a few feet away. Stereo headphones provide a suitable alternative. (Next live BBC2 Prom: Sat 9 September Rozhdestvensky conducts the BBC Symphony Orchestra in Mozart, Britten and Shostakovich

8. The Sunday Prom

September 3rd, 1978

In tonight's programme, one of Schubert's most charming and graceful orchestral works, written when he was only 19: the Symphony No 5 in B flat major. given by the BBC Symphony Orchestra led by MAURICE BRETT conducted by Walter Susskind Sound KEITH HARLOW Lighting HARRY THOMAS Executive producer RODNEY GREENBERG Director DAVID BUCKTON

9. Live from the Proms

September 9th, 1978

A stereo relay with Radio 3 from the Royal Albert Hall, London. BBC Symphony Orchestra leader Bela Dekany conductor Gennadi Rozhdestvensky Mozart Symphony No 32 in C (Overture in the Italian Style K 318) Britten Diversions on a theme for Piano (left hand) and Orchestra soloist Victoria Postnikova During the interval (8.5-8.25*) Michael Berkeley, who introduces the programme, will talk to Gennadi Rozhdestvensky whose first appearance as Chief Conductor of the BBC Symphony Orchestra this is. There will also be a discussion chaired by Bernard Keeffe between Alexander Goehr and Wilfrid Mellers on the composer and his audience. Part 2 Shostakovich Symphony No 4 in C minor

10. The Sunday Prom

September 10th, 1978

In the last of six programmes recorded at the 1978 Henry Wood Promenade Concerts, RICHARD BAKER introduces one of the worm's great orchestras, under their chief conductor, playing at the Proms for the first time. Sir Georg Solti conducts the Chicago Symphony Orchestra Tonight, in their first concert appearance on British television, they perform the majestic Symphony No 7 in E major by Bruckner. Before the performance, SIR GEORG talks to Humphrey Burton about his work in Chicago and explains how he approaches the challenge of Bruckner's Seventh. Lighting TOMMY THOMAS Sound GRAHAM HAINES Executive producer HUMPHREY BURTON Directed by RODNEY GREENBERG

11. Last Night of the Proms

September 16th, 1978

Introduced by Richard Baker BBC1 joins Radio 3 in stereo for the second half of tonight's closing concert of the 84th season of Henry Wood Promenade Concerts live from the Royal Albert Hall. Sir Charles Groves conducts the BBC Symphony Orchestra leader BELA DEKANY Elgar March: Pomp and Circumstance No 1, in D major Tippett Suite in D major (A Birthday Suite for Prince Charles) Henry Wood , arr Sargent Sea Songs Arne, arr Sargent Rule, Britannia Gillian Knight (mezzo-soprano) Parry, orch Elgar Jerusalem arr Gordon Jacob National Anthem with the BBC Singers director JOHN POOLE BBC Symphony Chorus conductor BRIAN WRIGHT Lighting TOMMY THOMAS Sound GRAHAM HAINES Director IAN ENGELMANN

12. Solti at the Proms

October 27th, 1979

The Chicago Symphony Orchestra plays Beethoven's Symphony No 1, the second of three In Performance programmes featuring Sir Georg Solti. Under his direction the Chicago Symphony Orchestra has become one of the most dynamic and expressive of the world's great orchestras. Tonight's programme was recorded when the Chicago Symphony Orchestra made its first-ever appearance at the Proms.

13. Bruckner's Seventh Symphony

March 15th, 1980

Tonight in The Lively Arts, an outstanding performance of this radiant and majestic work, recorded during the highly-acclaimed visit to the 1978 Proms by the Chicago Symphony Orchestra under its chief conductor Sir Georg Solti.

All Seasons

2025

2025

Jul 18, 2025
2024

2024

Jul 19, 2024
43
2023

2023

Jul 14, 2023
2022

2022

Jul 15, 2022
2021

2021

Jul 30, 2021
2020

2020

Aug 28, 2020
2019

2019

Jul 19, 2019
2018

2018

Jul 13, 2018
2017

2017

Jul 14, 2017
2016

2016

Jul 15, 2016
2015

2015

Jul 17, 2015
2014

2014

Jul 18, 2014
2013

2013

Jul 12, 2013
2012

2012

Jul 13, 2012
2011

2011

Jul 15, 2011
2010

2010

Jul 16, 2010
2009

2009

Jul 17, 2009
2008

2008

Jul 18, 2008
2007

2007

Jul 13, 2007
2006

2006

Jul 14, 2006
2005

2005

Jul 15, 2005
2004

2004

Jul 16, 2004
2003

2003

Jul 18, 2003
2002

2002

Jul 19, 2002
2001

2001

Jul 20, 2001
2000

2000

Jul 14, 2000
1999

1999

Jul 16, 1999
1998

1998

Jul 17, 1998
1997

1997

Jul 15, 1997
1996

1996

Jul 19, 1996
1995

1995

Jul 21, 1995
1994

1994

Jul 15, 1994
1993

1993

Jul 16, 1993
1992

1992

Jul 17, 1992
1991

1991

Jul 19, 1991
1990

1990

Jul 20, 1990
1989

1989

Jul 21, 1989
1988

1988

Jul 21, 1988
1987

1987

Jul 17, 1987
1986

1986

Jul 18, 1986
1985

1985

Jul 19, 1985
1984

1984

Jul 20, 1984
1983

1983

Jul 22, 1983
1982

1982

Jul 20, 1982
1981

1981

Aug 2, 1981
1980

1980

Aug 9, 1980
1979

1979

Jul 20, 1979
1978

1978

Jul 21, 1978
1977

1977

Jul 22, 1977
1976

1976

Jul 16, 1976
1975

1975

Jul 25, 1975
1974

1974

Aug 4, 1974
1973

1973

Jul 29, 1973
1972

1972

Jul 30, 1972
1971

1971

Aug 1, 1971
1970

1970

Aug 9, 1970
1968

1968

Jul 19, 1968
1967

1967

Jul 22, 1967
1966

1966

Jul 23, 1966
1965

1965

Jul 17, 1965
1964

1964

Jul 25, 1964
1963

1963

Jul 20, 1963
1962

1962

Jul 21, 1962
1961

1961

Jul 22, 1961
1960

1960

Jul 23, 1960
1959

1959

Jul 25, 1959
1958

1958

Jul 26, 1958
1957

1957

Jul 20, 1957
1956

1956

Jul 21, 1956
1955

1955

Jul 23, 1955
1954

1954

Jul 24, 1954
1953

1953

Jul 25, 1953
1948

1948

Jan 17, 1948
1947

1947

Sep 13, 1947
Specials

Specials

Jul 27, 2013