Prom 51 review: One of the best ever in my experience

Then the entire first half of Prom 52 was given over to a lecture on Dvorak’s time in America and his composing of the popular New World Symphony, played in the second half.

This was a serious miscalculation.

The unique beauty of the Proms has always been founding conductor Sir Henry Wood’s utter conviction that the great British public cannot help but respond to the pure joy of classical music played by world-class musicians.

Wood knew that music is a force of nature going deeper than condescending quotes about poet Longfellow’s Hiawatha and Minnehaha, who allegedly inspired Dvorak’s symphony.

Thank goodness, then, for the Halle’s performance of From The New World, which blew the lecture away and sent us on a voyage, zooming through a couple of stratospheres, too.

Dvorak’s amazing artistry took us from the sweetest, most tender and gentle whispers of love to majestic cascades of triumph and plenty.

The magic of Dvorak’s music releases man’s insatiable appetite for infinite possibilities.

Hiawatha? Please!

I spent nearly 20 years as a dancer and actor trying to interpret what other people wanted to say on stage but I never got near the levels of pianist Javier Perianes playing Saint-Saens’ Second Piano Concerto at Prom 51.

Every note, whether soft as silk or forceful as a thunderstorm, was clear as an individual bell. Unbelievable.

Small of stature with passion to spare, Perianes weaved his way in and out of the orchestra thanks to his thrilling virtuosity.

His love for his job at the keyboard kept most of us smiling throughout his performance.

The evening opened with Sibelius’s Scenes Historiques, Suite Number One. Conductor Oramo loved every minute and clearly had the best job in the world.

It is easy to say his pleasure was infectious but there is no doubt I had a smile pasted on my face to rival his.

In terms of orchestral excellence and musical scope these Proms have been one of the best ever in my experience.

There are just two weeks left, don’t miss out.

PROM 51 – Rating: 4/5

BBC Symphony Orchestra, conductor Sakari Oramo, piano Javier Perianes 

PROM 52 – Rating 4/5

Halle Orchestra, conductor Sir Mark Elder Royal Albert Hall, London SW7 (Tickets 020 7589 8212/bbc.co.uk/proms)