BBC Proms 99

Synopsis

From London's Royal Albert Hall. James Naughtie introduces the fourth of this year's live Prom broadcasts, in which Mark Elder conducts the BBC Philharmonic. The concert opens with Igor Stravinksy's Circus Polka, after which American soprano Dawn Upshaw gives the European premiere of Natural History, a new song cycle by British composer Judith Weir. This is followed by Frederick Delius's orchestral rhapsody Brigg Fair. The evening ends with Richard Strauss's Symphonia Domestica, part of this year's commemoration of the 50th anniversary of his death. During the interval (from 8.00-8.20), Elder and Naughtie explore the work of this enigmatic composer.