First Night of the Proms, Royal Albert Hall
A seemingly safe ticket – Handel, Bruckner, Clara Schumann and Beethoven’s Fifth – became in the hands of Elim Chan and the BBCSO a dazzling, joyous launch night

‘Adventures in classical”, promises the BBC Radio 3 branding at the back of the stage for this year’s Proms season. It’s a slogan certain to irritate sticklers for grammar. But it may also fox anyone tempted to assume that a First Night programme culminating in Beethoven’s Fifth Symphony – perhaps the most famous piece of classical music out there – is less of an “adventure” in 2024, more of a safe bet.

Particularly as preceded by a Handel favourite, some choral Bruckner, Clara Schumann’s best-known work and a world premiere too short to frighten anyone. On paper, this didn’t look high-octane.