Concert photo to follow
Saturday, July 20, 2024
Royal Albert Hall, London
“Sound, style and fashion met in the disco movement, and in late 1970s New York there was only one place to experience it: Studio 54. Many of the disco hits that electrified the dance floor at the iconic midtown-Manhattan venue borrowed extensively from orchestral traditions. Here the BBC Concert Orchestra returns the favour, lending its power and exuberance to an evening that celebrates a pivotal movement in late 20th-century club culture and the glorious music it produced. With iconic hits from Chic, Gloria Gaynor, Diana Ross, Boney M. and Walter Murphy, get ready for all the glitz, glamour and groove of disco at the Proms!”
Vanessa Haynes vocalist
Elisabeth Troy vocalist
Vula Malinga vocalist
Cedric Neal vocalist
Meg Birch backing vocals
Tehillah Daniel backing vocals
Sacha Savory backing vocals
Shanice Steele backing vocals
James Thompson backing vocals
BBC Concert Orchestra
Daniel Bartholomew-Poyser
Callum Au Lead arranger
Charles Mutter Leader
Clarinet Oliver Pashley
Jazz Trumpet Patrick White and Tom Walsh
Trombone Callum Au
Sax Martin Williams and Nadeem Teimoori
Encore
Donna Summer – Last Dance
The arrangements and orchestration were absolutely faultless. My only criticism, and it’s a big one, is that for most of the performance the vocals were almost inaudible. On the occasions when they could be heard, they were wonderful and true to the genre in every way. The Beeb need to learn from this. I applaud the ambition to make all kinds of music accessible but it has to be represented faithfully. It didn’t totally ruin my first experience of visiting the wonderful Albert Hall but I won’t be going again because of that.