6 Minute English - The proms

Now, Neil are you doing anything interesting tonight? 

Well, I was thinking poping down to. That means visiting my local pub to catch a band. How about you?

Well. My XXX had got tickets for the proms tonight.

Proms. You mean that ceremony for high school livers. For you left school decades ago Finn?

Yes, very funny Neil. Actually yes almost two decades ago. Anyway, the proms I'm talking about have nothing to do with that. these proms or as they are also known as BBC proms are the biggest classical musical festival in the world and they held in London every summer.

Yes. Of course I know the proms. And I even watched the last night proms with although waving flags and patriets singing by the audience. Yes, not really my thing.

I know you being. But you should not judge the proms by that concerts last night Neil. It's not really typical. Although it is watched by millions of people around the world and you know the prom is also very old festival. But how old, Neil. Is it...

a) 57 years

b) 84 years

c) 120 years old

Well, I don't know. So I'm going to guess and say 84 years.

OK. We'll find out the answer to tonight's question later.

OK. so come on Finn. So the proms to me what is it that I'm missing.

Rather an lottery actually. Your know it no stark out. That means a bit superior. In fact I think there is something for everyone. for example, you might hear something like this....

Wow, that was pretty dramatic. Really gracious, isn't it. What was it?

Well, that was the first movement of Tchaikovsky's fourth symphony and at the end you will hear the proms showing their appreciating by jeering and clapping. 

Right. So it almost like glister them. So that's the point you are making, isn't it. The proms make classical music accessible to everyone. But who are these promers?

Well, for an answer to them, let's hear from director of BBC proms XXXX.

So the proms are quite literately the people who stand to listen to the concerts. And their space for about 800 people right in the middle of the hall. And this is the long tradition back going to the proms. And it's wonderful because it costs very little and it means everyone can afford to come to the proms. So it's the wonderful place for also for those people meet together. And by the way, it's the best place in the hall to hear the music.

Now the hall he is talking about is the royal Robert hall in London. And the promers are people who come and stand as they listen to the music. You know Neil, it's only 500 tickets. 

Right. So you stand sounds like a proper XXX. I think I might give a go, Finn. And so you've been tried to persuade me. It's quite informal. But at the same time, you do get although big fancy classic music name, don't you.

You do absolutely. The top sole louist whether that on the piano, the violin or any other instruments, they are singing. They all perform the proms. As do very big orchestra.

And I believe BBC commission's new works from time to time. I was even told about rock musician play. Can I be right Finn?

Well, yes Neil. That's actually true. The whole range music is becoming wider year by year. They also screen concerts of other cities. They held lunch time and children's concerts. They even play Indian classic music. That's type of things. 

Playing guitars and tables at proms.

Yes. But core of the aid of the festival is devoted to the heavy weight composers all for the 400 years. Names like Bach, Mozart, Beethvne, XXX and so on. Let me play you a another air strike of that XXXXX's symphony, Neil.

Tell me what you think of this.

Now that was totally different. Much slower and quite sad. 

Yes. Every symphony will have a slow movement and it often be deeply emotional.

Well, you can't deep like music. So I must get going. 

Yes. You off to see that XXX the pub, Neil.

Actually yes. You know what. I might going catch a prom after all.

OK. Before you hurry off, I have to give you the answer to the quizz.

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Now, Neil, are you doing anything interesting tonight? Well, I was thinking poping of popping down to - that means visiting - my local pub to catch a band. How What about you? Well, my XXX had wife and I have got tickets for the Proms tonight. The Proms? You mean that ceremony for high school livers? For leavers? I thought you left school decades ago, Finn.

Ah yes, very funny, Neil. Actually, yes, yeah, it was almost two decades ago. Anyway, the Proms I'm talking about have nothing to do with that. These Proms, or as they're also known as, known, the BBC Proms, are the biggest classical music festival in the world, and they they're held in London every summer. Ah, yes, of course I know the Proms. And I I've even watched the Last Night Proms with although of the Proms with all thosewaving flags and patriets the patriotic singing by the audience. Yes. Not really my thing I know you being, what you mean, but you shouldn't judge the Proms by that the concert on the last night, Neil. It's not really typical. Although it is watched by millions of people around the world. And you know, the Proms is also a very old festival… but, how old, Neil? Is it... it: a) 57 years? b) 84 years? c) 120 years old?

Well, I don't know, so I'm going to guess and say 84 years. OK. Well, we'll find out the answer to tonight's that question later. OK. So, come on then Finn, so the proms sell the Proms to me. What is it that I'm missing?Well, rather an lottery, a lot, actually. Your know it no stark out It's not stuck-up – that means a bit superior – in fact, I think there's something for everyone. For example, you might hear something like this… Wow! That was pretty dramatic. It really gracious, isn't it? What was it? Well, that was grips you, doesn't it? What was it? Well, that was from the first movement of Tchaikovsky's fourth symphony. And at the end you will would hear the Prommers showing their appreciation by jeering cheering and clapping. Right, so it's almost like glister them. Glastonbury, then! So that's the point you're making, isn't it. The is it – the Proms make classical music accessible to everyone. But who are these Promers? Prommers? Ah, well for an answer to them, that, let's hear from the Director of the BBC Proms XXXX. Proms, Edward Blakeman.


So the Prommers, are quite literally the people who stand to listen to the concerts. And their there is space for about 800 people, right in the middle of the hall. And this is the a long tradition, back, going to through the Proms. And it's wonderful because it costs very little, and it means everyone that almost anyone can afford to come to the Proms. So it is wonderful place for also for a wonderful place for all sorts of people to meet together, and by the way, it's the best place in the hall to hear the music. Now, the hall that he's talking about is the Royal Robert Albert Hall in London – and the Prommers are the people who come and stand as they listen to the music. You know, Neil, it's only 500 £5 a ticket. Right, so you stand? That sounds like a proper XXX. gig. I think I might just give it a go, Finn. And So, you've been trying to persuade me It's that it's quite informal. But, at the same time you do get although big all those big, fancy classical music names, don't you? You do, absolutely. The top sole louist soloists – whether that's on the piano, the violin or any other instrument, they are singing. or singing – they all perform at the Proms. As do very big orchestras. And I believe the BBC commissions new works from time to time. I was even told about rock musicians play. playingthere. Can I that be right, Finn? Well, yes Neil. That's actually true. The whole range of music is becoming wider year by year. They also screen concerts of to other cities, they held hold lunchtime and children's concerts, they even play Indian classical music, That's like this type of thing…

What, playing guitars and tables at sitars (and tablas) at the Proms? Yes. But the core of the aid of the eight-week festival is devoted to the heavyweight composers all for the of the last 400 years names like – Bach, Mozart, Beethoven, XXX Brahms and so on. Let me play you a another air strike extract of that Tchaikovsky symphony now Neil. Tell me what you think of this. Now, that was totally different. Much slower and quite sad. Yes, every symphony, concerto, or sonata will have a slow movement and it will often be deeply emotional. Well, you can't deep like beat live music. So, I must get going. Yes. You Oh yeah? Are you off to see that XXXgig at the pub, Neil? Actually, yes. Or, you know what? I might going go and catch a Prom after all. OK. Well, before you hurry off, I have to give you the answer to the quiz.