Aurora Orchestra’s Unique Take on Beethoven’s Ninth at BBC Proms
Get ready for a unique and deeply moving experience as Aurora Orchestra brings Beethoven’s Ninth Symphony to life at the BBC Proms. On Wednesday, 21st August, the Royal Albert Hall will host this special performance, live on BBC Radio 3 and BBC Sounds, with a recorded broadcast on BBC Four and BBC iPlayer.
In an extraordinary blend of music and storytelling, Aurora Orchestra will mark the 200th anniversary of Beethoven’s iconic ninth symphony with their signature ‘Orchestral Theatre’ approach. The performance is not just about the music; it’s an exploration of Beethoven’s life and struggles, crafted to give audiences an insight into the composer’s journey as he wrote his final symphony amidst profound hearing loss, illness, and personal turmoil.
Led by Principal Conductor Nicholas Collon, the performance features deaf actor Rhiannon May and actor/BSL interpreter Thomas Simper, alongside the BBC Singers, the National Youth Choir of Great Britain, and soloists Masabane Cecilia Rangwanasha, Marta Fontanals-Simmons, Brenden Gunnell, and Christopher Purves. This thoughtfully designed introduction will delve into the story behind the symphony’s creation, illuminating its musical content and Beethoven’s remarkable resilience.
Composed just four years before his death, Beethoven’s Ninth Symphony stands as his most ambitious work. It’s an epic vision of humanity united, a message that has continued to inspire for over two centuries. Aurora’s unique presentation will harness the power of an orchestra performing entirely from memory, using text, movement, and lighting to re-create the events leading up to its 1824 premiere.
Aurora’s Creative Director, Jane Mitchell, has crafted this new presentation, drawing from Beethoven’s ‘Conversation Books.’ These notebooks, recently translated by music historian Theodore Albrecht, capture Beethoven’s interactions with friends and acquaintances during his profound hearing loss. The books provide a raw and unfiltered glimpse into his daily life, from mundane shopping lists to profound insights into his compositions. Rhiannon May will portray Beethoven, while Thomas Simper will represent the people in his life, reading excerpts and using British Sign Language to bring these historical conversations to life.
Rhiannon May shared her excitement about participating in the Proms this summer: “It’s been fascinating to explore Beethoven’s deafness and his conversation books, seeing clear parallels with how deaf people communicate today. Music transcends just sound, and Beethoven’s Ninth is a powerful reminder of that.”
Jane Mitchell added, “Getting to know Beethoven through his conversation books has been absolutely fascinating. These books have no filter; they capture immediate thoughts, making it feel like we are overhearing conversations directly from the past. It’s extraordinary that someone who found daily life so challenging chose to celebrate joy in his final symphony. We are looking forward to sharing this incredible story at the Proms this summer.”
As with all Proms, Beethoven’s Ninth by Heart will be broadcast live on Radio 3 and available on BBC Sounds. It will also be recorded for future broadcast on BBC Four, presented by Linton Stephens. While seated tickets for this performance are sold out, £8 Promming tickets will be available on the day, ensuring everyone has a chance to experience this memorable event.
Image: Wikimedia Commons
