BBC Proms 2020: Jessye Norman

In 2020, BBC Radio 3 is bringing together musical greats, from the past and the present, in one extraordinary Proms season. Radio 3 is broadcasting the best of four decades of unmissable Proms concerts and in this broadcast Andrew McGregor presents a very special concert centred around legendary soprano Jessye Norman.

(From BBC Proms 2000, 6 August) 

One of the greatest voices of the 20th century, Jessye Norman made a rare London appearance in the Prom in 2000, when she gave the first UK performance of Judith Weir’s song-cycle commissioned for her by Carnegie Hall. This major addition to the repertoire sets specially written texts by Maya Angelou, Toni Morrison and Clarissa Ping Estés depicting a woman’s life through youth, middle age and maturity.

Stravinsky Concerto in E flat major, ‘Dumbarton Oaks’
Judith Weir woman.life.song
Ravel Introduction and Allegro
Schoenberg 6 Brettl Lieder

Jessye Norman soprano
Helen Tunstall harp
Mark Markham piano
London Sinfonietta
David Robertson conductor