Chineke! Orchestra at the BBC Proms 2024

8th September 2024 marked Chineke! Orchestra’s 7th BBC Proms appearance, and what a mesmerising programme the sell out crowds at the Royal Albert Hall were in for.

📷 Andy Paradise

“Chineke! brings the exclamation of its name to tangible reality by concocting a night of beauty, zeal and, on the top, fun” —First Night Magazine

Under the baton of Andrew Grams, Chineke! got things underway with two extraordinary suites, beginning with Duke Ellington and Billy Strayhorn’s joyous adaptation of ‘The Nutcracker’, taking themes from Tchaikovsky’s beloved 1892 festive ballet and adding a delightful jazz twist. Following that was Stewart Goodyear’s five movement celebration of Caribbean music inspired by his Trinidadian roots, ‘Callaloo’, with Goodyear performing as soloist in his own vibrant composition. His presence on the piano captivated the audience, and the rapturous applause which followed the final movement said all it needed to.

His parting gift of the final movement of Prokofiev’s ‘Piano Sonata No. 7’ as encore was not only welcome, but nigh on demanded by the ebullient Prommers in the hall.

“Few orchestras would dare to combine works from 1960 and 2016 and then 1893 in one programme, let alone be able to make such large leaps without giving the audience or themselves whiplash. They take everything in their stride.” —The Times

After the interval, we were treated to Tchaikovsky’s Sixth, ‘Pathétique’; an emotional rollercoaster with all the intensity and robustness one would come to expect from such a heartbreakingly autobiographical symphony. What an evening!

📷 Andy Paradise

“A highlight of the BBC Proms each year, Chineke! attracts a more diverse and excitable audience than usual, creating an electric atmosphere.” —The Prickle

The recording of the evening is now available online via BBC Sounds in its entirety until 13th October, and can be found here.

All photos courtesy of Andy Paradise.