Synopsis

The BBC Proms of 2017 begin tonight with a flourish at the Royal Albert Hall. The concert features Beethoven's powerful Third Piano Concerto, performed by acclaimed soloist Igor Levit alongside the BBC Symphony Orchestra, led by conductor Edward Gardner. This inaugural performance of the world’s largest music festival also presents a vibrant new composition, *St John's Dance*, by Tom Coult – the first of thirteen world premieres scheduled for Proms 2017. The evening is hosted by Katie Derham.