The Los Angeles Philharmonic, an international heavyweight, returned to the Proms for the first time in over 20 years. Led by Gustavo Dudamel, the orchestra performed Beethoven’s Pastoral Symphony using a blend of period-performance style and modern instruments.
Following an interval, the LA Phil presented Inferno from Thomas Adès’s ballet score Dante, which was described as vigorous.
Later, the homegrown Fantasia Orchestra, making its fourth Proms appearance, performed under conductor Tom Fetherstonhaugh. They were joined by percussionist Evelyn Glennie for a concert themed around listening, which included show tunes, an extract from Morton Feldman’s Rothko Chapel, and a movement of Caroline Shaw’s a cappella Partita.
The late-night Prom also featured the world premiere of Héloïse Werner’s The Wood Pigeon and an extract from Vincent Ho’s Sandman’s Castle for solo tam-tam, performed by Glennie.