St Jude Summer Proms: Last Night of the Proms

Experience the grandeur of St Jude’s last night of the Proms in this sweeping concert film, where the timeless charm of classic repertoire meets the thrill of contemporary orchestral mastery. The program opens with William Walton’s bombastic “Spitfire Prelude and Fugue,” a patriotic march that sets the tone for an evening celebrating music that inspires and entertains. Following this, we journey into the romantic depths of Edward Elgar’s “Sea Pictures,” a moving song cycle that paints the sea’s power, mystery, and romance through lush contralto lines—magnified by a performance from Helen Charlston, whose voice the Evening Standard called “little short of miraculous.” The second half turns toward playful and spirited classics, with Sergei Prokofiev’s “Symphony No. 1 ‘Classical’ in D major” artfully emulating Haydn and Mozart while injecting modern twists. The orchestra then delights with selections from George Frideric Handel, Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart, and others, culminating in popular arias and songs that invite the audience to join in singing. Under the direction of Paul Hoskins, the Purcell School Symphony Orchestra—featuring highly talented young musicians—delivers an unforgettable finale that blends reverence for tradition with the excitement of today’s music. Join the celebration, open your heart to the classics, and be part of this vibrant, memorable last night of the Proms.