Main content

American Classics

BBC Proms 2026

Live at the BBC Proms: the Philharmonia Orchestra conducted by Marin Alsop in a programme of American classics including Bernstein’s West Side Story.

Live at the BBC Proms: the Philharmonia Orchestra conducted by Marin Alsop in a programme of American classics, including Bernstein’s West Side Story. And American jazz legend Marcus Roberts and his trio bring the spirit of improvisation to Gershwin's Rhapsody in Blue.

Presented by Ian Skelly, live from the Royal Albert Hall, London.

Joan Tower: Fanfare for the Uncommon Woman
Aaron Copland Appalachian Spring – Suite
Gershwin: Rhapsody in Blue (orch. Grofé / arr. Marcus Roberts)

Interval: Pianist Allyson Devenish joins Ian Skelly live at the Royal Albert Hall to look ahead to her pick of upcoming Proms.

Jerome Moross: The Big Country – Prelude
Bernstein: Symphonic Dances from ‘West Side Story’
William Grant Still: Three Visions – No. 2: Summerland
Bernstein: On the Town – Three Dance Episodes

Marcus Roberts Trio
Philharmonia Orchestra
Marin Alsop (conductor)

An all-American celebration, from the urban rhythms of Bernstein’s West Side Story and On the Town to Copland’s barn dances and Gershwin’s jazz-infused Rhapsody in Blue. To these are added all-American landscapes in The Big Country and Appalachian Spring, as well as a fanfare dedicated to tonight’s conductor, Marin Alsop.

1 month left to listen

2 hours, 59 minutes

Last on

Last Monday 19:00
BBC Radio 3

More episodes

Previous

Mozart at the Proms2026

Next

Bond and Beyond2026

See all episodes from BBC Proms

Music Played

  • Joan Tower

    Fanfare For The Uncommon Woman No.4

    Orchestra: Philharmonia Orchestra. Conductor: Marin Alsop.

  • Aaron Copland

    Appalachian Spring - Suite

    Orchestra: Philharmonia Orchestra. Conductor: Marin Alsop.

  • George Gershwin

    Rhapsody In Blue

    Music Arranger: Marcus Roberts. Orchestra: Philharmonia Orchestra. Conductor: Marin Alsop. Ensemble: Marcus Roberts Trio.

  • Giacomo Puccini

    E ben altro il mio sogno! (Il tabarro)

    Singer: Elza van den Heever. Singer: Johan Botha. Conductor: Bertrand de Billy. Orchestra: Vienna Radio Symphony Orchestra.
    • Puccini: Il tabarro, SC 85.
    • CapriccioNR.
    • 9.

  • Kaija Saariaho

    La passion de Simone (Station 4, Attentive à la souffrance des humains)

    Singer: Dawn Upshaw. Orchestra: Finnish Radio Symphony Orchestra. Conductor: Esa‐Pekka Salonen.
    • Saariaho: La passion de Simone.
    • Ondine.
    • 4.

  • Oyvind Torvund

    A Walk into the Future

    Orchestra: Oslo Philharmonic. Conductor: Olari Elts.
    • Øyvind Torvund: A Walk into the Future.
    • Aurora Records AS.
    • 15.

  • Hector Berlioz

    Harold in Italy Op.16 (Serenade)

    Performer: Tabea Zimmermann. Orchestra: Les Siècles. Conductor: François‐Xavier Roth.
    • Berlioz: Harold en Italie, Les Nuits d'été.
    • HARMONIA MUNDI.
    • 3.

  • Jerome Moross

    The Big Country - Music For The Film ; Main Theme

    Orchestra: Philharmonia Orchestra. Conductor: Marin Alsop.

  • Leonard Bernstein

    Symphonic Dances From 'West Side Story'

    Orchestra: Philharmonia Orchestra. Conductor: Marin Alsop.

  • William Grant Still

    3 Visions ; No.2; Summerland

    Orchestra: Philharmonia Orchestra. Conductor: Marin Alsop.

  • Leonard Bernstein

    3 Dance Episodes From 'On The Town'

    Orchestra: Philharmonia Orchestra. Conductor: Marin Alsop.

  • Aaron Copland

    Rodeo - Ballet ; Hoe-Down

    Performer: Philharmonia Orchestra. Conductor: Marin Alsop.

Broadcast

  • Last Monday 19:00
    BBC Radio 3