Highlights from our special Proms issue include BBC Symphony chief conductor Sakari Oramo, on his decade at the helm of the orchestra so indelibly associated with the festival. Elsewhere, Clare Stevens catches up with former Proms director Roger Wright; Richard Morrison<\/a><\/strong> shares his favourite moments from 60 years of Proms-going; and we have the complete 2024 BBC Proms<\/a><\/strong> listings for you to peruse.<\/p> Our most poignant piece of Proms content, however, is an interview with the legendary Proms conductor Sir Andrew Davis<\/a><\/strong>. Shortly before he died, and looking forward to a Proms appearance on 30 August, Davis spoke to Amanda Holloway<\/a><\/strong> about the work that shaped his life and career: you can read his typically engaging and humane responses on the inside back cover of our July issue. <\/p> Away from the Proms, there’s plenty more to enjoy this issue. This month also sees the start of the 2024 Olympics, and so in honour of this sporting smorgasbord Jeremy Pound<\/a><\/strong> charts a history of music at the Olympics, from a sulking Strauss to an Elgar-inspired horse. Continuing with a colourful summer, Classical Pride<\/a><\/strong> returns in expanded form this year, and founder Oliver Zeffman tells Claire Jackson<\/a><\/strong> about this summer’s colourful event. <\/p> Our big interview this month is with the brilliant cellist Laura van der Heijden. With her new recording of Walton<\/a><\/strong>‘s Cello Concerto, Laura has returned to the work that won her BBC Young Musician of the Year. She opens up to Ariane Todes on the pressures of recording and the joy of friends. <\/p> For this month’s Musical Destinations, Charlotte Smith<\/a><\/strong> heads to Newport, Rhode Island, to find a vibrant classical music festival scene (centred on its prestigious annual festival<\/a><\/strong>) and a perfect lobster roll. And for Composer of the Month, Leah Broad<\/a><\/strong> explores the life and fascinating work of Elizabeth Maconchy. Admired by her peers and feted in her younger years, Maconchy nonetheless faced an uphill battle for wider recognition, as Leah explains. <\/p> Last but not least, for Building a Library Terry Williams<\/strong><\/a> explores the best recordings of Dvo\u0159\u00e1k’s Fifth Symphony, a work fairly bursting with sunny spirts and good humour. Which description, now we come to think of it, aptly fits our July issue too. Happy reading!<\/p>![\"\"](\"https:\/\/c02.purpledshub.com\/uploads\/sites\/43\/2024\/06\/JULY24_CD.jpg\")
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