BBC Proms · Season 44 · Episode 6

Omnibus at the Proms: Brahms's First Symphony

Friday, August 24

The Old School Tie. The orchestra in tonight's concert owes its existence and name to one man: Professor Hideo Saito, who helped revolutionise the teaching of European music in post-war Japan. The Saito Kinen Orchestra was formed in 1984, ten years after his death. All the players were ex-pupils of his, who otherwise led separate musical careers, but assembled for a few hectic weeks every summer. Omnibus follows the Saito Kinen Orchestra from its 1990 reunion in Salzburg to its arrival in London for a Proms performance of Brahms's First Symphony, conducted by Seiji Ozawa. Introduced by Sarah Dunant.