A five star night at the 2025 BBC Proms

The penultimate night of the 2025 BBC Proms. A sold out Royal Albert Hall. Over 140 performers on stage. A big night in more ways than one.

Our 2025 Proms appearance saw us back at the Royal Albert Hall for our fifth consecutive appearance, this time with soloist James Ehnes and, for the very first time in concert, the Sinfonia of London Chorus joined forces with the orchestra.

On the programme was Richard Strauss’ Don Juan, Bernstein’s Serenade with soloist James Ehnes, and then to cap it all, Ravel’s Daphnis and Chloe.

The reviews, both from the professional critics and the audience, have been resounding. Here’s just a small selection:

*****
“Sinfonia of London is a handpicked crack team of other orchestras’ finest players, but it is conductor John Wilson’s weapons-grade energy levels and his ear for tiny, transformative details that are essential to its success…just four years since its live debut, Wilson has made this orchestra one of the UK’s best”
The Guardian

“Wilson never let us forget that this is music for dancing: from the Nocturne and the War Dance to the “Pantomime”, Ravel’s ever-shifting rhythms minutely track the moods of the Greek pastoral romance. This ultra-big band proved impressively light on its feet.”
The Arts Desk

“Wilson’s recording of Ravel’s ballet earned plenty of plaudits, but to hear him conduct it live was a special thrill…Daphnis was the highlight of an evening where the focus was on love and lust, priapic horns making whoopee in Richard Strauss’ Don Juan to open the programme, wrapped up in lasciviously rich string tone”
Bachtrack

“Sinfonia of London, with John Wilson in the driving seat, crashed into the opening bars of Richard Strauss’ Don Juan with all the excitement, focus and split-second cornering of Keanu Reeves driving his bus through LA traffic. The programming of this Prom couldn’t have been better – making it a barnstorming penultimate night of the festival and a spectacular 2025 season finale for some of us.”
Music OMH

“The buzz around this elite group of players has been steadily building over the years, not least because of their recent award-winning recording of Daphnis and Chloé, but also because every year they deliver a knock-out Prom…

…As the last chord rang out, the hall erupted – a spontaneous, full-bodied ovation that felt both inevitable and entirely deserved. This was not just another impressive John Wilson Prom; it was one of those occasions where programming, performance and atmosphere all aligned.”
Seen and Heard International

And audience members were just as effusive as the critics:

“Such a terrific and memorable performance. Fizzing with passion, story telling, precision and energy. The very best.”
Audience Member

“Absolutely stunning! There aren’t enough superlatives. A great privilege to be in the presence of such virtuoso artistry. Tutti BRAVI!”
Composer Kenneth Fuchs

We’re back soon with very different repertoire – a tour of English music for Strings, including works by Elgar and Vaughan Williams, touring to Gateshead, Perth, Carlisle and London. Full details on our concerts page.

Image: Credit: Chris Christodoulou/BBC