KATIE DERHAM, CLIVE MYRIE and JOSIE d’ARBY are in tune as they sing the praises of the BBC’s Proms music season
REJOICING IN A SUMMER OF MUSIC
As the first notes broke through the silence, there was a huge sigh of relief and joy at the recent return of the BBC Proms in all their glory, heralding a summer of musical delights after an incredibly tough year for the arts.
Now, in our exclusive celebratory photoshoot at London’s Royal Albert Hall, which is staging the Proms for the 80th time in its 150- year history, Katie Derham, Clive Myrie and Josie d’Arby reveal how presenting the world’s largest classical music festival – with 2,000 musicians performing at 52 concerts over 44 days – is more than a coveted job: it’s a passion.
It’s “a pleasure and a privilege”, former news presenter Katie says. “While being really proud of what they managed to achieve last year within the [ coronavirus] restrictions, having no audience obviously made a huge difference. The buzz on the First Night was remarkable. It’s fantastic to be back in this wonderful venue, sharing live music with an audience.”
A CRESCENDO OF GLAMOUR
It’s always a spectacular reason to roll out the red-carpet style, too. New Mastermind host and jazz aficionado Clive – who makes his debut this year in the presenting line-up – says: “Oh yes, I’m a sucker for a nice tux.”
It’s fantastic to be back in this wonderful
venue’ Katie
Slipping on a showstopping red Gaby Charbachy gown, artist and broadcaster Josie enthuses about the famous Last Night singalong. “Hearing so many voices singing together is epic; I think it only happens at important football or rugby matches, and it’s that same atmosphere and energy in the hall.”
Katie agrees that the sense of occasion during the music extravaganza is perfect for fashion lovers but adds: “I always want people to know that they don’t have to dress up. Lots of people come on the day, just popping in on their way home from work, or from the park.”
Whatever the dress code, music is the shared passion. “My love of music began around the age of ten or 11, when I started playing the violin and trumpet at school,” says Lancashireborn Clive, whose appreciation for jazz developed during his university years. His wife Catherine “used to queue up to get cheap tickets when she was a student in the 1980s”.
PIECES OF MUSIC
Welsh- born Josie tells how seeing her first musical, Chess, ignited her interest. “I was at school but I took a job as an usher at the theatre just so I could watch the show. All my wages went on the train fare to Bristol, and I’d have to run for the last train home in the evening! I was just captivated by how the music elevated, enhanced or explained emotions. It was true escapism. Then I started to listen to classical and was overwhelmed at what music could do, with or without words.”
Katie, who grew up in Cheshire and “always played the piano and violin”, has presented the Proms since 2010 and it is now an annual family highlight. “They love coming to the Proms; from my first year, when my younger daughter was only five… she loved the Stephen Sondheim Prom. She thought he was called Stephen Song Time, which I think is a great name for him.”
Among the many highlights will be Sir Simon Rattle leading the London Symphony Orchestra in a celebration of Stravinsky, the KannehMason family performing The Carnival of the Animals, joined by former Children’s
‘My love of music began when I started playing the violin and trumpet at school’ Clive
‘ It’s the perfect tonic after what we have been through’
Josie
Laureate Sir Michael Morpurgo, who has written new poems for it, and the Proms debut of tenor saxophonist Nubya Garcia.
“Boy, can she make that tenor sax sing,” says Clive. “She produces a deep, rich, punchy sound that reminds me of greats like John Coltrane, Sonny Rollins and Dexter Gordon.”
His enthusiasm for presenting the Proms is matched by stepping into John Humphrys’s shoes on Mastermind, which will return to TV later this year. He has always been a huge fan. “I remember our whole family gathering around the TV to watch as a kid when Magnus Magnusson was presenting in the 1970s. John is a journalistic hero of mine, whom I first met when I was a reporter on BBC Radio 4’s Today programme in the early 1990s.”
TEAM SPIRIT
His path also crossed with Katie’s, who says: “We are old friends from my news days. It is always lovely to have new faces.” Others in the presenting team include Petroc Trelawny, Jess Gillam, Clara Amfo, Anna Lapwood and Tom Service.
“We all feel very fortunate to be a part of this very special event and programme,” adds Josie, who attended Proms concerts for many years before she started to work at them. “I’ve queued up outside for day tickets and stood in the mosh pit. So I’ve been a part of the excitement in the audience, hanging outside this building waiting for the doors to open – I know how special it is, and I am so happy for our audience, that the Proms are back in full swing.”
As the music continues until the Last Night on 11 September, Josie adds: “It’s the perfect tonic after what we have all been through. The audience will make it extra special this year. To see the two reunited – audiences and performers – with a deeper appreciation for each other than ever before, will be something else.”
BBC Proms continue until the Last Night on 11 September, broadcast on BBC TV, BBC Radio 3, BBC iPlayer and BBC Sounds. For tickets, visit bbc.co.uk/proms.
‘Lots of people come on the day, popping in on their way home from work’ Katie