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Tom McKinney live from the Royal Albert Hall

Tom McKinney opens the doors on BBC Proms 2026, live from the Royal Albert Hall as the day, and anticipation, begins to build.

The sound of summer pours from your radio in Proms Countdown 2026. From first light to the very first note of the BBC Proms, Radio 3 broadcasts live from the Royal Albert Hall. Tom McKinney, Georgia Mann, Mark Forrest and Katie Derham take you behind the scenes as excitement builds for the opening night — from unlocking the doors to the moment the performers step on stage.

Proms Countdown is your access-all-areas pass, with exclusive interviews from Proms performers, backstage stories and live performance — a front-row seat to the sounds and stars of the world’s greatest classical music festival.

The day begins as the Royal Albert Hall awakens, with the first sounds drifting from the Grand Organ, performed live by organist Richard Pearce.

3 hours

On air

Today 06:30
BBC Radio 3

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Katie Derham live from the Royal Albert Hall

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Georgia Mann live from the Royal Albert Hall

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Music Played

  • Arthur Benjamin

    Hyde Park Galop (An Ideal Husband)

    Orchestra: BBC National Orchestra of Wales. Conductor: Rumon Gamba.
    • Chandos.

  • William Sterndale Bennett

    Piano Concerto No 6 (2nd mvt)

    Performer: Simon Callaghan. Conductor: Martin Yates. Orchestra: Royal Northern Sinfonia.
    • William Sterndale Bennett: Piano Concertos Nos. 4 & 6.
    • Lyrita Recorded Edition.
    • 5.

  • Benjamin Britten

    Hymn to St Cecilia Op.27

    Choir: The Sixteen. Director: Harry Christophers.
    • COLLINS CLASSICS.

  • Johann Sebastian Bach

    Fantasia in G BWV572

    Performer: Richard Pearse.

  • Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart

    Clarinet Quintet in A major, K.581 (2nd mvt)

    Performer: Anthony McGill. Ensemble: Pacifica Quartet.
    • Cedille.

  • Trad.

    Amazing Grace / Nearer My God to Thee

    Choir: Ladysmith Black Mambazo.
    • In Harmony.
    • Gallo Record Company.
    • 16.

  • Jacques Offenbach

    Harmonies des bois: Jacqueline's Tears

    Performer: Sheku Kanneh‐Mason. Orchestra: City of Birmingham Symphony Orchestra. Conductor: Mirga Gražinytė‐Tyla.
    • Inspiration.
    • Decca Music Group Ltd..
    • 9.

  • Kate Bush

    This Woman's Work

    Performer: Jess Gillam. Music Arranger: Geoff Lawson. Orchestra: BBC Concert Orchestra. Conductor: Richard Balcombe.
    • Decca.

  • Jean Sibelius

    Violin Concerto in D minor (3rd mvt)

    Performer: Vilde Frang. Orchestra: WDR Symphony Orchestra Cologne. Conductor: Thomas Søndergård.
    • Sibelius Prokofiev: Violin Concerto.
    • EMI.
    • 3.

  • Steve Reich

    Clapping Music

    Performer: Steve Reich. Performer: Colin Currie.
    • COLIN CURRIE RECORDS.

  • William Byrd

    This sweet and merry month of May

    Choir: The Gesualdo Six. Director: Owain Park.

  • George Antheil

    Hot-Time Dance

    Orchestra: BBC Philharmonic Orchestra. Conductor: John Storgårds.
    • Antheil: Symphonies Nos. 3 & 6, Spectre of the Rose Waltz, Archipelago & Hot-Tim.
    • Chandos.
    • 106.

  • Frédéric Chopin

    Etude No 5 "Black Keys"

    Performer: Yunchan Lim.
    • Chopin: Études, Opp. 10 & 25.
    • Decca Music Group Ltd..

  • William Walton

    Crown Imperial

    Performer: Richard Pearse.

Broadcast

  • Today 06:30
    BBC Radio 3