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                                          NIGEL PICKS THE PROMS: FROM THE RADIO TIMES

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Nigel Kennedy, one-time enfant terrible of classical music, makes his return to the Proms after a 21-year hiatus for the 2008 season.

He took time out of his rehearsal schedule to let Radio Times know which acts he'll be paying particular attention to this year…

Doctor Who Prom: Sunday, 27 July

An 11 a.m. family concert, presented by Freema Agyeman (Martha Jones), featuring music from the TV series composed by Murray Gold and classical favourites including Jupiter from Holst's Planets and Wagner's Ride of the Valkyries.

Nigel Kennedy: "The Doctor Who theme by the BBC Radiophonic Workshop is one of the great tunes of all time. Proper. So that's a must," says Kennedy.

Olivier Messiaen: La Transfiguration de Notre Seigneur Jesus-Christ: Sunday, 27 July

The Proms celebrates the centenary of Messiaen's birth with a series of concerts, including this piece for a massed choir and orchestra. Kennedy is crazy about "this motherf***er of a Messiaen work".

Nigel Kennedy: "Not enough Messiaen is played," he says, "and it's great to see he's having a renaissance due to the Proms. He wrote a lot for organ and a lot for church - unusual for a modern composer. This'll be great."

Gwilym Simcock: Progressions for piano and orchestra: Saturday, 9 August

Part of a jazz Prom with Stravinsky, Gershwin and Bernstein.

Nigel Kennedy: "Simcock is one of the great jazz players of the day. He's British, and it'll be interesting to hear classical music influenced by jazz. And then he's a real cat playing his own stuff as well. That'll be cool, man."

(Courtesy the Big Issue)

West-Eastern Divan Orchestra: Thursday, 14 August

A wide-ranging programme in two Proms (7 p.m. and 10:15 p.m.), played by a multi-faith orchestra founded by conductor Daniel Barenboim with the late Palestinian philosopher Edward Said.

Nigel Kennedy: "Barenboim has put together this orchestra of young people from both sides of the divide in Palestine. It's a great thing that he's got people working together - as an example that people can co-exist if it's not full of politicians and ……… f***ng missile bases. It's a great achievement."

Gustav Mahler Youth Orchestra: Monday, 1 September

The pan-European orchestra plays Beethoven's Violin Concerto and Sibelius's Second Symphony, conducted by Colin Davis.

Nigel Kennedy: "[These are] the best young players of Europe and [violin soloist] Nikolaj Znaider is very good. [Reads from programme] 'Born in Denmark to Polish/Israeli parents': a good mix."

Messiaen: Cinq Rechants and Night Ragas: Monday, 1 September

Late Prom showcasing a Messiaen work inspired by Indian rhythms, followed by improvised classical Indian ragas from Nishat Khan.

Nigel Kennedy: "Messiaen was putting birdsong into modern symphonic language. And it's got Indian music, which is gonna be great. That's a good combination."

        (Reprinted by kind permission of the Radio Times.  Visit their website at www.radiotimes.com )