ISLINGTON PROMS 2021
All the concerts (except the Pocket Prom) and the discussions and the art exhibition took place at St James’ Church in early September 2021.
For the benefit of Covid-vulnerable people, or others who felt uncomfortable about attending in person, some of the concerts were streamed online, to be viewed live or for 30 days after the event.
2 September–2 October
Take5Artists
An exhibition of work by five artists of contrasting styles in a variety of media – paint, print, collage and ceramics – curated by Margaret Thompson.
Saturday 4 September, 7.30
Sonhos do Brasil
The versatile Michèle Drees (singer/ guitarist/drummer/composer/dancer) has worked with Marc Almond, Kirsty MacColl, Seal, KD Lang, Suzanne Vega and many other musical luminaries. Tonight she presents a programme of bossa novas, sambas and other Brazilian music, with Ian Winter, saxophone.
Sunday 5 September, 4pm
Pocket Prom
Bring a picnic to the vicarage garden
(1a Arlington Square, N1 7DS) for an afternoon of al fresco music – operatic favourites by soprano Tanya Hurst with Adam Dickson, piano, and swinging jazz from the Martin Klute Trio.
Wednesday 8 September, 7.30
Travel writing
Friday 10 September, 7.30
Something Human
More than just ‘What I did on my holiday’… Travel writer and broadcaster Alison Rice chairs a discussion with three leading travel journalists, who debate the highs and lows of travel writing and how the Covid-19 pandemic has affected their work.
Sunday 12 September, 4pm
Youth Prom
A regular feature in the Proms programme, the Youth Prom is a showcase for Islington’s most talented young performers. The next generation of local musicians and singers present a varied programme of instrumental and vocal music.
Pianist/composer Karim Kamar has played at the Royal Albert Hall, Ronnie Scott’s and the Jazz Cafe. Tonight at St James’ he plays music from his latest album, Something Human, and is joined for other pieces by guest singers, rappers and poets.
Sunday 12 September, 7.30
Music Divine
The exciting young choir Recordare delight in a wide repertoire of unaccompanied choral music. Their programme tonight includes 17th-century madrigals, 21st-century music and traditional folk songs arranged by Holst and Vaughan Williams.
Saturday 11 September, 7.30
Music for four hands
Daniel Grimwood is a pianist of international renown. ‘An exceptional performer’: BBC Music magazine. Tonight he is joined by the Proms’ Artistic Director Yoon Chung to play piano music for four hands by Schubert, Schumann and Rubenstein.
Wednesday 15 September, 7.30
TV in a crisis
How television has become the fourth emergency service. Leading TV executive Clare Thompson takes a global look at some of the ways television reflects, comforts and helps us to rebuild in times of trouble.
Friday 17 September, 7pm
Dowland Works
The evergreen Dame Emma Kirkby makes a welcome return to St James’ with her early music group, Dowland Works, an informal club of outstanding singers and lutenists who specialise in the music of John Dowland and his contemporaries.
Friday 17 September, 9pm
Claire Booth accompanies
Claire Booth
Soprano Claire Booth is internationally acclaimed for her extraordinary breadth of repertoire and the vitality that she brings to the operatic stage and concert platform. Tonight, accompanying herself on the piano, she sings a programme that includes Schumann’s song cycle Frauenliebe und Leben and English folk songs arranged by Benjamin Britten.
Saturday 18 September, 7.30pm
Beethoven and Schubert
The Haydn Chamber Orchestra make their Islington Proms debut with a programme originally planned for 2020 to mark Beethoven’s 250th birthday. Under conductor George Jackson they will be playing Beethoven's Prometheus Overture and his Piano Concerto No 3 in C minor, with Yoon Chung as soloist, as well as Schubert’s Symphony No 6 in C major.
Sunday 5 September, 4pm
Pocket Prom
Bring a picnic to the vicarage garden
(1a Arlington Square, N1 7DS) for an afternoon of al fresco music – operatic favourites by soprano Tanya Hurst with Adam Dickson, piano, and swinging jazz from the Martin Klute Trio.