Heyward review – guts, virtuosity … and kazoos

The National Youth Orchestra of Great Britain gave a ferociously committed, exuberant and exhilarating performance of Beethoven’s Third and a buzzing new piece by Laura Jurd

Prom 4: SCO/ Emelyanychev review – unforgettable, supercharged Mozart

With their livewire principal conductor dancing around the stage, the Scottish Chamber Orchestra’s gleaming performance was one to treasure

First Night of the Proms review: a delightful shared experience with some surprises

While tonight at the Royal Albert Hall wasn’t quite back to normal it offered some joyful moments

Last Night of the Proms review – party falls flat as BBC miss chance to speak up

Despite desperate cheeriness from assorted guests and committed performances from all musicians, this event is about more than the music, and 2020’s concert failed to reflect current times

Aurora Orch/Collon review – Ayres and Beethoven pairing is vivid and lithe

Richard Ayres’s complex Beethoven tribute had real emotional power, while the latter’s Seventh symphony – performed from memory – was a joyous celebration of energy

BBCNOW/Bancroft review – panache, poignancy and a howl of protest

Ryan Bancroft’s first concert as principal conductor packed an emotional punch with a suite of American classics and a fierce new commission by Gavin Higgins

The week in classical: LPO/Pappano; BBC Proms review – upbeat pleasures

The LPO strings, soloists and a stand-in by the name of Antonio Pappano shone in Britten and Schoenberg. And the stars aligned in a Prom to remember

Proms 2020: LSO/Rattle review – empty Albert Hall allows room to play

The orchestra played all around this capacious venue, exploring space and sound in works including a premiere composed in lockdown by Thomas Adès

First night of the Proms review – Oramo conjures hope from Beethoven

Despite their reduced numbers, the BBC Symphony Orchestra brought intensity and lyricism to the judicious first-night choice of the Eroica

The week in classical: BBC Proms 2020 and more – review

A diet of highlights from the Proms archive should make us value this great festival more than ever. Elsewhere, enterprising live music-making continues

Opening night of the virtual Proms – archive treasures and a trite mash-up

A deft but trivial Beethoven tribute was balanced by unforgettable past Proms performances, as the BBC launched a season of historic highlights, with live concerts to come in late August