The BBC Proms 2020 season will open on Friday 17 July on BBC Radio 3 and Sunday 19 July on BBC Four

Beethoveniana

Composed by Iain Farrington

Lyrics by Sarah Gabriel

Sarah has written a new version of the lyrics to ‘Ode to Joy’ for a unique First Night commission composed by Iain Farrington for a Grand Virtual Orchestra, marking the 250th anniversary of Beethoven’s birth.

The opening night mash-up of Beethoven’s nine symphonies by composer, arranger and pianist Iain Farrington includes all five BBC orchestras – the BBC Symphony Orchestra, BBC Philharmonic, BBC Concert Orchestra, BBC National Orchestra Of Wales and BBC Scottish Symphony Orchestra – as well as BBC singers, who will sing Sarah’s words for ‘Ode to Joy’.