Unheard melodies
From Mr Nicholas Kenyon Sir: Peter Phillips (Arts, 5 May), who is a performer at this year's BBC Proms, is certainly as entitled as any other licence-fee-payer to his opinions of this season's programmes.
But he neglects the vast chronological range of music heard over the last five years of the Proms: memorable performances of music by Hildegard of Bingen from Sequentia, through 11thand 12th-century music from the Hilliard Ensemble, mediaeval music from the New London Consort, Renaissance music now, happily, from the Tallis Scholars, baroque music from many leading groups, and a lavish choice of Rameau opera, Handel oratorio or Bach Passions each year.
And he overlooks a key factor in our decision-making: the unique space of the Royal Albert Hall, which gives us great opportunities but also creates some limitations in the early-music repertory. The evening some years ago of Bach harpsichord concertos at which the Prommers chanted 'This Prom can be heard on Radio Three' is not one I am anxious to repeat.
Nicholas Kenyon
Director, BBC Proms, Broadcasting House, London W1
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