The 96th season of Promenade Concerts opens with a performance which serves as a memorial and tribute to a distinguished and well loved musician, Sir John Pritchard. His appearance at the 1989 Last Night proved to be his farewell concert in this country. Tonight's performance by the BBC Symphony Orchestra (led by Bela Dekany) is conducted by Sir John's successor as the orchestra's chief conductor, Andrew Davis. Mahler's massive work - a late Romantic landmark - was a particular favourite of Sir John's. Introduced by Richard Baker. With Margaret Price (soprano), Anne-Sofie von Otter (mezzo-soprano), the BBC Symphony Chorus and the London Philharmonic Choir.

Youthful talent is a special feature of this new season of highlights from the 1990 Proms. Among those to be seen and heard in coming weeks are the brilliant American violinist Joshua Bell and two notable young British composers Mark-Anthony Turnage and James MacMillan. Tonight's soloist Ju Hee Suh first made her mark here in 1984 as a 16-year-old prize winner in the Leeds Piano Competition. John Tusa meets soloist and conductor Andrew Litton as they prepare for their performance with the Bournemouth Symphony Orchestra.

Beethoven's Violin Concerto Opera singer Lesley Garrett meets Joshua Bell, the 22-year-old violinist from Bloomington, Indiana, as he makes his Proms debut with Claus Peter Flor and the Philharmonia.

Shostakovich's First Cello Concerto and Ravel's Valses nobles et sentimentales The first cello concerto by Shostakovich is one of those rare modern works which has gained immediate popularity. First performed in 1959 by Mstislav Rostropovich, the concerto demands virtuoso playing from soloist and orchestra alike. Tonight's soloist, Heinrich Schiff, talks to pianist Howard Shelley about the challenges of this demanding work. Originally written for piano then transcribed for large orchestra, Ravel's suite of eight waltzes is a tribute to Schubert's work of the same name. Esa-Pekka Salonen conducts the Swedish Radio Symphony Orchestra.

Mark-Anthony Turnage 's Three Screaming Popes and Bartok's Second Violin Concerto. Sue Cook meets one of Britain's most original young composers, Mark-Anthony Turnage , whose Three Screaming Popes, inspired by some Francis Bacon paintings, is now given its London premiere. The City of Birmingham Symphony Orchestra, conducted by Simon Rattle , is joined by the Korean virtuoso Kyung-Wha Chung for a performance of Bartok's Second Violin Concerto. Director Barrie Gavin Executive producer Jonathan Fulford (Nextweek:SeijiOzawaconducts Brahms's Symphony No 1 in C minor)

The Old School Tie. The orchestra in tonight's concert owes its existence and name to one man: Professor Hideo Saito, who helped revolutionise the teaching of European music in post-war Japan. The Saito Kinen Orchestra was formed in 1984, ten years after his death. All the players were ex-pupils of his, who otherwise led separate musical careers, but assembled for a few hectic weeks every summer. Omnibus follows the Saito Kinen Orchestra from its 1990 reunion in Salzburg to its arrival in London for a Proms performance of Brahms's First Symphony, conducted by Seiji Ozawa. Introduced by Sarah Dunant.

Witches are no longer burned at the stake, but 'witch-hunting tendencies can erupt in our own society'. So says James MacMillan whose work, inspired by the grisly events of 1662 - when Isobel Gowdie was burned as a witch - has its premiere at the Proms. Mark Wigglesworth, prize-winning conductor and a former student of MacMillan, introduces the programme. It also includes Sibelius's Violin Concerto, played by Korean Dong-Suk Kang with the BBC Scottish Symphony Orchestra, conducted by Jerzy Maksymiuk.

Libor Pesek conducts the Royal Liverpool Philharmonic Orchestra in the Glagolitic Mass by his Czech compatriot JanaCek. Written in 1926, it uses a text in Old Slavonic to emphasise Czech nationalist identity after centuries of allegiance to Austria. Beethoven's Eroica Symphony, which shares this theme of liberation, opens the concert. 8.20 During the interval, Michael Berkeley reports on the Royal Liverpool Philharmonic Society, celebrating its 150th birthday. 8.40 The soloists in the Glagolitic Mass are Jane Eagien (soprano), Ameral Gunson (mezzo-soprano), John Mitchinson (tenor), Michael George (bass), with Ian Tracey (organ) and the BBC Symphony Chorus and Royal Liverpool Philharmonic Choir. Introduced by Michael Berkeley

The German conductor Giinter Wand is universally recognised as one of the world's finest Bruckner interpreters. During a career spanning six decades he has developed a special affinity with the spiritual world of Anton Bruckner. Tonight, he conducts the BBC Symphony Orchestra in Bruckner's towering Fifth Symphony, a work which in its massive span encompasses earthy humour, energy and serene beauty, and builds up to one of the most powerful musical conclusions. Introduced by Michael Berkeley.

Live from London's Royal Albert Hall , this year's final Prom concert is conducted by Mark Elder. A Swedish soloist and composers from Austria, France and Italy add an international spice to the traditionally British flavour of this event. Over the last two months, the Royal Albert Hall has played host to 65 promenade concerts. BBC Symphony Orchestra (leader Bela Dekany ) BBC Singers (director Simon Joly ) BBC Symphony Chorus (director Stephen Jackson ) Introduced by Richard Baker. Part 1 features Vaughan Williams's Overture The Wasps; Haydn's Trumpet Concerto in E flat major with soloist Hakan Hardenberger ; Tippett's Suite for the Birthday of Prince Charles and Parry's Blest Pair of Sirens.