1. The First Night of The Proms

In the presence of Their Royal Highnesses The Duke and Duchess of Kent Handel 's Messiah (arr Mozart) conducted by Sir John Pritchard Handel's masterpiece has been re-arranged many times and even recorded in a pop version. By contrast Mozart's arrangement, commissioned 200 years ago for a performance in German in Vienna, is restrained and elegant, using a baroque orchestra and redistributing high trumpet parts among the classical wind band. Tonight's concert celebrates the 300th anniversary of Handel's birth.