CLASSICAL: THE FIVE BEST CONCERTS

1

The Proms 27 Aug

The esteemed Berlin Philharmonic and their conductor Claudio Abbado present what should be a monumental concert: Bruckner's vast and intrepid 5th Symphony, neatly prefaced by Mozart's delightful Flute and Harp Concerto.

Royal Albert Hall, London SW7 (07-589 822), 7.30pm

2

The Proms 2 26 Aug

Czech countryman Jiri Belohlavek conducts Martinu's Frescoes of Piero della Francesca again, as well as giving a world premiere to the late Berthold Goldschmidt's Deux Nocturnes.

Royal Albert Hall, London SW7 (07-589 822), 7.30pm

3

The Proms 3 28 Aug

Claudio Abbado with the Berlin Philharmonic opens up the comparison with Bruckner when he rounds off his second Prom with Brahms's Symphony No.3.

Royal Albert Hall, London SW7 (07-589 822), 7.30pm

4

The Proms 4 25 Aug

The phenomenal young virtuoso pianist Evgeny Kissin graces the platform of the Albert Hall with Prokofiev's 2nd Piano Concerto in G minor with the St Petersburg Philharmonic conducted by Yuri Temirkanov.

Royal Albert Hall, London SW7 (07-589 822), 7.30pm

5

L'esprit Baroque 23 Aug

The exciting young period instrument quartet, L'esprit Baroque, give a lively and packed Coffee Concert, appropriately in Europe's oldest purpose-built concert hall, Oxford's Holywell Music Room. Trio sonatas by Leclair and Back plus Telemann's Paris Quartet.

Holywell Music Room, Oxford (0865 26384) :5am