 
                
                        150 Years of The Royal Albert Hall
Beat poets Allen Ginsberg and Lawrence Ferlinghetti read there. Miss World, boxing matches and the Proms have been staged there. Mike Oldfield to Hugh Masekela have played there.
From Bach to The Beatles, beat poetry to a boxing match - The Royal Albert Hall marked its 150th anniversary this year and this Words and Music features readings performed by Royal Albert Hall regulars Josie Lawrence and Petroc Trelawny. We include moving and amusing moments from the Albert Hall archive, including Emmeline Pankhurst calling on her followers to meet once more at the Hall on the eve of her trial, and a former Head of Music at the ÃÛÑ¿´«Ã½ who was outraged by a young lady who exposed more than he felt was necessary to Prommers in 1977. You'll hear archive recordings of Allen Ginsberg and Lawrence Ferlinghetti reading at the International Poetry Incarnation in 1965, and Sally Alexander tells the story of storming the stage at the 1970 Miss World Contest. The rich musical history of the hall is reflected in a soundtrack which includes music by Prince Albert himself, as well as Elgar conducting Yehudi Menuhin, Hugh Masekela (who appeared when Nelson Mandela was honoured there in 2013), Billie Holiday, Paul Robeson, Mike Oldfield and Shirley Bassey who have all famously performed there.
Readings
Extract from The Royal Albert Hall Frieze 
Extract from Queen Victoria’s diary 
Extract from In Memoriam by Alfred, Lord Tennyson
Extract from The Daily Telegraph, June 30th 1914
On The Eve of Her Trial. A Message from Mrs Pankhurst
From Royal Albert Hall: A celebration in 150 unforgettable moments
The Convergence of the Twain by Thomas Hardy
From Royal Albert Hall Programme for The Chelsea Arts Club Annual Ball 1936
Some Bright Elegance read by Kayo Chingonyi 
Extract from letter by Sir Henry Wood 
Extract from I Am Waiting by Lawrence Ferlinghetti
Annus Mirabilis by Philip Larkin
Extract from Who Be Kind To by Alan Ginsberg
Extract from letter by Robert Ponsonby 
Extract from The Daily Mirror
Last on
Music Played
Timings (where shown) are from the start of the programme in hours and minutes
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    ![]() 00:01 00:01George Frideric HandelMessiah, Pt.3, no.46; The Trumpet shall sound [bass air] Performer: Matthew Brook. Performer: Chris Dicken. Ensemble: Dunedin Consort. Conductor: John Butt. Conductor: John Butt.- LINN CKD285.
 
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    Royal Albert HallExtract from Royal Albert Hall Frieze read by Petroc Trelawny Queen VictoriaExtract from Queen VictoriaÂ’s diary read by Josie Lawrence ![]() 00:04 00:04Prince Albert of Saxe-Coburg and GothaInvocazione all'Armonia Choir: Purcell Consort of Voices. Conductor: Grayston Burgess.- Decca 4802092.
 ![]() 00:05 00:05Jean SibeliusAndante Festivo Performer: Unknown.- Finalndia FACD 003.
 Alfred, Lord TennysonExtract from In Memoriam read by John Gielgud The Daily TelegraphExtract from The Daily Telegraph, June 30th 1914, read by Petroc Trelawny ![]() 00:10 00:10Edward ElgarLand of Hope and Glory Performer: Clara Butt.- Pearl Gem CD9301.
 Emmeline PankhurstExtract from On The Eve of Her Trial. A Message from Mrs Pankhurst, read by Josie Lawrence ![]() 00:13 00:13Ethel SmythMarch of the Women Performer: Eiddwen Harrhy. Orchestra: Orchestra of the Plymouth Music Series. Conductor: Philip Brunelle.- Virgin VC7590222.
 ![]() 00:14 00:14The Chemical BrothersThe Boxer Performer: The Chemical Brothers.- Freestyle Dust CHEMSDJ23.
 ![]() 00:15 00:15Alex GiffordHistory Repeating Performer: Shirley Bassey.- Wall of Sound.
 ![]() 00:19 00:19Mike OldfieldTubular Bells from The Exorcist Performer: The Big Screen Orchestra.- Union Square Music – USMCD028.
 Royal Albert HallRoyal Albert Hall: A celebration in 150 unforgettable moments, read by Josie Lawrence ![]() 00:21 00:21Johann Sebastian BachToccata & Fugue in D minor, BWV565 Performer: Harold Britton.- Resonance CDRSN3016.
 ![]() 00:23 00:23Gavin BryarsThe Sinking of the Titanic for ensemble and tape: Titanic Hymn: Autumn Performer: Gavin Bryars Ensemble.- Point Music 446-061-2.
 Royal Albert HallRoyal Albert Hall: A celebration in 150 unforgettable moments, read by Josie Lawrence ![]() 00:25 00:25Lowell MasonNearer My God to Thee Choir: San Francisco Symphony Chorus. Conductor: Michael Tilson Thomas.- SFA Media 2193600762.
 Thomas HardyThe Convergence of the Twain read by Timothy West ![]() 00:27 00:27Milton AgerHappy Days are Here Again Lyricist: Jack Yellen. Performer: Lou Abelardo. Ensemble: Ambrose and His Orchestra.- Saville Records SVL 147.
 Royal Albert HallFrom Royal Albert Hall Programme for The Chelsea Arts Club Annual Ball 1936, read by Josie Lawrence Kayo ChingonyiSome Bright Elegance read by Kayo Chingonyi at the Royal Albert Hall's Elgar Room, 2013 ![]() 00:32 00:32Philemon HouGrazin' in the Grass Performer: Hugh Masekela.- Uni (55066).
 ![]() 00:35 00:35Stephen SondheimBroadway Baby from Follies Performer: Caroline O’Connor. Orchestra: ÃÛÑ¿´«Ã½ Concert Orchestra. Conductor: David Charles Abell.- Live Recording from ÃÛÑ¿´«Ã½ Proms 2012??.
 ![]() 00:39 00:39Johann Sebastian BachAir on a G string Music Arranger: Henry Wood. Music Arranger: Henry Wood. Performer: London Symphony Orchestra. Performer: London Symphony Orchestra. Conductor: Henry Wood. Conductor: Henry Wood. Conductor: Henry Wood.- Conifer 75605 52961 2.
 Henry WoodExtract from letter by Sir Henry Wood read by Petroc Trelawny Henry WoodSir Henry Wood speaking at The Last Night of the Proms 1943 ![]() 00:42 00:42Edward ElgarExtract from Violin Concerto Performer: Yehudi Menuhin. Orchestra: London Symphony Orchestra. Conductor: Edward Elgar.- Warner Classics 2564677705.
 ![]() 00:45 00:45Bob DylanDesolation Row Performer: Bob Dylan.- CBS SBPG 62572.
 Lawrence FerlinghettiExtract from I Am Waiting, read by Lawrence Ferlinghetti ![]() 00:48 00:48David BowieAll the Young Dudes Performer: Mott the Hoople.- CBS 65184, S 65184.
 Royal Albert HallRoyal Albert Hall: A celebration in 150 unforgettable moments, read by Josie Lawrence and Petroc Trelawny ![]() 00:51 00:51Benjamin BrittenYoung Apollo for piano, string quartet & string orchestra (Op.16) Performer: Steven Osborne. Orchestra: ÃÛÑ¿´«Ã½ Scottish Symphony Orchestra. Conductor: Ilan Volkov.- Hyperion CDA67625.
 ![]() 00:54 00:54KraftwerkThe Model Performer: Kraftwerk.- EMI 5207.
 Sally AlexanderSally Alexander on disrupting the 1970 Miss World Competition ![]() 00:55 00:55Trad.Nobody Knows the Trouble I've Seen Performer: Paul Robeson. Performer: Lawrence Benjamin Brown.- ASV CD AJS 244.
 ![]() 00:58 00:58Paul McCartneyBlackbird Performer: Brad Mehldau Trio.- Warner 9362462602.
 Philip LarkinAnnus Mirabilis read by Philip Larkin Allen GinsbergExtract from Who Be Kind To, read by Alan Ginsberg Robert PonsonbyExtract from letter by Robert Ponsonby read by Petroc Trelawny ![]() 01:08 01:08Richard Rodgers and Lorenz HartBlue Moon Performer: Billie Holiday.- Verve Records 527 693-2.
 The Daily MirrorExtract from Daily Mirror article, read by Josie Lawrence ![]() 01:12 01:12John LennonExtract from A Day in the Life Composer: Paul McCartney. Performer: The Beatles.- Parlophone PMC 7027.
 Broadcasts- Sun 4 Apr 2021 17:30ÃÛÑ¿´«Ã½ Radio 3
- Boxing Day 2021 18:00ÃÛÑ¿´«Ã½ Radio 3
 
 
            