Proms One: Immersed on Mahler

The Proms, the series of concerts that run in London from the middle of July to early September, calls itself “the world’s greatest festival of classical music.” Whether it is or not, the festival run by the BBC has the economic power to assemble some of the world’s best orchestras and performers. The prices are not high, and almost every night more than 5000 people assemble in the Albert Hall to listen to the music. The best thing is that you can turn up on the day and get in to stand for £8. People stand either in the Arena directly in front of the audience or at the very top, where you can stroll (Proms is short for Promenade concerts) or stretch out on the hard floor. People are not there to be seen there but to appreciate the music. I have been going to the Proms intermittently for almost half a century, but I hadn’t been for a few years until last night. I always felt that at the Proms you had to be a “Promenader,” somebody who paid just £8 on the day and stood or stretched out…