Now Sir Colin crashes out

The latest withdrawal from the BBC Proms is Sir Colin Davis, officially on health grounds. My understanding is that he has asked to be released from engagements during a period of family mourning.

His absence, coming so soon after the deaths of Sir Charles Mackerras, who was down for two Proms, and Anthony Rolfe Johnson casts a pall on an otherwise glorious musical summer – a reminder of our fragility and mortality. Sombre times, indeed.

BBC press release:

Matthias Bamert to replace Sir Colin Davis at BBC Proms

Monday 9 August, Prom 32, 7.00pm

Sir Colin Davis has announced his withdrawal from all his European Union Youth Orchestra engagements on health grounds, with extreme regrets.

He was due to conduct the EUYO at the BBC Proms on Monday 9 August.

The concert will now be conducted by Matthias Bamert who has appeared regularly at the Proms since his debut in 1985. The programme remains unchanged: Tchaikovsky’s Fantasy Overture Romeo and Juliet, Janácek’s Taras Bulba and Berlioz’s Harold in Italy.

The viola soloist in the Berlioz is Maxim Rysanov who returns to the Proms on the Last Night in 2010.

The Proms continue until 11 September 2010, and full up-to-date information on the season is available at bbc.co.uk/proms.

Proms concerts are live on BBC Radio 3