Venue: Royal Albert Hall, London

Sir Antonio Pappano conducts the London Symphony Orchestra a shattering – but also moving – account of the Grande Messe des morts at the Royal Albert Hall

James Gaffigan's programme ranges from Wynton Marsalis’s fizzing but elusive new work for orchestra, Gershwin’s stylish Piano Concerto to a compelling account of Barber’s First Symphony.

Gustavo Dudamel and the Los Angeles Philharmonic achieve lift-off in Beethoven – just – but miss the landing in Gabriela Ortiz's political drama.

The LA Phil take two journeys – to the countryside and through the nine Circle of Hell – on their long overdue return to the BBC Proms... with variable results. 

At the Royal Albert Hall Esa-Pekka Salonen conducts joyful and convivial performances of Stravinsky and Bartók, and Vilda Frang gives a rapturous reading of Berg's violin concerto.

Works of religious stimulus are given outstanding performances under the baton of rising star Nil Venditti.

The composer’s final opera is virtually impossible to stage comfortably, but Sir Mark Elder makes a convincing case for more regular outings of its beautiful music.

Alexandra Dariescu makes a compelling Proms debut in Nadia Boulanger's unjustly neglected Fantaisie variée, which bridges late Romanticism and Impressionism.