Tom Fetherstonhaugh pairs Brahms with Bob Marley at the Proms

Fantasia Orchestra – an ensemble featuring some of the UK’s most exciting young musicians – is set to make its BBC Proms debut this week, with not one but two proms at the Royal Albert Hall.  The first is a Sunday morning concert (11am on 4 August) featuring long-time Fantasia collaborators Sheku and Braimah Kanneh-Mason alongside Brazilian guitarist Plínio Fernandes. Then the orchestra will be joined by saxophonist and broadcaster Jess Gillam on 5 August for a relaxed Prom with BSL interpreter and audio description. CM caught up with Fantasia Orchestra’s founder Tom Fetherstonhaugh ahead of this debut double-bill.

© Kaupo Kikkas

What does it mean to be making your BBC Proms debut with your own group, Fantasia Orchestra?

Conducting at the Proms is a dream come true (please excuse the cliché!). The long history of the festival, and the remarkable line-up of artists, orchestras and music that comes to the Royal Albert Hall and all the other venues each year, is so inspiring. It is an honour to be part of the 2024 season, and it feels particularly special to be making my debut with a group of musicians whom I hold very dear — Fantasia Orchestra. I’m also very happy that we are playing two concerts, including the Relaxed Prom the day after our debut.

You founded Fantasia Orchestra in 2016 – could you tell us a bit more about the group?

Our early years were a way of getting friends together to play wonderful orchestral music. We are a generation who met at youth orchestras and junior conservatoire departments. I was extremely fortunate to attend a school with an amazing music department: Cardinal Vaughan Memorial School. It is a state comprehensive that really values music, and instils a love of singing and playing in so many children. Alongside a rich musical education at school, I went to the Junior Royal Academy of Music on a Saturday and to chamber music courses like Pro Corda and MusicWorks. Many of Fantasia’s players met at places like these, and they are so important in forming the next generation of musicians.

Our first concert opened with Vaughan Williams’ Fantasia on a Theme by Thomas Tallis, from where we get our name. There was a magical atmosphere, a real buzz about what was happening. I was still at school when we put on that first performance, and it feels very exciting to be performing at the Royal Albert Hall eight years later.

Eight years on from those first concerts, what can we expect from this Proms programme?

Our programme is wide-ranging and eclectic! Classical music is at its heart, but we are also featuring music from other genres. There is Brahms and Bob Marley, folk and funk. We start with a traditional Serbian folk song called Ajde Jano, and end with Chic’s Good Times. It will be quite the journey, and we really hope that those coming on it with us will enjoy this collection of musical gems.

© Kaupo Kikkas​

For these concerts we will be a string orchestra with two percussionists, and most of the pieces have been arranged for these forces by the inimitable Harry Baker. A composer and pianist, Harry brings flare to everything he does and it has been a pleasure to work on this programme alongside him.

Fantasia will be joined at the Proms by three soloists — what do these collaborations mean to the orchestra?

This programme features Braimah Kanneh-Mason (violin), Sheku Kanneh-Mason (cello) and Plínio Fernandes (guitar). They are three musicians I admire greatly and love working with. Braimah and Sheku played in the orchestra for our early concerts, and it has been wonderful to work with them both as soloists over the subsequent years. Plínio’s beautiful sound and effortless musicianship are really special. The combination of these solo instruments works really well, and it is a bonus that we can share the stage as old friends, too!

As well as your debut on 4 August, Fantasia is playing the Relaxed Prom the following day. What can people expect from this format?

Relaxed Proms are a great way to welcome audiences into the Royal Albert Hall who feel more comfortable attending concerts in an informal environment. Concertgoers are free to leave and re-enter the auditorium throughout the concert, and there is a relaxed attitude to noise. We’re really happy to be playing for this important part of the festival, and even happier that it is presented by a friend of the orchestra, the wonderful saxophonist Jess Gillam.

With your BBC Proms debut fast approaching, what are you doing to prepare for the big day?

Lots of study, and lots of sleep! I can’t wait to bring the programme to life — it will be a lot of fun.