Henry Wood Promenade Concerts

(UK) Annual (July-Sept) series of concerts in London. They were held from 1895 at the Queen's Hall (destroyed 1941), then at the Royal Albert Hall. Henry J. Wood was conductor until his death in 1944, when they were named after him. Since 1927 (except 1940-41) they have been organized by the BBC, whose chief orchestra, the BBC SO, takes part. Under the direction of William Glock (1959-72) concert versions of opera productions and experimental and chamber works were introduced and several works commissioned each season. Additional concerts are now given in other London venues.