Cellist Sheku Kanneh-Mason, who drew raves for his performance at the wedding of Prince Harry and Meghan Markle, appeared on BBC Radio 4’s Desert Island Discs radio program and unexpectedly stirred controversy: Kanneh-Mason stated that the patriotic song “Rule, Britannia!” should be dropped from the Last Night of the Proms, stating it makes people uncomfortable, and recommends replacing it with British folk music to celebrate the festival’s conclusion.
Why it matters:
- Kanneh-Mason, the first black person to win the BBC Young Musician award, expresses the view that the song’s inclusion may be misunderstood, emphasizing the wealth of British music that could be celebrated instead.
- The controversy over “Rule, Britannia!” emerged in 2020 when discussions about its removal sparked both support for alternatives and opposition from traditionalists who perceived it as an attack on British culture.
- The BBC defended the Last Night of the Proms traditions while emphasizing its commitment to promoting new music and accessibility in classical music.
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