skip to navigation

    Classic FM

    On Air Now

    Classic FM Drive with John Brunning 4pm - 7pm

    Classic FM Drive with John Brunning

    Now Playing

    Harry Potter and the Chamber of Secrets - Fawkes the Phoenix John Williams Download 'Harry Potter and the Chamber of Secrets - Fawkes the Phoenix' on iTunes

    Harry Potter and the Chamber of Secrets - Fawkes the Phoenix artwork
    • Playlist
    • Schedule
    Listen
    • Home
    • Radio
    • News
    • Discover Music
    • Composers
    • Artists
    • Win
    • Charity
    • Learning
    • Quizzes
    • Dating
    • Follow us on:
      Follow Classic FM on Twitter
      Follow Classic FM on Facebook
      Follow Classic FM on Instagram
      Follow Classic FM on Youtube

    Events

    • Events Home
    • Buy Tickets
    • Classic FM Live
    • More Classic FM

    Katherine Jenkins and a host of classical stars celebrate VE Day at 70 at the Royal Albert Hall

    Facebook share Twitter share

    Join us for a night of remembrance, celebration and (of course) great music. We join the country's finest musicians for a concert in London's most iconic concert hall, hosted by Classic FM's John Suchet and Myleene Klass.

    1. VE Day at 70 Royal Albert Hall

      1. A night of words, music, reflection, remembrance and celebration

      Katherine Jenkins sings Ivor Novello's beautiful song 'We'll Gather Lilacs.' It was just one of many highlights during this very special night

    2. George Batts

      2. The night's honoured guest, World War II veteran George Batts

      One of the night's most moving moments, was the reading of an anonymous poem written on a scrap of paper found in a trench in 1942 - 'Stay with me God, the night it dark'. Photo: JAB Promotions

    3. VE Day at 70 at the Royal Albert Hall

      3. The Royal Albert Hall

      London's majestic musical amphitheatre is the scene of tonight's concert, broadcast live on Classic FM from 7.30pm

    4. VE Day at 70

      4. Our presenters, and the finest musicains

      Tonight's hosts John Suchet and Myleene Klass will be joined by singer Rebecca Ferguson and other brilliant musicians, making it a night to remember in London's most spectacular music venue.

    5. VE Day at 70

      5. A night of memories and celebration

      70 years ago people famously took to the fountains in Trafalgar Square in celebration of the end of fighting in Europe. Tonight, we dive into the the most beautiful music to salute that historic day.

    6. VE Day at 70 at the Royal Albert Hall

      6. Royal Philharmonic Orchestra

      The RPO is tonight's superb orchestra. The music is on the stands - first up tonight is 'Hymn to the Fallen'.

    7. VE Day at 70 at the Royal Albert Hall

      7. Timpani

      These are going to come in useful when the Royal Philharmonic Orchestra thunders out Holst's 'Mars - the Bringer of War' from 'The Planets' Suite.

    8. VE Day at 70 Royal Albert Hall

      8. The Royal Albert Hall Stage

      With the audience and honoured guests taking their seats, it's time for the concert to begin - broadcast live on Classic FM

    9. VE Day at 70 Royal Albert Hall

      9. Tonight's hosts

      Classic FM presenters John Suchet and Myleene Klass introduce tonight's programme of music and readings to celebrate that unforgettable day in 1945

    10. Royal Albert Hall

      10. It's a night of celebration

      And there's no better place for an epic concert of thankful remembrance than the Royal Albert Hall. In front of a packed audience, our very special show got underway.

    11. VE Day at 70 Royal Albert Hall

      11. Maestro and orchestra

      Mike Dixon conducts the mighty Royal Philharmonic Orchestra in Holst's 'Mars – The Bringer of War'.

    12. VE Day at 70 Royal Albert Hall

      12. Katherine Jenkins

      The Welsh mezzo-soprano on stage before a packed Royal Albert Hall - with many listening at home too, of course.

    13. Katherine Jenkins

      13. And a little smile

      With the audience in raptures after her performance, Katherine sends them all a radiant smile! Nicely sung tonight, Katherine! Photo: JAB Promotions

    14. Wynne Evans

      14. Wynne Evans

      Welsh tenor Wynne Evans gives a rousing performance of 'I Vow to Thee my Country' Photo: JAB Promotions

    15. Rebecca Ferguson

      15. Rebecca Ferguson

      The night's nostalgia took on a distictly jazzy tinge when the X Factor star took to the stage. She serenaded the audience with the Broadway classics 'I'll be Seeing You' and Gershwin's 'Embraceable You' Photo: JAB Promotions

    16. Royal Philharmonic Orchestra

      16. One of this country's finest orchestras

      A night like this needs the best band. The Royal Philharmonic Orchestra performed Holst, Coates, John Williams and of course Elgar - all under the baton of tonight's maestro Mike Dixon. And it sounded amazing. Photo: JAB Promotions

    17. Theme from Schindler's List

      17. Theme from Schindler's List

      It was a moving moment when the Leader of the Royal Philharmonic Orchestra turned soloist for this exquisite John Williams classic. The Royal Albert hall was transfixed. Photo: JAB Promotions

    18. VE Day at 70

      18. Today is all about 1945

      Getting right into the spirit, with a very appropriate method of transportation are Classic FM presenters John Suchet and Myleene Klass, with singer and songwriter Rebecca Ferguson.

    19. VE Day at 70

      19. Winston Churchill celebrates with the thousands

      The Prime Minister waves to crowds in one of the most iconic photos from the day, taken in Whitehall, London.

    20. VE Day at 70

      20. Randolph Churchill

      Among the distinguished guests at tonight's concert are members of Sir Winston Churchill's family - The Prime Minister's great-grandson gave a powerful reading at the Royal Albert Hall to help mark this anniversary.

    21. VE Day at 70

      21. What are your memories?

      Do you, or members of your family have recollections of that day in May 1945. John Brunning read some of your memories, reflections and stories, and we continue to share more on ClassicFM.com. Do get in touch!

    Facebook share Twitter share

    More From ClassicFM

    Washington school band rehearses in pop-up tents to curb spread of COVID-19

    Washington school band rehearses in pop-up tents to curb spread of COVID-19

    Coronavirus

    Watch Sheku Kanneh-Mason and Gary Barlow perform a stunning pop/classical rendition of ‘Hallelujah’

    Cellist Sheku Kanneh-Mason joins singer Gary Barlow for a sensational duet on ‘Hallelujah’

    Sheku Kanneh-Mason

    Exploring some of Samuel Coleridge-Taylor’s all-time best pieces of music

    10 of Samuel Coleridge-Taylor’s all-time best pieces of music

    Samuel Coleridge-Taylor

    Moonlight Sonata breakup

    23 classical music memes that perfectly sum up your love life

    Discover Music

    Dan Smith / Kristjan Järvi conducts Baltic Sea Philharmonic at Hamburg’s Elbphilharmonie

    Bastille ‘ReOrchestrated’: What happens when you combine a hit pop song and a classical orchestra

    Discover Music

    A cappella choir sings note-perfect rendition of every famous movie studio theme

    A cappella choir sings note-perfect rendition of every famous movie studio theme

    Videos

    More Classic FM Events

    The Classic BRIT Awards

    The Classic BRIT Awards

    Classic FM Live

    Classic FM Live

    Music Teacher of the Year

    Music Teacher of the Year

    Gramophone Awards

    Gramophone Awards

    Event Photos

    See more Event Photos

    Classic FM Live: Best of British

    Classic FM Live: Best of British

    Luciano Pavarotti 10th Anniversary Concert

    Luciano Pavarotti 10th Anniversary Concert: In Pictures

    Luciano Pavarotti

    Classic FM Live, April 2017

    Classic FM Live 2017 in pictures

    Back to top

    Also on Classic FM

    • LBC News
    • handel
    • debussy
    • music theory
    • instruments
    • brahms
    • vivaldi
    • bach
    • tchaikovsky
    • chopin
    • andrea bocelli
    • beethoven
    • mozart
    • classical music tear jerkers
    • best classical music
    • Classic FM Live
    • classic fm requests
    • john suchet
    • piano world record
    • best pianists
    • harry potter music
    • classic fm app
    • saturday night at the movies
    • star wars soundtrack
    • best sopranos
    • best cellists
    • composer or pasta
    • music for studying
    • best violinists
    • sad music
    • composer birthdays
    • relaxing music

    Useful Links

    • Contact Us
    • Help
    • How To Listen
    • About Classic FM
    • Company Details
    • Cookies
    • Privacy
    • Terms & Conditions
    • Advertise

    Download the app

    Get it on the app store Get it on Google Play

    Follow Us

    Follow Classic FM on Twitter
    Follow Classic FM on Facebook
    Follow Classic FM on Instagram
    Follow Classic FM on Youtube
    © Global 2021
    30 Leicester Square, London, WC2H 7LA
    Privacy Manager