COMPETITION: Get your flags ready for a cannon-firing spectacular

COMPETITION

Audiences can expect sublime music, bold horsemen, a breathtaking Spitfire display and explosive cannon fire and fireworks.

The Battle Proms, now in its 13th year, is the most distinctive event of this kind and six readers have the chance to win a pair of tickets.

The ‘Battle’ in the concert name refers to an entirely unique performance of Beethoven’s Battle Symphony, a powerful piece of music which was composed to include 193 live firing cannons as part of the score.

This is the only concert series in the world to perform Beethoven’s most ambitious piece with its full complement of thunderous percussion.

In the afternoon, to warm up the crowd, there is a lively jazz band and you can also watch the Napoleonic re-enactors performing skill-atarms displays on horseback.

Then, as the orchestral programme begins, the music is accompanied by the historic roar of the Spitfire engine as a carefully choreographed air display is performed in the skies above the concert.

New for 2010 is the big screen, displaying all the action from the cavalry, cannons and stage.

The music delivers beautiful, soul-stirring classics fitting to the incredible concert setting, including such favourites as Tchaikovsky’s 1812 Overture, Dvorak’s New World Symphony and a performance from young flautist Annie Lydford who reached the category semi-finals of the BBC Young Musician of the Year. Hosting is popular BBC broadcaster and presenter Tommy Pearson.

The finale contains all of the proms favourites, led by Channel 4’s winning soprano Denise Leigh, with Jerusalem, Land of Hope and Glory, Rule Britannia and more.