A legendary classical music career is drawing to a close! Alison Balsom, the virtuoso trumpeter, is set to perform her final concert at the Last Night of the Proms. After 40 years, she’s putting down the trumpet for good. What an incredible journey it’s been! Will you be tuning in for this emotional farewell?

In a significant announcement that reverberated through the classical music world, celebrated trumpeter Alison Balsom has declared her retirement from performing, with her final public appearance slated for the esteemed Last Night of the Proms 2025. This pivotal concert will mark the culmination of a distinguished forty-year career, an emotional farewell for an artist widely regarded as one of the instrument’s most compelling exponents.

Balsom is set to deliver a poignant rendition of the Hummel Trumpet Concerto in E flat major, a piece she describes as feeling “very final” for her. This particular selection underscores the gravity of her decision, as she believes she will have nothing further to express artistically through the work after this definitive performance.

Reflecting on her extensive journey, Balsom articulated a profound sense of completion, stating, “I’ve followed my particular path very honestly and with authenticity, and I feel that I’ve come to the end of that path.” Her dedication to the trumpet, an instrument she passionately champions, has been unwavering, but the rigorous demands of sustained performance have led her to this personal juncture.

The physical and mental commitment required to maintain peak performance on the trumpet is immense, a fact Balsom acknowledges with candid honesty. She emphasized that playing the instrument “is not something you can half do,” indicating that a partial engagement is simply not feasible for an artist of her caliber.

Family considerations have also played a role in her decision to step back from the stage. Despite these personal shifts, her enthusiasm for this particular Last Night of the Proms performance remains exceptionally high, partly due to the nostalgic significance of the event – it was the first concert she ever witnessed on television that inspired her to pursue the trumpet.

This will not be Balsom’s first time gracing the Proms stage; she previously performed at the iconic event in 2009. That experience, during which she reportedly felt “really sick” due to pregnancy, adds another layer of personal history to her long association with the prestigious classical music festival.

Scheduled for September 13, 2025, the Last Night of the Proms featuring Balsom’s final performance will be broadcast live, commencing on BBC Two before transitioning to BBC One for the latter half, ensuring wide accessibility for her global audience.

The 2025 Proms series itself has showcased a diverse array of talent, including performances by pop singer Jade, Grammy Award-winner Samara Joy, and acclaimed pianist Yunchan Lim, alongside a uniquely themed “Traitors” concert, highlighting the festival’s broad appeal.

Balsom’s retirement, therefore, marks not merely the conclusion of a singular career but a significant moment for the classical music community, prompting reflection on her legacy and the enduring power of live performance at institutions like the Proms.