Old Pocklingtonian Alexandra Dariescu (02-03) has reached another milestone in her distinguished career, making her debut at the BBC Proms at London's Royal Albert Hall and becoming the first female Romanian pianist ever to perform at the festival.

Performing with the Hallé Orchestra under conductor Kahchun Wong, Alexandra took to one of classical music's most famous stages on 5 August, delivering a stunning performance of Nadia Boulanger's Fantasy for Piano and Orchestra, a work receiving its Proms premiere.  

For Alexandra, the appearance marked another important step in a journey that began in her home country of Romania before bringing her to Pocklington School as a teenager and later the Royal Northern College of Music.

Since then, she has established an international reputation as a concert pianist, performing with many of the world's leading orchestras while championing women composers and other underrepresented voices in classical music. Her choice of Boulanger's piece for the Proms reflected that long-standing commitment and brought it to one of the world’s most prestigious classical music stages.

Reviewing the concert, critics were full of praise for Alexandra, rating her performance with five stars and describing it as “one of the BBC Proms’ finest concerts” and “magnificent… breathtaking”, with one commentator adding: “One hopes this will not be the last Proms appearance for either the piece or its outstanding advocate.”

Alexandra commented: “I actually had tears in my eyes when I walked on because it was that sheer sea of people and they were all clapping and I just felt everyone so close to me, it was just the most unbelievable experience. Thank you BBC Proms and every single one of you; a dream come true to play in front of a sold out Royal Albert Hall for one of my most special debuts.”

Alexandra's achievement is another highlight in an already successful year that has included a UK tour with the Warsaw Philharmonic Orchestra and appearances at classical music festivals and concerts across Europe and beyond.

As her career continues to flourish, it is wonderful to see an OP making her mark at the London’s Royal Albert Hall during one of the world’s most renowned classical music festivals. Her success serves as an inspiration to the next generation of Pocklingtonians, encouraging them to aim high and pursue their ambitions wherever they may lead.

Keep an eye on Alexandra’s website for details of future tours and performances as well as her new recording of Doreen Carwithen's Piano Concerto with Manchester Camerata due for release on 4 September 2026.

(Photo credit:  © Chris Christodoulou, BBC Proms Rachmaninov's Second)