Editing BBC Proms (section)

===During World War II===

With the outbreak of World War II in 1939, the BBC withdrew its support. However private sponsors stepped in to maintain the Proms, always under Sir Henry Wood's direction, until the Queen's Hall was devastated beyond repair during an [[The Blitz|air raid]] in May 1941. (The site is now occupied by the St George's Hotel and BBC Henry Wood House). The concerts then moved (until 1944) to their current home, the Royal Albert Hall, during the Promenade season presented by Keith Douglas in conjunction with the [[Royal Philharmonic Society]] (of which he was Secretary).<ref>Thomas Russell, ''Philharmonic Decade'' (Hutchinson & Co, London, New York, Melbourne & Sydney [1944]), pp. 97–8.</ref><ref>Further details of Wood's sometimes difficult relations with Keith Douglas and with the BBC are given in [[Reginald Pound]], ''Sir Henry Wood: A Biography'' (Cassell, London 1969).</ref>

The London Symphony Orchestra had sometimes assisted in the series since (after 1927) the New Queen's Hall Orchestra had ceased to function, and in 1942 Sir Henry Wood also invited the [[London Philharmonic Orchestra]] under its new leader [[Jean Pougnet]] to participate in this and subsequent seasons.<ref>Russell, ''Philharmonic Decade'', pp. 97–8, 112.</ref> In this he was attempting to maintain vigour in the programme, under the renewal of its relationship with the BBC as promoters. Sir Henry Wood continued his work with the Proms through vicissitudes with the BBC until his death in 1944, the year of his Jubilee Season.<ref>In 1944 an article in ''The Times'' commented, "The Proms. as we know them are Sir Henry Wood's creation, and in their unbroken though slightly war-damaged career of 48 years they have depended on him through all vicissitudes of taste, finance, personnel, and management." (quoted in) Elkin (1944), p. 37.</ref> During that period [[Sir Adrian Boult]], chief conductor of the BBC Symphony Orchestra, and [[Basil Cameron]] also took on conducting duties for the series,<ref>Russell ([1944]), p. 112.</ref> continuing them in 1944 when, under increased danger from bombing, they were moved again, this time to the [[Corn Exchange, Bedford|Bedford Corn Exchange]] (home of the BBC Symphony Orchestra since 1941) which hosted them until the end of the War.