This unique, annual festival of classical music, which has become something of a cherished British institution, stirring up an almost feverish excitement, spans nine weeks and is stuffed with world-class musicians and enticing programmes. But there is a disarmingly wide range of concerts to choose from. So to help you navigate the Proms listings, we have compiled a list of our recommendations.

Exceptional concerts (if they are sold out, you can of course prom) include the incomparably gifted Hilary Hahn playing Beethoven's Violin Concerto on Prom 14, as well as any of Sir Simon Rattle's concerts (01/08, 03/09 and 04/09). Lovers of Bach should strive to attend Bach Day (14/08), which includes John Eliot Gardiner conducting the Brandenburg Concertos; Gardiner is also conducting Monteverdi's sublime Vespers in Prom 75. Beethoven fans could try one of pianist Paul Lewis' recitals of the cycle of Beethoven's Piano Concertos (Prom 27 with Strauss' Ein Heldenleben will be a good programme). Piano lovers should also not miss Maria Joao Pires' late night Chopin recital (Prom 7). Wagner fans should definitely check out Prom 66 (Simon Rattle and the Berlin Philharmonic playing the prelude to Parsifal).

Lovers and romantics could try Prom 21 with Wagner's Tristan And Isolde and Berlioz's Romeo And Juliet (excerpts from the versions by Prokofiev and Tchaikovsky are also being played on different days); contemporary fans could try Prom 35 (Ligeti) or Prom 47 (Cage and Feldman played by the legendary pianist John Tilbury).

Chamber music highlights include PCM 3 with lieder by Wolf, Brahms and Berg, and PCM 5 with violinist Julia Fischer playing two highlights of the violin repertoire: sonatas by Eugene Ysaye and Cesar Franck.

Finally, there is of course the famous last night of the Proms, held al fresco in Hyde Park, which always promises a spectacular and star-studded end to an incredible nine weeks of great music making.

NB: runs till 11/09.