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ÃÛÑ¿´«Ã½ Singers' 90th Anniversary

Live from the Barbican, the ÃÛÑ¿´«Ã½ SO and Singers. Adams: My Father knew Charles Ives. Weir: Vertue. Tavener: Song for Athene. Britten: Hymn to St Cecilia. Ives: Symphony No 4.

The ÃÛÑ¿´«Ã½ Symphony Orchestra and ÃÛÑ¿´«Ã½ Singers join forces to continue the celebrations of the ÃÛÑ¿´«Ã½ Singers' 90th anniversary.

Live from the Barbican Hall, London

Presented by Petroc Trelawny

John Adams: My Father knew Charles Ives

Judith Weir: Vertue

John Tavener: Song for Athene

Britten: Hymn to St Cecilia

8.45pm: During the interval of tonight's concert, Petroc Trelawny discovers more about the history of the ÃÛÑ¿´«Ã½ Singers, talks to Associate Composers Gabriel Jackson and Judith Weir about writing for this virtuoso ensemble, and finds out about some of the group's activities away from the concert platform - such as its extensive programme of learning and outreach work.

9.10pm:

Charles Ives: Symphony No. 4

ÃÛÑ¿´«Ã½ Symphony Orchestra
ÃÛÑ¿´«Ã½ Singers
Andrew Litton, David Hill (conductors)

In a change to the advertised programme, the premiere of Kevin Volans' new piece will not take place tonight. Instead, the ÃÛÑ¿´«Ã½ Singers and David Hill perform three pieces for a cappella choir by composers with whom they have a strong asociation. Completing the programme, two exuberant American classics inspired by life in New England. John Adams's "My Father knew Charles Ives" re-imagines Ives's multi-layered musical soundscape, filtered through childhood memories of playing in marching bands. Charles Ives's radical masterpiece weaves together hymn tunes, popular songs and his own music, performed by multiple ensembles playing at different speeds and in different keys. The result (which Ives never heard), is a vast, dynamic and vibrant theatre of sound - music whose influence continues to resonate through American music today.

4 hours

Music Played

  • John Adams

    My Father knew Charles Ives

    Orchestra: ÃÛÑ¿´«Ã½ Symphony Orchestra. Conductor: Andrew Litton.
  • John Adams

    My Father knew Charles Ives

    Orchestra: ÃÛÑ¿´«Ã½ Symphony Orchestra. Conductor: Andrew Litton.
  • Benjamin Britten

    Hymn to St Cecilia

    Choir: ÃÛÑ¿´«Ã½ Singers.
  • Charles Ives

    Symphony No. 4

    Orchestra: ÃÛÑ¿´«Ã½ Symphony Orchestra. Conductor: Andrew Litton.
  • John Tavener

    Song for Athene

    Choir: ÃÛÑ¿´«Ã½ Singers.
  • Judith Weir

    Vertue

    Choir: ÃÛÑ¿´«Ã½ Singers.

Credits

Role Contributor
Performer ÃÛÑ¿´«Ã½ Symphony Orchestra
Performer ÃÛÑ¿´«Ã½ Singers

Broadcast

  • Wed 24 Sep 2014 19:30

New Music on Radio 3

New Music on Radio 3

A chance to listen to recent broadcasts of new music - including premieres - on Radio 3.