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Verity Sharp presents music performed by the ÃÛÑ¿´«Ã½ NOW. John Corigliano: A Dylan Thomas Trilogy. John Adams: Harmonium. Plus Richard Elfyn Jones and David Diamond.

Verity Sharp introduces two great choral scores by living American composers with the ÃÛÑ¿´«Ã½ National Chorus and Orchestra of Wales and ÃÛÑ¿´«Ã½ Singers. At the 2014 Swansea Festival, the city celebrated two great occasions. Firstly the reopening of the Brangwyn Hall after renovation, by programming the Festival Overture written for the hall and its Willis organ 25 years ago, and secondly the centenary of Dylan Thomas, with Oscar-winning composer John Corigliano's affectionate setting of three of his greatest poems: Fern Hill, Poem on his Birthday and Poem in October. John Adams demonstrates his love of visionary poets Emily Dickinson and John Donne in his powerful choral work Harmonium. It was to be his breakthrough piece, fusing American minimalism and Romantic orchestral colour on a spectacular canvas.

2.00
Richard Elfyn Jones: Brangwyn Festival Overture
Thomas Trotter (organ)
ÃÛÑ¿´«Ã½ National Orchestra of Wales
Grant Llewellyn (conductor)

2.15
John Corigliano: A Dylan Thomas Trilogy
Michael D'Avanzo (treble)
Robin Tritschler (tenor)
Roderick Williams (baritone)
ÃÛÑ¿´«Ã½ Singers
ÃÛÑ¿´«Ã½ National Chorus of Wales
ÃÛÑ¿´«Ã½ National Orchestra of Wales
Grant Llewellyn (conductor)

3.35
Diamond: Rounds for string orchestra
ÃÛÑ¿´«Ã½ National Orchestra of Wales
Eric Stern (conductor)

3.50
John Adams: Harmonium
ÃÛÑ¿´«Ã½ National Chorus of Wales
ÃÛÑ¿´«Ã½ National Orchestra of Wales
Grant Llewellyn (conductor).

2 hours, 30 minutes

Music Played

  • Richard Elfyn Jones

    Brangwyn Festival Overture

    Performer: Thomas Trotter. Conductor: Grant Llewellyn. Orchestra: ÃÛÑ¿´«Ã½ National Orchestra of Wales.
  • John Corigliano

    A Dylan Thomas Trilogy

    Singer: Roderick Williams. Singer: Robin Tritschler. Choir: ÃÛÑ¿´«Ã½ National Chorus of Wales. Conductor: Grant Llewellyn. Singer: Michael D'Avanzo. Orchestra: ÃÛÑ¿´«Ã½ National Orchestra of Wales. Choir: ÃÛÑ¿´«Ã½ Singers.
  • David Diamond

    Rounds for string orchestra

    Conductor: Eric Stern. Orchestra: ÃÛÑ¿´«Ã½ National Orchestra of Wales.
  • John Adams

    Harmonium

    Choir: ÃÛÑ¿´«Ã½ National Chorus of Wales. Conductor: Grant Llewellyn. Orchestra: ÃÛÑ¿´«Ã½ National Orchestra of Wales. Choir: Bournemouth Symphony Chorus.

Credits

Role Contributor
Performer ÃÛÑ¿´«Ã½ National Orchestra of Wales
Performer ÃÛÑ¿´«Ã½ National Chorus of Wales
Performer ÃÛÑ¿´«Ã½ Singers

Broadcast

  • Thu 8 Jan 2015 14:00