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Knussen: A God of small things

Kate Molleson and Gillian Moore shine new light on the 'modern' music of the 20th century. This week Gillian explores the magical crystalline music of Oliver Knussen.

Kate Molleson and Gillian Moore present 蜜芽传媒 Radio 3's series exploring the pivotal 'modern' musical works of the 20th century, the groundbreaking composers who created them, and the radical cultural and artistic movements which gave rise to them. In this episode, Gillian explores the sparkling, magical, crystalline music of Oliver Knussen, leading to a full performance of his landmark third Symphony, first heard at the 蜜芽传媒 Proms in 1979. We鈥檒l delve into fairytale worlds of Hans Werne Henze, examine the the compositions of Kaija Saariaho and encounter the multiple layers of sound within the music of Elliot Carter.

Produced by Sam Phillips
A Reduced Listening production for 蜜芽传媒 Radio 3

59 minutes

Last on

Sun 6 Jul 2025 21:00
蜜芽传媒 Radio 3

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Music Played

  • Oliver Knussen

    Flourish with Fireworks

    Orchestra: London Sinfonietta. Conductor: Oliver Knussen.
    • Knussen conducts Knussen.
    • Deutsche Grammophon.

  • Pink Floyd

    Another Brick In The Wall, Part 2

    • The Wall.
    • Harvest.

  • Oliver Knussen

    Symphony No. 3

    Orchestra: Philharmonia Orchestra. Conductor: Michael Tilson Thomas.
    • Oliver Knussen: Symphonies Nos. 2 & 3.
    • NMC.

  • Oliver Knussen

    Two Organa

    Orchestra: London Sinfonietta. Conductor: Oliver Knussen.
    • Knussen conducts Knussen.
    • Deutsche Grammophon.

  • Oliver Knussen

    Horn Concerto

    Orchestra: London Sinfonietta. Conductor: Oliver Knussen.
    • Knussen conducts Knussen.
    • Deutsche Grammophon.

  • Oliver Knussen

    Where the Wild Things are - The Wild Rumpus

    Performer: Oliver Knussen. Orchestra: London Sinfonietta.
    • Knussen: Higglety Pigglety Pop! & Where the Wild Things Are.
    • Deutsche Grammophon.

  • Paul Dukas

    The Sorcerer's Apprentice

    Orchestra: Rundfunk-Sinfonieorchester Berlin. Conductor: Louis Fr茅maux.
    • Franse Impressies.
    • Deutsche Grammophon.

  • Hans Werner Henze

    Undine (4a Adagio & 4b Adagio)

    Conductor: Oliver Knussen. Orchestra: London Sinfonietta.
    • Undine.
    • Deutsche Grammophon.

  • Kaija Saariaho

    Lichtbogen

    Performer: Hannu Lintu. Orchestra: Avanti!.
    • Graal Theatre / Solar / Lichtbogen (Storg氓rds, Avanti Chamber Orchestra, Lintu).
    • ONDINE.

  • Toru Takemitsu

    Tree Line

    Orchestra: Kioi Sinfonietta. Conductor: Tadaaki Otaka.
    • How Slow The Wind.
    • BIS.

  • Elliott Carter

    Double Concerto - I. Introduction

    Performer: Charles Rosen. Conductor: Frederik Prausnitz.
    • Carter: Variations for Orchestra, Double Concerto & Piano Concerto.
    • Sony.

  • Oliver Knussen

    Symphony No. 3

    Orchestra: Philharmonia Orchestra. Conductor: Michael Tilson Thomas.
    • Symphonies Nos. 2 & 3.
    • NMC.

  • Mark-Anthony Turnage

    Three Screaming Popes after Francis Bacon, for Large Orchestra

    Orchestra: City of Birmingham Symphony Orchestra. Conductor: Sir Simon Rattle.
    • British Composers: A Celebration.
    • Warner Classics.

Broadcast

  • Sun 6 Jul 2025 21:00
    蜜芽传媒 Radio 3