Sir Mark Elder conductor Ryan Wigglesworth conductor* Roderick Williams baritone London Philharmonic Choir
When Edward Elgar unveiled his First Symphony at the turn of the twentieth century, the UK was languishing in the depths of economic recession. Elgar, though, saw past that. In his Symphony he seized on a flicker of optimism, describing it as ‘a massive hope for the future.’ A moving, noble melody appears at first fragile and tender. But when it returns at the Symphony’s end, it’s revived and encouraged with gestures of support from the strings and woodwind, who throw themselves at the orchestral procession with a spirit of inextinguishable optimism. After the elegiac songs of Delius’s Sea Drift, Sir Mark Elder’s Elgar will feel palpably contemporary and inspiring.
Heaven and earth collide in the new work by Julian Anderson inspired by the novel 'The Discovery of Heaven' by Harry Mulisch. The composer introduces his new work:
*Julian Anderson’s The Discovery of Heaven is commissioned by the London Philharmonic Orchestra with kind support from The Boltini Trust and the Britten-Pears Foundation, and the New York Philharmonic (Alan Gilbert, Music Director). In a change to the originally advertised information, this work will be conducted by Ryan Wigglesworth.
**Performance generously supported by The Delius Trust
FREE Barlines Post-concert event | The Clore Ballroom at Royal Festival Hall Ryan Wigglesworth and Composer in Residence Julian Anderson discuss The Discovery of Heaven
Hear it first! Select a link below to listen to selected movements from this concert (Flash Player opens in a new window).
CONCERT: Mozart, Beethoven, Julian Anderson and Stravinsky Friday 13 April 2012 A programme of Mozart, Beethoven, Julian Anderson and Stravinsky. More information >
CONCERT: Janáček, Dvořák and Suk Wednesday 2 May 2012 Vladimir Jurowski conducts Janáček's Suite, The Cunning Little Vixen, Dvořák's Piano Concerto and Suk's Symphonic Poem, Ripening More information >
CD: Elgar Sea Pictures and Symphony No. 1 / Handley £9.99 Vernon Handley conducts Elgar's Sea Pictures and Symphony No. 1 on the Orchestra's own recording label More information >
