Rodion Shchedrin Concerto for Orchestra No. 2 (The Chimes) Miaskovsky Silentium Denisov Bells in the Fog Rachmaninoff The Bells (Choral Symphony)
Vladimir Jurowski conductor Tatiana Monogarova soprano Sergei Skorokhodov tenor Vladimir Chernov baritone London Philharmonic Choir London Symphony Chorus
Like a seductive mist, the sound of bells casts a long, beautiful spell over orchestra and voices in this concert. After resounding, bell-themed works by Denisov, Miaskovsky and Shchedrin comes Rachmaninoff’s creative response to his own fascination with the sound of bells. He believed they directly conveyed emotional human truths, depicting the silvery brightness of birth, the golden browns of marriage, the dark stillness of death and the serenity of peace. Passionate and rapturous music is tenderly woven through by the soloists and charged by full-throttle chorus in Rachmaninoff’s bellstrewn vision of human life.
FREE Barlines post-concert event | Level 2 The Clore Ballroom at Royal Festival Hall Artists involved in the performance will discuss the evening’s programme.
Vladimir Jurowski on the importance of bells in Russia:
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