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When is a symphony not a symphony?

A programme of symphonies in name only performed by the Βι¶ΉΤΌΕΔ Symphony Orchestra and Βι¶ΉΤΌΕΔ Singers with Dalia Stasevska in her debut concert as principal guest conductor.

Composed in the shadow of the Second World War, Britten’s Sinfonia da Requiem opens Dalia Stasevska’s first concert at the Barbican as the Βι¶ΉΤΌΕΔ Symphony Orchestra’s principal guest conductor, recorded in October last year. She herself put together this programme of 'symphonies' in name only. The Βι¶ΉΤΌΕΔ Symphony Orchestra is joined by the Βι¶ΉΤΌΕΔ Singers in Stravinsky’s Symphony of Psalms - a devout musical gesture, re-imagining religious rituals on a symphonic scale. And the orchestra conclude with one of the greatest tests of the conductor's art, Rachmaninov’s exhilarating Symphonic Dances; composed in America in 1940 just three years before his death, it pulses with rhythmic energy, embracing jazz, plainchant and the waltz.

2pm
Britten: Sinfonia da requiem, Op.20
Stravinsky: Symphony of Psalms
Rachmaninov: Symphonic Dances
Βι¶ΉΤΌΕΔ Singers
Βι¶ΉΤΌΕΔ Symphony Orchestra
Dalia Stasevska (conductor)

1 hour, 30 minutes

Last on

Wed 13 May 2020 14:00
Βι¶ΉΤΌΕΔ Radio 3

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Music Played

  • Benjamin Britten

    Sinfonia da Requiem

    Orchestra: Βι¶ΉΤΌΕΔ Symphony Orchestra. Conductor: Dalia Stasevska.

  • Igor Stravinsky

    Symphony of Psalms

    Choir: Βι¶ΉΤΌΕΔ Singers. Orchestra: Βι¶ΉΤΌΕΔ Symphony Orchestra. Conductor: Dalia Stasevska.

  • Sergey Rachmaninov

    Symphonic Dances Op.45

    Orchestra: Βι¶ΉΤΌΕΔ Symphony Orchestra. Conductor: Dalia Stasevska.

Broadcast

  • Wed 13 May 2020 14:00
    Βι¶ΉΤΌΕΔ Radio 3