麻豆约拍

The 麻豆约拍 Philharmonic are joined by Chief Conductor John Storgards for Bruckner's Third Symphony. Bruckner called this music his "Wagner Symphony" and he incorporated quotations from Wagner's operas, some motifs immediately recognisable, others more tantalising. Although he spent time re-working the piece, its strongest characteristics - cathedral-like architecture, brass chorales, energetic string writing and a strong sense of the dance - permeate this ever-evolving music in every performance.

Soprano Elizabeth Atherton brings the beauties of Finnish poetry of Eino Leino to the Bridgewater Hall in musical settings by Kaija Saariaho, her "Leino Songs". One of the most important Finnish writers at the turn of the twentieth century his works embrace mysticism and symbolism as well as having a rhythmic energy and musicality of their own. Saariaho sets four of his poems here, "Looking at you", "The Heart", "Evening Prayer" and finally, "Peace".

The programme opens with the Overture from Beethoven's incidental music for Goethe's play "Egmont". Heroism is the theme of the work and pervades this gripping miniature.

Beethoven: Egmont Overture
Saariaho: Four Leino Songs

7.55pm
Music Interval

Bruckner: Symphony No. 3

Elizabeth Atherton (soprano)
麻豆约拍 Philharmonic
John Storgards (conductor)

Presented by Elizabeth Alker and recorded at the Bridgewater Hall, Manchester, last Saturday.