Episodes
| Episode | Title | First Broadcast | Comments |
|---|---|---|---|
| 01 | Portrait Of Brett Dean | 20090425 | A programme exploring the work of Australian composer Brett Dean, winner of the prestigious Grawemeyer award in 2009. Including the premiere of the orchestral suite from Dean's opera based on Peter Carey's novel Bliss, evoking an erotic hotel room encounter, a convulsive heart attack and a visit to Hell, incorporating samples of street noise, television adverts and all the hellish racket of modern life, before ending with a broad, dark elegy. And Dean - formerly a violist with the Berlin Philharmonic - gives a performance of his own Viola Concerto. Amphitheatre (UK premiere) (9:57) Viola Concerto (27:20) Moments of Bliss (UK premiere) (29:49) Brett Dean (viola) BBC Philharmonic James MacMillan (conductor) Recorded on 14 June 2007 at NBH Studio 7 in Manchester. The BBC Philharmonic perform the music of Brett Dean. Radio 3's primary contemporary music programme, featuring live performances and sessions |
| 02 | Detlev Glanert | 20090502 | An exploration of the work of one of Germany's leading composers, Detlev Glanert. Tom Service talks to Glanert and German music expert Jean Martin both about the composer's works and the influences behind today's German music. Glanert: Symphony No 3 (22:43) BBC Philharmonic Clark Rundell (conductor) Glanert: Parergon (The Mirror of the Great Emperor) (UK premiere) (13:32) Glanert: Thee pieces for clarinet and piano (11:15) Ronald van Spaendonck (clarinet) Simon Crawford-Phillips (piano) Glanert: Nine Caricatures for orchestra (UK premiere) (11:19) Argentum et Aurum (UK premiere) (11:20) Tom Service present music by Detlev Glanert and conversation with the composer. Radio 3's primary contemporary music programme, featuring live performances and sessions |
| 03 | Steven Mackey | 20090509 | In a programme recorded at Studio 7 in Manchester, Robert Worby explores the work of American composer Steven Mackey, who talks about his music and introduces four orchestral works. Steven began his surprising career path playing electric guitar in rock bands in Northern California. Describing a formative early influence, he went to a gig by prog rock band Yes in 1973, and heard beautiful orchestral music playing over the PA - he found out that it was Stravinsky's Firebird, and wanted to explore this music further. Now a professor of music at Princeton, he continues to play electric guitar, and has written two concertos for the instrument. As a composer he is noted for his highly individual style, a multi-layered play of rhythm and sonority which incorporates and plays with references to classical and popular music. Fred Sherry (cello) BBC Philharmonic Clark Rundell (conductor) Steven Mackey: Lost and Found; Banana/Dump Truck; Turn the Key; Eating Greens. Robert Worby explores the work of American composer Steven Mackey. Radio 3's primary contemporary music programme, featuring live performances and sessions |
| 04 | Kalevi Aho | 20090516 | Ivan Hewett explores the work of Finnish symphonist Kalevi Aho, who talks to about his music and introduces three orchestral pieces. Featuring Aho's Tenth Symphony, which as been described as one of his most significant achievements. It pays homage to the great Romantic tradition, quoting from Mozart's Symphony No 39 and, unusually for a contemporary symphonic work, it ends in a mood of optimism. Frans Helmerson, Li Wei Qin (cellos) BBC Philharmonic James MacMillan (conductor) Kalevi Aho: The Rejoicing of the Deep Waters; Concerto for two cellos and orchestra; Symphony No 10. Ivan Hewett explores the music of Finnish symphonist Kalevi Aho. Radio 3's primary contemporary music programme, featuring live performances and sessions |