Main content
Sorry, this episode is not currently available

George Benjamin and Inspiration

Donald Macleod in conversation with Sir George Benjamin explores the composer’s sources of inspiration.

Donald Macleod in conversation with Sir George Benjamin explores the composer’s sources of inspiration, both visual and literary.

Composer of the Week marks the sixtieth birthday of the celebrated British composer Sir George Benjamin. All this week Benjamin joins Donald Macleod in the studio to provide listeners with personal insights into his music and distinguished career. They discuss the composer's musical connections, his inspirations, his interest in collaboration, the compositional process, and his work as a pianist, conductor and teacher.

When composing music, Sir George Benjamin takes inspiration from various sources. The composer discusses with Donald Macleod the importance of visual inspirations in his music, and how words can have an impact upon the music he is composing. They explore the themes within some of his stage works, including homosexuality, and how he endeavours in his music to make old stories compelling for a contemporary audience.

Ringed by the Flat Horizon
Ross Pople, cello
³ÉÈË¿ìÊÖ Symphony Orchestra
Mark Elder, conductor

Into the Little Hill (Scene VI & VII)
Hila Plitmann, soprano
Susan Bickley, contralto
London Sinfonietta
George Benjamin, conductor

Lessons in Love and Violence (Sc.3 Please everyone be seated)
Stéphane Degout (King), baritone
Barbara Hannigan (Isabel), soprano
Gyula Orendt (Gaveston / Stranger), baritone
Peter Hoare (Mortimer), tenor
Samuel Boden (Boy / Young King), tenor
Jennifer France (Witness / Singer / Woman 1), soprano
Krisztina Szabó (Witness / Singer / Woman 2), mezzo-soprano
Andri Björn Róbertsson (Witness 3 / Madmad), bass-baritone
Netherlands Radio Philharmonic Orchestra
George Benjamin, conductor

Sometime Voices
Dietrich Henschel, baritone
Rundfunkchor Berlin
Deutsches Symphony Orchestra
Kent Nagano, conductor

Produced by Luke Whitlock for ³ÉÈË¿ìÊÖ Wales.

Photo credit: Matthew Lloyd

59 minutes

Music Played

  • Sir George Benjamin

    Ringed by the Flat Horizon

    Performer: Ross Pople. Orchestra: ³ÉÈË¿ìÊÖ Symphony Orchestra. Conductor: Sir Mark Elder.
    • NIMBUS : NI5643.
    • NIMBUS.
    • 1.
  • Sir George Benjamin

    Into the Little Hill - Scenes VI & VII

    Singer: Hila Plitmann. Singer: Susan Bickley. Orchestra: London Sinfonietta. Conductor: Sir George Benjamin.
    • NIMBUS : NI5964.
    • NIMBUS.
    • 6.
  • Sir George Benjamin

    Lessons in Love and Violence - Scene 3, Please everyone be seated

    Singer: Stéphane Degout. Singer: Barbara Hannigan. Singer: Gyula Orendt. Singer: Peter Hoare. Singer: Samuel Boden. Singer: Jennifer France. Singer: Krisztina Szabó. Singer: Andri Bjorn Robertsson. Orchestra: Netherlands Radio Orchestra. Conductor: Sir George Benjamin.
    • NIMBUS : NI5976.
    • NIMBUS.
    • 10.
  • Sir George Benjamin

    Sometime Voices

    Singer: Dietrich Henschel. Choir: Berlin Radio Choir. Orchestra: Deutsches Symphonie Orchestra. Conductor: Kent Nagano.
    • NIMBUS : NI5828.
    • NIMBUS.
    • 18.

Broadcast

  • Thu 10 Dec 2020 12:00

Beethoven Unleashed – the box set

Beethoven Unleashed – the box set

The complete set of Radio 3 Beethoven Unleashed podcasts, with Donald Macleod.

What was really wrong with Beethoven?

What was really wrong with Beethoven?

Georgia Mann and neurosurgeon Henry Marsh examine the composer's numerous health problems

Composers A to Z

Composers A to Z

Visit the extensive audio archive of Radio 3 programmes about Composers and their works.

Who knew? Five eye-opening stories from Composer of the Week

Who knew? Five eye-opening stories from Composer of the Week

The production team reflects on 5 of Donald Macleod’s best stories from the last 20 years

Five reasons why we love Parry's Jerusalem

What is the strange power of Jerusalem which makes strong men weep?

A man out of time – why Parry's music and ideas were at odds with his image...

The composer of Jerusalem was very far from the conservative figure his image suggests.

Composer Help Page

Find resources and contacts for composers from within the classical music industry.