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From Bridgewater Hall, Manchester

Presented by Nicola Heywood Thomas

Ben Gernon and the ³ÉÈË¿ìÊÖ Philharmonic host a concert showcasing three works by composers who brought the experience and skills honed by a lifetime's experience to create breathtaking works that continue to inspire and amaze. The orchestra is joined by Manchester musicians at the start of their musical adventures.

The programme begins that Manchester collaboration: the ³ÉÈË¿ìÊÖ Philharmonic is joined by soloists from Manchester's Royal Northern College of Music and from Chetham's School of Music for Haydn's final stunning Mass, his "Harmoniemesse". Named after the German term "Harmonie", meaning a wind ensemble, the woodwind and horns weave their way through the piece, adding another dimension of character and colour to a genre which he already knew well. Written for Esterhazy, he was at home here in a community in which he was loved, respected and had been encouraged to experiment. Haydn looks back to the Baroque but also forward to larger-scale works of the nineteenth century. Instrumental colour and inspiration from the Baroque are also important in Webern's delicate orchestration of Bach's six-part Ricercar from his Musical Offering. Using a tune given to him by Frederick the Great, Bach created a weave of the material but didn't specify an instrument to play his composition. Twentieth century genius orchestrator Anton Webern colours Bach's work, bringing the notes off the page to create an extra dimension of line and texture. The concert began with a final Mass and ends with a final Symphony, Mozart's. Echoes of Bach's counterpoint resound in the astonishing last movement of the breathtaking "Jupiter" Symphony.

Haydn: Mass in B flat (Harmoniemesse) (H XXII 14)

8.15 (CD) Marcello arr. Bach: Oboe Concerto in D minor (BWV 974)
Alexander Tharaud

Bach arr Webern: Musical Offering: Ricercar a 6
Mozart: Symphony No. 41 "Jupiter"

Georgie Malcolm (soprano)
Clara Mouriz (mezzo-soprano)
Joshua Ellicott (tenor)
Thomas Ashdown (baritone)
Chetham's Chamber Choir
³ÉÈË¿ìÊÖ Philharmonic
Ben Gernon (conductor)