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Beethoven’s beautiful ‘Pastoral’ Symphony

Ryan Wigglesworth conducts the ³ÉÈË¿ìÊÖ Scottish Symphony Orchestra in music from Messiaen's opera St Francis of Assisi, alongside Beethoven's Sixth Symphony.

Ryan Wigglesworth conducts the ³ÉÈË¿ìÊÖ Scottish Symphony Orchestra in music from Messiaen's opera St Francis of Assisi, alongside Beethoven's Sixth Symphony.

Live from City Halls, Glasgow

Presented by Kate Molleson

Beethoven: Symphony No 6 in F (Pastoral)

8.20 Interval, Kate introduces recent recordings of music to tease out the themes in this evening's concert

Toru Takemitsu: Rain Tree Sketch II
Bertrand Chamayou (piano)

Betsy Jolas: Chanson d'Approche
Roderick Chadwick (piano)

Villa-Lobos: Choros No 3 'Picapau'
Sao Paulo Symphony Chorus conducted by John Neschling

8.40 Part Two
Messiaen: Saint Francis of Assisi - Act 2, Scene 6, "The Sermon to the Birds"

Nicky Spence (tenor)
Ashley Riches (baritone)
Ryan Wigglesworth (conductor)
³ÉÈË¿ìÊÖ Scottish Symphony Orchestra

Ryan Wigglesworth, chief conductor of the ³ÉÈË¿ìÊÖ Scottish Symphony Orchestra, brings to life a performance of the pivotal scene from Messiaen's ecstatic opera St Francis of Assisi. The Sermon to the Birds is delivered by tenor Nicky Spence and baritone Ashley Riches nested within one of the most ravishingly colourful orchestras ever assembled: including a chirruping choir of three ondes martenot, Messiaen's most beloved electronic instrument.
A rare chance to hear this score performed live. It is preceded by a more commonly heard but no less rapturous vision of the natural world, Beethoven's Pastoral Symphony.

2 hours, 28 minutes

Music Played

  • Ludwig van Beethoven

    Symphony No. 6 In F Major Op.68 (Pastoral)

    Orchestra: ³ÉÈË¿ìÊÖ Scottish Symphony Orchestra. Conductor: Ryan Wigglesworth.
  • Toru Takemitsu

    Rain Tree Sketch Ii - In Memoriam Olivier Messiaen

    Performer: Bertrand Chamayou.
  • Betsy Jolas

    Chanson D'Approche

    Performer: Roderick Chadwick.
  • Heitor Villaâ€Lobos

    Choro No. 3 (Picapau)

    Choir: São Paulo Symphony Chorus. Conductor: John Neschling.
  • Olivier Messiaen

    St. Francis of Assisi, Act 2 scene 6: The Sermon to the Birds

    Ensemble: ³ÉÈË¿ìÊÖ Scottish Symphony Orchestra. Conductor: Ryan Wigglesworth. Performer: Nicky Spence. Performer: Ashley Riches.
  • Maurice Ravel

    String Quartet, M. 35: I. Allegro moderato - Très doux

    Ensemble: Belcea Quartet.
    • Debussy, Dutilleux & Ravel: String Quartets.
    • Warner Classics.
    • 117.
  • Maurice Ravel

    String Quartet in F major (2nd mvt)

    Ensemble: Belcea Quartet.
    • Debussy, Dutilleux & Ravel: String Quartets.
    • Warner Classics.
    • 118.
  • Maurice Ravel

    String Quartet, M. 35: III. Très lent

    Ensemble: Belcea Quartet.
    • Debussy, Dutilleux & Ravel: String Quartets.
    • Warner Classics.
    • 119.
  • Maurice Ravel

    String Quartet, M. 35: IV. Vif et agité

    Ensemble: Belcea Quartet.
    • Debussy, Dutilleux & Ravel: String Quartets.
    • Warner Classics.
    • 120.
  • Dmitry Shostakovich

    Prelude in A major, Op 87 No 7

    Performer: Tatiana Nikolayeva.
    • Shostakovich: 24 Preludes and Fugues Op. 87: Tatiana Nicolayeva.
    • Hyperion.
    • 13.

Broadcast

  • Thu 13 Apr 2023 19:30