An exhilarating re-imagining of Holst's The Planets for folk duo and orchestra
An exhilarating re-imagining of Holst's The Planets for folk duo and orchestra, interspersed by text written and narrated by acclaimed writer Robert Macfarlane.
In the first half, Britten Sinfonia perform three sumptuously orchestrated pieces evoking different earthly places and landscapes, bridged by Stevens & Pound’s reworkings of the folk tunes used by Grainger and Britten.
“The work of updating and completing Holst’s Planets suite feels both urgent and exciting. Earth’s vast, miraculous sound-world mustn’t dim to become a silent – or silenced – planet. In music, word and performance, we want to communicate the wonder, awe and fragility of the planet we inhabit.” ~ Robert Macfarlane
programme:
Britten English Folksong Suite: A Time There Was
Grainger Lincolnshire Posy
Holst/Stevens & Pound The Silent Planet (Mars, Venus, Jupiter, Mercury, Earth)
Powerful new operas exploring the climate crisis, social injustice and women’s perspectives, sit alongside reimagined classics.
An exploration of life, loss and a single question: where does true inspiration come from?
The experts in Steve Reich’s minimalist music celebrate more than half a century of his work.
Voices, cello and electronics coalesce into a spellbinding meditation in this new work by the composer and conductor, performed beneath Luke Jerram’s Gaia.
A landmark multi-site operatic performance by Birmingham-based opera company Infinite Opera
Folksong and storytelling from the Ivory Coast, Mali and Senegal, plus fresh, energetic interpretations of well-known classical works.
Totally relaxed and friendly environment to share something you are working on, have completed or something original/improvised.