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Polish symphonies with the BBC Symphony Orchestra

Sakari Oramo conducts the BBC Symphony Orchestra, Chorus and Soloists in Szymanowski's Song of the Night, Bacewicz's Fourth Symphony and Mozart's Sinfonia Concertante.

Sakari Oramo conducts the BBC Symphony Orchestra, Symphony Chorus and Soloists: Szymanowski's Third Symphony 'Song of the Night' and Bacewicz's Fourth Symphony, plus Mozart's Sinfonia Concertante.

“To be completely honest, I compose, because I find it pleasurable” said Grazyna Bacewicz, and her Fourth Symphony is like a bolt of electricity: energetic, atmospheric, and utterly original. It’s a gripping contrast to the fragrant ecstasies of Szymanowski’s ‘Song of the Night’, scored for solo tenor and chorus with orchestra -a symphony like no other from a composer who worshipped sensuality and sunlight. Nicky Spence is the tenor soloist.

For Sakari Oramo, though, these two great Polish symphonies are natural companions – and both make an unforgettable impression. He’s placing them both alongside the timeless beauty of one of Mozart’s most personal masterpieces – the magnificent Sinfonia Concertante, played today by two former BBC Radio 3 New Generation Artists who just happen to be two of the most charismatic string players of our time - violinist Johan Dalene and violist Timothy Ridout. This is music that demands no less.

Live from the Barbican London
Presented by Hannah French

Grażyna Bacewicz: Symphony No. 4
Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart: Sinfonia Concertante in E flat major, K 364

20.30 Interval (off CD)

Karol Szymanowski: Prelude and fugue in C sharp minor for piano [1905]
Rafal Blechacz (piano)

Karol Szymanowski: 20 Mazurkas Op.50 for piano (Nos 4,7,9,11,14)
Marc-Andre Hamelin (piano)

20.50
Karol Szymanowski: Symphony No 3, 'The Song of the Night'

Johan Dalene (violin)
Timothy Ridout (viola)
Nicky Spence (tenor)
BBC Symphony Chorus
BBC Symphony Orchestra
Sakari Oramo (conductor)

2 hours, 28 minutes

Last on

Fri 10 Feb 2023 19:30
BBC Radio 3

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Music Played

  • Grażyna Bacewicz

    Symphony No. 4

    Orchestra: BBC Symphony Orchestra. Conductor: Sakari Oramo.

  • Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart

    Sinfonia Concertante In E Flat Major K.364

    Performer: Johan Dalene. Performer: Timothy Ridout. Orchestra: BBC Symphony Orchestra. Conductor: Sakari Oramo.

  • Karol Szymanowski

    Prelude and Fugue in C sharp minor

    Performer: Rafał Blechacz.
    • DEUTSCHE GRAMMOPHON.

  • Karol Szymanowski

    Mazurkas Op.50 (Nos, 4,7,9,11,14)

    Performer: Marc-André Hamelin.
    • HYPERION.

  • Karol Szymanowski

    Symphony No. 3 Op.27 (The Song Of The Night)

    Performer: Nicky Spence. Orchestra: BBC Symphony Orchestra. Conductor: Sakari Oramo. Choir: BBC Symphony Chorus.

  • Leos Janáček

    Pohadka (Fairy Tale) for Cello and Piano

    Performer: Laura van der Heijden. Performer: Jâms Coleman.
    • Pohadka: Tales From Prague To Budapest.
    • Chandos.
    • 1.

  • Frédéric Chopin

    Nocturne in B major, Op.62 no.1

    Performer: Sir Stephen Hough.
    • Chopin: Late Masterpieces, Stephen Hough.
    • Hyperion.
    • 7.

Broadcast

  • Fri 10 Feb 2023 19:30
    BBC Radio 3