Sunday, July 27, 2014

Southbank Centre, London: Wednesday 17 September 2014 'Youth Orchestra of Bahia' [Brazil] Queen Elizabeth Hall


Youth Orchestra of Bahia


The Youth Orchestra of Bahia is from the Brazilian State of the same name, which has a strong Afro-Brazilian heritage


Julia Wolfe: riSE and fLY (Percussion Concerto)

Interval

Gustav Mahler: Symphony No.1 (vers. standard in 4 movements)


Colin Currie and the Youth Orchestra of Bahia perform new work by Julia Wolfe and Mahler's First Symphony.

Inspired by New York City street beats and the rhythms of American work song, Julia Wolf'es riSE and fLY is a dazzling work composed especially for Colin Currie.
Borrowing the title from a chain gang work song, Wolfe's intention is to 'take Colin to a new place and to bring something earthy and visceral to the orchestra – to break with formality and get down and dirty.'

The result is a thrilling evocation of street drummers, accordionists, singers, Chinese stringed erhus and the folk tradition of body percussion that fully encapsulates the festival's title, Metal, Wood and Skin.

Mahler's First Symphony established the intimate relationship between his symphonic scores and songs, its enchanting melodic world evoking the sights and sounds of nature and taking its cue from his Songs of a Wayfarer.

The stylistic nerve-centre is a slow movement that juxtaposes a minor-key version of Frère Jacques against the sounds of streets bands and popular music.

Queen Elizabeth Hall at 6.15pm. Pre-concert talk

Southbank Centre’s Head of Classical Music Gillian Moore chairs a discussion with conductor Ricardo Castro and percussionist Colin Currie about the concert and the social impact of music. Free.


In partnership with the Royal Philharmonic Society


The Front Room at Queen Elizabeth Hall at 9.15pm.

An informal post concert event with percussionists from the Youth Orchestra of Bahia. Free.


Performers

Youth Orchestra of Bahia
Ricardo Castro conductor
Colin Currie percussion


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