Michael Tippett told listeners to think of the start of his First Symphony as an arrow. It certainly flies bold and true 鈥� a controlled explosion of energy and optimism, written during the darkest days of World War II by a visionary with his eyes fixed hopefully on the future. It鈥檚 the natural starting point for Martyn Brabbins鈥檚 two-year exploration of Tippett鈥檚 symphonies, and he鈥檚 paired it with music by two more great innovators. Ravel鈥檚 Piano Concerto fuses jazz, Basque folk-song and French impressionism into one fizzing little package; Jean-Efflam Bavouzet might be its most brilliant living interpreter. Haydn鈥檚 鈥楲e Matin鈥�, meanwhile, begins with a cheerful sunrise: music of new beginnings.
Prelude: 6.45pm in the Recital Room
Dr Edward Venn of the University of Leeds gives an introduction to the 大象传媒 SSO鈥檚 two-year Tippett symphony cycle.
The main concert will be recorded for future broadcast on 大象传媒 Radio 3.