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Perfection

A sequence of poetry, prose and music on the theme of perfection, with readings by Helen Baxendale and David Schofield.

Physical beauty is the ultimate expression of human perfection. In geometry, the circle is, according to Aristotle, 'the perfect, first, most beautiful form'. This week's Words and Music goes in pursuit of perfection - an often elusive intangible concept for many writers and musicians. It can be an unattainable state, ending only in disappointment and failure. But there is still hope, for comfort can be found in the simplicity and stability of its sibling, imperfection. With readings by Helen Baxendale and David Schofield.

Producer: Gavin Heard.

1 hour, 30 minutes

Last on

Sat 8 Sep 2012 18:00
大象传媒 Radio 3

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Music Played

Timings (where shown) are from the start of the programme in hours and minutes

  • Aaron Copland

    Billy the Kidd

    Performer: San Francisco Symphony, Michael Tilson Thomas

    • RCA 09026635112.

  • Fran莽ois-Marie Arouet de Voltaire

    Patience, David Schofield

  • Johann Wolfgang von Goethe

    The Sorrows of Young Werther, Helen Baxendale

  • Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart

    Cosi fan Tutte

    Performer: Kiri te Kanawa, Frederica von Stade, Teresa Stratas, David Rendall, Philippe Huttenlocher, Jules Bastin, Choeurs de l鈥橭pera du Rhin, Gunter Wagner, Alain Lombard, Orchestre Philharmonique de Strasbourg

    • ERATO 2292 45683 2.

  • Charles Tomlinson

    Images of Perfection, David Schofield

  • Michael Nyman

    Impromptu for 12 fingers

    Performer: Ryan Dorin, Michael Lang

    • VIRGIN CDVE936.

  • Gerard Manley Hopkins

    The Habit of Perfection, Helen Baxendale

  • Johann Sebastian Bach

    Sonata No.3 in C Major, BWV 1005

    Performer: Hilary Hahn

    • SONY SK 62793.

  • Richard Dering

    Factum est silentium

    Performer: The Cambridge Singers, John Rutter

    • COLLEGIUM COLCD113.

  • Carol Ann Duffy

    River, David Schofield

  • Claude Debussy

    La Cathedrale engloutie

    Performer: Nelson Freire

    • DECCA 4781111.

  • Wislawa Szymborska

    Utopia, Helen Baxendale

  • Michael Nyman

    God's Hands

    Performer: Ryan Dorin, Michael Lang

    • VIRGIN CDVE936.

  • Henry Purcell

    Sonata No.9 in F Major 'Called for its excellence the Golden Sonata'

    Performer: The Purcell Quartet

    • CHANDOS CHAN8763.

  • Johann Strauss II

    Die Fledermaus

    Performer: Herbert von Karajan; Philharmonia Orchestra and Chorus

    • EMI CMS5670742.

  • Howard Nemerov

    Grace to be said at the supermarket, David Schofield

  • Johann Sebastian Bach

    Invention No.13 in A Minor & Sinfonia No.13 in A Minor

    Performer: Glenn Gould

    • SONY CLASSICAL 5174832.

  • Ovid translated by Ted Hughes

    Tales from Ovid, Helen Baxendale

  • Johannes Brahms

    Piano Quartet No. 3

    Performer: Isaac Stern, Yo-Yo Ma, Claudio Abbado, Chicago Symphony Orchestra

    • CBS CD42387.

  • Francisco L贸pez Capillas

    Magnificat

    Performer: Ex Cathedra; Jeffrey Skidmore

    • HYPERION CDA67524.

  • Lord Byron

    She Walks in Beauty like the Night, David Schofield

  • Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart

    Laudate Dominum

    Performer: Barbara Hendricks, Justin Sillman, Academy of St Martin in the Fields, Sir Nevill Marriner

    • EMI CDC7492832.

  • Wislawa Szymborska

    Pi, Helen Baxendale

  • Felix Mendelssohn

    Perpetuum mobile in C, Op. 119

    Performer: Benjamin Frith

    • NAXOS 8550939.

  • WB Yeats

    What Then, David Schofield

  • Igor Stravinsky

    The Nightingale

    Performer: 大象传媒 Singers, Simon Joly, 大象传媒 Symphony Orchestra, Pierre Boulez

    • ERATO 2292456272.

  • Menna Elfyn

    Matins, Helen Baxendale

  • Arvo P盲rt

    Silentium

    Performer: Tasmin Littler, Martin Roscoe, Bournemouth Sinfonietta, Richard Studt

    • EMI CDEMX2221.

  • John Keats

    Endymion, David Schofield

  • Carol Ann Duffy

    Name, Helen Baxendale

  • Joseph Haydn

    The Creation

    Performer: Gabrieli Consort and Players, Paul McCreesh

    • ARCHIV 4777361.

  • Alice Walker

    Perfection, David Schofield

  • B茅la Bart贸k

    Music for Strings, Percussion and Celeste

    Orchestra: Budapest Festival Orchestra. Conductor: Iv谩n Fischer.

    Performer: Chicago Symphony Orchestra, Sir Georg Solti

    • DECCA 4705162.

Broadcasts

  • Sun 22 Apr 2012 18:30
    大象传媒 Radio 3
  • Sat 8 Sep 2012 18:00
    大象传媒 Radio 3

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