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Bizet's Symphony in C

Stephen Johnson explores the colourful world of Bizet's Symphony in C, a work the composer wrote while he was still a student at the Paris Conservatoire.

Bizet's "Symphony in C" has a fascinating history. Written when Bizet was studying at the Paris Conservatoire, probably as a student assignment, it seems he made no effort to have the work published during his lifetime. Rediscovered in the 1930s, it was premiered 80 years after it had been written and since then has remained a popular addition to the symphonic repertoire. Stephen Johnson unpicks this youthful work, which reveals the influence of Bizet's teacher, Charles Gounod and the techniques and colourful orchestration that Bizet would employ in his later compositions.

Available now

20 minutes

Last on

Wed 15 May 2013 20:25
大象传媒 Radio 3

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Music Played

  • Felix Mendelssohn

    A Midsummer night's dream - incidental music Op.61

    Conductor: Neville Marriner Performer: Philharmonia Orchestra

    • PHILIPS.
    • 411-106 2.

  • Georges Bizet

    Symphony in C major

    Conductor: Semyon Bychkov Performer: Paris Orchestra.

    • Philips.
    • 432 096-2.

  • Charles Gounod

    Symphony no. 1 in D major

    Conductor: Neville Marriner Performer: Academy of St Martin-In-The-Fields

    • PHILIPS.
    • 462-125-2.

  • Georges Bizet

    Carmen - opera in 4 acts

    Conductor: Lorin Maazel Performer: Anna Moffo Performer: German Opera Berlin Orchestra

    • RCA.
    • 88697-446202.

Credit

Composer Georges Bizet

Broadcast

  • Wed 15 May 2013 20:25
    大象传媒 Radio 3