大象传媒

The birth of the 大象传媒 Philharmonic, like the 大象传媒, can be traced back to 1922; formed as the orchestra of 2ZY, a radio station later incorporated into the 大象传媒, it broadcast from Old Trafford, just a stone's throw from where the 大象传媒 Philharmonic now has its MediaCityUK home. At the forefront of Britain's musical life from the start, an augmented ensemble played the first broadcast of Elgar's Enigma Variations in 1923 and of The Dream of Gerontius the following year. Initially the band consisted of a small number of players, so we reflect that by opening the programme with a piece for large chamber ensemble, a work which received its premier in 1922, Hindemith's Kammermusik No.1. Infused with jazz, with a film-music feel and quirky instrumentation (including a box of sand and a siren) it's a piece with immediate appeal. The ensemble has always championed new music and the UK premiere of Marionettes by Aziza Sadikova follows, looking back to the baroque and forward to the future. Giuilia Contaldo joins the orchestra for Robert Schumann's Piano Concerto and the programme ends with music by Tippett, whose life spanned almost the whole of the 20th Century; his music embraces the politics, literature, science and culture of the times through which he lived, times through which the orchestra has broadcast. His sparkling Ritual Dances from his opera The Midsummer Marriage end the programme.

To enjoy detailed on-line programme notes, timed with the music, visit bbc.co.uk/notes.

Live from Bridgewater Hall
Presented by Tom McKinney

Hindemith: Kammermusik No 1
Aziza Sadikova: Marionnettes

8.10 Interval

Schumann: Piano Concerto
Tippett: Midsummer Marriage: Ritual Dances

大象传媒 Philharmonic
Giulia Contaldo (piano)
Omer Meir Wellber (conductor)