Antarctica: Vaughan Williams and Arvo Pärt

Arvo Pärt: La Sindone

Sibelius: The Swan of Tuonela

Jonny Greenwood: Water 

Vaughan Williams: Symphony no.7 ‘Sinfonia antartica’ 

Elizabeth Watts: soprano

Bishi: tanpura

Kathy Hinde: Visuals

Joanna MacGregor: conductor

Women of the Brighton Festival Chorus

Exploration goes deep into the psyche. Vaughan Williams wrote a magnificent score for the 1948 film Scott of the Antarctic, then transformed it into his 7th symphony, Sinfonia antartica five years later: a brooding work of genius. Man against implacable Nature had fascinated Vaughan Williams since the Sea Symphony of 1909 and his one-act opera of Synge’s Riders to the Sea in 1927. The expressive humanity in Scott’s doomed journey found its weight forty years later: music that’s uncanny and terrifying, as well as beautiful and rich. We’re joined by the exquisite lyric soprano Elizabeth Watts – whose highlights include the Last Night of the Proms, and performances with Sir Simon Rattle and Michael Tilson Thomas – and the ethereal female voices of Brighton Festival Chorus.

Arvo Pärt wrote La Sindone for the Turin Winter Olympics in 2006. Capturing the frozen image of Christ on the Turin Shroud, it’s startlingly dramatic as well as mysteriously fragile. Sibelius’ poetic Swan of Tuonela provides the bridge to Jonny Greenwood’s beautifully fluid workfor strings, flutes and Indian tanpura, inspired by Philip Larkin’s poem Water. The groundbreaking pop artist Bishi joins us, and the remarkable filmmaker Kathy Hinde provides beautiful live visuals.

‘Elizabeth Watts is a national treasure among singers…floating and heavenly.’  The Arts Desk

‘Flawless musicality and extraordinary passion.’  The Times

The Listening Club

Join Joanna MacGregor at Brighton Unitarian Church on Thu 3 Dec for a one-hour, illustrated lecture delving deeper into the concert. 

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