17/09 Youth Orchestra of Bahia @ Southbank Centre

27 Aug, 2014

MUSIC |Ai??Youth Orchestra of Bahia @ Queen Elizabeth Hall (Southbank Centre, Belvedere Rd, London SE1 8XX) | +i: 020 7960 4200 | A?20 / A?15 / A?10Ai??. Buy tickets here.

Colin Currie and the Youth Orchestra of Bahia perform new work by Julia Wolfe and Mahler’s First Symphony. Inspired by New York City street beats and the rhythms of American work song, Julia Wolf’esAi??rise and flyAi??is a dazzling work composed especially for Colin Currie. Borrowing the title from a chain gang work song, Wolfe’s intention is to ‘take Colin to a new place and to bring something earthy and visceral to the orchestra ai??i?? to break with formality and get down and dirty.’ The result is a thrilling evocation of street drummers, accordionists, singers, Chinese stringed erhus and the folk tradition of body percussion that fully encapsulates the festival’s title,Ai??Metal, Wood and Skin. Mahler’s First Symphony established the intimate relationship between his symphonic scores and songs, its enchanting melodic world evoking the sights and sounds of nature and taking its cue from hisAi??Songs of a Wayfarer. The stylistic nerve-centre is a slow movement that juxtaposes a minor-key version ofAi??FrA?re JacquesAi??against the sounds of streets bands and popular music.

Queen Elizabeth Hall at 6.15pm. Pre-concert talk Southbank Centreai??i??s Head of Classical Music Gillian Moore chairs a discussion with conductor Ricardo Castro and percussionist Colin Currie about the concert and the social impact of music. Free.

In partnership with the Royal Philharmonic Society The Front Room at Queen Elizabeth Hall at 9.15pm. An informal post concert event with percussionists from the Youth Orchestra of Bahia. Free. Ai??