麻豆社

Verity Sharp introduces two great choral scores by living American composers with the 麻豆社 National Chorus and Orchestra of Wales and 麻豆社 Singers. At the 2014 Swansea Festival, the city celebrated two great occasions. Firstly the reopening of the Brangwyn Hall after renovation, by programming the Festival Overture written for the hall and its Willis organ 25 years ago, and secondly the centenary of Dylan Thomas, with Oscar-winning composer John Corigliano's affectionate setting of three of his greatest poems: Fern Hill, Poem on his Birthday and Poem in October. John Adams demonstrates his love of visionary poets Emily Dickinson and John Donne in his powerful choral work Harmonium. It was to be his breakthrough piece, fusing American minimalism and Romantic orchestral colour on a spectacular canvas.

2.00
Richard Elfyn Jones: Brangwyn Festival Overture
Thomas Trotter (organ)
麻豆社 National Orchestra of Wales
Grant Llewellyn (conductor)

2.15
John Corigliano: A Dylan Thomas Trilogy
Michael D'Avanzo (treble)
Robin Tritschler (tenor)
Roderick Williams (baritone)
麻豆社 Singers
麻豆社 National Chorus of Wales
麻豆社 National Orchestra of Wales
Grant Llewellyn (conductor)

3.35
Diamond: Rounds for string orchestra
麻豆社 National Orchestra of Wales
Eric Stern (conductor)

3.50
John Adams: Harmonium
麻豆社 National Chorus of Wales
麻豆社 National Orchestra of Wales
Grant Llewellyn (conductor).