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Composer James MacMillan explores music inspired by the biblical story of creation

James MacMillan and guests explore how composers capture the ocean鈥檚 power, mystery, and ecological themes. Topics include orchestration techniques in La Mer, the sea as a symbol of divine creation in Vaughn William鈥檚 A Sea Symphony, and minimalist approaches to vastness in John Luther Adams Become Ocean, highlighting music鈥檚 connection to nature. Former Archbishop of Canterbury Dr Rowan Williams reads his own poetry which is written to evoke a rising spring of creative inspiration.

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56 minutes

Last on

Saturday 13:00
麻豆社 Radio 3

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Music Played

  • James MacMillan

    Quickening: Living Water

    Ensemble: The Hilliard Ensemble. Choir: CBSO Youth Chorus. Choir: CBSO Chorus. Orchestra: 麻豆社 Philharmonic Orchestra. Conductor: James MacMillan.
    • MacMillan: Quickening/ Three Interludes from 'The Sacrifice'.
    • Chandos.
    • 7.

  • Benjamin Britten

    Four Sea Interludes from 'Peter Grimes', Op. 33a: Dawn

    Orchestra: 麻豆社 Philharmonic Orchestra. Conductor: Edward Gardner.
    • Britten: Works for Orchestra.
    • 9.

  • Johann Sebastian Bach

    An Wasserfl眉ssen Babylon, BWV267

    Performer: Ton Koopman. Choir: Amsterdam Baroque Choir.
    • Bach: Organ Works, Vol. 2 (At the Organ of the Jacobin Church of Leeuwarden).
    • Warner Classics.
    • 2.

  • Alphonse Hasselmans

    La Source (Concert Study) Op. 44

    Performer: Floraleda Sacchi.
    • Music For Harp.
    • Brilliant Classics.
    • 2.

  • Amy Beach

    By the Still Waters, Op. 114

    Performer: Isata Kanneh鈥怣ason.
    • Summertime.
    • Decca.
    • 12.

  • Antonio Vivaldi

    Flute Concerto, Op. 10 No. 1 in F major, RV 433 'La tempesta di mare'

    Performer: Giovanni Antonini. Ensemble: Il Giardino Armonico.
    • Vivaldi: Concerti per flauto / Antonini, Il Giardino Armonico.
    • Alpha.

  • John Luther Adams

    Become Ocean

    Orchestra: Seattle Symphony. Conductor: Ludovic Morlot.
    • Cantaloupe.

  • George Frideric Handel

    Water Music Suite No. 1 in F major, HWV348

    Orchestra: Academy for Ancient Music Berlin. Conductor: Georg Kallweit.
    • Handel: Water Music Suites Nos. 1-3, HWV348-350.
    • Harmonia Mundi.

  • James MacMillan

    Ave maris stella

    Choir: The Marian Consort. Conductor: Rory McCleery.
    • Music for the Queen of Heaven.
    • Delphian.

  • Jean Sibelius

    The Oceanides Op. 73

    Orchestra: Bergen Philharmonic Orchestra. Conductor: Edward Gardner.
    • Sibelius - Orchestral Songs, etc.
    • Chandos.
    • 14.

Broadcast

  • Saturday 13:00
    麻豆社 Radio 3

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Podcast

  • Music Matters

    The stories that matter, the people that matter, the music that matters