Name: Debussy and John Adams: Symphonic Reimaginings
Start: 2023-06-23T00:00:00.000Z
End: 2023-06-23T00:00:00.000Z
Location: Queen Elizabeth Hall

Organization

Conductor

Ryan Bancroft

Southbank Centre

Orchestra

Royal College of Music Symphony Orchestra

Debussy and John Adams: Symphonic Reimaginings

London

United Kingdom

Queen Elizabeth Hall

Debussy and John Adams: Symphonic Reimaginings: La mer

Public

The sea, three symphonic sketches for orchestra, L. 109

The Spark Catchers

Harmonielehre

Approved

Accordionist

Instrumentalist

Archlutenist

Baroque Flutist

Baroque Oboist

Baroque Trumpetist

Bassist

Bassoonist

Cellist

Clarinetist

Contrabassist

Cornettist

Flutist

Guitarist

Harper

Harpsichordist

Hornist

Lutenist

Mandoline Player

Musette de cour Player

Oboist

Organist

Percussionist

Pianist

Recorder Player

Saxophonist

Tenor Violinist

Timpani

Trombonist

Trumpeter

Tuba Player

Vibraphonist

Viola Pomposa Player

Viola da gamba

Viola d’amore Player

Violinist

Violino Piccolo Player

Violist

Actor

Broadcasting

Choir

Choreographer

Chorus Director

Chorus master

Composer

Costume designer

Dancer

Dramaturge

Executive producer

Extra

Hairstylist

Illustrator

Librettist

Lighting designer

Makeup artist

Orchestra Operations

Other

Photographer

Poet

Repetiteur

Set designer

Sound designer

Stage Manager

Stage director

Teacher

Translator

Video designer

Vocal coach

Wig & Makeup Designer

Writer

Writing and performance

Contralto

Singer

Baritone

Mezzo-soprano

Tenor

Soprano

Bass

Bass-baritone

Countertenor

Alto

Child vocalist

Continuo

Silent

Spoken

The night features two works that follow symphonic tradition whilst at the same time, reimagine it. Written towards the beginning and end of the 20th century respectively, Debussy’s La mer and John Adams’ Harmonielehre are three-movement works: traditional in some sense, yet startlingly new in their musical language.
La mer, arguably Debussy’s most admired masterpiece, is an evocation of the power of the ocean.

Consisting of two powerful outer movements that frame a lighter scherzo-style composition, musical onomatopoeia abounds in this stirring work: hear the pitter-patter of falling droplets of spray, and dynamic swells that portray both the turbulent and peaceful nature of the sea.

In Harmonielehre, roughly translated as ‘the book of harmony’, listen for references of Mahler, Sibelius and Wagner, and enjoy moments of serenity amongst more earthbound post-minimalist rhythms and energy.

Adams took inspiration for this piece by a dream he experienced of a sailing oil tanker that turned into a rocket – a cathartic release both for the piece itself and his own compositional life.

Finally, hear The Spark Catchers by contemporary composer and Royal College of Music alumnus Hannah Kendall.

Commissioned and premiered at the BBC Proms in 2017 and inspired by a poem written by Lemn Sissay for the 2012 London Olympics, this striking piece depicts the working lives of women who worked in a match factory, keeping a watchful eye for stray sparks at risk of starting a fire.

English

Debussy and John Adams: Symphonic Reimaginings by Debussy, Kendall, Hannah, Adams, Ó (2023/2023), Seoltóir Ryan Bancroft, Queen Elizabeth Hall, London, United Kingdom

Creidmheasanna feidhmíochta (Foireann & Criú )

Ensemble

Clár, Eolas & Achoimre

Grianghraif

Tuilleadh léitheoireachta

Dátaí & Ionaid Feidhmíochta

Ionaid