Elliott Carter – A Celebration: Concert Two by Carter, E., Fra (2014/2014), Dirigent Ryan Wigglesworth, City Halls, Glasgow, United Kingdom

The BBC SSO presents a two day retrospective of Carter’s music, from his early neo-classical works from the ‘40s and ‘50s (Holiday Overture, Variations for Orchestra) through to some of his last (Dialogues II), and there’s also a rare chance to hear his largest and grandest work Symphonia: sum fluxae pretium spei. The orchestra is joined by Scottish percussionist Colin Currie and pianist Nicolas Hodges, both of whom gave World Premieres of some of the works featured in these concerts. In the first concert Hodges will also play two classic short pieces for solo piano and, with BBC SSO Leader (Laura Samuel) and Principal Cello (Martin Storey) will play the very last piece he composed (Epigrams). Restless, witty and complex, Carter’s work bursts with an energy and vigour that assures his place as one of the 20th (and 21st) century’s most celebrated composers. Click on the clip above to hear Stephen Johnson interviewing Elliott Carter in his 100th birthday year.