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Bruckner Symphony No. 4

To end their 90th season, the BBC Scottish Symphony Orchestra are joined by the BBC Singers and Chief Conductor Ryan Wigglesworth for his own Magnificat and music by Bruckner.

The air shimmers, and a horn calls softly in the distance. Is there a more magical beginning to any symphony than the vista that opens Bruckner’s Fourth? There's a reason he called it “Romantic”.

Bruckner imagined a story of knights, forests and castles, but he preferred to let the music speak for itself, and in this closing concert to the BBC Scottish Symphony Orchestra’s 90th anniversary, Chief Conductor Ryan Wigglesworth will let it do exactly that. It’s a world away from the spiritual intimacy of Bruckner’s sacred music – sung tonight by the BBC Singers – and the bridge is a new version of Wigglesworth’s own powerful Magnificat. Featuring soprano Sophie Bevan, the BBC Singers and the BBC SSO, admire its “Heaven-meets-earth choral harmonies" (Bachtrack).

Bruckner: Ave Maria (1861 setting)
Ryan Wigglesworth: Magnificat - for solo soprano, chorus and orchestra (revised version, world premiere)
Bruckner: Symphony No. 4 in E flat major, ‘Romantic’

Sophie Bevan, soprano
Ryan Wigglesworth, conductor
BBC Singers
BBC Scottish Symphony Orchestra

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2 hours, 14 minutes

Last on

Thursday 19:30
BBC Radio 3

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Music Played

  • Anton Bruckner

    Ave Maria

    Choir: BBC Singers. Conductor: Ryan Wigglesworth.

  • Ryan Wigglesworth

    Magnificat (revised version, world premiere)

    Singer: Sophie Bevan. Choir: BBC Singers. Orchestra: BBC Scottish Symphony Orchestra. Conductor: Ryan Wigglesworth.

  • Johannes Brahms

    String Sextet No. 1, Op. 18 (IV Rondo)

    Performer: Tabea Zimmermann. Performer: Jean‐Guihen Queyras. Ensemble: Belcea Quartet.
    • Brahms: String Sextets.
    • Alpha Classics.
    • 4.

  • Anton Bruckner

    Symphony No. 4 in E flat major, 'Romantic'

    Orchestra: BBC Scottish Symphony Orchestra. Conductor: Ryan Wigglesworth.

  • Astor Piazzolla

    Cafe 1930

    Performer: Nicolas Altstaedt. Performer: José Gallardo.

Broadcast

  • Thursday 19:30
    BBC Radio 3