Gérard Grisey Stèle
Richard Strauss Metamorphosen
Jean Sibelius Symphony No.5
Jessica Cottis conductor
The thunderous echoes of bass drums in Stèle lead into Metamorphosen, an agonising cry over the bombing of World War II. In his diary, Strauss mourned not only the destruction of opera houses and concert halls in Germany, but of culture itself. 23 solo strings gradually build as themes change from half-echoes of one familiar work to shadows of another.
Sibelius' Fifth Symphony was born during earlier conflict, evolving as the composer's circumstances changed. From mysterious beginnings comes a conclusion of triumphant hope in the ability to take flight and glimpse omnipotence. Rising star Jessica Cottis conducts.
An orchestra like no other, Southbank Sinfonia is composed of young graduate musicians from around the world. Every year it welcomes a new cohort of 33 musicians for an intensive programme. Since it was founded in 2002 Southbank Sinfonia has been a springboard for musicians who now appear with orchestras worldwide. The orchestra is based at St John's Waterloo.
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