BBC Philharmonic and Salford University launches series of free concerts offering a brand new audience experience through new technology

Organised in partnership with the University of Salford, The Red Brick Sessions are a series of nine free concerts due to be performed at the university’s newly renovated Peel Hall.

Using ground breaking new technology from BBC Research & Development, the concerts will create a more immersive musical experience for audiences both in the venue and across the country. The performance and interval discussion will feature in an enhanced live video stream on the BBC Philharmonic website, which will enable the audience to delve closer into the orchestra with the chance to zoom into specific sections of the orchestra, receive synced information about the music and even view a live orchestral score.

The concert audience are invited to bring their mobiles and tablets with them to access this information whilst they enjoy a drink and the performance. BBC presenter Elizabeth Alker (BBC Radio 6 Music and Radio 3) will host an interval discussion before the music is performed again for a BBC Radio 3 recording.

The Red Brick Sessions will feature new and rarely performed pieces by Thomas Larcher, Tansy Davies and Ligeti, alongside more familiar orchestral pieces.

The first enhanced live stream will take place on Thursday 13 October when the BBC Philharmonic under young conductor Ben Gernon will perform Thomas Larcher’s cello concerto Ourorobos with soloist Matthew Barley and Mozart’s Symphony No. 25, written when he was just 17 years old.

Simon Webb, BBC Philharmonic General Manager, says: “This is the next step in the BBC Philharmonic’s collaborative relationship with the City of Salford, working in partnership with its university and council to develop the city’s cultural offering. For this series we’re throwing out the rule book: Join Elizabeth Alker and turn on your devices, grab a drink and experience the music. Whether you’re a lifelong musician or you’ve never seen an orchestra before, the sessions will offer you something new.”

Bruce Weir, Senior Technologist, BBC R&D, says: “Those watching online and via their phones or tablets will be able to enjoy and explore the orchestra like never before. The enhanced video stream is a project we’ve had in development for a few years now, and it gives people more control and lets them be guided by their curiosity. For example if somebody is particularly enjoying the string section of the orchestra, they’ll be able to pull-up information and learn more, or zoom into that area and listen to the sound from that section alone.”

Alan Williams, Professor of Collaborative Composition at the University of Salford, says: “The Red Brick sessions will use newly developed technology to radically transform the way people are able to experience an orchestra and to bring classical music to a much wider and more diverse audience. The marriage of technological innovation with artistic performance is something we’re particularly keen to promote here in Salford, and so it’s hugely exciting that we’re working with the BBC Philharmonic on this project, and that over the next few months our students will become some of the first people in the country to use this technology.”

The performances will be streamed live on the BBC Philharmonic website and will be available for 30 days after broadcast. The concerts will also be recorded for future broadcast on BBC Radio 3.

The first enhanced live stream will take place on Thursday 13 October at 7.30pm on bbc.co.uk/philharmonic.

Applications for free tickets for the BBC Philharmonic’s next event on Thursday 27 October are open from 10-16 October. Visit bbc.co.uk/philharmonic for more information.

DH2

BBC Philharmonic
The BBC Philharmonic is embedded at the heart of the BBC’s operations in Salford, giving studio concerts in their state-of-the-art facility at MediaCityUK, broadcasting regularly on BBC Radio 3, leading the BBC’s learning work, and collaborating across the network with BBC Radios 1 & 1Xtra, Radio 2, Radio 4, Radio 5 Live, 6 Music and Asian Network. The orchestra is uniquely placed to create exciting musical experiences to reach new audiences, through collaborations, original thinking and use of new technology. Supported by Salford City Council, the orchestra's strong links to the local community are enhanced through education and outreach projects. Further partnerships with the Royal Northern College of Music, Salford University and Greater Manchester Music Hub nurture emerging talent. The orchestra gives over 100 concerts each year, including a season at Manchester’s Bridgewater Hall, at venues across the North West, and at the BBC Proms.

Related BBC Links

• BBC Radio 3