James MacMillan: My 8 favourite symphonies
4 September 2015
A new work from Scottish composer Sir James MacMillan, his Fourth Symphony, was specially written for the BBC Scottish Symphony Orchestra and dedicated to their chief conductor Donald Runnicles. It received its world premiere in August 2015 at a special BBC SSO Proms concert, conducted by Runnicles at the Royal Albert Hall. To complement BBC Four's screening of the performance on Sunday 6 September, BBC Arts asked MacMillan to discuss his 8 favourite symphonic works - with fascinating results.
Introduction - 'An opportunity to reflect on the great symphonies of the past'
James MacMillan introduces his 8 favourite symphonies
He explains how writing his new work allowed him to think about the great symphonies.
1. Ludwig van Beethoven - Symphony No. 3, 'Eroica'
2. Hector Berlioz - Symphonie Fantastique
5. Jean Sibelius - Symphony No. 3
6. Stravinsky: Symphonies of wind instruments
7. Vaughan Williams - Symphony No. 4
Watch more
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James MacMillan Premiere
Scottish composer Sir James MacMillan's Fourth Symphony on BBC Four, Sunday 6 September and afterwards on BBC iPlayer.
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BBC Proms 2015
Explore the breadth of music celebrated at the Proms.
