Episode 4

Verity Sharp introduces two great choral scores by living American composers with the BBC National Chorus and Orchestra of Wales and BBC Singers. At the 2014 Swansea Festival, the city celebrated two great occasions. Firstly the reopening of the Brangwyn Hall after renovation, by programming the Festival Overture written for the hall and its Willis organ 25 years ago, and secondly the centenary of Dylan Thomas, with Oscar-winning composer John Corigliano's affectionate setting of three of his greatest poems: Fern Hill, Poem on his Birthday and Poem in October. John Adams demonstrates his love of visionary poets Emily Dickinson and John Donne in his powerful choral work Harmonium. It was to be his breakthrough piece, fusing American minimalism and Romantic orchestral colour on a spectacular canvas.

2.00
Richard Elfyn Jones: Brangwyn Festival Overture
Thomas Trotter (organ)
BBC National Orchestra of Wales
Grant Llewellyn (conductor)

2.15
John Corigliano: A Dylan Thomas Trilogy
Michael D'Avanzo (treble)
Robin Tritschler (tenor)
Roderick Williams (baritone)
BBC Singers
BBC National Chorus of Wales
BBC National Orchestra of Wales
Grant Llewellyn (conductor)

3.35
Diamond: Rounds for string orchestra
BBC National Orchestra of Wales
Eric Stern (conductor)

3.50
John Adams: Harmonium
BBC National Chorus of Wales
BBC National Orchestra of Wales
Grant Llewellyn (conductor).