BBC Philharmonic - Mark Simpson, MacMillan, Gershwin, Stravinsky

The BBC Philharmonic, conducted by Nicholas Collon perform music by their Composer-in-Association, Mark Simpson, as well as works by James MacMillan and Stravinsky. They are joined by pianist Jonathan Scott for Gershwin's Rhapsody in Blue.

From the Bridgewater Hall, Manchester
Presented by Tom Redmond

Mark Simpson: Sparks
James MacMillan: Viola Concerto

8.15 Interval

8.35
Gershwin: Rhapsody in Blue
Stravinsky: Suite, The Firebird (1945)

Lawrence Power (viola)
Jonathan Scott (piano)
BBC Philharmonic
Nicholas Collon (conductor)

The first half of tonight's programme celebrates music by composers with close links with the BBC Philharmonic. Sparks by Mark Simpson (the BBC Philharmonic's recently appointed Composer-in-Association) was written for the opening of the Last Night of the BBC Proms in 2012, and also ignites tonight's concert. The programme continues with a 2014 work by James MacMillan (a former composer/conductor of the orchestra), his Viola Concerto. Pianist Jonathan Scott joins the orchestra for Gershwin's jazzy Rhapsody in Blue and the colour and drama of music from Stravinsky's ballet The Firebird bring the concert to a glowing close.