Prom 17 repeat: Tchaikovsky's Pathétique

The BBC Philharmonic conducted by Juanjo Mena in the London premiere of Mark Simpson's 'The Immortal' and Tchaikovsky's 'Pathétique' Symphony.

Presented by Petroc Trelawny

Mark Simpson: The Immortal
Tchaikovsky: Symphony No 6, 'Pathétique'

Christopher Purves (baritone)
London Voices
Crouch End Festival Chorus
BBC Philharmonic
Juanjo Mena

Life and death collide in a concert that explores what lies beyond the limits of human existence. In his passionate Sixth Symphony, which Tchaikovsky described as 'the best thing I ever composed or shall compose', he re-imagined what the symphony could be, daring to face death with uncertainty. The BBC Philharmonic's Composer in Association, a former BBC Young Musician winner and BBC Radio 3 New Generation Artist, Mark Simpson, also looks to the afterlife in his critically acclaimed oratorio 'The Immortal'. Inspired by Victorian seances, he conjures up eerie visions of a world beyond.