Darkness and Light
Composer James MacMillan explores music inspired by the biblical story of creation.
Sir James MacMillan explores how fellow composers like Haydn, Beethoven, and Hildegard von Bingen depict the first day of creation in music. Joined by Dr Rowan Williams, Theologian Prof Margarita Mooney Clayton, and composer Jay Capperauld, they discuss light as divine revelation, and musical interpretations of light and darkness across classical and contemporary works. They explore the nature of inspiration and discuss the origins of creativity.
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Music Played
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Joseph Haydn
The Creation, Hob.XXI:2: Pt. 1, The Representation of Chaos
Orchestra: Handel and Haydn Society. Conductor: Harry Christophers.- Coro.
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James MacMillan
O Radiant Dawn
Conductor: Benjamin Nicholas. Choir: Choir of Merton College, Oxford.- Delphian Records.
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Jean‐Féry Rebel
Les Élémens, Simphonie Nouvelle: 1. Le cahos
Orchestra: Musica Antiqua Köln. Conductor: Reinhard Goebel.- DG Archiv.
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Aaron Copland
In the Beginning
Orchestra: Dunedin Consort. Conductor: Ben Parry.- Linn Records.
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Darius Milhaud
La Création du Monde, Op. 81a: Overture. Modéré
Orchestra: Ulster Orchestra. Conductor: Yan Pascal Tortelier.- Chandos.
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Johann Sebastian Bach
I. Contrapunctus I
Orchestra: Brecon Baroque. Conductor: Rachel Podger.- Channel Classics.
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Hildegard von Bingen
O Gloriosissimi Lux
Performer: Joseph Wicks.- Hyperion.
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Jay Capperauld
Bruckner's Skull
Orchestra: Scottish Chamber Orchestra. Conductor: Maxim Emelyanychev.![]()
Ludwig van Beethoven
Symphony No. 9 in D minor, Op. 125 'Choral'
Singer: Christina Landshamer. Singer: Jennifer Johnson Cano. Singer: Werner Güra. Singer: Shenyang. Choir: Mendelssohn Choir of Pittsburgh. Orchestra: Pittsburgh Symphony Orchestra. Conductor: Manfred Honeck.- Reference Recordings.
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- Sat 29 Nov 202513:00BBC Radio 3
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Podcast
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Music Matters
The stories that matter, the people that matter, the music that matters
