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Composer James MacMillan explores music inspired by the biblical story of creation

James MacMillan and guests discuss how music reflects Earth’s beauty, nature, and ecological themes. They explore pieces like Gaia Theory, Tapiola, and Mahler’s Symphony No. 3, covering topics from musical depictions of ecosystems to theological views on Earth as a sacred creation and our shared responsibility to care for it.

21 days left to listen

56 minutes

Last on

Sat 13 Dec 202513:00
BBC Radio 3

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Sky and AirIn the Beginning

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Music Played

  • Lowell Mason

    Joy To the World

    Music Arranger: Adam Brett Ward. Choir: Chanticleer. Conductor: Tim Keeler.
    • Delos.

  • Johann Stamitz

    Sinfonia Pastorale in D major, Op. 4, No. 2: IV. Presto

    Orchestra: Northern Chamber Orchestra. Conductor: Nicholas Ward.
    • STAMITZ, J.: Symphonies, Vol. 2.
    • Naxos.
    • 12.

  • Jay Capperauld

    Theory of the Earth

    Orchestra: Students of St Mary's Music School, Edinburgh.

  • Jean Sibelius

    5 Esquisses, Op. 114, No. 2, Talvikuva (Winter Scene)

    Performer: Ralf Gothóni.
    • Sibelius: Piano Music.
    • Ondine.

  • Igor Stravinsky

    The Rite of Spring, Pt. 1: Introduction - Augurs of Spring

    Orchestra: City of Birmingham Symphony Orchestra. Conductor: Sir Simon Rattle.
    • Warner Classics.

  • Hildegard von Bingen

    Finale: In Principio

    Choir: Sequentia.
    • Ordo Virtutum.
    • Deutsche Harmonia Mundi.
    • 7.

  • Elizabeth Maconchy

    The Land - 1. Winter

    Orchestra: BBC Scottish Symphony Orchestra. Conductor: Odaline de la Martínez.
    • Lorelt.

  • Marc‐Antoine Charpentier

    Noëls pour les instruments, H. 531: No. 1, O créateur

    Choir: English Baroque Soloists. Conductor: Christophe Rousset.
    • Charpentier: Baroque Christmas.
    • SDG.

  • Trad.

    The Holly and the Ivy

    Music Arranger: Henry Walford Davies. Choir: The Bevan Family Consort. Conductor: Graham Ross.
    • Signum Classics.

  • Gustav Mahler

    Symphony No. 3: II. Tempo di Menuetto. Sehr mäßig

    Orchestra: Berliner Philharmoniker. Conductor: Gustavo Dudamel.
    • Berliner Philharmoniker.

Broadcast

  • Sat 13 Dec 202513:00
    BBC Radio 3

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Podcast

  • Music Matters

    The stories that matter, the people that matter, the music that matters