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

James MacMillan and guests explore how composers capture the ocean’s power, mystery, and ecological themes. Topics include orchestration techniques in La Mer, the sea as a symbol of divine creation in Vaughn William’s A Sea Symphony, and minimalist approaches to vastness in John Luther Adams Become Ocean, highlighting music’s connection to nature. Former Archbishop of Canterbury Dr Rowan Williams reads his own poetry which is written to evoke a rising spring of creative inspiration.

21 days left to listen

56 minutes

Last on

Sat 27 Dec 202513:00
BBC Radio 3

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Music Played

  • James MacMillan

    Quickening: Living Water

    Ensemble: The Hilliard Ensemble. Choir: CBSO Youth Chorus. Choir: CBSO Chorus. Orchestra: BBC Philharmonic Orchestra. Conductor: James MacMillan.
    • MacMillan: Quickening/ Three Interludes from 'The Sacrifice'.
    • Chandos.
    • 7.

  • Benjamin Britten

    Four Sea Interludes from 'Peter Grimes', Op. 33a: Dawn

    Orchestra: BBC Philharmonic Orchestra. Conductor: Edward Gardner.
    • Britten: Works for Orchestra.
    • 9.

  • Johann Sebastian Bach

    An Wasserflüssen Babylon, BWV267

    Performer: Ton Koopman. Choir: Amsterdam Baroque Choir.
    • Bach: Organ Works, Vol. 2 (At the Organ of the Jacobin Church of Leeuwarden).
    • Warner Classics.
    • 2.

  • Alphonse Hasselmans

    La Source (Concert Study) Op. 44

    Performer: Floraleda Sacchi.
    • Music For Harp.
    • Brilliant Classics.
    • 2.

  • Amy Beach

    By the Still Waters, Op. 114

    Performer: Isata Kanneh‐Mason.
    • Summertime.
    • Decca.
    • 12.

  • Antonio Vivaldi

    Flute Concerto, Op. 10 No. 1 in F major, RV 433 'La tempesta di mare'

    Performer: Giovanni Antonini. Ensemble: Il Giardino Armonico.
    • Vivaldi: Concerti per flauto / Antonini, Il Giardino Armonico.
    • Alpha.

  • John Luther Adams

    Become Ocean

    Orchestra: Seattle Symphony. Conductor: Ludovic Morlot.
    • Cantaloupe.

  • George Frideric Handel

    Water Music Suite No. 1 in F major, HWV348

    Orchestra: Academy for Ancient Music Berlin. Conductor: Georg Kallweit.
    • Handel: Water Music Suites Nos. 1-3, HWV348-350.
    • Harmonia Mundi.

  • James MacMillan

    Ave maris stella

    Choir: The Marian Consort. Conductor: Rory McCleery.
    • Music for the Queen of Heaven.
    • Delphian.

  • Jean Sibelius

    The Oceanides Op. 73

    Orchestra: Bergen Philharmonic Orchestra. Conductor: Edward Gardner.
    • Sibelius - Orchestral Songs, etc.
    • Chandos.
    • 14.

Broadcast

  • Sat 27 Dec 202513:00
    BBC Radio 3

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Podcast

  • Music Matters

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