Music Matters

20 February 2005

Sunday 20 February 2005 17:45-18:30 (Radio 3)

A look at the legacy of the legendary jazz alto saxophonist, Charlie Parker, who died fifty years ago leaving a generation of inspired jazz performers and composers. Presented by Tom Service.

Duration:

45 minutes

In this Programme

Oleg Caetani appointed Music Director for English National Opera

It has been one of the great unanswered questions of British musical life: the vacant music directorship of English National Opera. Finally the announcement has been made. Italian born Oleg Caetani has only conducted one opera for ENO and will be spending much of the year on the other side of the world conducting the Melbourne Symphony Orchestra. So, what is the logic behind this new appointment? Tom is joined by Hugh Canning, chief music critic of the Sunday Times, to find out.

Oleg Caetani is the Music Director of ENO from Autumn 2006

Charlie Parker

This year marks the fiftieth anniversary of Charlie 'Yardbird' Parker's death. His breathtaking playing and revolutionary innovations had a massive impact not only on saxophonists but on the Jazz world itself. In his short lifetime he burnt the candle at both ends and his drugs and alcohol addictions led to his early death at the age of 34. Saxophonists Soweto Kinch, Andy Sheppard and Martin Speake talk about Parker's legacy and its continuing relevance today.

BBC Jazz Legends Charlie Parker special will be broadcast on 11.03.2005 on BBC Radio 3

The Oxford History of Western Music

The gargantuan task of single-handedly writing the entire history of western music has been undertaken by few. However, Professor Richard Taruskin has spent the last thirteen years of his life doing just that. His Oxford History Of Western Music runs to six volumes, and nearly four thousand pages. But who is it for, what is his definition of western music and how does he determine what to include? Tom put these questions to Professor Taruskin and invited critics Bayan Northcott and Roderick Swanston to review the book with him.

The Oxford History of Western Music by Richard Taruskin is published by OUP. Priced at £400. Available now. ISBN 0195169794


David Robertson

Conductor David Robertson has recently been announced as the new Principal Guest Conductor of the BBC Symphony Orchestra. Robertson is equally at home in symphonic music as he is in new repertoire. He was conductor of Boulez's Ensemble Intercontemporain for eight years, before taking up directorship at the Orchestre National de Lyon. Now he's mixing old and new music in unconventional and adventurous programming with the St Louis Symphony Orchestra. Tom asks Robertson how he feels about his new post with the BBC Symphony Orchestra where he will be Principal Guest Conductor from October this year.

Music Matters

Episode and Playlist Information

• 3 April 2005
• 27 March 2005
• 13 March 2005
• 20 February 2005
• 13 February 2005
• 6 February 2005
• 23 January 2005

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