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Episode details

Radio 3,29 Nov 2025,56 mins

SeriesIn the Beginning

Darkness and Light

Music Matters

Available for 23 days

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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Tracklist

  1. Track
    Artist
  2. 1.
    The Creation, Hob.XXI:2: Pt. 1, The Representation of Chaos
    The Creation, Hob.XXI:2: Pt. 1, The Representation of Chaos
    Joseph Haydn
  3. 2.
    O Radiant Dawn
    O Radiant Dawn
    James MacMillan
  4. 3.
    Les Élémens, Simphonie Nouvelle: 1. Le cahos
    Les Élémens, Simphonie Nouvelle: 1. Le cahos
    Jean‐Féry Rebel