Beauty, passion and the miracles of nature – there’s no tale that an orchestra can’t tell, and there’s definitely no symphony quite like Tchaikovsky’s shattering Fourth. Raw tragedy, roof-raising triumph: it’s explosive stuff, so guest conductor Kristiina Poska begins with something a little more tranquil. Arvo Pärt’s haunting Cantus is the perfect complement to a wonderful new set of songs from Elena Langer, inspired by the songs of birds and the nature poetry of GLYN MAXWELL.
Elena and Glyn Maxwell (who have worked together for over 20 years) had the idea of writing this cycle of eight poems after reading the 1952 book Birds as Individuals by the musician and naturalist Len Gwendolen. The eight songs are titled be not afraid, ashleaf, moss, the gates, a meadow beyond, red and sunset, the dance and be not afraid [reprise].