BBC Concert Orchestra: Portraits
Town Hall
This event is archived
Join the BBC Concert Orchestra for an evening of musical portraits. The Three Elizabeths Suite written by Coates in the early 1940s celebrates Elizabeth Tudor, Elizabeth Glamis (The Queen Mother) and Queen Elizabeth. It was played at the Coronation of Queen Elizabeth II and used as the theme to the popular 1967 BBC TV series The Forsyte Saga.
The ultimate Americana is Copland’s homage to a President with his Lincoln Portrait. Incorporating excerpts from Lincoln’s speeches the piece has been performed on many significant occasions with legendary voices: Barack Obama, Katherine Hepburn and Margaret Thatcher to name a few. Enigma Variations is probably Elgar’s best-known work. The affectionate musical sketches of his ‘friends pictured within’ placed him firmly on the British musical map.
On Monday 7 May, BBC Radio 3 celebrates the art of the musical portrait. Tonight’s concert at Birmingham Town Hall, broadcast live on Radio 3, is the culmination of that day, with some of the best-known musical portraits.
This is a ticketed free event. Admission subject to availability on arrival at the venue.
BBC Concert Orchestra
Barry Wordsworth conductor
Alistair McGowan presenter & narrator
Broadcast Live on BBC Radio 3
| Coates | The Three Elizabeths Suite | 20’ |
|---|---|---|
| Copland | Lincoln Portrait | 15’ |
| Elgar | Enigma Variations | 32’ |
| Vigil Thomson | Mayor la Gaurdio Waltzes (from Eight Portraits) | 8’ |
Unreserved seating.
Admission is subject to availability on arrival at the venue. Tickets can be posted for a charge of £2 or collected from the venue. Tickets must be collected by 7pm on the evening of the performance. Any uncollected tickets after this time will be released. Please be seated by 7.20pm.
Town Hall
- Town Hall, Victoria Square, Birmingham, B3 3DQ, West Midlands, United Kingdom
