Peter Maxwell Davies, a Musician of our Time
Sat 30 Apr 2005, 7:30pm
Royal Festival Hall, London
Sir Peter Maxwell Davies conductor
Håkan Hardenberger trumpet
| Davies, Sir Peter Maxwell | Mavis in Las Vegas |
|---|---|
| Davies, Sir Peter Maxwell | Trumpet Concerto |
| Davies, Sir Peter Maxwell | Antarctic Symphony (Symphony No. 8) with film |
Maxwell Davies' music has always been strongly rooted in a sense of place. The three works performed here evocatively depict the gaudiness of Las Vegas, the wind, sea and birdcalls of Orkney and the icebergs and snowscapes of the Antarctic.
Max was invited to the Antarctic in 1997, at the invitation of the British Antarctic Survey (BAS) in order to prepare for the composition of the Antarctic Symphony (Symphony No. 8), a joint commission by the Philharmonia Orchestra and BAS. During Max's month-long stay, he was joined by BAS cameraman Pete Bucktrout and his footage forms part of a companion film piece, created by filmmaker Mike Newman in collaboration with the composer. The Philharmonia Orchestra's performance of the Antarctic Symphony (Symphony No. 8) in this evening's concert will be heard for the first time in the UK alongside a simultaneous screening of Mike Newman's film creating a fascinating multimedia experience for the audience
'A magical spot, an island surrounded by mainland cliffs, monumental white mountains. The all-pervasive sound is of broken pack ice lifting on and off the shore rocks - a Gargantuan cocktail shaker. Add to that the gentle buzz of conversation among the ubiquitous penguins, with the occasional raised squawk as a sheathbill - a small grubby white seabird - lunges towards a penguin egg - and that's the island's sound spectrum.' (Sir Peter Maxwell Davies, Antarctic Diary)
This concert is part of a major South Bank Centre festival - Max: Peter Maxwell Davies, a Musician of our Time - taking place between 17 - 30 April. For more information visit: www.rfh.org.uk/max
Hakan Hardenberger, soloist in Max's Trumpet Concerto (commissioned by the Philharmonia Orchestra in 1988), is one of the world's leading trumpeters, and is renowned not only for his supreme virtuosity but for his commitment to the performance of contemporary works.
For more information on Max visit his website.
