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BBC SO Total Immersion: Discovering George Walker

,Hall
Photo of George Walker looking at the camera

Alpesh Chauhan conducts four of George Walker’s most potent orchestral works: the climax of a day of Total Immersion in the imagination of this Pulitzer Prize-winning American composer.

'I try to write something I'm going to be able to live with, and hope that others will begin to find some of the things that I feel have given certain strength to the music' said George Walker. 'I don't really believe in creating something that doesn't have any strength'. The BBC Symphony Orchestra plays two of his late Sinfonias, as well as his single best-known work – the beautiful Lyric for Strings.

Walker didn’t go in for elaborate titles. 'Things that are overly embellished, or that are too rich, just don’t suit my temperament' he said. But make no mistake, his Movements (a cello concerto by any other name), his concise but deeply-felt Mass and his late masterpiece – the Sinfonia No 5 – are music that speaks directly to our times, impassioned, unsparing and unambiguously sincere. 

Tagged with: Classical music BBC SO 2022-23 BBC Symphony Orchestra Multibuy - Sep 22-Jan 23 More...

Produced by the BBC Symphony Orchestra

Programme

  • George Walker   Sinfonia No 2 (UK premiere)
  •   Lyric for Strings
  •   Movements for Cello and Orchestra (UK premiere)
  •   Mass for Soloists, Chorus, and Orchestra (UK premiere)
  •   Sinfonia No 5

Performers

  • BBC Symphony Orchestra  
  • Alpesh Chauhan   conductor
  • Laura van der Heijden   cello
  • April Koyejo-Audiger   soprano
  • Georgia Mae Bishop   mezzo-soprano
  • Joshua Stewart   tenor
  • Henry Waddington   bass
  • Zoe Drummond   soprano
  • Jessica Gillingwater   mezzo-soprano
  • Florian Panzieri   tenor
  • Frazer Scott   bass
  • BBC Symphony Chorus  

Digital programme

Hall

Location
The Barbican Hall is located within the main Barbican building. Head to Level G and follow the signs to find your seating level. 

Address
Barbican Centre
Silk Street, London
EC2Y 8DS

Public transport
​​​​​​​The Barbican is widely accessible by bus, tube, train and by foot or bicycle. Plan your journey and find more route information in ‘Your Visit’ or book your car parking space in advance.