The Elder Statesman

Available for 29 days

Donald Macleod with biographer Paul Spicer journey into the final decades for Sir Arthur Bliss, including an Indian Summer of creativity. Macleod explores how although Bliss was still highly active as a composer, his musical language was now being overshadowed by other composers such as Britten and Tippett. The series ends with a work Bliss wanted to be remembered for, his Mediations on a Theme of John Blow. Triptych (Capriccio) Philip Fowke, piano The Belmont Variations Besses o' th' Barn Band Roy Newsome, conductor The Beatitudes (excerpt) Emily Birsan, soprano Ben Johnson, tenor BBC Symphony Chorus BBC Symphony Orchestra Andrew Davis, conductor Concerto for Cello and Orchestra (Larghetto) Arto Noras, cello Bournemouth Symphony Orchestra Paavo Berglund, conductor Shield of Faith (An Essay on Man) Finzi Singers Andrew Lumsden, organ Paul Spicer, conductor Meditations on a Theme of John Blow (Interlude & Finale) BBC Symphony Orchestra Andrew Davis, conductor Produced by Luke Whitlock