The BBC SO's 2008 January Composer Weekend filled the Barbican with story-telling and folk tales, as the musical world of Judith Weir was explored. BBC SO Learning took a central role in the weekend with two ambitious performances.
BBC SO Family Orchestra and Chorus
The largest-ever BBC SO Family Orchestra, made up of over 90 people aged 6-80, performed City Folk, a new work inspired by the music of Weir.
The Wonderful World of Weir
Storyteller Craig Jenkins told tales of the mystical world of Weir, with young musicians performing her enchanting chamber music in every corner of the Barbican.
BBC SO Family Orchestra and Chorus
Our most adventurous Family Orchestra project to date saw over 90 family members take part and were joined by BBC SO musicians, singers from the BBC Symphony Chorus, and Karen Ryan and Pete Quinn from The London Lasses and Pete Quinn. The piece, City Folk evolved through a combination of written material, group composition and improvisation, taking the City of London is its inspiration, as well as from an eclectic collection of folk music, Mongolian-inspired vocal chants and fourteenth-century Italian troubadour dance. Click here to visit photo gallery.
Chamber Music Installation
The journey started with a rousing performance of Judith Weir's Alveley Symphony No. 3 by young musicians from Bromley Youth Music Trust, and musicians from Fulham Symphony Orchestra, conducted by Marc Dooley. The audience were then led on a magical musical tour around the Barbican, guided by storyteller Craig Jenkins. At each bend and crossroad on their tour they came across Judith Weir's wonderfully imaginative chamber pieces, performed by the musicians from BYMT. The installation concluded with a performance of Weir's Alveley Symphony No. 2. Click here to visit photo gallery
Click here to find out about previous BBC SO Learning events as part of January Composer Weekends.
The journey started with a rousing performance of Judith Weir's Alveley Symphony No. 3 by young musicians from Bromley Youth Music Trust, and musicians from Fulham Symphony Orchestra, conducted by Marc Dooley. The audience were then led on a magical musical tour around the Barbican, guided by storyteller Craig Jenkins. At each bend and crossroad on their tour they came across Judith Weir's wonderfully imaginative chamber pieces, performed by the musicians from BYMT. The installation concluded with a performance of Weir's Alveley Symphony No. 2.
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