BBC Philharmonic: Messiaen | Shostakovich at The Bridgewater Hall

Will Fulford-Jones

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BBC Philharmonic: Messiaen | Shostakovich

The Bridgewater Hall, City Centre
6 October 2017

Always double check opening hours with the venue before making a special visit.

BBC Philharmonic
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French composer Olivier Messiaen was at the start of his musical career when, in May 1940, he was captured at Verdun and taken to the Nazis’ Stalag VIII-A camp near the German town of Görlitz. When he discovered that three other professional musicians – a violinist, a cellist and a clarinettist – were among his fellow prisoners, Messiaen set about writing a work for them to play. First performed at the prisoner-of-war camp on a rainy January day in 1941, the Quartet for the End of Time is one of the 21st century’s most overpowering works of art: ‘Never was I listened to with such rapt attention and comprehension,’ said Messiaen of its first performance, and its impact hasn’t diminished with age. It’s a laudably daring choice for tonight’s concert: written for four musicians, it’s a work that is rarely – if ever – programmed or performed as part of a full orchestral concert. After taking the violin part in the quartet, John Storgårds will then conduct the full-strength orchestra in Shostakovich’s symphonic song cycle, written late in the Russian composer’s career, which uses poetry from the likes of Federico García Lorca to forge a devastating vision of a life in retreat.

John Storgårds – Conductor/violin
John Bradbury – Clarinet
Peter Dixon – Cello
Martin Roscoe – Piano
Soile Isokoski – Soprano
Stephen Richardson – Bass-baritone

What's on at The Bridgewater Hall

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ActivityCity Centre
The Manchester Music Walkabout

Manchester’s famous musical legacy comes to life in this walking tour around the city, which will take you from the 1960s to the present day.

From £25.00

Where to go near BBC Philharmonic: Messiaen | Shostakovich at The Bridgewater Hall

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The Midland Hotel

With 312 luxurious bedrooms, the Grade II-listed Midland Hotel occupies one of the most beautiful and storied buildings in Manchester.

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Midland Tea Room

Dating back to 1903, Manchester’s stately Midland Hotel now has its own dedicated tea room. Expect traditional offerings in elegant surroundings.

Society Manchester
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Society Manchester

Society Manchester is a glorious indoor and outdoor space in the very heart of the city, with five street food vendors to choose from and a range of high-quality drinks.

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Friska

Latest branch of Friska, the independent healthy fast food chain.

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Don Giovanni

Traditional Italian restaurant, serving everything from pizza to steak. All this in a large modern venue with floor-to-ceiling windows.

Haunt MCR
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Haunt MCR

Haunt MCR is a speciality coffee shop and wine bar located on Manchester’s bustling Peter Street.

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Exhibition

Exhibition hosts three of the city’s most celebrated independent kitchens: Osma, Baratxuri, and Jaan by Another Hand.

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ONDA Pasta Bar

ONDA is a treat for the tastebuds. Long dark wood tables are shared by eager diners, as tapas-style plates of fresh pasta and other Italian dishes are ferried around the restaurant.

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Jaan

Serving up exceptional Persian cuisine, this new food concept from the team behind Another Hand is a must-try.

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Nudo Sushi Box

Nudo Sushi Box on Manchester’s Oxford Road specialises in freshly-prepared boxes of – you guessed it – sushi.

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