ON TOUR: WILTSHIRE

We attempt the impossible and in one hour guide curious listeners through the story of 20th century music, with performances, narrative and slides presented by professor Jonathan Cross. This is a programme perfect for people who want to get their bearings on an extraordinary period of musical change.

PART 1: Introduction to the 20th Century

The beginning of the century: new musical language and expression
Claude Debussy Prélude (‘Voiles’) 
Arnold Schoenberg Fantasy Op 47 (extract)

The evolution of jazz, folk music and how bird song came into it 
Igor Stravinsky Three Pieces for solo clarinet 
Béla Bartok Contrasts (extract of Movement 1)
Olivier Messiaen Quartet for the End of Time (Movement 1)

Post War modernists and experimentalists 
Karlheinz Stockhausen Gesang der Jünglinge (extract)
Pierre Boulez Domaines (extract)
John Cage Four (extract)

New rules: minimalism, sound exploration, and an eclectic new 21st century style
Philip Glass Knee Play No. 2 from Einstein on the Beach
Rebecca Saunders Duo (extract)
Thomas Adès Court Studies (extract)

PART 2: London Sinfonietta in Concert

Anton Webern 3 Little Pieces for cello and piano
Béla Bartok Contrasts (Movement 1) 
Olivier Messiaen Quartet for the End of Time (Movements 1, 5 and 6)
Thomas Adès Court Studies from The Tempest