CD 1:
Beethoven:
Symphony No. 4 in B flat major, Op. 60
Symphony No. 5 in C minor, Op. 67

Barry:
Viola Concerto

CD 2:
Beethoven:
Symphony No. 6 in F major, Op. 68 ‘Pastoral’

Barry:
The Conquest of Ireland

The second volume of celebrated pianist, composer and conductor Thomas Ades and the Britten Sinfonia’s collaborative performances of the works of Beethoven and Gerald Barry. Beethoven’s 4th, 5th and 6th symphonies are interspersed with Barry’s ‘Viola Concerto’ (featuring Lawrence Power) and piece for orchestra and bass ‘The Conquest of Ireland’ (featuring Joshua Bloom).

The pairing is ideal, for Gerald Barry’s compositional style was greatly influenced by Beethoven, giving a piece a title such as Beethoven would suggest an attempt at emulating his legacy nearly two centuries after his death. His music also shows his major influence from radio, moving from the sublime and the ridiculous with carefree abandon.

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Recordings: Barbican Hall, London, 22nd May 2018 (CD 1, Tr. 1-8); 21st May 2019 (CD 1, Tr. 9); 24th May 2018 (CD 2, Tr. 1-5); 21st May 2019 (CD 2, Tr. 6).