Part of the BBC Proms. We celebrate the 80th birthday of George Crumb, a great American original whose hauntingly beautiful scores draw on many disparate traditions, often exploring novel performance techniques and involving symbolic or theatrical elements. Marking the 40th anniversary of the first manned mission to the Moon, Night of the Four Moons was actually composed during the Apollo 11 flight and ends - in a homage to Haydn's 'Farewell' Symphony - with the performers representing the 'Music of Mankind' leaving the stage to a lone cellist, portraying the 'Music of the Spheres'. Like Ancient Voices of Children, it sets verses by Federico García Lorca. In Vox balaenae, a flautist singing into the instrument imitates the cry of a humpback whale, while all three performers wear masks to efface their human presence. Approx finish time: 23:30. Broadcast Live on BBC Radio 3.| 4 Sep 09 | Royal Albert Hall Inner London, Greater London Performance Details => Venue archive |
