Details

Commissioned by the BBC Third Programme in 1961 as a radio play, Beckett's Words and Music has a fascinating history. The play itself was ground breaking for its casting of 'Music' as a central character, rather than merely serving to highlight mood or act as 'background', through the personification of 'Words' and 'Music' as the two rival servants of old Croak. Asked to comment on the theme of love, and at least to 'be friends', 'Words' attempts to sing his lines, following suggestions of musical phrases from 'Music' (the musicians). The play is performed in darkness, with the only visible light being the musician's music stands, leaving the action to the audience's imagination. <a href="http://www.bcmg.org.uk"Website</a>

Creatives/Company

Author: Samuel Beckett
Music(s): Morton Feldman, Morton Feldman, Gerald Barry
Company: Birmingham Contemporary Music Group
Conductor: Susanna Malkki