At 6 o’clock on September 11 in Cheltenham Town Hall, Not in our Time by Richard Blackford will be given its world premiere.
Ten years to the day since the momentous events of the 9/11 attacks, a special one-off concert will be presented that climaxes with the first performance of Blackford’s major new choral work.
Bournemouth Symphony Orchestra
Bournemouth Symphony Chorus and Youth Chorus
Simon Callow Narrator
Paul Nilon Tenor
Stephen Gadd Baritone
Gavin Carr Conductor
Copland Fanfare for the common man 3’
Copland A Lincoln Portrait 15’
Barber Adagio 9’
Richard Blackford Not in our Time (premiere) 55’
The work, commissioned by the Bournemouth Symphony Chorus to mark their Centenary in 2011, takes the attack on the World Trade Centre as the focal point of a work that explores the theme of war declared in the name of religion—from the speeches of George Bush and Barack Obama to the 11th century texts of the First Crusade. This poignant juxtaposition of texts alongside the vast emotional range of the symphony orchestra gives voice to the complex questions that surround these events.
In the words of the composer: Perhaps it’s through poetry and song that we can look unflinchingly at this tragedy of our time and offer some hope of reconciliation for the next generation.
Topical events will be programmed around this performance at a later date. After this world premiere performance, presented by HSBC Cheltenham Music Festival, the work will receive a repeat performance at Lighthouse, Poole on Tuesday 13 September 7.30pm.
An article from Gramophone about music commemorating 9/11, in particular Blackford's new work, can be found here
