« Tuning in and Tuning out » New Paths to Classical Music: The Orchestra - No 2

In this show we continue our discussion about the orchestra, taking an inquisitive and critical look at the ensemble. We think about the problematics that exist within this cultural field and look at new research which goes beyond the anecdotal. We also hear from some musicians, who give their own take on 'introducing the instruments of the orchestra', telling us about the instrument that they play and sharing some musical examples with us. We also talk about contemporary orchestras which go beyond the traditional format to create their own ensemble with their own objectives.

This show not only thinks about who, how and why we can or should listen to classical music today but also who speaks about it and performs it and how this can be challenged and understood. What perspectives or histories are forgotten from the canon? It looks at the broader context of a composer's work and looks around at what was happening at the time it was written, what has happened since and how we could listen and interpret it today. Where did this music emerge from, what was it doing musically and why could that be interesting ? It eschews traditional ways of talking and educating about classical music and looks for a subversive way round the side door and into the concert hall.