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BBC NOW Composer Portrait Series (2): Spotlight on the work of Christian Jost (BK)


The BBC National Orchestra of Wales continue the series of Composer Portrait concerts at their new home BBC Hoddinott Hall in Cardiff Bay with a focus on the work of the Christian Jost on Wednesday 25 November at 7p.m.

The series of three Composer Portraits concerts began in October and will run until December this year. Each concert is designed to introduce audiences to internationally renowned living composer’s talents. It offers the chance to totally immerse oneself in their musical world and hear them talk about their inspiration and ideas. These events are presented from stage and include interviews, discussions and an opportunity to meet the composer after the performance. Each concert is recorded for future broadcast on BBC Radio 3. Each composer featured in The Composer Portraits series has their own inspirations and style and these concerts will provide a fascinating insight into their work.

Dark concerns lie at the heart of Christian Jost’s music. Now in his late 30s, this German born composer has attracted considerable attention with impressive concertos and operas that explore the shadowy underside of human nature, albeit with music that speaks directly and powerfully to its audiences. This intriguing world will be explored in the interview with the composer.

The Orchestra’s Principal Guest Conductor Jac van Steen acts as a champion of Christian Jost’s work and will conduct BBC National Orchestra of Wales at the November 25 concert. Soloists for the concert will be Robert Plane clarinet, Lesley Hatfield violin and Benjamin Frith piano.

The works to be performed will be Jost’s Odyssee für Klarinette in B und Orchester : Heart of Darkness, Code 9 and eingefroren... in der Erinnerung.

The pieces for the concerts have been selected to show a full representation of each of the composer’s orchestral work and were chosen in collaboration with the Orchestra’s Senior Producer Tim Thorne. They are chosen to offer an insight in to the whole landscape of sound that composer inhabits, rather than just one specific element. Some of the pieces are for solo instruments and some are large orchestral pieces.

The spotlight concert on Christian Jost will be followed by a focus on the work of composer Bruno Mantovani on 9 December. Audiences in the intimacy of the Orchestra’s new hall will be able to enjoy getting inside knowledge of what goes on in a composer’s head when a new piece of music comes to life.

Further information on Christian Jost is available here

Bill Kenny

 
Booking Information 

Tickets are £6 and £8 for each concert and are available from the BBC National Orchestra of Wales Audience Line on 0800 052 1812. For further information on BBC National Orchestra of Wales visit bbc.co.uk/now.