Consummate ‘musician’s musician’ Martyn Brabbins conducts the strings of BBC NOW in a world premiere by Richard Blackford, commissioned by Cheltenham Music Festival and dedicated to former Festival Director Meurig Bowen. Taking its name from the Greek concept of combined physical and spiritual beauty, Kalon is scored for the unusual combination of string quartet and string orchestra, as is the Introduction and Allegro which announced the young Edward Elgar as a new and vital force in British Edwardian music. Tippett’s breakthrough work of bracing energy completes the programme.
