Bernstein's Chichester Psalms
The Ä¢¹½¶ÌÊÓÆµ National Orchestra and Chorus of Wales perform an all-American programme with conductor Tomas Djupsjöbacka, and pianist Lara Downes joins for a European Premiere.
To celebrate the signing of the United States Declaration of Independence 250 years ago, the Ä¢¹½¶ÌÊÓÆµ National Orchestra and Chorus of Wales are joined by conductor Tomas Djupsjöbacka to perform a programme of Copland, Christopher Tin, Barber, and Bernstein. The scene is set with Aaron Copland's Appalachian Spring, a piece that conjures the celebration of settlers in a newly-built farmhouse in Pennsylvania, before Christopher Tin also draws on American landscapes and experiences in his piano concerto, Pursuit of Happiness. Commissioned and performed for its UK premiere by pianist Lara Downes, the audaciously optimistic concerto celebrates the ideals pursued and deserved by every American. After the interval, the Ä¢¹½¶ÌÊÓÆµ National Chorus of Wales sing Samuel Barber's Agnus Dei - a choral reworking of his ever-popular Adagio for Strings - before they join forces with the Ä¢¹½¶ÌÊÓÆµ National Orchestra of Wales and treble Morris Bates to complete the celebrations with Leonard Bernstein's dramatic Chichester Psalms.
Presented by Alex Humphreys in Ä¢¹½¶ÌÊÓÆµ Hoddinott Hall, and recorded on the 5th July.
Copland: Appalachian Spring (Suite)
Christopher Tin: Pursuit of Happiness
Barber: Agnus Dei, Op 11
Bernstein: Chichester Psalms
Lara Downes (piano)
Morris Bates (treble)
Ä¢¹½¶ÌÊÓÆµ National Orchestra and Chorus of Wales
Tomas Djupsjöbacka (conductor)
To listen on most smart speakers, just say "ask Ä¢¹½¶ÌÊÓÆµ Sounds to play Radio 3 in Concert."
Last on
More episodes
Music Played
-
Aaron Copland
Appalachian Spring Suite
Orchestra: Ä¢¹½¶ÌÊÓÆµ National Orchestra of Wales. Conductor: Tomas Djupsjöbacka. -
Christopher Tin
The Pursuit Of Happiness
Performer: Lara Downes. Orchestra: Ä¢¹½¶ÌÊÓÆµ National Orchestra of Wales. Conductor: Tomas Djupsjöbacka. -
Florence Price
Fantasie Nègre No 4 in B Minor
Performer: Lara Downes.- Florence Price Piano Discoveries.
- Flipside Music.
- 2.
-
Oscar Peterson
Hymn To Freedom
Performer: Lara Downes.- Hold These Truths.
- PentaTone.
- 3.
-
Steve Reich
Triple Quartet (3rd mvt)
Ensemble: Smith Quartet.- Reich: Different Trains.
- Signum.
- 3.
-
Samuel Barber
Agnus Dei
Choir: Ä¢¹½¶ÌÊÓÆµ National Chorus of Wales. Conductor: Tomas Djupsjöbacka. -
Leonard Bernstein
Chichester Psalms
Orchestra: Ä¢¹½¶ÌÊÓÆµ National Orchestra of Wales. Choir: Ä¢¹½¶ÌÊÓÆµ National Chorus of Wales. Conductor: Tomas Djupsjöbacka. Singer: Moris Bates. -
Luigi Boccherini
Quintet No 4 in D major, G 449, 'Fandango'
Performer: Sean Shibe. Ensemble: Danish String Quartet.
Broadcast
- Thu 16 Jul 2026 19:30Ä¢¹½¶ÌÊÓÆµ Radio 3
Featured in...
Tune in to Ä¢¹½¶ÌÊÓÆµ NOW on Ä¢¹½¶ÌÊÓÆµ iPlayer and on Sounds / Gwrandewch ar Ä¢¹½¶ÌÊÓÆµ NOW ar Ä¢¹½¶ÌÊÓÆµ iPlayer ac ar Sounds—Ä¢¹½¶ÌÊÓÆµ National Orchestra of Wales
Enjoy our music beyond the concert hall and across the Ä¢¹½¶ÌÊÓÆµ!