Classical Pride at the Barbican: Choosing joy over fear

Edward Picton-Turbervill
Thursday, June 19, 2025

'Rather than focusing on protest, we lead with love, hope and positivity – using our voices to broadcast loving kindness'

Edward Picton-Turbervill: 'Using our voices to broadcast loving kindness is an overtly political act'

When we were asked to programme a concert for Classical Pride, Jonathan Eyers, Harriet Burns and I quickly settled on ‘Joy’ as the theme that we wanted to share and celebrate with audiences. In recent years, shows like Queer Eye and RuPaul’s Drag Race have become bywords for joy – a liberating, technicolour alternative to fear, hatred, and the hard grind of daily life. We wanted to explore this theme through classical music, and we have recorded a distillation of that programme in our recent EP with Platoon, All Shall be Well. Rather than focusing on Pride as protest, we wanted to lead with love, hope and positivity. 

There is certainly a danger that choosing to lead with joy at this moment in time might at best be seen as naïve, at worst, as ignorant and insensitive. What is the appropriate response to the challenges of the current situation from our immensely privileged position in a peaceful and prosperous society? How should we be using our voices?

In The Republic [book 3, 401], Plato argues that ‘more than anything else rhythm and harmony find their way to the inmost soul and take strongest hold upon it, bringing with them and imparting grace if one is rightly trained, and otherwise the contrary’. This power places a serious responsibility on the artist, and I think we always have to consider what message we are broadcasting from the stage. When I set out to write Always Rejoicing, a new song commissioned by the City Music Foundation, I was trying to create a song that would be like a mug of chicken soup; something intended to soothe, heal and nourish. I was searching for a sound that was part Gospel, part Ballad, and Jonathan’s rich, generous baritone seemed ideally suited. 

In Judith Weir’s gleeful and ingenious setting of Lady Isobel and the Elf-Knight, she brings to life an old Scottish ballad about Lady Isobel tricking the Elf-Knight. This song is unlike anything else I have played, with an unusual and idiomatic accompaniment. It’s pure magic – so lively, so full of wonder and mystery. My solo piano piece, Count it All Joy, takes its title from the Book of James: ‘Count it all joy, brethren, when you fall into various trials’ – the melodic major mode conjures up a bittersweet nostalgia and puts me in mind of Blake – ‘Man was made for joy and woe’. 

We continue in contemplative mode with À Chloris, surely one of the most beautiful songs ever written, where Harriet sings of her incomparable joy at being loved. Hahn, who had an intimate relationship with Marcel Proust, is in full Parnassian mode here, evoking ancient Greece in pseudo-Baroque style. It’s then a case of ‘up and out’ in the joyous rhythms of Ricky Ian Gordon’s setting of Langston Hughes. The deliberate ambiguity of Hughes’ poem  (‘I found [Joy]… In the arms of the butcher boy’) takes on a delightfully definite meaning when sung by Jonathan (the song is more usually sung by sopranos). The album closes with Stephen Hough’s ecstatic setting of Julian of Norwich – Hough’s virtuosic chains of coruscating chords call to mind Messiaen, bright sunlight and stained glass.

I believe that using our voices to broadcast loving kindness is an overtly political act. Art shapes the world – it is what preserves our humanity, and helps us to heal the damage done by violence. We are not powerless, and Love is never futile.

 

By Steve Wright

Published: June 30, 2025 at 6:29 pm

---

Lalo Schifrin, the Argentine-born composer whose innovative fusion of jazz, classical, and Latin elements reshaped the landscape of film and television music, has died at the age of 93.

Best known for his iconic Mission: Impossible theme—arguably one of the most instantly recognisable cues in television history—Schifrin leaves behind a legacy as one of the most original and versatile voices in 20th- century.

Born in Buenos Aires in 1932, Schifrin studied classical piano in his youth before immersing himself in jazz, a duality that would shape his distinctive style. After studying at the Paris Conservatoire and working with jazz greats such as Dizzy Gillespie, Schifrin moved to the United States, where he began scoring films in the early 1960s. His breakthrough came with 1965’s Once a Thief, but it was his propulsive, rhythmically daring music for Mission: Impossible in 1966 that vaulted him to international acclaim.

Schifrin’s scores stood out in a Hollywood then dominated by lush orchestral romanticism. He brought an urban edge, an improvisational energy, and a rhythmic complexity that gave action and crime films a modern, dangerous pulse. His work on films like Bullitt (1968), Dirty Harry (1971), Enter the Dragon (1973), and Cool Hand Luke (1967) didn’t just underscore scenes—they elevated them. The car chase in Bullitt, now legendary, owes much of its breathless suspense to Schifrin’s jagged jazz orchestrations and sense of controlled chaos.    

A prolific composer, Schifrin scored over 100 films and numerous television shows. His music could be sleek and stylish, as in The Cincinnati Kid, or atmospheric and eerie, as in Amityville Horror. He also composed concert works, including symphonic suites and a number of jazz-classical crossover pieces, underscoring his breadth as a composer beyond Hollywood.

In a career spanning six decades, Schifrin earned six Academy Award nominations, four Grammy Awards, and an honorary Oscar in 2018 recognizing his lifetime contribution to the art of film music. He influenced generations of composers, particularly those who sought to break genre boundaries and infuse cinema with a more eclectic, global sound.

L-R: Lalo Schifrin and jazz musicians Eric Dolphy and McCoy Tyner, circa 1960 - Bill Wagg/Redferns/Getty Images

Despite his success in the commercial realm, Schifrin remained committed to musical integrity and experimentation. “I never wrote music just to fit the scene,” he once said. “I always tried to create something that had its own structure, its own life.”

Lalo Schifrin’s music made audiences feel the heartbeat of a scene before a single line was spoken. In doing so, he redefined the possibilities of the film score—melding intellect, instinct, and international sensibility. He is survived by his wife, sons, and a legacy of music that will continue to thrill, surprise, and inspire.     

Dvořák: 9. Sinfonie (»Aus der Neuen Welt«) ∙ hr-Sinfonieorchester ∙

9,065,333 views Jun 6, 2018

Antonín Dvořák: 9. Sinfonie (»Aus der Neuen Welt«) ∙ (Auftritt) 00:00 ∙ I. Adagio – Allegro molto 00:24 ∙ II. Largo 13:01 ∙ III. Scherzo. Molto vivace 26:23 ∙ IV. Allegro con fuoco 34:06 ∙ hr-Sinfonieorchester – Frankfurt Radio Symphony ∙ Andrés Orozco-Estrada, Dirigent ∙ hr-Sinfoniekonzert ∙ Alte Oper Frankfurt, 25. Mai 2018 ∙

9 Unforgettably Beautiful Melodies from SYMPHONIES

1,965,345 views Oct 28, 2017

Links to the videos I used: 9. Brahms:    • J. Brahms Symphony No.3 in F Major, Op.90 ...   8. Beethoven:    • Deutsche Kammerphilharmonie, Beethoven 3. ...   7. Mozart:    • Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart - Symphony no. 40,...   6. Mahler:    • Gustav Mahler - Adagietto | Leonard Bernst...   5. Beethoven:    • Beethoven: Symphony No.7: Second Movement ...   4. Schubert:    • Schubert - Symphony No 8 in B minor, D 759...   3. Beethoven: Video Unavailable 2. Tchaikovsky:    • Tchaikovsky Symphony NO 6 Full Length)   S...   1. Dvořák: Video Unavailable

Music

 

Mendelssohn: 4. Sinfonie (»Italienische«) ∙ hr-Sinfonieorchester

Felix Mendelssohn Bartholdy: 4. Sinfonie (»Italienische«) ∙ (Auftritt) 00:00 ∙ I. Allegro vivace 00:34 ∙ II. Andante con moto 11:10 ∙ III. Con moto moderato 16:56 ∙ IV. Saltarello. Presto 23:04 ∙ hr-Sinfonieorchester (Frankfurt Radio Symphony Orchestra) ∙ Paavo Järvi, Dirigent ∙ Alte Oper Frankfurt, 16. Juni 2012 ∙

This music can be listened to forever !!! The most Beautiful Music

37,645,927 views May 26, 2019 #yakuro #infinite #eternal

Music - the most wonderful creation of man, his eternal mystery and delight. It returns to man all the best that is in him and will remain on earth. It is indisputable that a person heard music before he learned to speak. There is a thought that at first there was a wind noise, a splash of waves, singing of birds, rustle of a grass and a ring of the falling foliage. And only taking over from nature the sound, the man resigned from his word. My dear friends, welcome to my world! Today I want to present to your attention a wonderful composition from the repertoire of Yuri Dunchenko "Yakuro - Pink... The Color Of Love". In his musical creativity, Yuri very of well-describes its sense of to music, speaking about how that... Music is eternal. She was, is and will be. Always and everywhere. It just goes from one dimension/ time to another. All that we see around us, all that we call unreality or simply do not notice reflections of reflections (Mirrors of the mirrors) - this is music.

Manila Symphony Orchestra | Medley of Philippine Folk Songs

On March 13, 2019, the Manila Symphony Orchestra performed in the FEU Auditorium in cooperation with the Silaw Foundation. The Manila Symphony Orchestra was based in the FEU Auditorium for 8 years in the 1950s. This concert was part of the celebration of FEU's 91st anniversary and the 70th birthday of the Auditorium. Watch as they perform a medley of Philippine Folk Songs by American Composer Bernard Greene under the baton of Professor Marlon Chen. © Video courtesy of the FEU Media Center

Tchaikovsky: Capriccio Italien, Op. 45 - Radio Filharmonisch Orkest

352,926 views Sep 2, 2019

The Radio Philharmonic Orchestra led by Antony Hermus perform Pjotr Iljitsj Tchaikovsky's 'Capriccio Italien, Op. 45' during The Sunday Morning Concert of Sunday the 1st of September 2019. 2019/2020 is a very special year for The Sunday Morning Concert: the new season marks the 25th anniversary of the AVROTROS concert series! To celebrate, the orchestra played a throwback programme during the first concert of the season on the 1st of September: the music played (Copland, Verdi, Prokofiev and Tchaikovsky) was the same music that got played during the first edition in 1994.

 

Anne-Sophie Mutter, Daniel Barenboim, Yo-Yo Ma – Beethoven: Triple Concert

8,596,301 views Apr 3, 2020 PHILHARMONIE BERLIN

Three classical music giants, Anne-Sophie Mutter, Yo-Yo Ma and Daniel Barenboim celebrate the 250th anniversary of Beethoven’s birth by recording the Triple Concerto. Pairing the Concerto with the Seventh Symphony, the album also marks the 20th birthday of the West-Eastern Divan Orchestra. Watch "Beethoven's Triple Concerto with the West-Eastern Divan Orchestra" in full on STAGE+: https://www.stage-plus.com/de/video/v... The Triple Concerto has a special place in Beethoven’s oeuvre, revealing his revolutionary spirit and ingrained humour both in its sophisticated architecture and in its musical idiom. Ever inventive, creative and original, here Beethoven stages a lavish musical feast over-flowing with melody, a feast. Yo-Yo Ma puts it in these words: “For me, in the Triple Concerto, it’s the constant invention that always takes me by surprise. You know what I love about the piece? It’s so celebratory, so positive.” Performed by three of today’s most renowned classical artists and Beethoven interpreters – Anne-Sophie Mutter, Yo-Yo Ma and Daniel Barenboim and accompanied by the acclaimed West-Eastern Divan Orchestra. Watch them perform Beethoven's Triple Concerto in C Major, Op. 56, No.2 Largo – Attacca, Live at Philharmonie, Berlin (2019). Anne-Sophie Mutter, Daniel Barenboim, Yo-Yo Ma – Beethoven: Triple Concerto C Major, Op. 56, No. 2 Listen to the Triple Concerto: https://DG.lnk.to/TripleConcerto

"Beethoven's Silence" - Ernesto Cortazar

9,094,380 views Oct 23, 2008

Autumn in Romania - Cheile Grădiştei (jud. Braşov), 8-10 octombrie 2008 Music: ERNESTO CORTAZAR ("Beethoven's Silence")

You Are My Everything - Ernesto Cortazar

51,458 views Aug 15, 2012

Each moment of my life, each note I play, is dedicated to you. Long time ago, my heart became your slave and since then "You are my everything". Artist: Ernesto Cortazar Album: Together Publisher: Piano Drops Music & Publishing

Johann Strauss II - The Blue Danube

Embark on a breathtaking, impressionistic journey along the legendary Danube and into the heart of Vienna, set to the enchanting rhythms of the Blue Danube Waltz. This visually stunning film unfolds in seven poetic chapters, where dawn’s first light awakens lush river landscapes and a graceful couple begins their timeless dance on the misty banks. As their waltz flows in harmony with the river, nature and movement become one—petals drift, sunlight shimmers, and the boundaries between dancers, water, and wildflowers dissolve in a swirl of color and light. Composed by Johann Strauss II in 1866, "The Blue Danube" ("An der schönen blauen Donau") is one of the most beloved and recognizable waltzes in the world. Often called the "Waltz King," Strauss captured the elegance and spirit of Vienna in his music, and this masterpiece has become an enduring symbol of the city and its cultural heritage. With its sweeping melodies and enchanting rhythms, the Blue Danube Waltz continues to inspire audiences and evoke the timeless beauty of the river that flows through the heart of Europe. The story sweeps from tranquil mornings to the dazzling splendor of Viennese ballrooms, alive with swirling gowns, sparkling chandeliers, and golden music notes that seem to float through the air. As night falls, Vienna’s lights reflect on the Danube’s surface, and the city transforms into a living painting—impressionistic, magical, and full of wonder. In the final moments, the scene dissolves into pure color and music, leaving only the luminous outline of the river, eternal and ever-flowing. Blending music, art, and animation, this film is a celebration of beauty, romance, and the timeless spirit of the Danube and Vienna—an unforgettable visual poem that will linger in your memory long after the last note fades. Composer: Johann Strauss II Conductor: Ondrej Lenard Orchestra: Slovak Radio Symphony Orchestra

Galliano and Marsalis - La Vie En Rose

5,290,369 views Mar 27, 2009

Richard Galliano and Wynton Marsalis - La Vie En Rose - Jazz in Marciac 2008