Hear and Now - Manchester Portraits - Steven Mackey

In a programme recorded at Studio 7 in Manchester, Robert Worby explores the work of American composer Steven Mackey, who talks about his music and introduces four orchestral works. Steven began his surprising career path playing electric guitar in rock bands in Northern California. Describing a formative early influence, he went to a gig by prog rock band Yes in 1973, and heard beautiful orchestral music playing over the PA - he found out that it was Stravinsky's Firebird, and wanted to explore this music further. Now a professor of music at Princeton, he continues to play electric guitar, and has written two concertos for the instrument. As a composer he is noted for his highly individual style, a multi-layered play of rhythm and sonority which incorporates and plays with references to classical and popular music. Fred Sherry (cello) BBC Philharmonic Clark Rundell (conductor) Steven Mackey: Lost and Found; Banana/Dump Truck; Turn the Key; Eating Greens.