Performance on 3 - 16/10/2008

Simon Rattle conducts the Royal Liverpool Philharmonic Orchestra in a performance given in Liverpool's Philharmonic Hall in early October 2008. Presented by Tom Service. Rattle returns to the Royal Liverpool Philharmonic Orchestra where he was once assistant conductor to conduct the first symphony he ever performed with the orchestra - Sibelius's mighty Fifth. The programme also features Nordic colours with two excerpts from Wagner's epic drama of Norse legend The Ring, and includes the world premiere of Australian composer Brett Dean's Songs of Joy, commissioned by The Liverpool Culture Company for 2008 and sung by baritone Peter Coleman-Wright. Peter Coleman-Wright (baritone) Royal Liverpool Philharmonic Orchestra Sir Simon Rattle (conductor) Wagner: Siegfried's Rhine Journey (Gotterdammerung) Brett Dean: Songs of Joy (commissioned by The Liverpool Culture Company for 2008; world premiere) (Peter Coleman-Wright, baritone) Wagner: Siegfried's Funeral Music (Gotterdammerung) Sibelius: Symphony No 5 Followed by Play to the Nation, BBC Radio 3's celebration of amateur orchestras across the UK: Mahler: Symphony No 2 (1st movement) Amadeus Orchestra Philip Mackenzie (conductor) ...and pianothon, showcasing amateur pianists across the nation: Rachmaninov: Elegie in E flat minor (from 5 Morceaux de fantaisie for piano Op.3) David Doidge (piano) Debussy: Arabesque no. 1 in E major Matthew Allison (piano)