Performance on 3 - Mendelssohn's Elijah

As part of BBC Radio 3's Mendelssohn Weekend, Petroc Trelawny presents a concert given in October 2008 at the refurbished Birmingham Town Hall, re-creating the 1846 premiere of the composer's oratorio Elijah. The performance uses a new edition of the score by Derek Acock that faithfully recreates the original version and integrates the authentic instruments of the premiere into the Orchestra of the Age of Enlightenment, including the only playable contrebass ophicleide in the world, which was obtained on loan from America. Conductor Jeffrey Skidmore joins Petroc in the studio to discuss this special performance of Elijah. Mendelssohn: Elijah (1846 version) Elijah ...... James Rutherford (baritone) Julia Doyle, Grace Davidson (sopranos) Diana Moore, Lucy Ballard (contraltos) Mark Padmore, Nicholas Mulroy (tenors) Marcus Farnsworth, James Mustard (basses) Ex Cathedra XL Anniversary Choir Orchestra of the Age of Enlightenment Jeffrey Skidmore (conductor). Also featured: A performance of one part of Radio 3's newly commissioned collection of Songs Without Words. Emily Hall: Amnio Andrew Zolinsky (piano)