Shakespeare and Music - inspiration through the ages by Russ McDonald

The London Philharmonic Orchestra continues its participation in the Shakespeare400 celebrations with performances of music inspired by Shakespeare's plays. In the centuries since Shakespeare's death, composers have appropriated and transformed Shakespeare's originals, writing operas, incidental music, ballets, symphonic works, song settings, tone poems, and more recently musicals inspired by the stories. In this podcast, Russ McDonald, Professor of English Literature at Goldsmiths', University of London, looks at the inspiration composers have found. In particular he explores Dvo?ák's Othello Overture, which the LPO performed at Southbank Centre's Royal Festival Hall in February 2016, calling it 'a picture of rage, of love and hate, and of tragedy'. The new release on the LPO Label is our second album of music by Julian Anderson, who was our Composer in Residence (2010-2014). Featured recording: Julian Anderson: In liebliche Bläue (Carolin Widmann - violin); Alleluia; The Stations of the Sun Live recordings from 2013-15 conducted by Vladimir Jurowski LPO-0089 £9.99 (CD); available on all major download and streaming platforms Visit lpo.org.uk for full details of all the LPO's concerts and recordings.