Mirga Gražinytė-Tyla conducts Beethoven, Stravinsky, Barry – With Leila Josefowicz and Allan Clayton

Discover the world premiere of Gerald Barry’s Canada, commissioned by the BBC and performed by the Birmingham Symphony Orchestra under the baton of renowned conductor Mirga Gražinytė-Tyla! This concert celebrates political and artistic freedom: Beethoven’s Leonore Overture No. 3 celebrates the triumph of truth over tyranny, whilst his immortal Fifth Symphony rewrites the rules of the classical symphony; and Gerald Barry’s work draws its inspiration from Canadian history and its revolutionary movements.  

In addition to a diverse program, this concert features a stellar cast: virtuoso Leila Josefowicz dazzles in Stravinsky's Violin Concerto, her strong personality and enthusiasm drawing out every nuance of the score. Tenor Allan Clayton brings remarkable assurance to Canada, an atypical work whose name is repeated several times, including by the orchestra itself. The tenor’s incredible expressiveness is infectious, as is the laughter shared between the soloist, orchestra, and audience at the end of the performance!