The year 1944 saw the breaking of the siege of Leningrad, the Normandy landings and the liberation of Paris. In short, victory was in the Allies' grasp. For many composers, the prospect of such an achievement proved to be a rich source of inspiration. Continuing the series of weekly programmes exploring works first performed in each year of this century, Ivan Hewett introduces music from 1944.
Prokofiev Cantata: Ballade about a Boy Who Remained Unknown, Op 93 (Epilogue)
N Poliakova (soprano), V Makhov (tenor), USSR Radio Chorus and Symphony Orchestra, conductor Gennadi Rozhdestvensky Copland Letter from Home
St Louis Symphony Orchestra, conductor Leonard Slatkin
Schoenberg Ode to
Napoleon Christine Schafer (soprano), Soloists of the Ensemble InterContemporain, conductor Pierre Boulez
Hindemlth Ludus Tonalis (excerpt) Bernard Roberts (piano)
Tippett A Child of Our Time (part 2) Cynthia Haymon (soprano), Cynthia Clarey (contralto), Damon Evans
(tenor), Willard White (bass). London Symphony Chorus and Orchestra, conductor Richard Hickox
Producer Ekene Akalawu