Towards Antara
In 1980, at the age of 20, Englishman
George Benjamin became the youngest living composer ever to have a work performed at the Proms.
Since then he has established an international reputation and is recognised as one of the most exciting talents in music today.
Tonight Omnibus presents the British premiere of Benjamin's latest work,
Antara, commissioned by Pierre Boulez to mark the tenth anniversary of his renowned experimental music centre at the Pompidou in Paris. Antara takes as its inspiration the pan pipes of South America. This film documents the creation of the new piece and observes the composer confronting the ancient music of the pipes with all the exploratory possibilities of computer technology. Photography COLIN WALDECK Sound
BRUCE GALLAWAY. GEOFF CUTTING Film editor DAVE KING Producer BARRIE GAVIN
A simultaneous broadcast of the complete performance of Antara with BBC Radio 3 begins at 11. 10pm.
Viewers who can receive a stereo radio signal may wish to turn off TV sound and position their speakers on either side of the screen, but a few feet away . Stereo headphones provide a suitable alternative.