Music / Paraorchestra
Bristol’s Paraorchestra performance brought to life in Sky Arts series
Two shows performed at Bristol Beacon will feature on an episode of Reinventing the Orchestra on Sky Arts on Monday.
The ‘part-installation part-concert’ The Anatomy of Orchestra was originally performed in Bristol Beacon February by Paraorchestra, the world’s only large-scale virtuoso ensemble of professional disabled and non-disabled musicians.
Paraorchestra’s award-winning composer and artistic director Charles Hazlewood is bringing the immersive Bristol performance to screens nationwide in his new show entitled Reinventing the Orchestra.
is needed now More than ever
The immersive performance saw musicians interspersed with the public across four floors of Bristol Beacon – photo: Katie Taylor
Following on from the success of his award-winning Sky Arts documentary Beethoven and Me, Charles’ new series will explore the status of the orchestra in the 21st century.
The show sees Charles discussing why the orchestra remains so important today, arguing that even after 400 years, the orchestra represents the perfect team and should be used as an exemplar in the worlds of sport and business.
The series will also chart the contribution of the orchestral soundscape to genres such as 70s disco, acid house and video game music, demonstrating the influence of the orchestra even in the contemporary digital world.
It’s no surprise then, that The Anatomy of the Orchestra will be featured on the series.
Paraorchestra’s mission is to redefine what an orchestra can be for the 21st century – photo: Katie Taylor
Led by Charles and performed in Bristol Beacon, members of the Paraorchestra ensemble were dotted across four levels of the building whilst the audience was free to roam around the architectural splendour of the building’s foyer.
The resulting impact was dynamic and immersive, allowing the audience to explore the ‘inner workings’ of the modern orchestra.
Those that were unable to experience the impressive performance in February will be able to tune in to Sky Arts on Monday, June 6 to see the spectacle unfold on screen.
Episode one – entitled The Perfect Team – will be broadcast on June 6 at 9pm on Sky Arts.
Main photo: Katie Taylor
Read more: In photos: Paraorchestra at Bristol Beacon
Listen to the latest Bristol24/7 Behind the Headlines podcast:
Our top newsletters emailed directly to you
