London Symphony Orchestra performs music by Sarah Bassingthwaighte
New album released May 20 on Spanish label Aria Classics
"Orchestrating the Wild" pays tribute to the natural world in four diverse works
The natural world is front and center on a forthcoming album of music performed by the London Symphony Orchestra with conductors Jonathan Pasternack and Bobby Collins. Four works by the award-winning composer Sarah Bassingthwaighte pay homage to sparrows, the sea, a cave high atop a mountain, and a desolate cape. "Orchestrating the Wild" is released on May 20, 2025 on Aria Classics.
"I'm inspired by the sound and spirit of everything that is outdoors, says Bassingthwaighte, who is a critically acclaimed composer and flutist. "Over the course of 55 minutes, you’ll soar with sparrows, take in stunning views from a mountaintop, feel the air sizzle with insects, and feel the spray of the ocean as you crash against the rocks."
A centerpiece of the album is the Concerto for Double Bass and Orchestra. It was written to celebrate the 90th anniversary of the Port Angeles Symphony Orchestra and born out of the desire to add works for double bass and orchestra to the repertoire. Bassist Stephen Schermer, who is the soloist on this recording, also premiered the work. Bassingthwaighte says it's "more like a symphony with string bass as hero. It takes the listener through the depths of grief, irreverence, playfulness, and finally rejuvenation and purification through fire."
The album closer "A Mountain Symphony" pays homage to the breathtaking mountains of Washington state. It was composed in a cave at an elevation of 8000 feet with the sound of a glacier, the river rushing underneath, the winds in the valley, and all the forms of life. It's dedicated to Bassingthwaighte's mother, who was an eager supporter of the work while her daughter was composing it. She died shortly before the premiere of the work.
Contact ClassicalCommunications@gmail.com to request a physical CD or digital copy of this recording.