BBC Symphony Orchestra

James O’Donnell, Organist of Westminster Abbey, opens this special concert with the BBC Singers conducting motets by Bach and Bruckner, before Leif Segerstam directs Bruckner’s Symphony No 8.

Bach’s five-part motet Jesu, meine Freude is one of his most perfectly symmetrical structures, lit with spiritual intensity, while in Bruckner’s motets we hear echoes of Palestrina – an inspiration from his chorister days. His monumental Eighth symphony closes this exploration of music by two master musical architects from opposing Christian traditions.