London 2012: Music Nation strikes first note...

Some of the UK's leading orchestras and choirs are taking part in more than 100 performances across the UK to mark Music Nation weekend.

Violinist Nicola Benedetti and singer and composer Rufus Wainwright are among those featured in the countdown event to the London 2012 Festival.

It will see 18 new works performed, with more than 10,000 participants across the country, as part of the Cultural Olympiad.

It will be broadcast on BBC Radio 3.

Highlights include:

The UK premiere of Rufus Wainwright's setting of five of Shakespeare's Sonnets, performed by the BBC Symphony Orchestra.
The Ulster and RTÉ Concert orchestras collaborating for the first time on stage in Belfast.
A Sporting Fanfare, performed by the BBC Scottish Symphony Orchestra and featuring violinist Nicola Benedetti in Glasgow.
The world premiere of Swansea-born composer Karl Jenkins' Songs of the Earth, performed by the BBC National Orchestra of Wales.
The world premiere of John Joubert's Cello Concerto, played by the Northern Chamber Orchestra.
Seth Lakeman, the BBC Concert Orchestra and the Devon and Cornwall Family Orchestras and Choruses will perform at the Plymouth Pavilions.

Controller Roger Wright said Radio 3 would be "clearing its schedule" to cover the "unique UK-wide musical event".

"From Brahms to Rufus Wainwright, we'll be bringing our millions of listeners a riveting mix of the weekend's important orchestral programming as part of the London 2012 celebrations."

More than 65,000 free and paid for tickets have been made available and the weekend includes jazz, folk, urban and world music, alongside the orchestral pieces.

BBC Radio 1 and 1Xtra's Urban Classic will see urban music artists perform new musical arrangements in a concert with the BBC Symphony Orchestra.

Workshops and tutorials will also be held to give people the chance to take part.

In addition to the Radio 3 broadcasts, Music Nation will be covered on BBC Radio Scotland, BBC Northern Ireland, BBC Radio Wales, BBC Radio 1 and 1Xtra, BBC local radio, on the BBC 2012 and Music Nation website, which will carry a live blog.

Source: BBC

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