In June, the BBC announced its Ten Pieces initiative to inspire enthusiasm for classical music in school children. Based around ten pieces of music deemed essential listening and especially suitable for peaking the interest of young people, the scheme includes cinema screenings and educational projects which start next month.
We have just seen the trailer for the Ten Pieces film, which will be shown in cinemas throughout the UK from 6 October. It’s very dramatic: a golden phoenix (the Firebird) features prominently and there are space ships, animated racing cars, giant mazes and screaming green witches. Watch it below.
The film will feature performances of each of the Ten Pieces, including the first movment of Beethoven's Symphony No. 5 and the Finale from Stravinsky's Firebird Suite (view the repertoire list here), by the BBC National Orchestra of Wales, as well as an introduction to the music from Blue Peter's Barney Harwood and accompanying live action and animation. It will be the start of a year of discovery of music for pupils in schools across the UK.
Presenter Barney Harwood says: 'Ten Pieces is an exhilarating journey into the world of classical music. I hope that children really enjoy learning about the different pieces of music and it inspires them to be creative and come up with their own imaginative interpretations. I can't wait to hear some of them.'
The Ten Pieces film is expected to be seen by over 100,000 children.
The Ten Pieces film will be screened in cinemas across the UK from Monday 6 October. Visit: bbc.co.uk/tenpieces to find out more
Look out for the new monthly cut-out-and-keep Ten Pieces feature in the print edition of BBC Music Magazine, starting with Beethoven’s Fifth in the November issue, out 1 October
RELATED ARTICLES
• Ten pieces of classical music to inspire a generation
• Which piece first inspired you to listen to classical music?