ABBA

The BBC commissioned Jacques Ibert to write this piece in 1956 to commemorate the 10^th anniversary of Third Programme, its classical radio station that evolved into Radio 3.

It was written in Rome, Italy, and premiered by maestro Eugene Goossens, with the composer in attendance, in London, England.

The work has invited comparisons to George Gershwin, Arthur Honegger, Aram Khachaturian, and Sergei Prokofiev. Its muscular orchestration and relentless momentum make it an option for orchestras to open their concerts with, as the London Philharmonic did at Royal Albert Hall in September 2009.

It has been performed by the City of Birmingham Symphony Orchestra, Ferrum Helveticum, the French National Radio Orchestra, the Helsinki Philharmonic Orchestra, the Louisville Orchestra, Orchestre des Concerts Lamoureux, Orchestre symphonique de Montreal, and Philharmonisches Staatsorchester.

Recordings on which it appears include: The Art of Charles Dutoit; Atlantic Oscillation; Earquake; Francais Moderne, Volume 1; Ibert: Divertissement; Symphonie Marine; Bacchanale; Louisville Concerto; Bostonia; Ibert: Escales; Divertissement; Symphonie marine; Bacchanale; Ouverture de fete; Jacques Ibert: Escales, Ouverture de fete; Tropismes; and, Who is Afraid of 20^th Century Music?.

Orchestre des Concerts Lamoureux recordings

Bacchanale (Jacques Ibert)

Conductor – Yutaka Sado

(CD: Jacques Ibert: Escales; Divertissement; Symphonie marine; Bacchanale; Ouverture de fete)

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