Shove a coin in the slot – and who knows what you might win! Igor Stravinsky leading a dance band? A baby elephant dancing a raucous polka? Or a magical, mechanical musical-box of a symphony from the “bad boy of American music”?
The late John McCabe got the idea for Joybox from a Japanese amusement arcade – and he wrote it especially for the BBC Phil. Tonight, it unlocks the jackpot. A whole cascade of glittering, colourful prizes comes tumbling out: miniatures by Stravinsky and Charles Ives, George Antheil’s outrageous, all-American wartime symphony, and Mark-Anthony Turnage’s kicking, biting and swinging new concerto for the great jazz drummer Peter Erskine, played by the legend himself.
Oh, and don’t forget that elephant. Roll up, roll up!
Journey Through Music, 6.30pm, Barbirolli Room: Violinist Julian Gregory leads an introductory session for families about the orchestra and the music that will be performed in tonight’s concert with guest speakers John Storgards and percussionist Sophie Hastings. Further details can be found at bbc.co.uk/journeythroughmusic
