Online: Milhaud, George Walker and Beethoven | London Symphony Orchestra

Sir Simon Rattle conducts the London Symphony Orchestra as they embark on a new era of performing and rediscover one of the greats of American music. First however, we'll hear from French composer Milhaud, in his ballet La création du monde, as it illustrates the influence that jazz music had on the Paris-based composer during his tour of America in 1922. Incidentally, it was the very same year that the world welcomed George Walker, who would become the first African American to win the Pulitzer Prize for composing in 1996. Sir Simon Rattle has chosen Walker's Sinfonia 4 ('Strand'), describing the work as 'deeply felt, extraordinarily well put together and absolutely his own voice'. Beethoven’s much loved Symphony No 6 ‘Pastoral’ closes this concert in celebration of the joy in returning to concert halls and reuniting with colleagues and friends.