Joan Tower's Love Returns Premieres in UK

The BBC National Orchestra of Wales presented the UK premiere of Joan Tower's "Love Returns" concerto for alto saxophone. This 87-year-old American composer's work is based on a melody from her piano piece "Love Letter," dedicated to her late husband, and features a unique theme and variations structure. Soloist Steven Banks delivered a "brilliant" performance, captivating the audience with his expressive tone and technical skill.

The concert, conducted by Tomas Djupsjöbacka, marked the 250th anniversary of the US Declaration of Independence. The program also included Weber's Second Symphony and Hindemith's "Symphonic Metamorphosis of Themes by Carl Maria von Weber." The orchestra's wind players excelled in Weber's energetic composition, while the Hindemith piece offered a lively and engaging reimagining of Weber's themes.

An early work by Benjamin Britten, "An American Overture," was also performed. The composer had wished for this piece to be destroyed, but it was exhumed and included in the program, which some noted was a peculiar choice given its historical context and Britten's pacifist beliefs.