BBC Radio 3 to broadcast the choral symphony, Earthly Paradise - Sayings, Songs and Poems of William Morris, Tue 13 Apr 2010

George Frederic Watts
Portrait of William Morris, 1870

"The BBC Symphony Orchestra and Sir Andrew Davis head into visionary territory, with a new piece by Ian McQueen. The search for the land where 'none grow old' guides the twists and turns of William Morris's 'The Earthly Paradise'. Ian McQueen's work for chorus and large orchestra evokes the poem's extraordinary world, surges with erotic charge, and conjures up Morris's magical vision of Iceland's landscape and sagas."

Tue 13 Apr 2010
BBC Radio 3
(A broadcast of the concert presented 10 April 2010.)
http://www.bbc.co.uk/programmes/b00rwwhq
http://www.bbc.co.uk/radio3/

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"Scored for a large orchestra and choir, this has been commissioned by BBC Radio Three. It is dedicated to Stephen Jackson and the BBC Symphony Chorus, to celebrate the chorus's 80th birthday. There are four movements, which refer to the life of the great Victorian poet, designer and political activist, lasting about 30 minutes.

'Earthly Paradise' will be broadcast on April 13th at around 7.45 pm [UK time] on BBC Radio Three.

Ian Mcqueen will introduce the piece live in the studio."

http://www.ian-mcqueen.co.uk/latest.html

** Update April 13th: The broadcast will be available for seven days at the link below. The Earthly Paradise segment begins at about the 54 minute mark with interesting commentary from Fiona MacCarthy and Ian McQueen.
http://www.bbc.co.uk/programmes/b00rwwhq

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William Morris in Iceland
an article by Fiona MacCarthy
LINK

The Literary Pilgrimage
an article in Iceland Review
LINK