Every weekday at 10 a.m., the hosts at Classical MPR play a standout work based on the theme for the week. We call these works Morning Glories.
This week's Morning Glories are five pieces from around the globe that capture the raucous spirit of soccer, to celebrate the final days of the FIFA World Cup competition in Brazil.
Monday
James MacMillan: Britannia
The chaos of folk tunes and noisemakers in Britannia evokes the notorious chanting of British football fans, a sound MacMillan would know well — he's a supporter of Celtic F.C.
Tuesday
Dmitri Shostakovich: The Age of Gold Ballet Suite
Shostakovich was a huge soccer fan — his team was Leningrad Zenith — so it's not surprising he wrote a ballet about a soccer team.
Wednesday
Mark-Anthony Turnage: Momentum
Football's a popular topic for British composers, especially for Arsenal supporter Mark-Anthony Turnage. His opera The Silver Tassie focuses on a young soldier famous for his soccer ability until he's injured during the war, and Momentum incorporates chants frequently heard at Highbury, Arsenal's home ground from 1913 to 2006.
Thursday
Kamran Ince: Symphony No. 5 "Galatasaray"
This bombastic and emotional symphony, with vocal soloists and a choir, celebrates the 100th anniversary of Ince's favorite team, Turkey's Galatasaray.
Friday
Enrico Chapela: Inguesu
Another piece that imitates the enthusiastic shouting of the crowd, Chapela immortalizes an important soccer match between Mexico and Brazil in 1999.
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