Set on an enchanted desert island, inhabited by both humans and spirits, Shakespeare’s story centers on reconciliation, forgiveness, and faith that future generations can make things better.
Drawn to the lyricism of the play, as well as its memorable characters, composers have turned out some extraordinary music over the past 400 years.
In this hour, works inspired by—or thought to have been inspired by—The Tempest, including music by Beethoven, Berlioz, Tchaikovsky, Sibelius, Sullivan (minus Gilbert), and more.
FEATURED RECORDINGS
| Title |
Group/Artist |
Catalog # |
UPC |
| Sullivan: Symphony No. 1, etc. [for The Tempest – Symphonic Poem] |
BBC Philharmonic Orchestra, Richard Hickox |
Chandos CHAN 9859 |
095115985922 |
| Berlioz: Complete Orchestral Works [for Lelio] |
London Symphony Orchestra & Chorus, Colin Davis |
Philips 456 143-2 |
028945614328 |
| Sibelius: The Tempest |
Gothenburg Symphony Orchestra, Neeme Järvi |
BIS-CD-448 |
7318590004487 |
| Chihara: The Tempest |
Performing Arts Orchestra, Jean-Louis LeRoux |
Reference Recordings RR-10CD |
030911101022 |
| Paine: Symphony No. 1, etc,, [for The Tempest – Symphonic Poem] |
Ulster Orchestra, JoAnn Falletta |
Naxos 8.559747 |
636943974728 |
| Beethoven - The Piano Sonatas, Volume V [for “Tempest” Sonata |
Andras Schiff |
ECM 1945/46 |
028947661863 |
| All the World’s a Stage, [for Matthew Locke] |
Musica Donum Dei |
Gift of Music CCL CDG1110 |
658592111026 |
| Shakespeare’s Musick [for “Full Fathom Five”] |
Musicians of the Globe |
Philips 446 687-2 |
028944668728 |
| Shakespeare’s Music [for “Where the Bee Sucks”] |
Julianne Baird, Ronn McFarlane |
Dorian DOR-90017 |
053479001726 |
| Hymn to the Dawn [for "Come Unto These Yellow Sands”] |
Etherea Vocal Ensemble |
Delos DE3431 |
013491343129 |
| Chausson - La Legende de Saint Cecile, La Tempete |
Ensemble Orchestral de Paris, Jean-Jacques Kantorow |
EMI 5 55323 9 |
724355532329 |
| Tchaikovsky: Symphony No. 3 & The Tempest |
Polish National Radio Symphony Orchestra |
Naxos 8.550518 |
0730099551823 |
