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BBC Orchestra Celebrates U.S. Independence with Tower's Love Returns

3/15/2026

Summary

Story summary

The BBC National Orchestra of Wales marked the 250th anniversary of the U.S. Declaration of Independence with Joan Tower, composer, and her Love Returns, conducted by Tomas Djupsjöbacka.
Tower's concerto for alto saxophone, inspired by a melody from her husband's memory, uses a theme-and-variations structure and was performed by Steven Banks.
The program included Weber’s Second Symphony and Hindemith’s Symphonic Metamorphosis.
The concert opened with Britten’s An American Overture.

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Story summary

The BBC National Orchestra of Wales marked the 250th anniversary of the U.S. Declaration of Independence with Joan Tower, composer, and her Love Returns, conducted by Tomas Djupsjöbacka.
Tower's concerto for alto saxophone, inspired by a melody from her husband's memory, uses a theme-and-variations structure and was performed by Steven Banks.
The program included Weber’s Second Symphony and Hindemith’s Symphonic Metamorphosis.
The concert opened with Britten’s An American Overture.