The Wreck of the Titanic

The Wreck of the Titanic was a major project undertaken by BSO Resonate to coincide with the centenary of the Titanic's sinking. David Bedford composed a musical interpretation of the Titanic disaster, drawing on contemporary newspaper reports, survivor acocunts and the music of the day.

The BSO was initially approached about the piece by David Bedford, who had worked closely for many years with Andy Baker, the BSO Community Musician. Having been admirers of David's work in all genres of music, the BSO jumped at the opportunity, not least because of the orchestra's proximity to Southampton as a venue town. A performance involving over 300 people of all standards and ages took place at Southampton's Central Hall on 22 March. As Titanic sailed from Southampton to Cherbourg, the BSO also approached Cherbourg Conservatoire and a performance in Cherbourg on 14 April took place exactly 100 years to the day after Titanic hit the iceberg that led to its demise.

More information on The Wreck of the Titanic is available in the May edition of the BSO's digital e-magazine Resonate. Click here to launch the magazine.

As part of the project, David Daly - BSO Principal Double Bassist - played two of the pieces his Great Uncle had 100 years previously, supported by BSO string players and arranged especially for the occasion by Ian Pillow. David's uncle, Eugene, was a survivor of the Titanic disaster, and played his uillean pipes as the ship set sail from Cobh. In the video below, David plays at the National Theatre in Cherbourg, France.