Warwickshire-based Orchestra of the Swan to perform a one-off concert next month at Stratford Play House, exploring the works of two visionary artists of their time, with help from music journalist Paul Morley.

Beethoven and Bowie are the unlikely coupling to be featured in Rebel Rebel which examines the culture impact of the two musicians, who both challenged the perceived norms during their respective lifetimes. Rebel Rebel takes Beethoven’s Gross Fugue and intersperses with reimagined versions of David Bowie songs.

The Swan’s artistic director, David Le Page explains his inspiration behind the concert and why he thinks it’s a pointless task to compare or contrast their composing styles.

“The interest lies, I believe, in exploring the respective cultural caches of a colossus of 19th century European art music and a chameleon-like folk hero who achieved enormous popularity during the latter decades of the 20th century. Beethoven is, without doubt, the most recognisable figure in Classical music. His moody bust adorns the shelves of countless households across the world.

David continues: “Bowie’s lightning bolt makeup, which first appeared on the cover of 1973’s Aladdin Sane album, is equally iconic and has become synonymous with a well-worn trope about hedonistic rock stardom and everything that goes with it. Rebel Rebel has more in common with an experiment than a concert; it is a way to firing the imagination and creating questions rather than answers.

The Swan will be joined by music journalist (who wrote for the NME between 1977-1983) and now acclaimed author, Paul Morley for the concert. Paul’s biography The Age of Bowie, published in 2016 to widespread acclaim, means that Paul is qualified to explore the unusual connections between Bowie and Beethoven.

Rebel Rebel is at Stratford Play House on Tuesday 8 March 2022. Head to orchestraoftheswan.org to purchase tickets.