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Justin Bieber song 'Beauty And A Beat' gets classical revamp on Radio 3 for Comic Relief

 

Anthony Barnes
Wednesday 13 March 2013 12:43 GMT
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Justin Bieber
Justin Bieber

Teen pop idol Justin Bieber is unlikely to be heard on highbrow Radio 3, but he will be this week when one of his hits gets a classical makeover.

The 19-year-old singer’s track "Beauty And A Beat" will be rearranged for a live performance on Radio 3 this Friday.

The single has been revamped as part of the mainly classical station's Red Nose Day output with a new version for chamber choir and baroque orchestra.

Originally a top 20 hit featuring Nicki Minaj as a guest vocalist when it was released last year, the song will be performed by counter tenor Robin Blaze and the University of York Baroque Orchestra and Chamber Choir, conducted by Peter Seymour.

Bieber left many fans disgruntled last week after taking the stage late for a show at London's O2 Arena which meant many young concertgoers missed much of the show with some leaving in tears.

The Canadian had to leave the stage during another concert - midway through performing "Beauty And A Beat" - when he struggled for breath, but returned 20 minutes later.

Then on the day of his final London show, he lunged and swore at a photographer who was waiting outside his hotel.

The Radio 3 track has been arranged by composer and producer Steve Pycroft, who has previously reworked the music of dubstep producer Skrillex for an orchestra.

It will be performed live at 1pm on Friday as part of the station's Red Nose programming, with a dance baroque concert being staged at Lyons Concert Hall at the University of York in aid of Comic Relief.

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The performance - which ties in with Radio 3's Baroque Spring season - will also see members of the audience, including Radio 5 Live pundit Pat Nevin and Radio 4 newsreader Zeb Soanes, learning the steps to a 17th century composition by Henry Purcell.

A Radio 3 spokeswoman said it would give listeners the chance to hear Bieber “as you've never heard him before”.

PA

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