POP/ROCK - Dec. 27, 1990

I Hear a Symphony: Paul McCartney has gone classical. The former Beatle will return to his hometown of Liverpool, England, in June for the premiere of his first classical composition, “Liverpool Oratorio.” The work is the semi-autobiographical tale of the life of a Liverpool war baby and was written with conductor Carl Davis. McCartney won’t be part of the performance, which will feature Dame Kiri Te Kanawa and about 200 musicians and singers when it’s performed in Liverpool Cathedral. McCartney says writing the piece was challenging because he had no experience in classical music as a child.