Programme

Arensky – Variations on Theme of Tchaikovsky
Tchaikovsky – Variations on a Rococo Theme (original version)
Weinberg – Concertino for Cello
Tchaikovsky – String Quartet No. 3 arr. for string orchestra by Kenneth Woods

Artists

Join the English String Orchestra for an evening of musical transformation under the visionary baton of conductor Kenneth Woods, with the remarkable cellist Raphael Wallfisch. This program showcases compositions that morph familiar themes into expansive new soundscapes, highlighting the transformative power of music.

The concert begins with Arensky’s “Variations on a Theme of Tchaikovsky,” where a simple melodic line is reimagined through a series of complex, emotive variations. Each piece acts as a musical metamorphosis, turning the original theme into a richly textured emotional journey that explores the depths and nuances of orchestral expression.

Following this, Tchaikovsky’s “Variations on a Rococo Theme” takes center stage, featuring its original, unaltered structure that harks back to classical elegance while infusing it with romantic flair. Raphael Wallfisch’s cello becomes the agent of change, drawing out the subtleties of Tchaikovsky’s homage to the past and reinterpreting them through the lens of lush, late-romantic orchestration.

Mieczysław Weinberg’s “Concertino for Cello” further explores the theme of transformation. This piece moves through light and shadow, its melodies bending and shifting to reflect the composer’s personal and historical challenges, transforming adversity into art with every note played.

The evening culminates in a profound reimagining of Tchaikovsky’s “String Quartet No. 3,” arranged for string orchestra by Kenneth Woods himself. This arrangement not only amplifies the intimate emotions of the original quartet but also transforms its narrative power, allowing the lush string textures to unfold a poignant, communal tale of remembrance and reverence.

This concert is an invitation to witness the alchemy of classical music, where themes and stories are not just played but profoundly transformed. Join us for a journey through the art of musical metamorphosis, brought to life by the strings of the English String Orchestra.