The world-class English Symphony Orchestra is an ensemble which in recent years has become synonymous with artistic excellence, innovative and visionary programming. Now in their second year of residency at Cheltenham Town Hall, ESO promises a thrilling season full of music you know you love – Mozart, Beethoven, Mahler, Rachmaninov, Elgar and Strauss – as well as incredibly exciting and accessible works by new composers. We can’t wait to welcome you!
Sunday 22 March 2026 @ 3pm
Programme
David Matthews – Early Spring (world premiere) 7’
Mozart – Sinfonia Concertante for Violin & Viola, K364 33’
Beethoven – Symphony No.7 in A major, Op.92 42’
Artists
Kenneth Woods, conductor
Gáspár Kelemen, violin
Rosalind Ventris, viola
A celebration of the spring equinox, this matinee offers a generous portion of musical sunshine, hope and warmth. Beethoven’s Seventh is his most exuberant and energetic work, with several hugely popular melodies and themes, while Mozart’s evergreen Sinfonia Concertante has an unmatched abundance of lyricism, good humour and playful happiness. One of Britain’s greatest living composers, David Matthews, also contributes a new work, written in celebration of Spring and dedicated to the ESO.
English Symphony Orchestra Residency: Spring Equinox – Cheltenham Town Hall
Friday 22 May 2026 @ 7.30pm
Programme
Elgar – Serenade for Strings 12’
Matthew Taylor – Romance for Strings 10’
Copland – Clarinet Concerto 16’
Mahler – Adagietto from Symphony No.5 12’
Schoenberg – Verklarte Nacht (Transfigured Night) 30’
Artists
Kenneth Woods, conductor
Julian Bliss, clarinet
Schoenberg was one of the most revolutionary & challenging composers, but his early works are among the most lyrical & romantic pieces ever written. Mahler’s heart-rending Adagietto needs little introduction and is regularly in the Top 40 of Classic FM’s annual Hall of Fame, while Schoenberg’s impassioned Transfigured Night is a musical realisation of a Richard Dehmel poem, in which a young woman confesses to her betrothed that she bears another man’s child, conceived before they met. His acceptance of her, and resolve to raise the baby as theirs, is one of the most touching moments in classical music.
English Symphony Orchestra Residency: Schoenberg, Mahler, Elgar, Taylor & Copland – Cheltenham Town Hall
