Category: Past Events

Programme Antonín Dvořák  Symphony No. 9 ‘From the New World’ Philip Sawyers ...

An evening of some of the most beautiful and thrilling music ever written for string orchestra, celebrating a web of musical and personal connections. Michael Tippett was the ESO’s first Composer-in-Association, and the orchestra recorded his Concerto for Double String Orchestra under the composer’s guidance during their partnership. Tippett was succeeded by Lennox Berkeley, whose son Michael is this year’s Featured Composer. Michael’s godfather and mentor was, of course, Benjamin Britten, represented here by his incredible homage to his teacher and mentor, Frank Bridge. Two of Elgar’s most haunting miniatures and Ruth Gipps’ beautiful Cringlemire Garden round out a thrilling celebration of British string music.

Perhaps no work in musical history was as eagerly awaited as Elgar’s First Symphony. Music lovers across Europe and the British Empire were all waiting to see if Elgar could produce a symphony worthy of comparison with those of Beethoven and Brahms. Ahead of its London premiere, the great conductor Hans Richter called it “the greatest symphony of modern times, written by the greatest modern composer – and not only in this country.” Elgar’s choral masterpiece, The Music Makers, was completed only four years later, but sees its composer in a more reflective mood, with touching musical reminders of his earlier works sprinkled throughout, sung here by the acclaimed Elgar Festival Chorus. Featured Composer Michael Berkeley’s Secret Garden is one of his most colourful and ebullient works.