Bromley Symphony Orchestra

Important announcement

We regret that due to the unexpected non-availability of the Great Hall at Ravensbourne School in the early part of 2012, we have had to make alternative arrangements for the remaining concerts of the current season. The May concert will now be at Bromley‘s first ever proper purpose-built concert hall at the Langley Park School for Boys. Details of this location are below.

Concert Saturday 19th May 2012 at 7:45pm

Langley Park School for Boys, South Eden Park Road, Beckenham BR3 3BP

Note change of venue

Johannes Brahms

Rossini Overture ‘William Tell’

Walton Two pieces from ‘Henry V’

Strauss Horn Concerto No. 2
Soloist Richard Watkins

Massenet Méditation from Thaïs
Soloist Bernard Brook

Brahms Symphony No. 4

Rossini’s overture is very well known, not least for its galloping finale which became the ‘Lone Ranger’ theme music. Music for strings from Walton’s ‘Henry V’ film music calms things down. Strauss’s love for the horn shines though all his orchestral works, and particularly in this late concerto which needs a real virtuoso soloist. We conclude our season with this wonderful symphony, which has been a mainstay of the orchestral repertoire ever since it was written.

Summer Workshop - Sunday 10th June 2012

Langley Park School for Boys, South Eden Park Road, Beckenham BR3 3BP

Hans Rott

Our Summer Workshop is an occasion when the orchestra spends a day rehearsing an interesting work then gives an early evening informal performance which audiences may attend at no charge, although a collection is made to help cover our costs. The rehearsal is open to non-member players (who should apply by 21st May) and spectators, including (silent) children.

The work to be studied this year is the Symphony in E by Hans Rott, a composer few people have encountered. He was a brilliant fellow student with Mahler, but sadly went mad and died at the age of 25. Mahler greatly admired this symphony, and his own symphonies, the first of which was written 8 years after Rott’s, show very strong influences. Anyone who appreciates Mahler’s music will enjoy this.

11:00 – 12.00 Strings only rehearsal

12:00 – 13:00 Full orchestra rehearsal

13.00 – 14.00 Lunch (Please bring your own picnic lunch - weather permitting, lunch can be eaten outside)

14.00 – 15.30 Rehearsal

15.30 – 16.00 Break

16.00 – 17.30 Rehearsal

17.30 – 18:00 Break

18:00 – 18.15 Introductory talk to audience with possible extracts

18.15 – 19.15 Performance

Concert Saturday 17th November 2012 at 7:45pm

Langley Park School for Boys, South Eden Park Road, Beckenham BR3 3BP

Bax ‘Tintagel’

Elgar Cello concerto
Soloist Jamie Walton

Vaughan Williams Symphony No. 2 (London)

Concert Saturday 26th January 2013 at 7:45pm

Langley Park School for Boys, South Eden Park Road, Beckenham BR3 3BP

Suk Fairy Tales

Mahler Rückert Lieder
Baritone Laurence Meikle

Dvořák Symphony No. 7

Concert Saturday 16th March 2013 at 7:45pm

Langley Park School for Boys, South Eden Park Road, Beckenham BR3 3BP

Bruckner Symphony No. 8

Concert Saturday 18th May 2013 at 7:45pm

Langley Park School for Boys, South Eden Park Road, Beckenham BR3 3BP

Shostakovich Festive Overture

Khachaturian Violin concerto
Soloist Bernard Brook

Tchaikovsky Symphony No. 6 (Pathétique)

Location of Langley Park School for Boys

The May concert, summer workshop and future concerts will be at Langley Park School for Boys, South Eden Park Road, Beckenham BR3 3BP

View Langley Park School for Boys in a larger map

Our soloists...

Richard Watkins title= Richard Watkins, one of the most sought-after horn players of his generation, is well-known as a concerto soloist and chamber music player. He was Principal Horn of the Philharmonia Orchestra from 1985 until 1996, and is currently a member of the Nash Ensemble and a founder member of London Winds. He has appeared at many of the world’s most prestigious venues in the UK, Europe and the USA, and has worked with conductors such as Giulini, Sawallisch, Salonen, Slatkin, Sinopoli, Rozhdestvensky, Andrew Davis and Mark Elder. He currently holds the Dennis Brain Chair of Horn at the Royal Academy of Music as well as being in great demand for teaching and masterclasses in Europe and the USA.

Bernard Brook As leader of Bromley Symphony Orchestra since 1989, Bernard has played the solo part in many compositions, including the Bliss Violin Concerto, Prokofiev's Second Violin Concerto and Vaughan Williams' 'Lark Ascending'.

Bernard plays regularly with the Militaire Orchestra, which performs at venues such as the Mansion House and Guildhall in the City of London, and the Greenwich Naval College. This has included performances in the presence of Her Majesty the Queen and other members of the Royal Family. He is a freelance performer with a variety of ensembles and orchestras.