These pages contain programmes and recordings of most of our recent performances. In addition, a list of every piece we have performed since 1960 is on the repertoire page and a history of the orchestra is on the about page.
Many of the sound recordings in this archive were recorded by students on the Tonmeister course at the University of Surrey, for which we are very grateful. Note that explicit approval is required for any photography or recordings, since we must have the consent of everyone involved and pay any extra fees incurred.
Click the programme covers to download the complete programme in PDF format. You can use a browser plugin such as Video & Audio Downloader to download audio and video recordings (start playing the recording to make it appear in the list).
Concert Saturday 25th January 2014 at 19:45
Wagner Die Walküre, Act 1 If you think you know Haydn, come and hear Symphony No. 103 (‘The Drumroll’), one of the famous late symphonies composed when Haydn was the toast of London. Symphony No. 103 is one of his most interesting, being packed with originality, pathos and wit. Following this, we are extraordinarily fortunate to be joined by internationally-known singers Janice Watson, John Upperton and Oliver Gibbs to perform Act 1 of Die Walküre, the second part of Wagner’s famous ‘Ring’ cycle. Controversially, some of us think that this is the most enjoyable way of playing Wagner. See what you think!  Janice Watson  John Upperton  Oliver Gibbs | ||
Concert Saturday 16th November 2013 at 19:45
Britten Violin Concerto Wagner Die Meistersinger von Nürnberg, Act 3 Prelude Beethoven Symphony No. 7 Beethoven described his seventh symphony as ‘one of my best’, a view shared by audiences who demanded an encore of the second movement on its début performance. Wagner famously described it as ‘the apotheosis of the dance.’ Young Dutch virtuoso Mathieu van Bellen assists us to mark the centenary of the birth of Benjamin Britten with a performance of his violin concerto, which was inspired by Beethoven’s. Here economy of material is illuminated by virtuosic violin writing and scintillating use of orchestral tone colour. The brilliant overture to Die Meistersinger von Nürnberg delivers the complete opera in miniature; all the main themes are there. We add the atmospheric prelude to Act 3 to launch a season celebrating the 200th anniversary of Wagner’s birth. | ||
Concert Saturday 18th May 2013 at 19:45 Piotr Tchaikovsky
Khachaturian Violin concerto Tchaikovsky Symphony No. 6 (Pathétique) The final concert of our season opens with the brilliant Festive Overture, a vivacious musical firework. Khachaturian’s concerto is a magnificent whirlwind of powerful emotions and unbridled energy. The Pathétique is a complex mixture of emotions – sorrow, hope, and happiness tinged with a foreboding of despair – a mixture that has ensured its enduring popular appeal. | ||
Concert Saturday 16th March 2013 at 19:45 Anton Bruckner
The Eighth Symphony is a monumental work, full of the composer’s characteristic ‘trade marks’ but taking them further than ever before: a mysterious opening, dramatic climaxes and contrasts, a lively dancing scherzo, a heartfelt slow movement – he believed it was his best one – and finally a very powerful finale which brings it all together in a glorious blaze of triumph. Allegro moderato Scherzo. Allegro moderato – Trio, langsam Adagio. Feierlich langsam, doch nicht schleppend Finale. Fierlich, nicht schnell | ||
Concert Saturday 26th January 2013 at 19:45 Antonin Dvořák
Suk Fairy Tales Mahler Rückert Lieder Dvořák Symphony No. 7 Suk’s Fairy Tale is a colourful suite of four movements drawn from music he wrote for a theatre piece. Mahler’s set of five songs, based on poems by Friedrich Rückert, share a mood of intimacy and quiet withdrawal. The Seventh Symphony, dramatic and darkly passionate and expressing the defiance of the underdog, is perhaps Dvořák’s greatest. | ||
Concert Saturday 17th November 2012 at 7:45pmConcert dedicated to the memory of Malcolm Smith  Sir Edward Elgar
Elgar Cello concerto Vaughan Williams Symphony No. 2 (London) Bax’s best known work paints a vivid picture of the Cornish castle of Tintagel, battered by the Atlantic on a sunny day. Elgar’s wonderful concerto, contemplative and elegiac, has become a much loved cornerstone of the cello repertoire. The symphony depicts various London scenes, including the Westminster chimes, hansom cabs, street sellers’ cries, and the moods and tempos of our capital city. Bax: Tintagel (Note: Closed captions are available by clicking “CC”) Elgar – Cello Concerto Vaughan Williams | ||
Summer Workshop - Sunday 10th June 2012 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 beforehand) and spectators, including (silent) children. The work to be studied this year is the Symphony in E by Hans Rott, 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 19th May 2012 at 7:45pm Johannes Brahms
Walton Two pieces from ‘Henry V’ Strauss Horn Concerto No. 2 Massenet Méditation from Thaïs 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. Rossini: Overture ‘William Tell’ Overture Walton: Two pieces from ‘Henry V’ Henry V Suite 2 – Passacaglia: The Death of Falstaff Henry V Suite 4 – Touch her soft lips and part Richard Strauss: Horn Concerto No. 2 Allegro Andante con moto Rondo (Allegro molto) Massenet: Méditation from Thaïs Méditation Bernard Brook tribute Brahms: Symphony No. 4 Allegro Non Troppo Andante Moderato Allegro Giocoso – Poco Meno Presto Allegro Energico e Passionato – Più Allegro | ||
Concert Saturday 17th March 2012 at 7:45pm Ludwig van Beethoven
Beethoven Piano Concerto No 5 ‘The Emperor’ Bartók Concerto for Orchestra Borodin’s wonderful music is very widely known, much of it having been adapted for use in lighter and popular genres, notably in the musical ‘Kismet’. For Beethoven’s most well loved piano concerto, we are delighted to welcome back Masa, whose previous appearances with us met with such enormous acclaim. Bartók certainly puts the various sections of the orchestra through their paces in his showpiece concerto, a true 20th Century classic. | ||
Concert Saturday 21st January 2012 at 7:45pm Hector Berlioz
Elgar ‘Sospiri’ Arnold Clarinet Concerto No. 2 Berlioz ‘Symphonie Fantastique’ For 2012, the Queen’s Diamond Jubilee year, we open with Walton’s 1937 coronation march. The poignant ‘Sospiri’ (sighs) cools the mood, ready to be revived by Arnold’s jazzy concerto, originally written for Benny Goodman. In 1830 Berlioz took the musical world into new realms with his vivid picture of passionate but unrequited love that eventually turns into a wild nightmare. | ||
Saturday 12th November 2011 at 7:45pm
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Saturday 21st May 2011 at 7:45pm
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Saturday 19th March 2011 at 7:45pm
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Saturday 22nd January 2011 at 7:45pm
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Saturday 13th November 2010 at 7:45pm
Beethoven: Overture ‘Coriolan’ Berlioz: ‘Reverie et Caprice’ Mahler: Symphony No 5 Second Movement Scherzo Adagietto Rondo Finale | ||
Sunday 13th June 2010
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Saturday 22nd May 2010 at 7:45pm
Kabalevsky: Overture ‘Colas Breugnon’ Tchaikovsky: Piano Concerto No.1 Movement 2 Movement 3 Prokofiev: ‘Romeo and Juliet’ The Young Juliet Scene Madrigal Minuet Masks Romeo and Juliet: Love Scene Death of Tybalt Romeo at Juliet’s Grave | ||
Saturday 20th March 2010 at 7:45pm
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Saturday 23rd January 2010 at 7:45pm
Elgar: ‘In the South’ Strauss: ‘Four last Songs’ September Beim Schlafengehen (Falling Asleep) Im Abendrot (At sunset) Dvořák: Symphony No.8 Adagio Allegretto grazioso – Molto vivace Allegro ma non troppo | ||
Saturday 14th November 2009 at 7:45pm
Berlioz – Overture to ‘Benvenuto Cellini’ Bruch – Violin Concerto Wagner – Prelude and Liebestod from ‘Tristan and Isolde’ Elgar – ‘Enigma’ variations |
