Wagner Die Meistersinger von Nürnberg, Overture (Prelude to Act 1) 

Britten Violin Concerto 
    Soloist Mathieu van Bellen

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. 
 

Anton Bruckner

Bruckner Symphony No. 8

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 dedicated to the memory of Malcolm Smith

Sir Edward Elgar

Bax ‘Tintagel’

Elgar Cello concerto
    Soloist Jamie Walton

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

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.

Rossini: Overture ‘William Tell’
Introduction

Overture

Walton: Two pieces from ‘Henry V’
Introduction

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
Introduction

Allegro

Andante con moto

Rondo (Allegro molto)

Massenet: Méditation from Thaïs
Introduction

Méditation

Bernard Brook tribute

Brahms: Symphony No. 4
Introduction

Allegro Non Troppo

Andante Moderato

Allegro Giocoso - Poco Meno Presto

Allegro Energico e Passionato - Più Allegro