Orchestral music
We're lucky to have the ESO (English Symphony Orchestra, English String Orchestra, or English Salon Orchestra depending on programme!) performing in this area, under its dynamic conductor Kenneth Woods. Their venues include Hereford Cathedral and Shirehall, the new Elgar Concert Hall at the University of Birmingham, and Cirencester Parish Church, with the English String Orchestra now performing regularly at the Roses Theatre in Tewkesbury.
This season's concerts included the premiere of John Joubert's opera Jane Eyre, also released on CD by Somm to coincide with Joubert's 90th birthday.
Some are blind. Others are watching. She sees only him.
Jane Eyre - By John Joubert
An Opera in Two Acts
A concert performance by English Symphony Orchestra
conducted by Kenneth Woods
recorded live by SOMM Recordings
Soprano APRIL FREDRICK as Jane Eyre
Baritone DAVID STOUT as Rochester
with full supporting cast
Since its first publication in 1847, Charlotte Bronte’s fatalistic masterpiece Jane Eyre has inspired countless re-readings and retellings. Now, marking Bronte’s 200th anniversary and his own 90th birthday, the revered British composer John Joubert will finally see the world premiere concert and recording of Jane Eyre, his long-awaited third opera. The unforgettable tale of an obsessive love threatened by an unutterable secret, the opera has been more than 20 years in the gestation. It is, says conductor Kenneth Woods, “Joubert’s undoubted magnum opus”.
With a single public showing as an amateur production some years ago, Joubert has since substantially revised it for this official world premiere, but the idea had taken root as far back as 1969. That’s when, while writing his song-cycle, Six Poems Of Emily Bronte, he was drawn into the world of the Bronte sisters and, inexorably, Jane Eyre.
The result is a major operatic work, with a score of translucent beauty, of foreboding; suffused with a sense of the destiny that may hold terrors, may hold love – but may not be withheld.
For more information visit the ESO's website.
This season's concerts included the premiere of John Joubert's opera Jane Eyre, also released on CD by Somm to coincide with Joubert's 90th birthday.
Some are blind. Others are watching. She sees only him.
Jane Eyre - By John Joubert
An Opera in Two Acts
A concert performance by English Symphony Orchestra
conducted by Kenneth Woods
recorded live by SOMM Recordings
Soprano APRIL FREDRICK as Jane Eyre
Baritone DAVID STOUT as Rochester
with full supporting cast
Since its first publication in 1847, Charlotte Bronte’s fatalistic masterpiece Jane Eyre has inspired countless re-readings and retellings. Now, marking Bronte’s 200th anniversary and his own 90th birthday, the revered British composer John Joubert will finally see the world premiere concert and recording of Jane Eyre, his long-awaited third opera. The unforgettable tale of an obsessive love threatened by an unutterable secret, the opera has been more than 20 years in the gestation. It is, says conductor Kenneth Woods, “Joubert’s undoubted magnum opus”.
With a single public showing as an amateur production some years ago, Joubert has since substantially revised it for this official world premiere, but the idea had taken root as far back as 1969. That’s when, while writing his song-cycle, Six Poems Of Emily Bronte, he was drawn into the world of the Bronte sisters and, inexorably, Jane Eyre.
The result is a major operatic work, with a score of translucent beauty, of foreboding; suffused with a sense of the destiny that may hold terrors, may hold love – but may not be withheld.
For more information visit the ESO's website.
Birmingham Philharmonic Orchestra
2016 marks the 75th anniversary of the Birmingham Philharmonic Orchestra. Founded in 1941 as the South Birmingham Orchestra to raise money for war charities, the orchestra adopted its present title in 1947. It remains the country’s leading large non-professional symphony orchestra, drawing its members from all walks of life throughout the West Midlands.
Events to commemorate the anniversary included a special performance on Mahler’s Eighth Symphony, the Symphony of a Thousand in Symphony Hall, Birmingham on Sunday 6 March with the City of Birmingham Choir, the University of Birmingham Chorus and the Choir of St Peter’s Wolverhampton.
2016 marks the 75th anniversary of the Birmingham Philharmonic Orchestra. Founded in 1941 as the South Birmingham Orchestra to raise money for war charities, the orchestra adopted its present title in 1947. It remains the country’s leading large non-professional symphony orchestra, drawing its members from all walks of life throughout the West Midlands.
Events to commemorate the anniversary included a special performance on Mahler’s Eighth Symphony, the Symphony of a Thousand in Symphony Hall, Birmingham on Sunday 6 March with the City of Birmingham Choir, the University of Birmingham Chorus and the Choir of St Peter’s Wolverhampton.
Cheltenham Chamber Orchestra
The Cheltenham Chamber Orchestra was founded in 1966 by Laurence Hudson to harness the talents of professional musicians in the area. The Orchestra has retained its tradition of performing music from the 17th Century to the present day and, through its regular concerts in Pittville Pump Room and St Andrew's Church, Montpellier, has built up an appreciative audience.
The Cheltenham Chamber Orchestra was founded in 1966 by Laurence Hudson to harness the talents of professional musicians in the area. The Orchestra has retained its tradition of performing music from the 17th Century to the present day and, through its regular concerts in Pittville Pump Room and St Andrew's Church, Montpellier, has built up an appreciative audience.
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Cheltenham Symphony Orchestra A mixture of amateur, student and professional players conducted by David Curtis (of the Orchestra of the Swan). 
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Eroica Camerata
"Established in 2005 by its current Music Director, Peter Marks, the Eroica Camerata brings together amateur and professional musicians from across the West Midlands. Aiming to set the highest standards in amateur music-making, the orchestra specialises in performing masterpieces from the Classical repertoire as well as Romantic and Modern chamber orchestral works."
"Established in 2005 by its current Music Director, Peter Marks, the Eroica Camerata brings together amateur and professional musicians from across the West Midlands. Aiming to set the highest standards in amateur music-making, the orchestra specialises in performing masterpieces from the Classical repertoire as well as Romantic and Modern chamber orchestral works."
Midland Sinfonia
The Midland Sinfonia 2016/17 season not only celebrates their 21st season but also the appointment of a new Music Director, Nic Fallowfield. Based in Alvechurch, Worcestershire, they hold concerts at St. Lawrence Church. Their six concerts a year call on a variety of professional players, sometimes featuring a small group of players and other times larger forces. Their programmes explore an expansive range of classical music to suit all tastes and will introduce you to a host of different genres.
The Midland Sinfonia 2016/17 season not only celebrates their 21st season but also the appointment of a new Music Director, Nic Fallowfield. Based in Alvechurch, Worcestershire, they hold concerts at St. Lawrence Church. Their six concerts a year call on a variety of professional players, sometimes featuring a small group of players and other times larger forces. Their programmes explore an expansive range of classical music to suit all tastes and will introduce you to a host of different genres.
Orchestra of the Swan
Celebrating its 21st anniversary season in 2016/17, here's a quote from the Birmingham Post review of one of their recent concerts: "How time flies. It seems only a few years ago when we first became aware of Orchestra of the Swan – and now we’re celebrating its 21st anniversary. As David Curtis told us in the pre-concert talk, what began as a scratch band assembled in Stratford for a friend soon developed into a proper orchestra, and in the process changed Curtis from viola player (with the Coull Quartet) into a full-time conductor. And it’s this chamber music experience that has made OOTS so distinctive. Over the years Curtis has moulded his players into a unified ensemble of individual musicians untrammelled by the histrionics of an egocentric conductor....Absolutely delightful"
Celebrating its 21st anniversary season in 2016/17, here's a quote from the Birmingham Post review of one of their recent concerts: "How time flies. It seems only a few years ago when we first became aware of Orchestra of the Swan – and now we’re celebrating its 21st anniversary. As David Curtis told us in the pre-concert talk, what began as a scratch band assembled in Stratford for a friend soon developed into a proper orchestra, and in the process changed Curtis from viola player (with the Coull Quartet) into a full-time conductor. And it’s this chamber music experience that has made OOTS so distinctive. Over the years Curtis has moulded his players into a unified ensemble of individual musicians untrammelled by the histrionics of an egocentric conductor....Absolutely delightful"
Welsh Sinfonia
I recently met Mark Eager, the energetic conductor of the Welsh Sinfonia; alongside their concerts they run the Crescendo Project, building classical orchestras in Welsh secondary schools.
I recently met Mark Eager, the energetic conductor of the Welsh Sinfonia; alongside their concerts they run the Crescendo Project, building classical orchestras in Welsh secondary schools.
Worcestershire Symphony Orchestra
"Music is a vital part of our county’s cultural heritage, and the Worcestershire Symphony Orchestra is determined to keep it that way.
The orchestra, which was founded over 100 years ago with the help of Edward Elgar, continues to recruit new players of all ages, bringing pleasure to audiences across Worcestershire. We perform at least four concerts a year.
The orchestra gave its first concert in the Public Hall on 26 April 1906, with Ivor Atkins conducting more than 100 players. Elgar assisted in drawing up the programme, and conducted occasionally in performances of his own works. His daughter, Carice, played the violin in the orchestra for many years.
Today, Keith Slade is Worcestershire Symphony Orchestra’s dynamic young conductor. He studied clarinet at the Royal Northern College of Music and is a former BBC Young Musician of the Year Woodwind Finalist."
"Music is a vital part of our county’s cultural heritage, and the Worcestershire Symphony Orchestra is determined to keep it that way.
The orchestra, which was founded over 100 years ago with the help of Edward Elgar, continues to recruit new players of all ages, bringing pleasure to audiences across Worcestershire. We perform at least four concerts a year.
The orchestra gave its first concert in the Public Hall on 26 April 1906, with Ivor Atkins conducting more than 100 players. Elgar assisted in drawing up the programme, and conducted occasionally in performances of his own works. His daughter, Carice, played the violin in the orchestra for many years.
Today, Keith Slade is Worcestershire Symphony Orchestra’s dynamic young conductor. He studied clarinet at the Royal Northern College of Music and is a former BBC Young Musician of the Year Woodwind Finalist."
Here's a report from a recent issue of Classical Music:
UK orchestras: reaching millions, perhaps billions, of people worldwide Alex Stevens - 13 November 2014
The Association of British Orchestras has produced a video to promote the work of the UK’s orchestras across the arts and entertainment industries. It accompanies a new report, Making Everyday Life Special: Britain’s Orchestras and the Creative Industries (pdf link), which outlines UK orchestras’ diverse activities.
‘Britain’s orchestras have never been more widely enjoyed,’ says the report. ‘Through their work with the creative industries and beyond they reach huge audiences, across the UK and around the world ‒ making their leading talents available to all, and making everyday life special.’
Watch the ABO's video on YouTube
UK orchestras: reaching millions, perhaps billions, of people worldwide Alex Stevens - 13 November 2014
The Association of British Orchestras has produced a video to promote the work of the UK’s orchestras across the arts and entertainment industries. It accompanies a new report, Making Everyday Life Special: Britain’s Orchestras and the Creative Industries (pdf link), which outlines UK orchestras’ diverse activities.
‘Britain’s orchestras have never been more widely enjoyed,’ says the report. ‘Through their work with the creative industries and beyond they reach huge audiences, across the UK and around the world ‒ making their leading talents available to all, and making everyday life special.’
Watch the ABO's video on YouTube
