A richly expressive and lyrically radiant programme of English music that will soothe, stir and surprise, shifting in mood from pastoral calm to magically mysterious.
Edward Elgar Serende for Strings
Gerald Finzi Clarinet Concerto
Freya Waley Cohen Talisman
Benjamin Britten Variations on a Theme of Frank Bridge
Tess Jackson conductor
Julian Bliss clarinet
Edward Elgar Serenade for Strings
Written in his later years, Elgar’s Serenade for Strings is tender and luminous, and a testament to the composer’s gift for melody. It is the sound of a soft dusk settling over England, as evening light fades through the trees. The music is full of warmth and grace, suffused with a gentle nostalgia that lingers long after the final note.
Gerald Finzi Clarinet Concerto
Finzi’s Clarinet Concerto emerged in the post‑World War II blossoming of his music. At times ardent and dramatic at others plaintive and playful, the clarinet sings with a clear, unguarded voice while the orchestra responds with pastoral warmth and shimmering radiance. Evoking the English countryside in sound, this music finds a perfect soloist in Julian Bliss whose exceptional technical finesse and thoughtful interpretation will illuminate every phrase
Freya Waley-Cohen Talisman
Talisman conjures the magic and meaning we imbue in everyday objects — the stories they carry and the rituals they shape. Textures shimmer and harmonies glow, while rhythms pulse with a subtle energy, creating a spell of sound that is both mysterious and enchanting.
Benjamin Britten Variations on a Theme of Frank Bridge
Britten’s Variations on a Theme of Frank Bridge is an affectionate musical portrait of a much-admired teacher; full of wit and creative ingenuity. The theme arrives serenely, then is re-imagined, at first robust then introspective, quirky and exultant until the variations coalesce into an energetic and jovial finale.
From the hushed streets and quiet corners to the glitz, glamour and neon-lit skylines, this evocative programme captures the pulse of the city after dark. We're joined by the phenomenal young pianist and BBC Young Musician of the Year winner Ryan Wang for a nocturnal wander through the urban jungle, featuring George Gershwin’s Rhapsody in Blue and Steve Reich’s City Life.
Step into a magical world of music and story-telling at our family concert adventure, where instruments come to life and imaginations can run wild.
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