Cambridge Philharmonic kicks off their West Road season in November with a triptych of works exploring dance, poetry and jazz. Wynton Marsalis’ jazz concert opener – Herald, Holler and Hallelujah! – is paired with Stravinsky’s riotous The Rite of Spring, before orchestra and chorus are reunited for Rachmaninov’s epic choral symphony The Bells.
Next is a festive favourite, Tchaikovsky’s Nutcracker, in an abridged family-friendly concert version with narrator from Actor, Anna Tolputt. What better way to get into the Christmas spirit than this timeless story and an hour of some of the best-loved tunes in the ballet repertoire?
Heralding in 2025 with an Ode to Joy – the rousing hymn that concludes Beethoven’s colossal and ground-breaking 9th Symphony – alongside a Mozart masterpiece; the witty, elegant and operatic Piano Concerto in A major.
In March, chorus and orchestra return to Saffron Hall to present one of the great works in the choral repertoire, Elgar’s The Dream of Gerontius, together with the University of East Anglia chorus, directed by our wonderful chorus master Tom Primrose – whose Elijah last year was a triumph.
Next up is Lucy’s Race to Space, a highly popular family concert (for young and older audiences!) Families, buckle up for a rip-roaring planetary adventure with their principal guest conductor Lucy Hollins. A great introduction to orchestral music for young ones!
In May, Cambridge Philharmonic are thrilled to present the world premiere of a new concerto for kamancheh and orchestra by Iranian composer and virtuoso Rouzbeh Parsa. The concert explores the theme of refuge and sanctuary; alongside Rouzbeh’s concerto they present Bartok’s Concerto for Orchestra and Jonathan Dove’s Odyssey, a powerful new music-drama which tells the story of a refugee on a perilous journey to seek safety in another country.
Finally, the Phil returns to Saffron Hall, in collaboration with the wonderful British Youth Opera, for Britten’s staggering war-time opera Peter Grimes, a tale of isolation, accusation, love and loss.
With tickets priced from £12-15 for many of the concerts, we are keen to encourage new audience members, and those who have never experienced the power of a live classical experience. ‘The Phil’ offers some student concessions and free carers tickets at their fully accessible venues.
Keep a look out for printed programmes available in most Cambridge libraries and West Road Concert Hall.