Refuge

West Road Concert Hall, Cambridge

Saturday 24 May, 7.30pm

Rouzbeh Parsa Concerto for Kamancheh and Orchestra 

Béla Bartók Concerto for Orchestra

Jonathan Dove Odyssey

Performed by:

Cambridge Philharmonic Orchestra

Cambridge Philharmonic Chorus

Harry Sever Conductor

Lucy Hollins Conductor

Rouzbeh Parsa Kamancheh

Francesca Chiejina Soprano

John Gyeantey Tenor

 

Photo: Bill Hiskett

A trio of works exploring the theme of sanctuary in this special concert to celebrate Cambridge’s refugee community, featuring the world premiere of a new Concerto for Kamancheh and Orchestra by Iranian composer and virtuoso Rouzbeh Parsa. This new work has been commissioned thanks to the generosity of local sponsors, with orchestral arrangement supported by Harry Sever our Music Director.

Rouzbeh writes:

‘The Kamancheh is one of the oldest traditional instruments in Iranian music, and I’ve always wanted to write a concerto for Kamancheh and orchestra. I’m excited about blending Iranian music with other traditions. I listen to composers like Mendelssohn, Sibelius, Arvo Pärt – I feel such a connection to them and their folk roots. I loved working with the Cambridge Philharmonic last year. It opened a new imagination in my mind, it was very inspiring for me. I felt so welcomed, and everyone was so supportive. I can’t wait to work with them again on this project.’

Jonathan Dove’s powerful cantata Odyssey celebrates the extraordinary bravery and resilience of refugees fleeing from persecution and suffering. While the Concerto for Orchestra by Béla Bartók , himself a refugee, is a joyful, energetic and always brilliant work.

This concert will be supporting the work of Cambridge Refugee Resettlement Campaign by raising funds to support their work in our local community. 

 

tickets

Tickets: £15, £20, £25, £30. Student concessions available. NOTE that balcony tickets will not be on sale for this concert. 

Please note that tickets are purchased on a non-refundable basis.

Access: The building is fully accessible to wheelchair users, with wheelchair / companion seating ramps and accessible toilet facilities.

Click HERE to find out more.

If you require a free carer’s ticket or have additional access requirements, please get in touch tickets@cam-phil.org.uk

Raising funds for the Cambridge Refugee Resettlement Campaign

This concert is proudly raising funds for the Cambridge Refugee Resettlement Campaign. 

Cambridge has always been ready and willing to welcome refugees in times of crisis, and there have rarely been more people fleeing persecution and war.

Offering sanctuary is a proud Cambridge tradition. We’re good at it, we always have been.

The Cambridge Refugee Resettlement Campaign (CRRC) is a group of volunteers, initially set up by Citizens UK, that works with other organisations in Cambridge to welcome refugees and those seeking asylum. They aim to build positive public opinion about refugees, and to enable the people of Cambridgeshire to volunteer to help those newly arrived in the area.

CRRC works  with local authorities, landlords, refugees, asylum-seekers, and other local groups and service providers to support their beneficiaries.

You can find out more about the charity and its work HERE

You can also make a direct donation HERE.

Alternatively there’s an option to make a donation to the charity when you purchase your concert ticket or at our bucket collection after the performance. 

Thank you for your support. 

Rouzbeh Parsa is a Kamancheh player who graduated from Tehran University of Art and Architecture.

He has attended numerous festivals and has won awards for his exceptional skills as a Kamancheh player. He is also known for writing two critically acclaimed books on Kamancheh history and traditions.

This will be a highly unique performance, from a virtuoso of this exquisite instrument, so revered that it has a poetic name: ‘Zendegi’, the Persian word for ‘life’.

TRAVEL & PARKING

West Road Concert Hall is  situated on the University’s Sidgwick Site, only a few minutes’ walk west of the famous Cambridge Backs and King’s College, West Road Concert Hall is easily accessible on foot, by bike, on public transport, or by car.

For further information click HERE 

The address is 11 West Road, Cambridge, CB3 9DP