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
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
Recruiting A refugee Choir!
Have you found refuge in the Cambridge area?Do you enjoy singing? Would you like to sing in a concert in Cambridge with a large choir and orchestra, the Cambridge Philharmonic?
Here is your chance!
You don’t need a professional voice, just enthusiasm for singing with other people.
We invite adults (over 18) who are refugees (new to the UK or settled) from other countries to sing in our concert. The music is called Odyssey and it is a piece by a British composer, Jonathan Dove. You will be part of the Community Chorus and sing in the concert with our regular chorus and orchestra. We are also premiering a new Concerto for Kamancheh and Orchestra by Iranian composer and virtuoso Rouzbeh Parsa.
The concert is on May 24th at 7.30pm in West Road concert hall, West Road, Cambridge.
The first two rehearsals on April 23rd and April 30th will be held at Clare College (central Cambridge) from 7.30-9pm. Venue and details of later rehearsals will be confirmed to those who come to the first two rehearsals.
Final rehearsals in the week of the concert will be on Tuesday 20th May and Saturday 24th May (details to follow).
We will provide the music, someone to teach you, and experienced singers to help you learn.
Please contact Anne info@cam-phil.org.uk to sign up or find out more or just turn up at the first rehearsal on 23rd April, watch this space for venue and times!
Help is available for travel costs to get to rehearsals if you need it.
This project was generously supported by Cambridge City Council
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