A very warm welcome to Cambridge Philharmonic’s 2022-23 season, which I’m thrilled to introduce as the society’s new Music Director.
The season begins with a ‘Come and Sing’ performance of Haydn’s iconic Nelson Mass. No prior preparation required – just dust off your vocal chords and enjoy Haydn’s rip-roaringly dramatic music.
Our West Road concerts kick off with the international sensation Anthony Marwood joining the orchestra for Elgar’s Violin Concerto. The concert also features Mussorsky’s Pictures at an Exhibition alongside exciting young British composer Dani Howard’s Coalescence. Both works display glittering soundscapes and orchestral fireworks – not to be missed!
At Christmas, the chorus and orchestra come together for Tippett’s monumental wartime oratorio A Child of Our Time, written in response to the shocking violence of Kristallnacht. We preface it with works by Stravinsky and Florence Price which echo and reflect on Tippett’s bold and impassioned musical themes.
Our January family concert – Lucy’s Legendary Dancing Day Out! – is a toe-tapping occasion led by our principal guest conductor Lucy Hollins and featuring the virtuosic dance duo of Lorena Randi and Alice O’Brien. From tango to tarantella, mambo to military march, it promises to be a great introduction to classical music for kids of all ages.
In the spring, we explore French and English music from Britten, Boulanger, Ravel and Poulenc, as well as a new commission for the orchestra by Lucy Armstrong. We will be joined by acclaimed soloists Nicholas Mulroy and Jenny Stafford and led by the fabulous Tom Primrose who comes fresh from his second season at the Paris Opera.
Sounds of Shakespeare is the theme of our May concert with timeless musical adaptations of Hamlet and Romeo and Juliet by Tchaikovsky, Shostakovich and Bernstein accompanied by excerpts from the Bard’s most beloved plays. Words and music intertwine in an evening of fiery Shakespearean drama.
Lastly we present our annual opera – this year, the iconic double bill of Cavalleria Rusticana and Pagliacci in Saffron Hall. Featuring some of the country’s leading soloists this will be a gripping evening of love and betrayal with some of the most luscious music in the opera repertoire.
Thank you for your support of Cambridge Philharmonic – we can’t wait to welcome you to our 2022-23 season.
Harry Sever – Music Director