February Concert

Gipps - Knight in Armour Fauré - Dolly Suite Britten - Soirées Musicales Dvoák - Symphony No.7

Tonight's concert is a journey through some orchestral gems. Ruth Gipps is a wonderful English composer and a contemporary of Vaughan Williams, Bax, Walton, Bliss et al. Her music is unashamedly Romantic, playful and full of character. Knight in Armour was composed in 1940 when the composer was just 19 years old, and was premièred at the Proms by Sir Henry Wood. Gabriel Fauré's Dolly Suite is a favourite among musicians and audiences, and leads us perfectly on to Benjamin Britten's Soirées Musicales. This suite is based on music for the 1937 film The Tocher - five brisk, bright movements for orchestra. We close with one of our Musical Director's all-time favourite works, Antonin Dvoák's Symphony No.7 in D minor. Composed between 1884-1885 and premièred in 1885, the symphony has been regarded as one of Dvoák's best symphonic compositions. Full of wonderful melodies and stunning symphonic growth, this is the perfect work to warm us all during the final winter months.

Sponsored by Lady Ayckbourn