Marriage of folk and fantasy at recital

HENLEY Symphony Orchestra has a theme of folk and fantasy for its spring concert next month.

Taking place at the Hexagon in Reading, the programme comprises Tchaikovsky’s Fantasy Overture “Romeo and Juliet”, Grieg’s Piano Concerto in A minor and Rimsky-Korsakov’s Scheherazade.

Conducted by recently appointed music director, Alexander Walker, the orchestra will be joined by pianist Leon McCawley, the soloist for the Grieg piece.

Also known for Swan Lake and The Nutcracker, Pyotr Ilyich Tchaikovsky (1840-1893) adapted Shakespeare’s play Romeo and Juliet, the tragic tale of two young lovers, using sonata form to mirror its dramatic structure.

Edvard Grieg (1843-1907) composed his Piano Concerto in 1868. From its famous, bold opening notes, through to the peasant dance finale, the music contains Norwegian folk melodies and rhythms. He was praised and encouraged in his work by fellow composer and contemporary, Franz Liszt.

Nicolay Rimsky-Korsakov (1844-1908) wrote Scheherazade when he was inspired by a collection of tales from India and the Middle East, The Thousand and One Nights. The wife of a sultan, having seen that he plans to kill her, puts off the disaster.

Over many nights, Sultana Scherezade regales her husband with varied and ever more colourful stories, such as those of Sinbad the Sailor and Ali Baba. The piece features a strong, powerful solo violin element, which will be played by David Burton, professional leader of the orchestra for the last 28 years.

Conductor and music director Alexander Walker has worked in Russia and Eastern Europe and conducted orchestras including the BBC Philharmonic and Royal Philharmonic. In 2017, he won the Elgar Society Medal for championing his music around the world.

Globally acclaimed pianist Leon McCawley won first prize in the International Beethoven Piano Competition in Vienna in 1993, also winning second prize in that year’s Leeds International Piano Competition.

Last year, he released an album, Natural Connection, containing music pieces inspired by the natural world, such as Saint-Saëns’ The Swan and Grieg’s Little Bird.

The concert takes place on Sunday, March 16, at 7pm at the Hexagon in Queens Walk, Reading. Tickets cost £16, £22 or £25 (students/under-16s half price).

For more information, call 07726 459261, email hsoboxoffice@gmail.com or visit henleysymphony
orchestra.co.uk or call 0118 960 6060 or visit whatsonreading.com/venues/
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