Introducing our 2019/2020 season
An exciting season ahead – and a homecoming
The new season for Todmorden Orchestra is underway, and rehearsals have begun for the first concert on 16th November. The concert ‘Music for a Century’ includes music that was written, or received its first performance, in the 20th Century. There is music by Malcolm Arnold – his overture Peterloo which was written to mark 150 years since the terrible massacre in St. Peter’s Fields, Manchester in 1819. There is also Stravinsky’s ‘Firebird Suite’, the final version of which was completed in 1919. This suite is from a ballet based on the Russian fairy tales of the Firebird and the blessing and curse it possesses for its owner.
Last, but by no means least, the orchestra will be playing Mahler’s Symphony no.4, which was first performed in 1901. This symphony contains a song ‘Das himmlische Leben (The Heavenly Life) and is based on a child’s view of heaven. Swedish soprano Thérèse Wincent makes a return visit to sing this beautiful song in the last movement.
We’ll welcome in the New Year with a concert of dance music on the 18 January, with some surprises alongside Viennese favourites. This is followed on 21 March with a cello concerto written by a cellist – Lalo, and the serene Symphony no.3 by Brahms.
There are old favourites all round in our summer concert on 27 June. Not only a popular Berlioz overture, and Beethoven’s iconic Fifth Symphony, but also Tchaikovsky’s much loved violin concerto, and a homecoming for Calderdale-born Martyn Jackson, who played in Todmorden Orchestra as a teen.
Martyn studied in London and Berlin and has been acclaimed by many, including the legendary violinist Ida Haendel, who described him as “one of the most exceptionally gifted violinists I have ever encountered.” Martyn’s recent concert schedule has included solo and chamber music performances at the Wigmore Hall, Bridgewater Hall and Berlin Konzerthaus, As a soloist, he has appeared with the Berlin Symphony Orchestra, Chamber Orchestra and Berliner Capella. He is also leader of the Allegri Quartet and we are thrilled to welcome him back to Todmorden to close our season.
Tickets are usually £12 full price, £10 concessions and £2 for under 16s and are available by calling 01706 817333 or online here.
Becoming a patron
If you’d like to come to several concerts, it’s well worth becoming a Patron of the orchestra for a minimum subscription of £60. You’ll receive two tickets for our November, March and June concerts in the Town Hall. Please email Jennifer Moorhouse for more details.
Highlights from last season’s reviews…
“The orchestra has successfully pushed the bounds of musical achievement in the region…we should beat a path to each concert when the season starts again in the autumn.”
“With a piece of music as well-known as Rodrigo’s Concierto de Aranjuez there is little room for error. Susani set the pace throughout, most conspicuously in the slow movement, where time was as of no consequence. Here was complete immersion and the audience held its breath.”
“The orchestra’s leader is Andrew Rostron and he came under the spotlight in one of the Strauss songs and more extensively in the Rachmaninov. In each instance his violin was burnished in tone and registered clearly.”
“The Hungarian Rhapsody No. 2 by Liszt in its orchestrated guise is probably one of the best loved pieces in the repertory for its drama, variety and tunefulness……….This is a thrilling piece to listen to and the orchestra gave a carefully rehearsed and accomplished performance.”