Saturday 25th April at 7.30pm.
ACCLAIMED PIANIST SET TO JOIN CHESTER ORCHESTRA FOR CATHEDRAL CONCERT.
An acclaimed classical pianist is set to join Chester Philharmonic Orchestra for a dazzling performance of one of Rachmaninov’s best loved works.
The concert, part of the orchestra’s “Power of Three” series will be staged at Chester Cathedral on Saturday 25th April at 7.30pm.
The highlight of the concert, which also includes music by Aaron Copland and Antonín Dvořák, will be a performance of Sergei Rachmaninov’s ‘Rhapsody on a Theme of Paganini’ featuring pianist Simon Callaghan.
Written by Rachmaninov in 1934, ‘Rhapsody on a Theme of Paganini’ received its premiere in 1934, with Rachmaninov himself performing the piano parts, accompanied by the Philadelphia Orchestra under the direction of Leopold Stokowski.
The special Cathedral concert will open with Aaron Copland’s ‘Appalachian Spring’ which was written for an American ballet created by Copland and the choreographer Martha Graham. The ballet earned Copland the Pulitzer Prize for Music. In 1945, it was arranged as an orchestral suite featuring the famous ” I am the lord of the dance theme”. It is now one of Copland’s best loved works and has become a staple of orchestral repertoire.
Completing the trio of pieces which make up the ambitious and dynamic programme, Dvořák’s ‘Symphony No 3’. was composed in 1873 whilst Dvořák was a violist in the orchestra of the Provisional Theatre in Prague. Dvořák was heavily influenced by the works of German composer Richard Wagner, with his influence heard more in this symphony than in any other of Dvořák’s works.
The orchestra, under the baton of David Chatwin, will be joined for the concert by pianist Simon Callaghan. Simon has developed a wide following and appears on a regular basis in the major concert halls of the UK, Asia, North America and Europe. Renowned for his lyrical touch and commanding virtuosity, Simon has performed with leading orchestras and collaborated with artists including cellist Sheku Kanneh-Mason.
Full details of Chester Philharmonic Orchestra’s April concert at Chester Cathedral can be found at www.chesterphilorchestra.co.uk where tickets can be booked online. Tickets can also be purchased in person at the Chester Cathedral Box Office.
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Saturday 25th April at 7.00pm.
CHESTER CHOIR TO BE JOINED BY TOP NORTHUMBERLAND CONCERT BAND FOR SPECIAL TOWN HALL CONCERT.
One of Chester’s top choirs is set to stage a special concert at Chester Town Hall which will feature a performance by one of the North East’s leading concert bands.
Chester Male Voice Choir will be joined at Chester Town Hall by special guests Coquet Concert Band from Northumberland for the event which takes place on Saturday 25th April at 7.00pm.
Formed in 1941 as The Cestrian Male Voice Choir, Chester Male Voice Choir is an award winning and sought-after choir with a repertoire comprising an eclectic mix of musical genres. The Choir has toured extensively in the U.K. and has undertaken concert tours abroad to Germany, Holland, the United States of America, France and Malta. The Choir has sung in the presence of Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth II and members of the Royal Family, has made several recordings over the years and has appeared on Television and Radio on several occasions. The choir has raised many thousands of pounds for charities and has performed in many of the great concert halls throughout the country including the Royal Albert Hall, Manchester Free Trade Hall, Liverpool Philharmonic Hall and several of the great cathedrals of Europe as well as the cathedrals of Chester, Truro, Hereford, Liverpool, Manchester, Bangor, St. David’s, Carlisle and Coventry. The Choir will be joined for the concert by its musical director Joseph Mann and accompanist Helen Jackson.
Formed in 2019 and based in the village of Felton in Northumberland, the Coquet Concert Band brings together musicians from all walks of life, united by a shared love for the wind band repertoire and a passion for making music accessible, engaging and fun. The band is dedicated to bringing high-quality live music to the Coquet Valley and beyond. Its members range from seasoned performers to those returning to their instruments after a break, creating a rich tapestry of sound that is as inclusive as it is ambitious. Under its conductor, Andy Taylor, the band has expanded its horizons, exploring everything from original wind band compositions and swinging big-band hits to regional folk tunes and contemporary scores of stage and screen.
Richard Cain, the Chair of Chester Male Voice Choir said “We are delighted to be joined by Coquet Concert Band for this special concert at Chester Town Hall. It promises to be a wonderful evening of music and a rare opportunity to hear one of the North East’s leading wind bands here in the North West.
Andy Taylor, the Conductor of Coquet Concert Band said “Music is at its best when it’s shared. Whether we are rehearsing in a drafty hall or performing in a packed venue, the goal is always the same; to connect. We are very much looking forward to joining Chester Male Voice Choir for the concert; we can’t wait to perform in Chester for the very first time.”
Full details of the concert can be found at www.chestermalevoice.com where tickets can be booked online. Tickets can also be purchased in person from the Chester Visitor Information Centre adjacent to Chester Town Hall.
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Unless otherwise stated, this page is compiled by Paul Crofts