A series of major orchestral concerts featuring internationally recognised soloists has been announced for the 47th Newbury Spring Festival, which runs from 9–23 May, presenting a varied and exciting programme. The concerts form part of a wider programme of more than 45 events across 19 venues in Newbury and the surrounding villages, spanning chamber music, jazz, world music and community performances. At its heart this year, five large-scale concerts at St Nicolas Church will form a central hub for orchestral and choral music and showcase an exceptional line up of established young stars.
The Festival opens on Saturday 9 May with the London Mozart Players, conducted by Jonathan Bloxham and featuring horn player Ben Goldscheider. Ben Goldscheider is recognised as one of the leading musicians of his generation. He makes a welcome return to the Festival with the London Mozart Players. He will be performing the ever-popular Mozart Horn Concerto No. 4, but he will also play a new work Sirens by GRAMMY-nominated composer Anna Clyne. Dedicated to tonight’s horn soloist Ben Goldscheider, the music draws on the myth of the sirens who lured sailors to their doom with their irresistible voices. Working closely together, Anna and Ben pushed the boundaries of the horn to conjure the sirens’ hypnotic sound world; ethereal, beguiling and completely entrancing. The programme also includes works by Elgar and Mendelssohn.
On Sunday 10 May, the Berkshire Youth Symphony Orchestra makes its Festival debut, joined by cellist Jonathan Swensen in a programme including Elgar’s Cello Concerto and a new commission by Amit Manna.
The Philharmonia Orchestra returns on Saturday 16 May, with pianist and BBC New Generation Artist Alim Beisembayev as soloist and Adam Hickox conducting, as part of the orchestra’s 80th anniversary celebrations.
A performance of Brahms’ German Requiem will take place on Thursday 21 May, performed by the Newbury Spring Festival Chorus, conducted by Tom Primrose, with soloists Hilary Cronin and BBC New Generation Artist, James Atkinson.
The orchestral programme concludes on Saturday 23 May with the Bournemouth Symphony Orchestra, conducted by Tom Fetherstonhaugh. The concert includes Britten’s Four Sea Interludes, Tchaikovsky’s Symphony No. 6 Pathétique, and Richard Strauss’s Four Last Songs, sung by soprano Elizabeth Watts a previous BBC New Generation Artist.
Festival organisers said the programme highlights both established international artists and rising performers, alongside a broader offer of events across the area.
Mark Eynon, Festival Director, said:
“Our programme this year brings together outstanding orchestras and an exceptional line up of young conductors and star soloists. Spanning repertoire from Mozart’s Horn Concerto No. 4 and Elgar’s Cello Concerto to Beethoven’s Piano Concerto No. 4 and Tchaikovsky’s Pathétique Symphony, this year’s Festival offers audiences a rare opportunity to experience some of classical music’s most beloved works, performed by world-leading artists.”
See the What’s On page for full details of all this year’s concerts.