Sibelius’s Karelia Suite comprises movements extracted from a theatrical event of 1893, in which a set of eight tableaux told the story of Finland’s past, from its mythic origins in the age of runic song to the union of Karelia with Finland in 1811. One of his most loved compositions, the Suite contains two catchy, tuneful marches on either side of a graceful ‘Ballade’ in minuet time.
A talented pianist and composer from an early age, Dorothy Howell was hailed as the ‘English Strauss’ after her symphonic poem ‘Lamia’ was performed at the Proms in 1919, conducted by Henry Wood. Wood also conducted performances of her piano concerto, with Howell herself as soloist, in 1923 and 1927. The concerto comprises a single movement, with three sections, in a late romantic style influenced by Tchaikovsky and Grieg.
It has been suggested that William Walton composed his Symphony no.1 as an emotional reaction to the ending of a torrid love affair; so much so that Tom Service of The Guardian described it thus: ‘This symphony is a volcanic eruption of dark, sensual passion which speaks with unmediated power from the very first bar. The first movement is one of the most unrelentingly intense experiences and most remarkable structures in twentieth century music….’ You have been warned.
more about City of Cambridge Symphony Orchestra
The City of Cambridge Symphony Orchestra started life in 1973 as the Harston String Orchestra. Later, as a result of a change in venue, it became the Barton String Orchestra. In 2000 Leon Lovett took over as conductor and shortly afterwards, the orchestra changed its name to the Cambridge String Players. Under his baton, the orchestra has appeared regularly in West Road Concert Hall and in other venues around Cambridge. In addition to playing works for strings, the orchestra increasingly invited wind players to join it to perform works from the symphonic repertoire. Recognising this change of emphasis, the musicians decided that the orchestra needed a new name and in September 2008, it became the City of Cambridge Symphony Orchestra. In February 2012 Robert Hodge became CCSO’s new conductor.