The Hallé’s 2014-2015 season begins on Thursday 11 September, with a concert featuring the Kinshasa Symphony and Choir, who will be visiting the UK for the very first time and performing a concert alongside the Hallé at The Bridgewater Hall.
This remarkable orchestra from the Democratic Republic of Congo will be bringing their inspirational story to Manchester, and to the UK, for the first time thanks to an ambitious partnership between the Hallé, London’s Southbank Centre, Bristol Music Trust, Royal Welsh College of Music and Drama, Cardiff, the BBC, Arts Council England and the National Youth Orchestra of Great Britain.
The concert will include performances of the Finale from Beethoven’s Ninth Symphony ‘Ode to Joy’ along with movements from Berlioz’s Symphonie fantastique conducted by the Hallé’s Assistant Conductor, Jamie Phillips, and traditional Congolese music conducted by Armand Diangienda, founder of the Kinshasa Symphony.
These extraordinary musicians regularly walk for several hours, across one of the world’s most conflict-ridden areas, to attend rehearsals. As part of their visit they will be offered instrument repair workshops, and kits to take home to help maintain their instruments.
John Summers, the Hallé’s Chief Executive, said: “The inspirational story of the Kinshasa Symphony Orchestra demonstrates the amazing power of music to bring people together across continents and social divides. We are delighted that Arts Council support will enable us to welcome the Orchestra and Choir to Manchester, and allow us the unique opportunity to make music and share experiences with them, the Hallé’s players and our youth ensembles. This will be an unforgettable experience for us all.”
The Hallé’s 2014-15 Manchester season continues, showcasing some of the repertoire’s greatest masterpieces.
The Hallé will perform all six of Shostakovich’s magnificent concertos throughout the season. These great Russian masterpieces will be played by some of the world’s most admired soloists including violinists Viktoria Mullova and Henning Kraggerud, cellists Jian Wang and Alisa Weilerstein and pianist Benjamin Grosvenor who promises a real tour de force by playing both Piano Concertos in one exceptional concert.
Sir Mark Elder will conduct Mahler’s Fifth Symphony, Britten’s Young Person’s Guide, Holst’s The Planets and a rare complete performance of Ravel’s Daphnis and Chloé.
Guest artists include Nikolaj Znaider both as conductor and soloist, Cristian Macelaru conducting Bartók’s Concerto for Orchestra and Andrew Gourlay conducting the complete score to Tchaikovsky’s The Nutcracker.
The Hallé Choir also features throughout the season, including performances of Haydn’s Nelson Mass and Beethoven’s Missa Solemnis.
The Hallé Pops offer a wonderful variety of music, from some of the most popular works in the repertoire to a tribute to Ella Fitzgerald, a special event on St Valentine’s Day, an evening of movie classics and a celebration of Singin’ in the Rain.
There will be a great selection box of concerts for Christmas including a festive sing-a-long, a Christmas Disco, James Bond and two special screenings of the classic Snowman film complete with narrator, singer and the whole score performed live on stage.
