There’s a freshness about the BBC Philharmonic’s new Bridgewater Hall season, as the orchestra offers two world premieres and performances by some of the brightest young conductors and musicians from across the globe.
The orchestra is also delighted to welcome Chief Conductor Juanjo Mena back to the helm for his seventh season, and wishes Sir Mark Elder a very happy 70th birthday in true Manchester style, with a huge orchestral showpiece which will close the season in 2017.
Amongst the highlights, The BBC Philharmonic will give the much anticipated world premiere of Mark Simpson’s Cello Concerto, in his first BBC commission as new Composer in Association (26 May).
Chief Conductor Juanjo Mena opens his seventh season at the helm with Haydn’s The Creation, joined by soloists Lucy Hall, Ben Hulett and Dietrich Henschel (24 Sep).
The orchestra marks the 70th birthday of the Hallé’s Music Director, Sir Mark Elder, by joining forces with illustrious neighbours to present Schoenberg’s retelling of the epic Danish legend Gurrelieder, scored for colossal orchestra and choir (4 June).
Works by two female composers (Kaija Saariaho’s Notes on Light and Sofia Gubaidulina’s Violin Concerto) feature centrally in the season, alongside fascinating works by Schoenberg, Gade and Harbison.
They also welcome artists for their Bridgewater Hall debuts, including conductors Rafael Payare and James Feddeck alongside violinists Michael Barenboim, Vadiim Gluzman and cellist Jakob Kullberg as well as welcoming back some favourite musical partners. Vassily Sinaisky, John Storgårds, Nick Collon, Nicholas Kraemer, Sir Andrew Davis, Jean Efflam-Bavouzet, Jennifer Pike, Håkan Hardenburger, Benjamin Grosvenor, Ben Gernon, James Ehnes, Leonard Elschenbroich will all be sharing the orchestra’s stage during the season.
The orchestra also gives the world premiere of Colin Matthews’ reshaping of one of the pieces from Ravel’s Piano cycle Miroirs.
All of the BBC Philharmonic’s concerts will be recorded for BBC Radio 3, and many of them are broadcast live from Manchester’s award-winning venue The Bridgewater Hall.
Tickets cost from £12 to £38 and can be purchased online at bridgewater-hall.co.uk or by calling the Box Office on 0161 907 9000. The BBC Philharmonic is supported by Salford City Council.
