This Autumn the BBC Philharmonic returns to the Bridgewater Hall for an outstanding season of music. The programme features six concerts, including popular classics, an atmospheric evening of Scandinavian music, two UK premieres of BBC commissions and Six Songsby Alma Mahler-Werfel, recently performed to a packed Royal Albert Hall at this year’s BBC Proms.
Saturday 30 September, 7.30 pm
Janáček Sinfonietta
Alma Mahler arr. Colin and David Matthews, Six Songs
Tchaikovsky Symphony No. 6 in B minor ‘Pathétique’,
John Storgårds (conductor), Dame Sarah Connolly (mezzo soprano)
BBC Philharmonic’s Chief Conductor is joined by Dame Sarah Connolly for the opening concert of the season featuring a performance of Alma Mahler’s orchestrated songs which was performed by the orchestra at the BBC Proms in July.
Saturday 7 October, 7.30 pm
Elgar Overture ‘Cockaigne (in London Town)’
Brahms Piano Concerto No. 2 in B flat major
Beethoven Symphony No. 5 in C minor
Mark Wigglesworth (Conductor), Sunwook Kim (piano)
A trio of popular classics featuring Brahms Second Piano Concerto performed by Sunwook Kim, who achieved international recognition when he won the prestigious Leeds International Piano Competition in 2006, aged just 18.
Saturday 14 October 7.30 pm
Haydn ‘L’isola disabitata” – overture
Mozart Piano Concerto No. 18 in B flat major, K456
Anna Thorvalsdottir ARCHORA
Debussy La mer
Eva Ollikainen (conductor), Richard Goode (piano)
The evening includes Icelandic composer Anna Thorvaldsdottir’s ARCHORA which received its world premiere with the BBC Philharmonic at the 2022 BBC Proms and Richard Goode treats the audience to one of Mozart’s most imaginative concertos.
Saturday 28 October 7.30 pm
Sibelius Pohjola’s Daughter
Sofia Gubaidulina ‘In Tempus Praesens’ for violin and orchestra
Einojuhani Rautavaara Symphony No,7, ‘Angel of Light’
John Storgårds (conductor), Tobias Feldmann (violin)
As the winter nights approach, John Storgårds delivers a programme of spirits and mystic realms from until dusk, celebrating Scandinavian culture and history. The concert includes an appearance by guest violinist Tobias Feldmann, performing Sofia Gubaidulina’s ‘In Tempus Praesens’ for violin and orchestra.
Saturday 4 November 7.30 pm
Wagner The Flying Dutchman – overture
Strauss Orchestral Songs (selection)
Mozart Symphony No.35 in D major, K385 ‘Haffner’
Strauss Die Frau ohne Schatten – Symphonic Fantasy
Kerem Hasan (conductor), Francesca Chiejina (soprano)
A rich Romantic programme with music by Wagner, Mozart and orchestral songs by Strauss performed by soprano Francesca Chiejina, who recently graduated from the Jette Parker Young Artists Programme at the Royal Opera House, Covent Garden.
Saturday 25 November 7.30 pm
Copland Fanfare for the Common Man
James Lee III Shades of Unbroken Dreams (BBC commission: UK Premiere)
Sebastian Fagerlund Helena’s Song (BBC commission: UK Premiere)
Nielsen Symphony No. 4 ‘The Inextinguishable’
John Storgårds (conductor/violin), Alexandra Dariescu (piano)
Music by Copland and Nielsen, plus two UK premieres of two BBC commissions. Shades of Unbroken Dreams by James Lee III with pianist Alexandra Dariescu marks the 60th anniversary of Martin Luther King’s ‘I Have a Dream’ speech, while the orchestra’s Chief Conductor play-directs Sebastian Fagerlund’s Helena’s Song, from his Autumn Sonata from the podium.
Saturday 2 December 7.30 pm
Tippett The Rose Lake
Humperdinck Hansel and Gretel selection
Beethoven Symphony No.8 in F major
Sir Andrew Davis (conductor)
Earnest meets eccentric in a celebration of three classics, culminating with Beethoven’s light hearted, whimsical romp, often referred to by the composers as ‘my little Symphony in F’.
