Coming up in 2026-27
14 November 2026: A Concert of Scottish Music
Maxwell Davies - An Orkney Wedding, with Sunrise
Bruch - Scottish Fantasy (Soloist: Charlie Lovell-Jones, a Classic FM Rising Star)
Mendelssohn - Symphony No. 3 ("Scottish")
Conductor: David Smith
The English composer Peter Maxwell Davies spent his latter years in Orkney and drew inspiration from the area. Much of his work is challenging to listen to, but his Orkney Wedding is an entertaining piece featuring the bagpipes and a somewhat riotous wedding celebration.
Max Bruch’s piece was written in 1880 following his study of Scottish folk music, but before his visit to Scotland a year later. It is written for solo violin and orchestra and almost qualifies as a concerto. Our soloist, Charlie Lovell-Jones, was voted one of Classic FM’s top 30 Rising Stars 2026.
In 1829 Felix Mendelssohn visited Holyrood Chapel in Edinburgh and was inspired by its atmosphere to write a symphony. Colourful and full of contrasts, it evokes many aspects of Scotland, including its rugged landscapes. On the same trip he visited the Western Isles and later wrote his Hebrides Overture.
6 February 2027: Music of the Fatherlands
Glinka - Ruslan and Ludmila Overture
Dvořák - Cello Concerto (Soloist: Riccardo Pes)
Sibelius - Symphony No. 2
Conductor: Claudio di Meo
The middle of the nineteenth century saw many composers, especially those in Eastern Europe, standing aside from the German tradition of basing their music on local, regional influences. Mikhail Glinka is often thought of as the father of modern Russian music; his opera Ruslan and Ludmila (1842) drew on Russian folk music.
Antonín Dvořák developed the Bohemian flavours which had been pioneered by Smetana. His cello concerto (1895), much praised by Brahms, contains many wonderful moments. Both composers wrote vivid and colourful music.
Jean Sibelius is regarded as Finland's finest composer. His originality emerged despite his study in Germany and Austria. His music is atmospheric, evoking the great vistas of northern Europe. He adored nature and found much inspiration in Finnish folklore. His work focused on orchestral music and the originality of his symphonies with their "inner logic" influenced many later composers.
8 May 2027: A Concert of English Music
Crawley - Elegy I - for Philip
Vaughan Williams - Tuba Concerto
Holst - The Planets
Conductor: Claudio di Meo
Chris Crawley's Elegy I - for Philip receives its world premiere - a piece written in 2019 commemorating the first president of the HSO, Philip Worth.
Vaughan Williams's Tuba Concerto (1954), the first tuba concerto to be written, is still one of only a few solo pieces for the instrument. It was first viewed by critics at the time as an eccentric idea from a mostly traditional composer, but it has since become one of Vaughan Williams's more popular works.
Gustav Holst's mighty suite The Planets is an iconic piece that needs little introduction, with its massive orchestra and instantly recognisable, contrasting movements like the brutal Mars, the Bringer of War, and the joyful Jupiter, the Bringer of Jollity.
10 July 2027: Meet the Orchestra
Copland - Fanfare for the Common Man
Strauss - Serenade in E flat
Elgar - Introduction and Allegro
Carwithen - 'ODTAA' Overture
Britten - The Young Person's Guide to the Orchestra
Conductor: David Smith
The different instruments of the orchestra are on full display in this concert.
Aaron Copland's Fanfare features not only the brass, but also some very loud percussion. The delightful Serenade by Richard Strauss features woodwinds (though sometimes a double bass is included) and horns, harking back to the days of Mozart, but with a Romantic twist.
Edward Elgar's attractive Introduction and Allegro was written in 1905 for string quartet and string orchestra to showcase the virtuosity of the newly-formed London Symphony Orchestra. It is now part of the standard repertoire for string orchestras.
Doreen Carwithen's Overture (its title means "One Damned Thing After Another") was inspired by John Masefield's novel. Together with Benjamin Britten's Young Person's Guide they both brilliantly showcase the whole orchestra. Britten's piece uses a theme by Purcell, which is played by different sections of the orchestra, and then brings the whole orchestra together in an ingenious, joyous fugue.
Tickets
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Adults £15 (online and in advance)
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Adults £17 (at the door)
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Under 18s and music students (with one accompanying adult) FREE
Season Tickets
£50 per year:
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Includes all four concerts
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Invitations to members-only events
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Special thanks on our programme
Tickets and season tickets can be booked here:
