Sunday 8th December 2024 – Queens College, Taunton 7.30pm
Cavey – An Affectionate Nod to Frederick
Delius – Summer Night on the River
Gershwin – Rhapsody in Blue (soloist Shao-Shen)
Schumann – Symphony no 4
Our concert on 8th December is a must for lovers of good music. We are proud to present the first performance of An Affectionate Nod to Frederick by local composer Nigel Cavey. This is a warm tribute to Frederick Delius on the 90th anniversary of his death. We therefore have an opportunity to include Summer Night on the River – an atmospheric tone poem by Delius creating the tranquillity and warmth of a misty summer evening by a river.
Queen’s College student Shao-Shen will be the soloist in a performance of George Gershwin’s single movement mini-concerto Rhapsody in Blue, that introduced jazz to classical music audiences and Gershwin himself suggested represents a musical kaleidoscope of America.
The concert comes to an exciting conclusion with Symphony No 4 in D minor by Robert Schumann which provides a fascinating example of youthful inspiration tempered by mature experience. It was first performed in 1841, but it was too unusual and inventive for its audience – and some of the musicians – so Schumann set it aside until he revisited and revised it in 1853 to great acclaim.
Saturday November 16th 2024 – St James Church, Taunton 7.30pm
Bax – Tintagel
Walton – Violin concerto (soloist Cristina Dimitrova)
Elgar – Symphony no 1
Tintagel by Arnold Bax is, as one might expect, inspired by a visit Bax made to Tintagel Castle in 1917 with the pianist Harriet Cohen with whom he was having a passionate love affair. This perfect tone poem is a little treasure beautifully encapsulating the natural grandeur of the atmospheric ruin, but also the medieval splendour of the Arthurian legend.
In Walton’s Violin Concerto we are treated to one of his greatest and most memorable melodies. His outstanding technical dexterity throughout the work, its gorgeously lyrical interludes and virtuoso violin solos, with the occasional flash of unpredictability mean we will be enthralled throughout.
Sir Edward Elgar is often regarded as a typically English composer, but his musical influences are much broader, and his compositions are appreciated all over the world.
His Symphony No 1 was described by the conductor Hans Richter in 1908 as “the greatest symphony of modern times.” Some hear the influence of Brahms; others perceive the exuberance and flamboyance of Richard Strauss. This is your opportunity to decide for yourself. Sit back and let the Somerset County Orchestra delight you with this wonderful programme.