WELCOME TO ESO’S 75th ANNIVERSARY SEASON!
The UK boasts a rich and proud history of non-professional orchestras, choirs and bands. On most evenings community halls across the land are alive with the sound of enthusiastic musicians engaged in intensive rehearsals. The fruits of those labours are enjoyed by audiences of music lovers, friends and family in numbers that are staggering. But it’s in rehearsal where the magic happens, where skills are honed, ears sharpened and ensemble skills tightened. Essex Symphony Orchestra has been meeting like this for a fabulous 75 years and it is my pleasure as the current Music Director to offer heartfelt congratulations!
Despite reaching such a grand old age, Essex Symphony Orchestra still perform with the energy and vigour of an orchestra in the first flushes of youth, and I’m delighted to present this celebratory season of wonderful music. Perennial favourites sit alongside some lesser-known gems, with composers including Dvo?ák, Shostakovich, Weber, Borodin and Gipps. We welcome talented soloists of stellar quality, including Annemarie Federle, brass finalist in the BBC Young Musician of the Year competition and now Principal French Horn of the London Philharmonic Orchestra and the Aurora Orchestra, and local up and coming cellist Gabriel Francis-Dehqani . And if that’s not enough our anniversary season also proudly showcases our very own distinguished leader Philippa Barton in Rimsky-Korsakov’s epic tale, Scheherazade.
ESO continue to nurture the next generation with the ever-popular Young People’s Orchestral Workshop, at which ESO sit side-by-side with local young musicians for a multi-generational day of laughter that always lifts the spirits. This year our Family Concert in July features Hollywood blockbusters in a concert that will showcase the orchestra endless talents, and guarantees to entertain and delight all ages.
Do come and join us as we celebrate 75 years – and many more to come – as Chelmsford’s very own symphony orchestra!
Robert Hodge, ESO Music Director
Click on the concert heading below for full programme details.
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