Anna Clyne is one of today’s foremost contemporary composers; in 2013, her concert overture ‘Masquerade’ opened the last night of the Proms. Inspired by 18th century concerts in London pleasure gardens, involving dancers, acrobats, street entertainers and masquerades, the piece evokes a sense of fun and celebration.
We are excited to welcome young trumpeter Reuben Anelay to perform Malcolm Arnold’s Trumpet Concerto. Arnold began his professional life as principal trumpet in the Philharmonia orchestra, so it is no surprise that this compact concerto shows off the instrument brilliantly, from fanfares to wistful melodies to virtuoso fireworks, all in the space of 12 minutes.
On 22 June 1941, Germany invaded Russia. Shostakovich was turned down for military service because of his poor eyesight, which meant he could begin work on his 7th Symphony. Working frantically, even throughout the siege of Leningrad, he completed it in under six months. Smuggled out of Russia on microfilm, the symphony became a propaganda piece for the Allies; its extraordinary emotional power and the circumstances of its composition make it one of the most significant works of the 20th century.
more about City of Cambridge Symphony Orchestra
The City of Cambridge Symphony Orchestra started life in 1973 as the Harston String Orchestra. Later, as a result of a change in venue, it became the Barton String Orchestra. In 2000 Leon Lovett took over as conductor and shortly afterwards, the orchestra changed its name to the Cambridge String Players. Under his baton, the orchestra has appeared regularly in West Road Concert Hall and in other venues around Cambridge. In addition to playing works for strings, the orchestra increasingly invited wind players to join it to perform works from the symphonic repertoire. Recognising this change of emphasis, the musicians decided that the orchestra needed a new name and in September 2008, it became the City of Cambridge Symphony Orchestra. In February 2012 Robert Hodge became CCSO’s new conductor.