The ‘Symphonies’ in Stravinsky’s work of 1920 refer to instrument groups playing together in various combinations, rather than anything symphonic in structure. Scored for the wind and brass sections of a symphony orchestra, the work comprises a series of boldly contrasting sections, each with a characteristic motif, timbre, tempo or rhythm, leading to a chorale dedicated to the memory of Debussy. Ever uncompromising, Stravinsky stated the work was not meant ‘to please an audience or rouse its passions’.
Doreen Carwithen (b 1922) was an accomplished pianist and also studied composition with William Alwyn, whom she later married. In 1946, she was the first recipient of a J Arthur Rank film scholarship, enabling her to establish a career as a full-time composer. Her concerto for piano and strings (1948) contains vigorous and brilliant piano writing over sensitive string accompaniment. We are delighted to welcome back pianist Juanjo Blazquez as our soloist for this concert.
Originally intended as ballet music, Rachmaninov’s Symphonic Dances are definitely more ‘symphony’ than ‘dance’. With only fleeting nods to more modern (for the time) compositional trends, this ever-popular work, Rachmaninov’s last, is richly scored and full of his characteristic lush harmonies and irresistible melodies.
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.