Sudbury Symphony Orchestra

Sudbury Symphony Orchestra’s next concert will be on Sunday 26th March at 6 pm in Lavenham’s magnificent church when they will be performing two gorgeously luxurious violin solo pieces, Elgar’s Salut d’Amour and Holst’s Song of the Night. The Holst piece was lost for many years and is only now getting the appreciation it deserves. It is also a perfect companion to the Elgar.

The soloist for the evening is Philippa Barton who has already performed several times with the orchestra. The concert programme includes Mendelssohn’s Italian Symphony which is full of happy energy and wonderful tunes. The evening starts with one of Rossini’s earlier overtures, this one to the opera Il Signor Bruschino. The overture has all the tunes that re-appeared in his later more famous overtures so listeners will feel they already know it.

Philippa last performed with the orchestra in November 2019 when she performed Tchaikovsky’s violin concerto. She is a very well known violinist and teacher who trained at the Royal Academy of Music, freelanced with orchestras such as the BBC Symphony Orchestra and is now leader of a number of regional orchestras. The two pieces she will be playing tonight really showcase the beauty of a solo violin with long lines of tone soaring out while using the orchestra as a subtle and beautiful accompaniment. Both pieces are sublimely expressive works that remind us of a bygone age.

Mendelssohn’s Italian Symphony was composed while he was in his early 20s and was inspired by a trip to Italy. It was an instant success although oddly Mendelssohn kept trying to make changes to it as he was not satisfied with it. This is an exuberant and happy work which always leaves a smile on your face - whether you are playing it or listening to it. The opening piece, Rossini’s overture to Il Senor Bruschino is so Rossini that you have to smile. It might be early Rossini but he was an assured composer comic opera by the time he wrote this. It's brief, energetic, has thrilling crescendos and it's just fun. This will be a really wonderful evening’s music, do come and enjoy.

See the website www.sudburysymphonyorchestra.com for more information and ticket details.