Eight Macclesfield classical music concerts confirmed by Northern Chamber Orchestra
By The Editor
27th Jun 2024 | Local News
The Northern Chamber Orchestra (NCO) has announced their 2024-25 Classical Season, with eight Macclesfield concerts.
Macclesfield venues St. Michael's Church and The King's School will share upcoming events.
The NCO describe the calendar as 'featuring an array of captivating performances and distinguished guest artists.'
Built on the theme 'Mozart on Tour,' this season celebrates the journeys that Mozart undertook during his life, which strongly influenced his music. In four concerts, we feature symphonies closely linked to particular places: Paris, Linz, Vienna, and Prague.
The schedule will also include the young Austrian's final choral masterpiece, The Requiem.
However, this is far from being an all-Mozart season. The upcoming Macclesfield concerts embraces a rich variety of music spanning the seventeenth to twenty-first centuries, from Corelli to Shostakovich, Bach to Bruckner, Schubert to Anna Thorvaldsdottir, Beethoven to John Adams, and Tchaikovsky to Jessie Montgomery.
Many works are familiar, such as Beethoven's Fifth Symphony, in what has been described as 'the pinnacle of Western art music'.
Others are less well known, for example, the powerfully moving Elegy (In Memoriam Stephen Lawrence) by the contemporary British composer, Philip Herbert. Together, they form carefully crafted programmes designed to delight and inspire.
The season opens on Saturday 28 September, with 'Mozart on Tour (Paris),' a concert featuring the Manchester Chamber Choir under the direction of Sarah Brandwood-Spencer and conducted by Ellie Slorach.
Sarah Brandwood-Spencer is renowned for her dynamic leadership and innovative programming, while Slorach, a rising star in the conducting world, has garnered praise for her engaging and insightful interpretations.
The evening will include Mozart's Overture to The Magic Flute, Symphony No.31 ('Paris'), and his well-known dramatic piece Requiem. This sets the tone for a season dedicated to the celebration of classical masterpieces.
On Saturday 2 November, violin virtuoso Jennifer Pike joins the NCO, directed by Zoë Beyers. Pike, a BBC Young Musician of the Year winner, is celebrated for her "dazzling interpretative flair and exemplary technique" (Classic FM).
This King's School concert is in good hands, as she is known for her versatile musicianship and leadership. She brings a wealth of experience as both a director and a soloist.
Following a Knutsford-based Christmas celebration, the concerts will return on Macc on Saturday 14 December, and see renowned cellist Raphael Wallfisch and director Katie Stillman perform a diverse programme.
The setlist will feature Anna Thorvaldsdottir's Illumine, Tchaikovsky's Variations on a Rococo Theme, Bruckner's Adagio from String Quintet, and Mozart's Symphony No.36 ('Linz').
Mr Wallfisch, one of the most celebrated cellists of our time and the NCO's president, has a distinguished career spanning four decades and is known for his deeply expressive playing.
The director is also an acclaimed violinist and director, she celebrated 'for her vibrant and insightful leadership', according to the NCO.
The new year begins with 'Strum' on Saturday 18 January, where harpsichordist Darius Battiwalla and director Christopher Jones will present a delightful concert featuring Corelli's Concerto Grosso, Op.6 No.2, Jessie Montgomery's Strum, Bach's Harpsichord Concerto No.1, and Tchaikovsky's Serenade for Strings.
This performance promises a rich tapestry of baroque and contemporary sounds. Mr Jones will return to Macclesfield following successful concerts with the NCO in the past two seasons.
Saturday 15 February brings "Mozart on Tour (Vienna)," featuring pianist Jeneba Kanneh-Mason and director Benedict Holland. Jeneba Kanneh-Mason, a member of the renowned Kanneh-Mason family, has quickly become a notable figure in classical music for her exceptional talent and captivating performances. The former Britain's Got Talent contestant from Nottingham, will take to the stage at King's Macclesfield.
Saturday 15 March will showcase the NCO Wind Principals in 'Northern Winds Shall Blow', featuring Caplet's Suite Persane, Nielsen's Wind Quintet, and Dvořák's Serenade for Wind Instruments. This concert aims to highlight the versatility and expressiveness of wind instruments.
On Saturday 5 April, under the direction of Sarah Brandwood-Spencer, 'From Darkness to Light' will feature Beethoven's Overture to 'Fidelio', Shostakovich's Chamber Symphony, Op.110a, and Beethoven's Symphony No. 5, taking the audience on a journey from tension to triumph.
The season concludes in Macclesfield on Saturday 3 May 2025, at King's, with 'Mozart on Tour (Prague),' directed by Zoë Beyers.
The Czechia-inspired programme includes Schnittke's Moz-Art a la Haydn, Haydn's Symphony No.45 ('Farewell'), Judith Weir's Still, Glowing, and Mozart's Symphony No.38 ('Prague'), in what the NCO describes as 'a memorable and profound finale'.
All concerts will be held at The King's School in Macclesfield, except for the January and March performances, which will be at St Michael's Church in Macclesfield, and the Christmas Concerts at Tatton Park in Knutsford.
Tickets are £28, with discounts available for under 30s and free entry for students and under 18s (excluding Christmas Concerts).
Tickets are on sale on Monday 1 July from www.ncorch.co.uk or call 0161 706 1990, with season tickets and group discounts available.
Full listings below:
Saturday 28 September 7.30pm The King's School, Alderley Rd, Prestbury, Macclesfield SK10 4SP
NORTHERN CHAMBER ORCHESTRA MANCHESTER CHAMBER CHOIR SARAH BRANDWOOD-SPENCER – director ELLIE SLORACH - conductor
Mozart Overture to The Magic Flute Mozart Symphony No.31 ('Paris') Mozart Requiem
Saturday 2 November 7.30pm The King's School, Alderley Rd, Prestbury, Macclesfield SK10 4SP
NORTHERN CHAMBER ORCHESTRA JENNIFER PIKE – violin ZOE BËYERS - director
Philip Herbert Elegy (In Memoriam Stephen Lawrence) Schubert Symphony No.2 Mendelssohn Violin Concerto in E minor
Friday 13 December 3.30pm & 7pm Tatton Park, Knutsford WA16 6SG
NORTHERN CHAMBER ORCHESTRA CHRISTMAS CONCERT THE CHOIR OF ST NICHOLAS HIGH SCHOOL, NORTHWICH HELEN MCKENNA - conductor
Saturday 14 December 7.30pm The King's School, Alderley Rd, Prestbury, Macclesfield SK10 4SP
NORTHERN CHAMBER ORCHESTRA RAPHAEL WALLFISCH – cello KATIE STILLMAN - director
Anna Thorvaldsdottir Illumine Tchaikovsky Variations on a Rococo Theme Bruckner Adagio from String Quintet Mozart Symphony No.36 ('Linz')
Saturday 18 January 7.30pm St Michael's Church, Market Place, Macclesfield SK10 1DY
NORTHERN CHAMBER ORCHESTRA DARIUS BATTIWALLA – harpsichord CHRISTOPHER JONES – director Corelli Concerto Grosso, Op.6 No.2 Jessie Montgomery Strum Bach Harpsichord Concerto No.1 Tchaikovsky Serenade for Strings
Saturday 15 February 7.30pm The King's School, Alderley Rd, Prestbury, Macclesfield SK10 4SP
NORTHERN CHAMBER ORCHESTRA JENEBA KANNEH-MASON – piano BENEDICT HOLLAND - director
George Walker Lyric for Strings Mozart Piano Concerto No.23 John Adams Shaker Loops (1st movement) Mozart Symphony No.35 ('Haffner')
Saturday 15 March 7.30pm St Michael's Church, Market Place, Macclesfield SK10 1DY
NORTHERN CHAMBER ORCHESTRA Caplet Suite Persane Nielsen Wind Quintet Dvořák Serenade for Wind Instruments
Saturday 5 April 7.30pm The King's School, Alderley Rd, Prestbury, Macclesfield SK10 4SP
NORTHERN CHAMBER ORCHESTRA SARAH BRANDWOOD-SPENCER - director
Beethoven Overture to 'Fidelio' Shostakovich Chamber Symphony, Op.110a Beethoven Symphony No. 5
Saturday 3 May 7.30pm The King's School, Alderley Rd, Prestbury, Macclesfield SK10 4SP
NORTHERN CHAMBER ORCHESTRA ZOE BËYERS - director
Schnittke Moz-Art a la Haydn Haydn Symphony No.45 ('Farewell') Judith Weir Still, Glowing Mozart Symphony No.38 ('Prague')
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