Overview

The College’s Symphony Orchestra presents an evening of memorable melodies spanning almost a century. The overture to Suppé’s operetta Poet and Peasant, premiered in 1846, features a famous string melody and a sparkling waltz, and has been used as a soundtrack to many films and cartoons, from Saturday Night and Sunday Morning to Popeye and Donald Duck!

The Symphony No.5, one of Tchaikovsky’s most well known works, became a particular favourite in the second World War with its message of optimism, and has remained popular to this day. Composed in 1888, its music also featured in motion picture soundtracks as well as being used by the choreographer Massine for the world’s first symphonic ballet.

We are delighted to welcome violinist Emily Steinitz back to her home county of West Yorkshire for her debut at The Venue, as soloist in one of the most popular 20th century concertos, the Barber Violin Concerto. Composed in 1939 and premiered two years later, the work contrasts lyrical first and second movements with a perpetual motion presto third movement, full of rhythmic vitality and virtuosic brilliance.