Valentine's treat of Russian masterpieces

JuanOrtuno

One of the standout events from our last but one season was the sensational debut of the 12-year-old prodigy Jackie Campbell playing Grieg's Piano Concerto. We are delighted to welcome Jackie back for our first concert of 2015 to play Rachmaninov's dazzling Rhapsody on a Theme of Paganini.

The main item is one of the big pieces in the symphonic repertory, Rachmaninov's First Symphony. Written while he was in his 20s, it was sadly unappreciated at its first performance and only attained classic status after Rachmaninov died. In contrast, the popular Rhapsody, which comes from the other end of his career, was a classic from its premiere, when Rachmaninov played the solo part.

Some of us may know this work as the piece Bill Murray studies so hard to play in the film Groundhog Day. Our opening item, Rimsky-Korsakov's colourful Russian Easter Festival Overture is our own reminder that Spring – or at least, Easter – will be along (eventually).

The energy and enthusiasm of our conductor Juan Ortuño is just what we need during the Winter months, and we are grateful to have the chance to work with him again for this concert.

The Wilmslow Symphony Orchestra Concert will take place on Saturday 14th February. The venue is as usual the Evans Theatre in Wilmslow Leisure Centre, and the starting time is 7.45 p.m. Tickets cost £12 (concessions £10) and can be bought at the door, or through the ticket hotline on 01925 756144, or through the Wilmslow Symphony Orchestra website, or at Bang & Olufsen in Wilmslow.

Guest post by Dermot Gault.

Photo: Conductor Juan Ortuño.

Tags:
Wilmslow Symphony Orchestra
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