Moonlight & Masquerades: Tracing Romantic & Impressionist Soundscapes Through Europe

Event information

3pm, Saturday 15 November 2025, Cornerstone, Hythe

Join us on a sweeping musical journey across Europe, as we explore the rich and varied soundscapes of the Romantic and early Impressionist eras. From Coleridge-Taylor’s Ballade and Debussy’s Clair de Lune, to Fauré’s Masques et Bergamasques, this programme captures the emotional and stylistic breadth of a transformative period in musical history. Lalo’s Cello Concerto and Mendelssohn’s sunlit “Italian” Symphony further expand the landscape. Poignant traditional Ukrainian folk song Plyve Kacha (which translates as "the duckling swims") offers a haunting, timeless reflection on love, loss, and homeland.

LALO Cello Concerto
COLERIDGE-TALOR Ballade
DEBUSSY Petite Suite Clare De Lune
FAURE Masques et Bergamasques
MENDELSSOHN Symphony No.4 (Italian)
TRADITIONAL Plyve Kacha (arr. Andy Wooler)

Soloist Simon Wilkins studied Music at Royal Holloway, University of London. He has performed in notable venues such as the Royal Albert Hall, Birmingham Symphony Hall, Hong Kong City Hall, Pisa Duomo and the Liszt Academy, Budapest, and has worked with soloists including Michael Collins, James Bowman, Nicola Benedetti, Guy Johnson, Felicity Lott and Alexander Sitkovetsky.

The Solent Concert Orchestra is a group of amateur musicians from the Southampton, Solent and New Forest area. We aim to give enjoyment to our members and audiences with performances of classical to light modern orchestral music, including symphonies and concertos, at least three times a year in the Southern Hampshire area.