Concert by The Elgar Sinfonia of London

Event information

The continuing remit of the Elgar Sinfonia is to present programmes of the unusual and the rarely played. This March our concert in St Andrew’s Holborn is no exception; an inviting and warm-hearted experience.

Ruth Gipps, known to many for years as a conductor has, since her passing been revealed as a much-overlooked composer. As a woman certainly derided before the War, eccentric and demanding; in the instance of the first performance of this, her First Symphony, appallingly treated by male prejudice.

We present with pride her Symphony, a lyrical beautifully orchestrated and constructed work, glad that it can and should be heard live in our concert halls.

For many years Moeran, who had to say the least, a colourful life, was sidelined as possibly interesting but of having no defining language. Devoted recording companies has put that right but there is still not the bravery to perform to an audience. We are the brave! The Violin Concerto is a masterpiece, not following a traditional formal pattern but really representing an example of the ‘conversation’ that can be written between solo instrument and orchestra along with passages of great virtuosity.

Our own Sinfonia Leader, Ryo Koyama is OUR soloist. He has led us for quite a while now and is passionate about British music. He recently astonished us all with his understanding of Walton’s Violin Concerto.

John Senter is a friend I have known for well over…… many, many years. He was for a great length of time principal Cello of the BBC Welsh Symphony Orchestra. In retiring from playing he has begun a composing career with the most wonderful knowledge of the orchestra and what music should achieve. This brand-new composition is based on the book of that title and is a reaction to the implications and message of the said book.

Elgar Sinfonia? Yes, there will be a surprise work by our beloved Edward Elgar at the end of the Concert!

So do support us. I myself look forward to welcoming you at St Andrews and introducing and conducting this great music in, as usual, our friendly and relaxed way.

Adrian Brown, Music Director.