25th
October 2026
18:30-20:30
St John’s Church, Waterloo Road, SE1 8TY
May 2027
ERSO Concert
The concert will open with the ERSO debut of our new Assistant Conductor Beth Fitzpatrick, conducting Debussy’s beautiful Sarabande from Pour the Piano, arranged by Ravel.
We are then thrilled to present Meg Glover, the hugely talented saxophonist who won our 2026 Soloist of the Year competition. She will be performing Tableaux de Provence by Paule Maurice who was a significant female composer. This work, which is a staple of the saxophone repertoire, has five movements of contrasting character and shows off the instrument in all of its soloistic glory.
The second half of the concert will begin with Principal Conductor Christopher Stark illuminating some of the key aspects of our final piece – Beethoven’s First Symphony – using well chosen musical examples conducted by Assistant Conductor Beth Fitzpatrick. This symphony was premiered in 1800 at the Burgtheater in Vienna (shown on our concert flyer) in a concert which Beethoven put on for his own benefit. The work was dedicated to the Baron van Swieten, the patron and connoisseur who had helped introduce Beethoven to Vienna society.
Join us for an early evening concert of wonderful music!ion for makers and thinkers to collaborate, connect, and spark new ideas.
5th
19:30
The Stables MK
Nordic Soul
Join us for a richly contrasting evening of orchestral music spanning Classical brilliance, Romantic passion, and Nordic symphonic grandeur.
This concert marks a moment of transition: we say goodbye to Musical Director, Hilary Davan Wetton with gratitude and look ahead with excitement as we welcome a new conductor to the orchestra.
The programme opens with Mozart’s Overture to The Magic Flute, K.620, one of the most beloved introductions in the operatic repertoire. Sparkling with clarity, drama, and enchantment, it sets the stage for an evening of vivid musical storytelling.
At the heart of the concert is Grieg’s Piano Concerto in A minor, Op.16, a cornerstone of the Romantic piano repertoire. From its thunderous opening flourish to its lyrical and deeply expressive slow movement, the concerto remains a powerful showcase of both virtuosity and emotional depth. We are delighted to welcome Antoine Preat as soloist for this performance.
The concert concludes with Wilhelm Stenhammar’s Symphony No. 2 in G minor, Op. 34 (1915), one of Sweden’s most admired orchestral works. Written at a time when the composer was rethinking his style, the music is clear, expressive, and full of character. A sweeping and powerful work, it reflects Stenhammar’s distinctive Nordic voice, rich in orchestral colour and ambition. Across its four movements, you’ll hear a blend of drama, gentle lyricism, and lively energy, leading to a finale of quiet strength—making it a compelling and rarely heard symphonic journey.
