Manchester’s orchestras are offering fascinating 2015-16 seasons – here’s our pick of the crop.
The Halle
Under Sir Mark Elder, from Thursday 17 September, the orchestra is devoting a series of concerts to the theme of Fate, featuring Rimsky-Korsakov’s Scheherazade, Verdi’s Requiem and Mahler’s Sixth Symphony, and also exploring Dvorak in a special festival entitled Nature, Life and Love.
BBC Philharmonic
This winter, the city’s resident orchestra celebrate the life and music of the great American composer/conductor/pianist Leonard Bernstein (pictured), who died 25 years ago. As well as his own pieces, the series will feature Mahler, who he championed and works commissioned by his mentor Sergei Koussevitzky Britten’s Peter Grimes, Ravel’s Piano Concerto in G, Stravinsky’s Symphony of Psalms and, in its season launch on Saturday 19 September, under chief conductor Juanjo Mena, Messiaen’s Turangalîla Symphony (Bridgewater Hall, 7.30pm, £5-£38, www.bridgewater-hall.co.uk).
The Manchester Camerata
Boosted by their inspirational musical director Gábor Takács-Nagy extending his contract until 2019, offer a typically innovative season. Their Bridgewater Hall opener, Espana, on Saturday 26 September may offer popular choices such as Beethoven’s Pastoral and Rodrigo’s famous guitar concerto, Concierto de Aranjuez, soloist the sought after Miloš Karadaglic, but their ‘UpClose’ series curated by Norwegian trumpet player Tine Thing Helseth, ventures very personally into folk and jazz. Check out her Band on The Wall debut on Tuesday 6 October, featuring the music of Kurt Weill and Joni Mitchell (Tue 6 Oct, 7pm, from £7, botw.ticketline.co.uk).
Full concert listings: Halle www.halle.co.uk; BBC Phil www.bbc.co.uk and Manchester Camerata www.manchestercamerata.co.uk. Tickets can be purchased online at www.bridgewater-hall.co.uk or by calling the Box Office on 0161 907 9000.
- Words:
- Neil Sowerby
- Published on:
- Mon 30 Nov 2015
