Vaughan Williams: A Celebration at 150 - Concert Preview - Bardi Symphony Orchestra, Leicester

3rd October 2022

The Bardi Symphony Orchestra are delighted to have been invited to join Leicester Philharmonic Choir, ‘the Phil’, to celebrate the 150th Anniversary of the birth of one of England’s most distinguished composers, Ralph Vaughan Williams.

The programme features a rare performance in Leicester of Vaughan Williams’ Symphony No. 1 ‘A Sea Symphony’. Leicester Philharmonic Choir have performed this work seven times since their formation in 1886, but have not done so since 1984, and this is a first for the Bardi who have already been relishing the opportunity to play the music in orchestral rehearsals. The Orchestra have also enjoyed rejoining the Chorus for the rehearsals leading up to the concert with conductor, Stephen Bullamore.

Leicester Philharmonic Choir and the Bardi Symphony Orchestra in rehearsal; Ralph Vaughan Williams.

The first half of the concert features a performance of Vaughan Williams’ popular Fantasia on a theme by Thomas Tallis showcasing the Bardi Strings – you can watch rehearsal snippets of the piece here. The Chorus are also performing two complementary pieces which are based on the theme of the Tallis Fantasia including the premier of What man is he by Imogen Holst, a student of Vaughan Williams at the Royal College of Music.

The De Montfort Hall platform will certainly be full for this special concert with the Sea Symphony requiring large orchestral forces and the Phil have invited Peterborough Choral Society to travel along the A47 and join them. Also joining as special guests are the young singers of Leicester Youth Chorus. For an exciting and varied programme join us at De Montfort Hall, Leicester, on Saturday 8 October.