The programmes have been planned with social distancing guidelines in mind, meaning less musicians on the stage, which has required NCO’s leader and Artistic Director Nicholas Ward to plan the programmes carefully. In February, the orchestra play works by Bartok and Rossini, and are joined by BBC Young Musician winner Lara Melda (piano) for Mozart’s Piano Concerto no 27. In March, the NCO’s Artist in Association, violinist Chloë Hanslip, leads the orchestra in Mozart’s Violin Concerto in D and Tchaikovsky’s Souvenir de Florence. Both concerts are streaming for one week, with unlimited access costing just £15 per household. Passes are available now from www.ncorch.co.uk

The concerts come during an unpredictable time for all musicians, and the Northern Chamber Orchestra are no exception. The orchestra was able to play three sets of socially distanced concerts in Macclesfield at the end of 2020, but were forced to cancel their January 2021 concert, due to feature soprano Elin Manahan Thomas, due to the uncertainty surrounding the latest lockdown restrictions. The NCO hope to reschedule this concert, with a new date to be announced as soon as possible.

Like many arts companies, the orchestra are fundraising in an effort to stay afloat throughout the pandemic and would be grateful for any donations to its “Seat Out” campaign. If you are able to donate even a pound, please visit bitly.com/NCOSeatOut

Full concert details:

Northern Chamber Orchestra with Lara Melda, piano
Unlimited online streaming between Sunday 28 February and Sunday 7 March
£15 per household

Bartok Romanian dances
Mozart Piano concerto no 27 in B flat
Rossini String Sonata No 3

Northern Chamber Orchestra with Chloë Hanslip, violin
Unlimited online streaming between Sunday 28 March and Sunday 4 April
£15 per household

Mozart Violin Concerto in D
Tchaikovsky Souvenir de Florence

Streaming passes available from www.ncorch.co.uk