Macclesfield: NCO with Raphael Wallfisch, cello
Britten Simple Symphony op. 4 | CPE Bach Cello Concerto in A minor Wq 170 | Elgar Wild Bears; Chanson de matin; Nimrod (arr. cello and strings) | Shostakovich Chamber Symphony op. 118a
Tickets: £23.00 stalls, £18.00 gallery
Door price: £25.00 stalls, £20.00 gallery
Full Time Students and Under 18s Free
Our president, internationally renowned cellist Raphael Wallfisch, plays CPE Bach and Elgar. The second surviving son of Johann Sebastian surpassed his father’s reputation throughout the latter half of the 18th century. His music is full of invention, extreme unpredictability and wide emotional range. Raphael also performs two Elgar miniatures followed by Nimrod from the Enigma Variations.
Britten and Shostakovich, leading composers of the 20th century, had great mutual respect and friendship. Britten was an early champion of recycling, reusing 8 little pieces he wrote as a child to make his brilliant Simple Symphony.
We end our mini-Shostakovich season with Barshai’s string orchestra version of the string quartet No. 10. In quality equal to the more well-known quartet No. 8, this was dedicated to his fellow composer and great friend, Moisei Weinberg. The scherzo is terrifying – and not just for the players.