Latest news with #SymphonyNo5
South Wales Argus
22-05-2025
- Entertainment
- South Wales Argus
Gwent Chamber Orchestra to celebrate 50th anniversary
The event will take place at Brecon Cathedral on Saturday, June 14, at 7.30pm. The concert will be a family affair, with composer and pianist Huw Watkins MBE performing Mozart's Piano Concerto No 19, alongside his father and founder member, John Watkins. The orchestra will be led by husband and wife, Stephen Broom and Julia Watkins. Mr Broom said: "As the venue of the orchestra's first ever concert, Brecon Cathedral is GCO's spiritual home. "Almost 50 years on from that inaugural performance it's fitting that we're returning to the place where it all began to play some of the same music. "We're also delighted that the talented friend of the orchestra Huw Watkins is able to join us for our golden anniversary celebrations. "The fact that the concert will also be a family affair makes it extra special." The orchestra was founded in 1975 by David Gedge, then the director of music at Brecon Cathedral. It was initially formed to support the Brecon Cathedral Singers and Choir. The concert will feature music played at the orchestra's first concert on June 21, 1975, including Elgar's Serenade for Strings and Schubert's Symphony No 5. Tickets cost £15.
Telegraph
21-04-2025
- Entertainment
- Telegraph
UK's favourite piece of classical music revealed
The UK's favourite piece of classical music has been revealed. Rachmaninoff's Piano Concerto No 2 has been voted the nation's favourite piece of classical music for the third consecutive year, according to the annual Classic FM Hall of Fame. The concerto topped the poll, with 90,000 votes from members of the public, beating popular favourites such as Ludwig van Beethoven's Symphony No 5 and John Williams' theme to Steven Spielberg's Schindler's List. The Russian-born composer finished his piano concerto in 1901 after struggling with depression, and dedicated the piece to Nikolai Dahl, his doctor. Its second movement was the inspiration behind Eric Carmen's All By Myself , which was sung by Celine Dion in 1996 and used in the 2001 film Bridget Jones's Diary. Sir Karl Jenkins, the Welsh composer, came second with The Armed Man: A Mass For Peace – his highest ranking in the chart. The piece came in at number four last year. The song was originally dedicated to victims of the Kosovo war, and Sir Karl said: 'I'm honoured and humbled that The Armed Man has reached its highest ever position in the Classic FM Hall Of Fame 2025, particularly as I look at all the great masters, past and present, that sit on this list with me. 'With 2025 marking the 25th anniversary of The Armed Man, I'm delighted that this piece has found resonance globally with so many of you over the years. 'I regret to say that there has been no let-up in war and conflict since I dedicated the piece to the victims of Kosovo, but we continue to make music in remembrance of those who have fallen, and in the hope that humanity can find a way to heal.' Schindler's List was the highest ranking film score this year, coming in at number 11, two places ahead of Howard Shore's Lord of the Rings. The soundtracks for Jurassic Park, Star Wars and Harry Potter also featured in the Hall of Fame but failed to make the top 20. Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart remains the nation's most popular composer, with over 13 entries, followed by Pyotr Ilyich Tchaikovsky, who overtook Beethoven and Johann Sebastian Bach. There were a growing number of entries from modern composers this year, including Ludovico Einaudi, the Italian pianist, with five entries. The results were announced by Dan Walker, the presenter of Classic FM Breakfast, who said: 'Every year, the Classic FM Hall Of Fame provides a fascinating insight into the nation's favourite classical music and how those music tastes are changing, and this year – the 30th Hall Of Fame – is no exception. 'It is wonderful that Rachmaninoff's Piano Concerto No 2 tops the poll once again – cementing its place as a timeless masterpiece, which appeals across the generations. 'It's also exciting to see the growing popularity of film music, with 37 entries this year, and increased recognition for modern and living composers. Names like Ludovico Einaudi, Phamie Gow, and, of course, the legendary Sir Karl Jenkins are climbing up the chart, showcasing how classical music keeps evolving at the same time as honouring the greats.'
The National
08-02-2025
- Entertainment
- The National
Brooding, dreamy and full of sorrow – why Tchaikovsky's Symphony No 5 still moves us today
What is technical perfection if you don't have anything meaningful to say? It was something Pyotr Tchaikovsky mused about in 1888 when setting to work on what would become his famed Symphony No 5. Flush from the success of its predecessor, the superlative Symphony No 4, which pushed the boundaries of orchestration with its invigorating brass sections and unconventional dance-like string section, the Russian composer sought to create a more emotive work that spoke to the human condition. It made its debut at the Mariinsky Theatre in Saint Petersburg on November 17, 1888, and the cyclical piece is regarded as mirroring the journey of life, with its meditations on destiny, resilience and ultimate triumph over despair. It remains one of Tchaikovsky's most moving compositions and will be presented on Saturday in a gala concert by the New Japan Philharmonic orchestra. It will take place at Emirates Palace Mandarin Oriental as part of the Abu Dhabi Festival. 'When the audience listens to this symphony, they are first overwhelmed by Tchaikovsky's brilliant, gorgeous music,' conductor Yutaka Sado says. 'Next, they must realise the theme which appears in this whole piece. Tchaikovsky's sorrow may be universal and common for all the people. That's why we are moved and are attracted to this symphony.' Here is what else you need to know about this important work. Human destiny is to struggle and overcome the odds - at least this is what Tchaikovsky sought to convey in the work, according to Sado. It is a theme woven throughout the piece, carried by its clarinet motif, which also appears in his fourth symphony but is retained here in a more expressive form, evolving across the various movements. 'You can hear this theme of 'fate' throughout the symphony," he says. "At the beginning of this piece, the clarinet plays this theme first. It appears many times by several instruments and develops through the music. 'The theme suddenly strikes in the beautiful, dreamlike second movement and emerges as a lovely waltz in the third movement. In the fourth movement, it is sung in high spirits. We never tire through the symphony because we can listen to the same theme in each movement with different characteristics.' Partly taking its cues from Beethoven's Symphony No 5 (1808), Tchaikovsky's composition follows a similar narrative arc, moving from despair to triumph - a tradition later carried in 20th-century symphonies from Dmitri Shostakovich and Gustav Mahler. Sado adds: "Beethoven's from 'sorrow to joy' style is in the background of this symphony. Symphony No 5 was composed with this theme in mind, and I believe it is no coincidence that Tchaikovsky adopted this approach. After Tchaikovsky, both Shostakovich and Mahler embraced and further developed this style in their own symphonies.' Tchaikovsky delves deep into the symphony, a work widely acknowledged for offering insight into his personal struggles. Sado points out that each movement embodies a distinct emotion before ultimately reaches its resolution. "You can feel Tchaikovsky's struggles with the sorrow surrounding him in the first movement," he says. "It seems he escapes from reality in the beautiful second movement. Tchaikovsky put the waltz – his speciality – in the third movement. "This movement also shows you 'Scherzo,' (a contrasting playful musical form with quick tempos and rhythmic surprises) and this is the general style of the symphony in that it's ultimately optimistic music. Finally, the 'fate' theme, a song of triumph, is sounded out by the strings in the last movement. This is the perfect symphony to listen to when you are feeling down." One reason for the enduring appeal of Symphony No 5 is its openness to interpretation. Expect the New Japan Philharmonic to fully amplify its dynamism and thematic unity. 'I consider the New Japan Philharmonic to be the optimal orchestra," he adds. "The strings support the rich overall sound of the orchestra. The woodwind members play the role of soloists and have the high ability to make the ensemble cohesive. You can hear a big horn solo in the second movement, showcasing the strong, bright power of our brass section. 'The timpani reinforces the orchestra in the whole piece. All the orchestra members perform this symphony aware of each role. It ultimately makes the audience touched by their performance.' New Japan Philharmonic will perform on Saturday at Emirates Palace Mandarin Oriental, Abu Dhabi; doors open at 8pm; tickets start at Dh100
