Orchestra concerts
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NEXT CONCERT
Friday 18 May 2012 1:00-2:00 Hub Theatre (formerly Old Lecture Theatre), Open University, Milton Keynes
Admission is free, and all are welcome. There is ample car parking on campus.
WHERE TO FIND US
Maps of the OU campus - the Hub Theatre is in the middle of campus, just north of Walton Hall. St. Michael's Church is in the south west corner of campus. The church car park is the most convenient for both.
LIST OF WORKS PERFORMED
| Composer | Work | Performed | Soloist/other performers |
|---|---|---|---|
| Benoy | Christmas Overture | 16-12-2011 | Dennis Pim conductor |
| Badelt | Medley from Pirates of the Caribbean | 21-10-2011 | Dennis Pim conductor |
| Dvorak | Cello Concerto in B minor | 21-10-2011 | Thomas Carroll conductor, Bartholomew LaFollette cello |
| Wagner | Prelude to Die Meistersinger | 20-05-2011 | Hugh Molloy conductor |
| Brahms | Symphony No. 2 | 20-05-2011 | Hugh Molloy conductor |
| Sibelius | Karelia Overture | 22-10-2010 | Graham Reid conductor |
| Nielsen | Symphony No. 1 | 22-10-2010 | Graham Reid conductor |
| Verdi | Nabucco Overture | 14-05-2010 | Graham Reid conductor |
| Mussorgsky | Night on the Bare Mountain | 14-05-2010 | Graham Reid conductor |
| Khachaturian | Masquerade Suite | 14-05-2010 | Graham Reid conductor, Heather Fleck violin |
| Humperdinck | Hansel and Gretel Prelude | 14-05-2010 | Graham Reid conductor |
| Mussorgsky | Gopak | 14-05-2010 | Graham Reid conductor |
| Sousa | Stars and Stripes forever | 16-10-2009 | Graham Reid conductor Programme |
| Copland | Hoe-Down from Rodeo | 16-10-2009 | Graham Reid conductor |
| Gershwin | An American in Paris | 16-10-2009 | Graham Reid conductor |
| Morricone | Gabriel's Oboe | 16-10-2009 | Graham Reid conductor |
| Bernstein | West Side Story (selection) | 16-10-2009 | Graham Reid conductor |
| Custer | A Salute to the Big Apple | 16-10-2009 | Graham Reid conductor |
| Tchaikovsky | Symphony No. 2 Little Russian | 15-05-2009 | Graham Reid conductor Programme |
| Elgar | Pomp & Circumstance March No. 2 | 15-05-2009 | Graham Reid conductor |
| Anderson | Sleigh Ride | 16-12-2008 | Dennis Pim conductor |
| Borodin | In the Steppes of Central Asia | 17-10-2008 | Bill Strang conductor |
| Bizet | l'Arlesienne | 17-10-2008 | Bill Strang conductor |
| Bizet | Carmen overture | 17-10-2008 | Bill Strang conductor |
| Borodin | Polovtsian Dances | 17-10-2008 | Bill Strang conductor |
| Brahms | 3 Hungarian Dances | 16-05-2008 | Bill Strang conductor |
| Dvorak | Symphony No. 8 | 16-05-2008 | Bill Strang conductor |
| Potter | Variations on a Theme by Anon | 18-12-2007 | OU Choir & audience, Bill Strang |
| Sibelius | Finlandia | 19-10-2007 | Bill Strang conductor |
| Grieg | Piano Concerto in A minor | 19-10-2007 | John Byron & Bill Strang |
| Rossini | Overture to La Cenerentola | 18-05-2007 | Bill Strang conductor |
| Butterworth | On the Banks of Green Willow | 18-05-2007 | Bill Strang conductor |
| Alice Mary Smith | Symphony No. 1 in C minor | 18-05-2007 | Bill Strang conductor |
| Vaughan Williams | Fantasia on Christmas Carols | 19-12-2006 | David Kirby Ashmore (bass) & OU Choir, Bill Strang |
| Dvorak | Czech Suite | 20-10-2006 | Bill Strang conductor |
| Rachmaninov | Vocalise | 20-10-2006 | Bill Strang conductor |
| Prokofiev | Symphony No 1 Classical | 20-10-2006 | Bill Strang conductor |
| Mozart | Overture to the Impressario | 12-05-2006 | Bill Strang conductor |
| Faure | Pavane | 12-05-2006 | Bill Strang conductor |
| Beethoven | Piano Concerto No 3 D minor | 12-05-2006 | John Byron & Bill Strang |
| Holst | Christmas Day | 15-12-2005 | OU Choir & Bill Strang |
| Mendelssohn | Hebrides Overture | 21-10-2005 | Bill Strang conductor |
| Elgar | Chansons de Matin et Nuit | 21-10-2005 | Bill Strang conductor |
| Beethoven | Symphony No 2 | 21-10-2005 | Bill Strang conductor |
| Cimarosa | Overture to the Secret Marriage | 20-05-2005 | Bill Strang conductor |
| Ravel | Pavane pour une infante defunte | 20-05-2005 | Bill Strang conductor |
| Haydn | Symphony No. 103 in Eb Drumroll | 20-05-2005 | Bill Strang conductor |
PAST EVENTS
Autumn Concert - Friday October 21 2011 Hub Theatre
Programme Dvorak Cello Concerto with Bartholomew LaFollette (cello) and Thomas Carroll (conductor), and Pirates of the Caribbean conducted by Dennis Pimm.
The reviews of Bartholomew that described him as “an outstanding new talent” and his playing as “stylistic, elegant, poised, tasteful, technically brilliant and absolutely exhilarating” were confirmed to a packed theatre at the OU. With Thomas Carroll coming in at the last minute to conduct, due to the indisposition of Hugh Molloy, the Dvorak promised to be exciting. The orchestra responded to the situation, and gave a superb performance under the magnificent direction and control that Thomas communicated. The concert got off to a flying start, with Pirates of the Caribbean conducted with great skill and enthusiasm by Dennis Pim.
Spring Concert - Friday May 20 2011 Hub Theatre
Two substantial, yet contrasting, works of the German romantic period featured in our first concert under our inspirational new conductor, Hugh Molloy. The concert opened with a full on performance of Wagner's Prelude to Die Meistersinger, and concluded with Brahms' masterly Symphony No. 2 in D major. It was a huge credit to Hugh, Heather our leader, and all members of the orchestra that we were able to give such a convincing account of two demanding works in a term when preparations were disrupted by frequent unavailability of our regular rehearsal space.
Autumn Concert - Friday October 22 2010 Hub Theatre
For our last concert under Graham Reid's direction, we played a more conventional, yet quite challenging programme of Sibelius Karelia Overture and Nielsen's atmospheric and impressive Symphony No. 1. Graham has now moved away from the area, and we wish him all the best for the future.
Witches, Kings and Tragic Things - Friday May 14th 2010 Hub Theatre
This was a programme of music from the dark side, though we had a happy ending! It was the first concert in the refurbished Hub area of the University, and we were delighted that so many came to mark the event. It was nice that we were also able to include the concert as part of MK Arts Weekend, a programme of performing and visual arts running across that weekend.
We were also delighted that students from MK Academy attended an open rehearsal the week before the concert, and enjoyed finding out more about the orchestra and the instruments. We will continue offering this education experience to students in the future, so if you have any contacts in schools who might be interested, do get in touch.
Across the Atlantic - Friday October 16th 2009 Old Lecture Theatre
Our Autumn concert had a theme of music from the Americas, and we enjoyed playing a colourful and vibrant programme of Stars and Stripes, American in Paris, Gabriel's Oboe, West Side Story and Salute to the Big Apple. It was our largest orchestra yet, attired in red, white and blue and boasting 4 saxophones, piano and several truck loads of percussion. Presenters introduced each item, and the theatre was full with 245 inside and more listening on the live webcast.
Spring Concert - Friday 15th May 2009 - Old Lecture Theatre
We played Elgar Pomp and Circumstance March No 2 and Tchaikovsky Symphony No 2 The Little Russian conducted by Graham Reid to an audience of over 220. The concert was transmitted through the OU worldwide on Stadium; there were at least two people listening in from Australia.
Autumn Concert - Friday 17th October 2008 Old Lecture Theatre
A slightly different programme for this concert, requiring not only a large orchestra but our largest battery of percussion yet - not to mention a saxophone. Once again the Old Lecture Theatre was full to capacity, with overflow outside in the corridor, as we performed two pieces by Bizet - Carmen Prelude, and L'Arlesienne Suite No 1 and two by Borodin - In the Steppes of Central Asia and Polovtsian Dances from Prince Igor. Red wine and vodka!
Spring Concert - Friday 16th May 2008 1:00 Old Lecture Theatre
This concert had a slavonic flavour. The Brahms 3 Hungarian Dances almost stole the show, being received very appreciatively by the audience. The main work was Dvorak's 8th Symphony, possibly the orchestra's most extended piece since its inception just a few years ago. The work placed great demands on individuals and particular sections of the orchstra, who rose to the challenge magnificently, as did the whole - and very full - orchestra itself.
Carol Concert - Tuesday 18th December 2007 11:30 Old Lecture Theatre
Another packed Lecture Theatre for the annual Carol Concert. The orchestra joined with the choir, the audience (singing and percussive effects) and a battery of percussion instruments and miscellaneous noises, to perform Stephen Potter's "Variations on a Theme by Anon" - great fun was had by all!
Autumn Concert - Friday 19th October 2007 1:00 Old Lecture Theatre
Somehow a full house became even fuller than ever before, with 240 in the audience, plus the 60 playing in the orchestra not leaving any spare space in the Theatre for the concert with the Scandanavian feel. The concert opened with Sibelius' Finlandia and was followed by an exciting performance of Grieg's Piano Concerto in A minor. The event was raised to an even higher level by John Byron's marvellous playing of the solo part.
Amongst the enthusiastic and postivie feedback received was the comment that our playing reminded the listener of Russian orchestras in the 60s and 70s. We're not entirely sure how to interpret this, though take it in the complimentary spirit in which it was offered!
Spring Concert - Friday 18th May 2007 1:00 Old Lecture Theatre
Another full house (c.190 in the audience - with an orchestra of some 55 there was not room for many more!). The programme opened with the exciting overture to La Cenerentola (Cinderella) by Rossini, and was followed by Banks of Green Willow, by George Butterworth, with its blend of folk and original material and sensual evocation of the English countryside. The focus of the concert was the final work. Alice Mary Smith’s Symphony in C minor was written in 1863. It is of its time, reflecting the tradition of Mendelssohn, and anticipating Sullivan and Elgar. What is so unusual is that it was written by a woman of only 24, at a time when women were only expected to write drawing room songs, and her two symphonies are the only ones by a British woman composer in the nineteenth century known to have survived. The orchestra and audience both found the music to be delightful and wonderfully accessible, and enjoyed the contrasting movements, including a frothy scherzo, a romantic andante and a wonderfully invigorating and toe tapping march.
It was an honour to have Ian Graham-Jones present in the audience. Ian, who for many years has been an Associate Lecturer at the Open University, edited the work for performance and publication.
Carol Concert - 19th December 2006 11:30 Old Lecture Theatre
The orchestra played Vaughan Williams Fantasia on Christmas Carols with the OU Choir, as well as accompanying carols.
Autumn Concert - 20th October 2006
This was a challenging programme - Dvorak Czech Suite, Rachmaninov Vocalise and Prokofiev Classical Symphony, but the orchestra members responded to the challenge and played wonderfully. It was our largest orchestra to date - 49 players.
Spring Concert - 12th May 2006
The OU Orchestra performed in the Old Lecture Theatre, Open University Campus to the largest audience yet (over 240). John Byron played Beethoven's Third Piano Concerto in a memorable performance which audience and orchestra enjoyed. The concert started with a lively performance of Mozart's overture to The Impresario. The orchestra also played Faure's Pavane.
Carol Concert 2005 - 15th December 2005
The orchestra played for the OU Carol Concert on December 15th, where we accompanied the choir and audience in carols, performed Holst's Christmas Day with the OU Choir, and played two movements from Dvorák's Czech Suite.
Autumn Concert - 21st October 2005
We chose quite an ambitious programme for the Orchestra's second concert.
The Mendelssohn in particular demonstrated how far the orchestra has come since the first play throughs of this piece just 9 months or so before this concert date.
It was especially gratifying that we again played to an appreciative and capacity audience.
Inaugural Concert - 20th May 2005
Cimarosa - Overture to The Secret Marriage Ravel - Pavane pour une infante defunte Haydn - Symphony No 103 in E flat, "The Drumroll"
Any uncertainty about whether we were ready to perform our inaugural concert, or whether anyone would want to come and listen, was quickly dispelled as members of the orchestra had to put down instruments at the start of the orchestra to lay on extra chairs for what became an absolutely full house.
A review of the inaugural OU Orchestra concert – May 2005
Lunchtime on Friday 20th - the Old Lecture Theatre was definitely the place to be, for anyone interested in seeing what the University can still do in these days when, to many of us, it seems that culture and community spirit are being squeezed into narrower and narrower slots . The inaugural concert of the OU Orchestra inspired its full-to-capacity audience by proving that it’s possible to find time working together at something over and beyond the every day job. As far as I could see, everybody in the audience felt as I did, that the event had been a terrific success. The programme was nicely varied, with the Cimarosa - Overture to the Secret Marriage doing the job of an overture excellently – a cheerful opening both for the concert and for the career of the orchestra. The more soulful Ravel - Pavane pour une infante défunte showed us that this new orchestra was perfectly able to adopt an expressive and delicate tone. The concert finished with a longer, more complex piece, the Haydn - Symphony No. 103 "Drumroll". Great fun, and a real feat for such a new orchestra to master. In his introduction, the Conductor told us that the piece had both ‘rough hewn’ elements, and parts that required more ‘fine-honing’. He deprecatingly said he believed the orchestra would manage the rough hewn bit, but maybe not the fine-honing. Well, whilst there may have been some less ‘finely honed’ bits, these were few and far between, and the overall effect was thoroughly enjoyable – a real flourish for the orchestra to end on for this first concert. I mentioned that the audience was full to capacity. There was a tangible feeling of goodwill towards this new venture amongst them. Those who missed it missed a treat, and I’d really recommend entering the next concert on October 21st in your diary right now, so that you can be there, encouraging them on to yet better things. Thank you, Orchestra, for showing us we are a University capable of even more than our core aims of teaching and research. We can put together an orchestra of talented amateurs, and we can put on concerts which the whole community will enjoy.
Vanessa Skelton OUBS
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