This concert by Hampshire County Youth Orchestra was supported by Hampshire County Youth String Orchestra, Wessex Dance Academy and members of the English Chamber Orchestra. It was the first day of a weekend of spectacular performances from both current and ex-members celebrating 50 years of Hampshire County Youth Orchestra at The Anvil.
Hampshire County Youth Orchestra Wind, Brass and Percussion conducted by Connor Lyster
Celebrate! by Jonathan Willcocks
The celebrations began with a world premiere of a piece written by our patron, Jonathan Willcocks who has supported the orchestra for many years. This commission was made possible by financial support from the Friends of Hampshire County Youth Orchestra.
Hampshire County Youth String Orchestra conducted by Brian Lloyd-Wilson – leader S Tennyson
Little Suite for Strings by Peter Martin
- Alla Marcia
- Romance
- Jig
A suite in three diverse movements by composer Peter Martin who died unexpectedly in 2021. He had over thirty years of teaching experience and performed regularly throughout the North of England as a freelance violinist/violist.
Chacony in G Minor by Henry Purcell (arr. Benjamin Britten)
Eighteen variations on an eight bar theme, composed by Purcell predominantly in bass, originally scored for viols in an ensemble and later edited by Benjamin Britten for string orchestra. The theme of this stately piece moves around the orchestra.
Hampshire County Youth Orchestra conducted by Carl Clausen – leader E Holmes
The orchestra played The Young Person’s Guide to the Orchestra by Benjamin Britten
The orchestra members were joined on stage by members of the English Chamber Orchestra who had joined rehearsals as part of their Close Encounters project which encourages participation, engagement and an understanding of music.
Based on a theme by Purcell, a stately Baroque rondeau written as accompaniment to Aphra Benn’s play Abdelazer , The Young Person’s Guide to the Orchestra was a government commission for a documentary to be used in schools. It premiered in Liverpool in 1946 and was designed as a showcase tour of each section of a symphony orchestra. The final fugue returns to Purcell’s theme, bringing in each instrument one by one to come together in one final triumphant climax. This was an excellent showcase for each section of the orchestra to show the culmination of their efforts over the past year.
INTERVAL
Hampshire County Youth Orchestra conducted by Connor Lyster and Carl Clausen – leader E Holmes
West Side Story Overture by Leonard Bernstein
Opening the second half of the concert, Leonard Bernstein’s greatest Broadway success was brought to life in The Anvil with verve and energy.
Appalachian Spring by Aaron Copland
Continuing with another American classic we were then treated to music from Copland’s 1945 ballet, supporting a dance arrangement presented by the Wessex Dance Academy. The music and dance together took us through eight sections representing the highs and lows of a young Pennsylvania farming couple on the pioneer frontier during the course of a spring celebration. The dance was choreographed by Hannah Martin-Reilly.
Click here to watch a video clip of Appalachian Spring with HCYO and the Wessex Dance Academy.