Guildhall Symphony Orchestra

Guildhall Symphony Orchestra presents a dynamic programme spanning three centuries of works from colourful and energetic arrangements to brooding and tender grandeur.

The concert opens with a contemporary work by Hannah Kendall – the electrifying and socially resonant, The Spark Catchers - inspired by a poem about the 1888 Bow Matchgirls’ Strike. The piece sits alongside Dmitri Shostakovich’s playful yet tender Piano Concerto No 2, written for his son’s piano exam. The evening will culminate with Jean Sibelius’ brooding yet romantic First Symphony, taking us back to the 19th century, moving through contrasting movements. From solitary clarinet solos, to sweeping string melodies and dramatic outbursts, it simultaneously showcases Sibelius’ distinctive voice and evolution.

Programme

Hannah Kendall The Spark Catchers
Dmitri Shostakovich Piano Concerto No 2
Jean Sibelius Symphony No 1

Performers

Guildhall Symphony Orchestra
Ryan Sheng pianist