March Concert

Saturday 6th March

Conductor - Grant Llewellyn 

Soloist - Francois Dumont

​

Britten - Young Apollo

Holloway - Ode

Mozart - Piano Concerto No.24 K491

Beethoven - Symphony No.1

TICKETS FROM ST GEORGE'S BRISTOL BOX OFFICE - (released shortly)

The concert opens with Britten’s Young Apollo. Written in 1939, it is a bright, energetic work for piano and strings, with a distinctive rhythmic drive. Robin Holloway’s Ode offers a different perspective, exploring the expressive possibilities of the orchestra through a more reflective musical language.

Mozart’s Piano Concerto No. 24 in C minor is among his most dramatic concertos. Its minor-key opening, expressive orchestral writing and lyrical slow movement reveal a more introspective side of the composer, while the final movement develops a theme through a series of variations.

Beethoven’s First Symphony concludes the programme, firmly rooted in the Classical style of Haydn and Mozart, yet already displaying Beethoven’s individual character through its unexpected harmonies, rhythmic surprises and lively orchestral writing.

Conductor – Grant Llewellyn

Welsh conductor Grant Llewellyn has worked with orchestras across Europe and North America, including the BBC Symphony Orchestra, Philharmonia Orchestra and Royal Philharmonic Orchestra. He served as Music Director of the North Carolina Symphony for 17 years and as Music Director of the Orchestre National de Bretagne for eight years.

Piano – François Dumont

French pianist François Dumont has established an international career through performances with orchestras including the Cleveland Orchestra, Mariinsky Theatre Orchestra and Tokyo Symphony Orchestra. A prize-winner at several major international piano competitions, including the Chopin and Queen Elisabeth competitions, he has a particular interest in Mozart, whose complete piano sonatas he has recorded. His repertoire also encompasses music by Beethoven, Schubert, Chopin and Ravel, alongside an active involvement in chamber music.