CHESTER ORCHESTRA SET TO STAGE A CELEBRATION OF CLASSICAL BALLET AND DANCE MUSIC

Rehearsals are underway for a concert by one of Chester's leading orchestras which celebrates the music of classical ballet and dance.

The concert, set to be staged in the historic surroundings of Chester Cathedral on Saturday 26^th April at 7.30pm will feature music by composers including Weber, Stravinsky and Khachaturian.

Chester Philharmonic Orchestra will be joined on stage by guest Conductor Stephen Thelfall. The concert, which continues the Orchestra's theme of song and dance for its 2024/25 season will feature performances of the overture from 'Invitation to the Dance' by Carl Maria von Weber, Firebird Suite by Igor Stravinsky, the Waltz from the 'Masquerade Suite' and the energetic 'Sabre Dance' from the Ballet 'Gayeneh' by Aram Khachaturian and music from Romeo and Juliet by Sergei Prokofiev. 

Written by Carl Maria von Weber in 1819 in the form of a rondo, 'Invitation to the Dance' was re-orchestrated in 1841 by Hector Berlioz and it is this version that Chester Philharmonic Orchestra will perform during the concert at Chester Cathedral.

The Firebird (L'Oiseau de feu) is a ballet and orchestral concert work by the Russian composer Igor Stravinsky. It was written for the 1910 Paris season of Sergei Diaghilev's Ballets Russes company. Based on the Russian fairy tales of the Firebird and the blessing and curse it possesses for its owner, it was first performed at the Opéra de Paris on 25 June 1910. Stravinsky subsequently wrote three concert suites based on the original score, in 1911, 1919 and 1945. The 1919 suite remains the most popular and widely performed concert version today.

Khachaturian's 'Masquerade Suite' was written in 1941 as incidental music for the play of the same name by Russian poet and playwright Mikhail Lermontov. 'Sabre Dance' from the Ballet "Gayeneh" written in 1942 is widely acknowledged as the most recognisable all Khachaturian's compositions. It has been performed and recorded by many artists, including pop stars over the years. It also features in numerous films, TV shows and video games. 

Originally written by Prokofiev in 1935 for his Ballet based on Shakespeare's celebrated play of the same name, 'Romeo and Juliet' received its premiere at the Mahen Theatre, Brno in Czechoslovakia (now the Czech Republic) in 1938. The score was revised in early 1940 and three orchestral suites were subsequently created for concert performances.

The orchestra will be joined by guest conductor Stephen Threlfall. Formally Director of Music at Chetham's School of Music, Stephen Threlfall is a highly acclaimed conductor with many years' experience directing orchestras and ensembles. A passionate and dedicated musician, for many years, Stephen was sub-principal Cellist with the BBC Philharmonic Orchestra. As a conductor, he is committed to bring out the best from his players enabling them to deliver unforgettable musical experiences, Stephen is well known for his ability to communicate with musicians and audiences alike.

He has received praise for his approach from Nina Bernstein-Simmons, daughter of celebrated conductor and composer Leonard Bernstein, who said of Stephen:

"Stephen Threlfall reminded me so much of my father as he moulded their performances, always leading with love, never fear."  

Stephen was instrumental in spearheading the ambitious project to build a new state-of -the-art concert hall at Chetham's and devised the opening celebrations of The Stoller Hall in 2017. He also curated a number of special events and performances throughout 2019 to celebrate Chetham's 50^th anniversary including a special performance of Mahler's 8^th Symphony which was broadcast on BBC Radio 3. He has received acclaim for his numerous performances, recordings and broadcasts, having conducted at major venues and festivals throughout the UK and alongside many international solo artists. Stephen has appeared as a guest conductor in the USA, Europe and Scandanavia. Engagements with professional ensembles include the BBC Philharmonic Orchestras, Manchester Camerata, The Hanover Band, Northern Chamber Orchestra, Royal Northern Sinfonia, Transylvania State Philharmonic, Urals Philharmonic and most recently the Orchestra of Opera North. His work with choirs has included St George’s Singers, Leeds Festival Chorus, Chester Bach Singers, and Manchester Chamber Choir. In 2020, Stephen became Artistic Director of the Lake District Music Festival.

Full details of Chester Philharmonic Orchestra's upcoming concert at Chester Cathedral can be found at: 

www.chesterphilorchestra.co.uk 

...where tickets can be booked online. Tickets can also be booked in person at the Chester Cathedral Box Office.