Harrogate Symphony Orchestra to bring joy of music online for audiences in new venture

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Its dynamic musical director Bryan Western would normally be relaxing now after the orchestra’s big joint Christmas concert with the Harrogate Choral Society and local school children.

To make up for that absence, he has been beavering away on bringing classic concerts of the past to audiences at home.

Mr Western said: “After all this time of no music making, I had an idea . . . to try and lift spirits of the people of our fine town.

“In March, HSO were a week away from our Spring Concert with local pianist Julian Saphir, when lockdown came into effect.

“Since then we have been unable to rehearse. So not only were the members of the orchestra devastated, our supporters missed out on what would have been a wonderful night of music making.”

HSO has now selected a series of concerts free to listen to at its HSO website, www.harrogateorchestra.org.uk.

The first concert, which is available now, is from the HSO’s 2018 summer concert featuring The Lark Ascending.

In the new year there will be another concert from the orchestra’s 2018 series including Mozart’s Magic Flute Overture.

HSO are hoping to be back to normal in March next year with the postponed March 2019 concert with Julian Saphir, playing the 2nd Shostakovich piano concerto.

Also included are Tchaikovsky’s Romeo and Juliet Overture and Beethoven's Symphony no. 7.

All those who bought tickets for this concert will be able to use them on this occasion.

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