Felix Klieser returns

The new season gets off to an exciting start with the return of BSO Artist-in-Residence Felix Klieser. Felix joins us to explore more beautiful music and joins us as we travel the South West (with Alex his French horn!) performing concerts in Plymouth [15 Sep], Southampton [20 Sep], Barnstaple [21 Sep] and Bradford-on-Avon [23 Sep] with music by Dvořák, Mozart and Mendelssohn…


Feodor Akimenko’s Cello Concerto

Join us for an important moment this autumn as the Orchestra prepares to play the world premiere of Feodor Akimenko’s Cello Concerto with cellist Victor Julien-Laferrière and chief conductor Kirill Karabits in Poole [5 Oct] and Portsmouth [6 Oct].

Akimenko was a composer, pianist and musicologist who was born in Ukraine in 1876. You might already be familiar with his Angel: Poem Nocturne which we performed in the early months of lockdown. Its dreamlike nature gives you an idea of what you can expect from the Cello Concerto, an equally melodic piece! Here’s a snippet to give you a taste – we asked BSO Principal Cello, Jesper Svedberg (with pianist Samantha Carrasco) to record the beautiful slow movement.

Dame Sarah Connolly sings Des Knaben Wunderhorn with us…

We’re thrilled that world-renowned Mezzo-soprano Dame Sarah Connolly joins us in Poole [9 Nov] and Exeter [10 Nov] for a magical programme. Dame Sarah is best known for her baroque and classical roles and was made a Dame in the 2017 birthday honours for her services to music.

She’ll be singing Mahler’s Des Knaben Wunderhorn (The Youth’s Magic Horn), which consists of voice and orchestra settings of German folk poems. This is some of Mahler’s best known music and explores tales of love, mystery, horror, magic and humour, all of which captivated the composer. The piece sits in a programme of Ravel, Mason and Humperdinck…we can’t wait!

Dame Sarah Connolly (C) Christopher Pledger

Chloé van Soeterstède returns to conduct Bruch’s Violin Concerto No.1

Following rave reviews we’re delighted to welcome back Chloé van Soeterstède to conduct a programme of Tchaikovsky, Bruch and Dvořák in Poole [2 Nov]. After her debut performance here in Poole in March 2022, Bachtrack described her as “clearly someone to watch” and said “a return visit from van Soeterstède could not be soon enough.” We agree!

Originally from Paris, Chloé studied at the Royal Northern College of Music (RNCM) and has now made her home here in the UK. She’s attracting the attention of orchestras across the globe for her intuitive, sensitive and expressive music-making and we can’t wait to see what she brings to this programme of Tchaikovsky, Bruch and Dvořák.


Handel’s Messiah with Laurence Cummings

Handel’s Messiah has secured itself as a Christmas favourite since 1742. The Christmas oratorio retells the Christmas story and is heaped full of beautiful arias such as He was Despised and Rejected, I know that My Redeemer Liveth as well as the illustrious Hallelujah chorus (one of the most famous pieces of Baroque choral music).

Laurence Cummings will conduct and we’re pleased to welcome back the renowned expert of Baroque music, and noted authority on Handel, to Poole on [14 Dec]. The Guardian said “he matches Handel’s energy and invention with unmistakable lyricism, generosity and dignity.” Bournemouth Symphony Chorus joins the Orchestra for this special night to welcome in the festive season.

We’re feeling inspired and hope you are too!

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