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Welcome to

Hitchin Symphony Orchestra

Hitchin Symphony Orchestra's motto, 'Promoting Live Music', sums up our passion and goal as an orchestra. Bringing a high standard of symphonic concerts to Hitchin audiences, we enjoy a well-earned reputation for imaginative programming. We are especially pleased to offer a concert platform for local musicians – both orchestral players and soloists.

Concerts​

 

Don't miss the opportunity to experience the haunting beauty and power of Rachmaninov's music. On 11 May 2024, Hitchin Symphony Orchestra will present two of the composer's masterpieces: Isle of the Dead and Symphony No. 2 in E minor. Isle of the Dead is a symphonic poem that evokes the journey of a soul to the afterlife, based on a painting by Arnold Böcklin. Symphony No. 2 is a lush and romantic work, full of lyrical themes and dramatic contrasts. Both pieces showcase Rachmaninov's skill as an orchestrator and his expressive use of the musical language.

Our concert on 18 November 2023 opened with César Cui’s Petite Suite No. 3, which is an exciting smorgasbord of fluctuating moods and forms. The work sits neatly within the unmistakeable aesthetic of his contemporaries, the so-called ‘Mighty Handful’ of 19th century composers who set about curating a distinctively Russian style. This was followed by Schubert’s Symphony No. 6, which, although one of his later symphonies, was composed when Schubert was in his early twenties so still abounds with levity and youth. The second half started with Charles Ives’ landmark The Unanswered Question, which stacks harshly contrasting musical elements, operating at different speeds, on top of one another. The effect is both jarring and haunting as a solo trumpet ponders the ‘perennial question of existence’, striving in vain for a definitive answer. For the concert’s finale we were absolutely thrilled to be performing Schumann’s Piano Concerto with Cordelia Williams. One of the composer’s most poignant and subtly articulated works, the concerto was so praised by its dedicatee and premiere soloist, Clara Schumann: ‘... how rich in invention, how interesting from the beginning to the end, how fresh and what a beautiful coherent whole!’.

To find out more, please visit our Concerts page.

Seeking Musicians

We are always keen to hear from instrumentalists looking to join an exciting and friendly orchestra in North Hertfordshire. At present we would particularly like to hear from cellists and double bass players looking to play with an orchestra.

 

For more information see the Join Us page.

Patrons of HSO

Our Patrons help support the continued development of the orchestra and this allows our audiences to enjoy new and exciting programmes and soloists. We are very grateful to the members of our Patrons scheme.

 

If you would like to join the scheme and get discounted concert tickets, please see the Support Us page.

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