Friday 17 January 2025 7.30pm
On Friday 17 January 2025, The Bridgewater Hall will host an unforgettable evening of music featuring the German National Orchestra, with the dynamic Wayne Marshall serving as both conductor and piano soloist. Alongside the German–British Choir Academy, the orchestra will present a thrilling programme of Britten’s The Young Person’s Guide to the Orchestra, Gershwin’s Rhapsody in Blue, and Holst’s The Planets.
This concert promises to take audiences on a journey through musical brilliance, from the playful and educational, to the jazz-inspired, to the cosmic.
Britten’s The Young Person’s Guide to the Orchestra: A Celebration of Sound
The evening begins with Benjamin Britten’s The Young Person’s Guide to the Orchestra. Written in 1945 for an educational documentary, this piece quickly became a concert hall favourite. Subtitled Variations and Fugue on a Theme of Purcell, it showcases the individual sections of the orchestra, demonstrating their unique sounds and capabilities.
The piece opens with a bold statement of Henry Purcell’s stately theme, played in unison by the full orchestra. What follows is a series of enchanting variations, each highlighting a specific section of the orchestra: The woodwinds add playful flourishes and nimble melodies; the strings dazzle with their sweeping, lyrical passages; the brass bring power and majesty; and the percussion take centre stage with rhythmic brilliance and colour.
The work culminates in a thrilling fugue, where all sections of the orchestra come together in a dazzling finale that reintegrates Purcell’s original theme, reminding us of the incredible versatility and unity of the symphony orchestra.
Gershwin’s Rhapsody in Blue: An Icon of the Jazz Age
The concert then moves across the Atlantic to George Gershwin’s Rhapsody in Blue, one of the most iconic works of 20th-century American music. Composed in 1924, this genre-defying masterpiece blends classical and jazz, capturing the vibrant energy and optimism of the Jazz Age.
The piece opens with an unforgettable clarinet glissando—a swooping, improvisatory wail that sets the stage for the music’s fusion of elegance and exuberance. Gershwin’s score brims with syncopated rhythms, bluesy melodies, and lush harmonies, creating a uniquely American sound.
At its heart is the piano solo, which Wayne Marshall will bring to life while simultaneously conducting the orchestra. Marshall’s ability to embody the work’s jazz-infused spirit ensures a performance that will be as thrilling as it is authentic. Expect lively dialogue between piano and orchestra, a shimmering slow theme that radiates romance, and a rousing finale that sweeps the audience into a triumphant close.
Rhapsody in Blue remains a cornerstone of American music, celebrated for its ingenuity and universal appeal. Hearing it performed live, with Marshall at the helm, will undoubtedly be one of the highlights of the evening.
Holst’s The Planets: A Cosmic Masterpiece
The evening concludes with Gustav Holst’s The Planets, a seven-movement suite that takes listeners on an extraordinary journey through the solar system. Each movement represents the astrological and mythological character of a planet, resulting in one of the most imaginative and evocative works in the orchestral repertoire.
The suite opens with Mars, the Bringer of War, an intense march that conveys the chaos of conflict. Venus, the Bringer of Peace offers a serene contrast with warm melodies and lush orchestration. Mercury, the Winged Messenger is playful and agile, reflecting its namesake’s swift nature. Jupiter, the Bringer of Jollity is exuberant, featuring a noble hymn famously adapted into I Vow to Thee, My Country. Saturn, the Bringer of Old Age evokes the passage of time, ending in profound peace. Uranus, the Magician is whimsical and dramatic, while Neptune, the Mystic concludes the suite with an ethereal choir fading into infinity.
Wayne Marshall: A Musical Force
Wayne Marshall is renowned worldwide for his charismatic presence and extraordinary versatility as a conductor, pianist, and organist. His deep connection to jazz and classical traditions makes him uniquely suited to lead this evening’s diverse programme. From the vitality of Britten’s orchestral showcase to the soulful lyricism of Gershwin and the grandeur of Holst’s cosmic vision, Marshall’s artistry ensures a performance that will captivate and inspire.
An Unmissable Evening
This extraordinary concert on 17 January 2025 is a celebration of the power of orchestral music to transport, entertain, and uplift. With Britten’s delightful Young Person’s Guide, Gershwin’s unforgettable Rhapsody in Blue, and Holst’s majestic The Planets, the German National Orchestra and Wayne Marshall will deliver an evening of extraordinary musical journeys.
Book your tickets today and prepare to be swept away by the brilliance of this world-class performance.