Sunday 29th August 2004 19:30 Reading Town Hall
Thanks to all the former members of the Orchestra who joined us for this very special evening. Read the special message from then Conductor Christopher Walker.
To celebrate its 60th anniversary, Reading Youth Orchestra presented an exciting programme, beginning with Shostakovitch’s Festival Overture. This was written in 1954 to celebrate the 37th Anniversary of the Russian Revolution, and its direct appeal and joyful mood must have pleased the communist party members for whom it was intended. There is certainly no hint of the composer’s darker side in this sparkling and triumphant celebration.
From 2001 to 2004, Reading Youth Orchestra was been led by violinist Tim Hawken, and in his last concert with the orchestra Tim was the soloist in Dvorak’s ever-popular violin concerto. As with all Dvorak’s music, the spirit of the dance is never far away and the piece is full of beguiling tunes. Folk music lies too at the heart of Borodin’s music, and the concert concluded with his dramatic and exciting Second Symphony in B minor.
60th Anniversary photo gallery
The RYO 60th Anniversary Exhibition
