Orchestra to perform Holst for charity

One of Gustav Holst’s most famous works will be brought to life by the University of Chichester Symphony Orchestra when they perform in Chichester Cathedral for the very first time.

University spokesman Callum Grantham said: “The Orchestra’s rendition of The Planets will form the centre piece of the concert on October 28, which also features the premiere UK performance of a new viola concerto by Thomas Schmidt Kowalski, performed by internationally-acclaimed soloist Emilian Dascal, for whom the piece was written.

“The concert is in aid of the Princess of Wales Regimental Charity, and Mr Dascal is dedicating his performance to the brave men and women of the regiment.”

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Callum added: “The renaissance of music at the University has seen an explosion of talent that has made the music department the second largest in the country; larger than any of the London colleges of music, or Oxford and Cambridge.

“With four orchestras, as well as bands, operas, musicals and twenty-nine chamber ensembles, the University has found itself near the very top of league tables in terms of student satisfaction. The Chamber Orchestra has been invited to perform in the US, Austria and Switzerland; they will be performing for Prince Charles next year in St Paul’s Cathedral, as well as at Goodwood House as part of Her Grace the Duchess of Richmond’s charity, the NSPCC, for whom the orchestra raised over £9,000 in one concert last summer.

“The Planets is one of the most recognisable British works; the music of Mars has inspired a multitude of film composers, whilst the intensity of the instruments in Jupiter, which include the bass oboe, bass flute, contra bassoon, celeste and organ, have ensured its status as a popular anthem, synonymous with worldwide sporting events.”

The University’s head of orchestral studies Crispin Ward said: “The standard of music making at the University has risen to such a high level in just a few years that students are coming here from across the world to be a part of these very special performances. This looks like being a very exciting evening in aid of a very worthy charity.”

The concert takes place at Chichester Cathedral on Friday, October 28 at 7:30pm. Tickets are priced at £14, £10, and £5, and are available from www.chichestertickets.co.uk.

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