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"An ensemble of real distinction that plays with passion and enthusiasm"
Click here to see the latest vacancies in the orchestra.
The LSO opens its 87th season with Wagner's remarkably evocative and passionate Prelude and Liebestod from Tristan and Isolde. The virtuosic violin concerto by Sibelius is the only concerto he wrote and provides an excellent opportunity for our exciting young soloist David Chivers to display his mastery and talent in Leicester. Concluding this concert is Shostakovitch's intense and emotional 5th Symphony to which the famous and historically significant justification "a Soviet artist's creative response to justified criticism" is attributed.
For the second concert we are thrilled to welcome back to the De Montfort Hall the pianist Charles Owen, performing Brahms' Piano Concerto No. 2. This concert concludes with Tchaikovsky's 6th Symphony 'Pathetique' (meaning passionate or emotional), one of his most popular works due to its tunefulness, brilliant full orchestration and depth of romantic emotion.
The season ends with a coming together of two great local musical institutions and local music legend Keith Smith to treat you to the wonderful massed sounds of Verdi's Requiem, one of the greatest choral works ever written. Keith was chorus master of the Leicester Philharmonic Choir for 18 years and conductor of the Leicester Symphony Orchestra for 21 years and has looked forward to conducting a performance of Verdi's great work with Leicester's foremost choir and orchestra for many years. This exciting concert is in celebration of his 70th birthday. Don't miss your chance to attend! Did you play in the LSO during Keith Smith's 21 years as conductor? If so, click here to find out more about our plans for this special concert.
As guest conductor for the first concert this season,The Leicester Symphony Orchestra is delighted to welcome one of the most dynamic conductors working in the UK today - Jason Lai, winner of the BBC young conductor's workshop in 2002 and conducting mentor to the winner of the BBC 'Maestro' competition. Jason and the LSO have already enjoyed working together in rehearsals and we are sure you will be inspired by the energy, passion and enthusiasm he brings.
The Leicester Symphony Orchestra was founded in 1922 by Sir Malcolm Sargent, then a local parish organist and chorus master. The orchestra continues the Sargent tradition of recruiting talented local players and bringing to Leicester soloists of international calibre and fame, to give the people of Leicester symphonic music of the highest possible standard. Each year it performs three concerts at its regular venue, the De Montfort Hall in Leicester, and is available for others.
The LSO is a registered charity and relies solely on income from ticket sales, members' subscriptions, Friends of the LSO, Patrons, and sponsorship from Sheehan's Music Services and Timothy Batchelar Stringed Instruments, to ensure that the long and fine tradition of music making established by Sir Malcolm Sargent continues. It receives no public funding apart from occasional grants for special projects. You can assist us this season by coming to our concerts in the De Montfort Hall, and by becoming a subscriber, Friend or Patron.
Last updated November 18th 2009
