NSO Concert

Sunday 19th May 2019
15:30

Norfolk Symphony Orchestra presents Journeys in Paradise

Mendelssohn - Symphony No. 4 in A "Italian"
Delius - The Walk to the Paradise Garden
Takemitsu - Green - November Steps No. 2
Elgar - In the South

Our two major works reflect the feelings of Northern European composers, Mendelssohn and Elgar, on experiencing the bright sunshine of Italy. From 1829 to 1831, Mendelssohn embarked on a Grand Tour of Europe. The mists and mystery of Scotland gave us both the Scottish Symphonyand The Hebrides Overture. It was Italy, though, which gave him the inspiration for what he called �the jolliest piece I have ever done��, his vivid and vivacious Italian Symphony. Elgar's overture In the South is a substantial tone poem. Subtitled Alassio, it was written during a holiday in that town on the Italian Riviera. Not only is it full of the sights and colours that he saw and delighted in, it is also imbued with a sense of the history of the place, �the conflict of the armies long ago�the contrast of the ruin and the shepherd�. This is Elgar at the height of his powers. The Japanese composer, Toru Takemitsu, is perhaps best known for his film scores. However, his concert music is also breathtaking and wonderful. In 1967 he hid himself away in his garden with the scores of Debussy, trying to fathom the secret of his timeless balance and sensuality. One of the results was the ravishing Green, a tiny and exquisite jewel of a piece. Delius also gives us a garden in his opera A Village Romeo and Juliet. However, this one, The Paradise Garden, is a pub which our star-crossed lovers, Sali and Vreli, go to on their journey to death and eternal love.

More information on our website www.nso-uk.co.uk/

Price: Adult �16, first 100 under 18s free (then �8), friends and members �2 discount

Location: St Nicholas Chapel, St Ann's St, King's Lynn, Norfolk, PE30 1LT