A READING orchestra is set to take its audience on a journey through Greek mythology in concert on Saturday, February 11.
Aldworth Philharmonic Orchestra (APO) will take to the University of Reading’s Great Hall to perform a repertoire linked by the theme of fate.
The first half of the concert will follow the struggles of two Ancient Greek protagonists. Liszt’s Prometheus chronicles his harsh punishment from Zeus and sorrow at his fall as a Titan, but ultimately ends in triumph.
A more tragic fate awaits the mountain nymph Echo. In 2008, APO commissioned British composer Graham Ross to tell her story, which ends with having her voice reduced to a foolish repetition of others’ words.
Her talkative character is brought to life by clarinet soloist Caroline Owen, with the music ending with her lamenting repetitively over a beautiful orchestral realisation of Orlando Gibbon’s melancholic song, The Silver Swan.
After the interval, visitors will be treated to Tchaikovsky’s dramatic Fourth Symphony, which opens with its famous theme about which Tchaikovsky wrote: “This is fate: that fateful force which prevents the impulse to happiness from attaining its goal, which jealously ensures that peace and happiness shall not be complete and unclouded.”
Although this dark and threatening theme dominates the symphony, batting back delightful dancing, rampantly romantic and playful pizzicato in turn, it cannot overcome the ecstatic music of the finale. The piece ends with a display of celebratory musical fireworks.
Tickets are £15 for adults, £10 for under 18s and £7 for 5-15-year-olds.
As ever, APO’s famous ‘Concert Virgin’ scheme offers free tickets, no questions asked, to anyone who’s never heard a live orchestra perform.
The concert takes place at 7.30pm.
For more information or to book tickets, visit: www.aldworthphilharmonic.org.uk
