Northern Chamber Orchestra ‘Mozart on Tour’ Season Celebrates Iconic Travels and Timeless Masterpieces

Northern Chamber Orchestra

The Northern Chamber Orchestra (NCO) is thrilled to announce its eagerly awaited 2024-25 classical season, promising a series of captivating performances and notable guest artists. Tickets for all concerts are now on sale.

Journey with “Mozart on Tour”

Themed “Mozart on Tour,” this season celebrates the influential travels and journeys of Mozart, which profoundly shaped his music. Four concerts will spotlight symphonies tied to specific cities: Paris, Linz, Vienna, and Prague, along with his final choral masterpiece, the Requiem. But this season isn’t just about Mozart. It offers a rich tapestry of music from the 17th to the 21st centuries, featuring composers like Corelli, Shostakovich, Bach, Bruckner, Schubert, Anna Thorvaldsdottir, Beethoven, John Adams, Tchaikovsky, and Jessie Montgomery. Audiences can enjoy well-known pieces like Beethoven’s Fifth Symphony and discover lesser-well known gems such as the incredibly moving Elegy (In Memoriam Stephen Lawrence) by the contemporary British composer, Philip Herbert. Together, these works create a series of thoughtfully curated programmes designed to inspire and delight…

Northern Chamber Orchestra

Season Opening

Kicking off on Saturday 28th September, ‘Mozart on Tour (Paris)’ features the Manchester Chamber Choir, led by Sarah Brandwood-Spencer and conducted by Ellie Slorach. Known for her dynamic leadership, Brandwood-Spencer, and rising star in the conducting world Slorach, will present an evening with Mozart’s Overture to The Magic Flute, Symphony No.31 (‘Paris’), and the profound Requiem, setting a high bar for the season devoted to celebrating classical masterpieces.

Violin Virtuoso and Emotional Depth

On Saturday 2nd November, violin virtuoso Jennifer Pike, under the direction of Zoë Beyers, will join the NCO. Pike, BBC Young Musician of the Year winner, celebrated for her interpretative flair and technique, along with Beyers, known for her versatile musicianship, will present Philip Herbert’s Elegy (In Memoriam Stephen Lawrence), Schubert’s Symphony No.2, and Mendelssohn’s Violin Concerto in E minor. This concert promises emotional depth and technical brilliance.

Jennifer Pike

Festive Christmas Concerts

Embrace the Christmas spirit on Friday, 13th December, at Tatton Park’s Tenants’ Hall for the annual Christmas Concerts with performances at 3.30pm and 7pm, the NCO will be joined by the Choir of St Nicholas Catholic High School. Matinee tickets are £21, while evening tickets, which include a tour of the Mansion House, are £28.

Post-Christmas Celebrations

On Saturday 14th December, renowned cellist Raphael Wallfisch and director Katie Stillman will perform a diverse program including Anna Thorvaldsdottir’s Illumine, Tchaikovsky’s Variations on a Rococo Theme, Bruckner’s Adagio from String Quintet, and Mozart’s Symphony No.36 (‘Linz’). NCO’s president Wallfisch’s expressive playing and Stillman’s vibrant leadership promise a memorable performance.

Northern Chamber Orchestra

2025 New Year Highlights

The new year kicks off with “Strum” on Saturday 18th January. Harpsichordist Darius Battiwalla and director Christopher Jones will present Corelli’s Concerto Grosso, Jessie Montgomery’s Strum, Bach’s Harpsichord Concerto No.1, and Tchaikovsky’s Serenade for Strings. Expect a rich blend of baroque and contemporary sounds. Battiwalla is celebrated for his technical skill and sensitivity, while Jones is known for his engaging and nuanced performances.

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Exploring Vienna

On Saturday 15th February, “Mozart on Tour (Vienna)” features pianist Jeneba Kanneh-Mason and director Benedict Holland. Kanneh-Mason, known for her exceptional talent, and Holland, acclaimed for his versatile musicianship, will perform George Walker’s Lyric for Strings, Mozart’s Piano Concerto No.23, John Adams’ Shaker Loops, and Mozart’s Symphony No.35 (‘Haffner’), blending lyrical and dynamic works.

Wind Instruments Showcase

Saturday 15th March, will highlight the NCO Wind Principals in “Northern Winds Shall Blow,” with works like Caplet’s Suite Persane, Nielsen’s Wind Quintet, and Dvořák’s Serenade for Wind Instruments.

Northern Chamber Orchestra

From Darkness to Light

On Saturday 5th April, Sarah Brandwood-Spencer directs “From Darkness to Light,” featuring Beethoven’s Overture to ‘Fidelio’, Shostakovich’s Chamber Symphony, Op.110a, and Beethoven’s Symphony No. 5, guiding the audience on a transformative journey from tension to triumph.

Grand Finale: “Mozart on Tour (Prague)”

The season concludes on Saturday 3rd May, with “Mozart on Tour (Prague),” directed by Zoë Beyers, featuring Schnittke’s Moz-Art a la Haydn, Haydn’s Symphony No.45 (‘Farewell’), Judith Weir’s Still, Glowing, and Mozart’s Symphony No.38 (‘Prague’).

Northern Chamber Orchestra

All concerts will be held at The King’s School in Macclesfield, except for the January and March performances which will be held at at St Michael’s Church in Macclesfield, and the Christmas Concerts at Tatton Park in Knutsford. Tickets are £28, with discounts for under 30s and free entry for students and under 18s (excluding Christmas Concerts).

Ticket Bookings for 2024/25 season

Tickets are now on sale and can be booked online at ncorch.co.uk or by calling 0161 706 1990. Season tickets and group discounts are also available.


Who are Northern Chamber Orchestra?

Since its founding in 1967, the NCO has made a significant mark with over thirty critically-acclaimed recordings and a global reputation. Comprised of around twenty-five distinguished chamber musicians who often perform as soloists, the NCO feature regularly at Buxton International Festival, playing for many of their opera productions.

Northern Chamber Orchestra, Manchester Metropolitan University, Brooks Building, 53 Bonsall Street, Manchester, M15 6GX

T: 0161 247 2220

E: [email protected]

 

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