Whilst our grade 2 listed Liverpool Philharmonic Hall is closed for a multi-million pond refurbishment, the Royal Liverpool Philharmonic Orchestra has been visiting places the length and breadth of the British Isles. Last week, the Perth Festival of The Arts and this week, the Malvern Festival of Music.
The birthplace of Elgar is always a tranquil, beautiful place to give a concert. The Forum Theatre is surrounded by beautiful gardens. The streets are old, picturesque, tree lined, and indeed teeming with flora and fauna. Always a pleasure to visit on a warm, sunny day.
Aah… Elgar!
The Priory is stunning, too!
The programme in Malvern would begin and end with two stalwarts of the Elgar repertory; Cockaigne Overture and the second symphony. Two very popular works which have been enjoyed many times by our own Liverpool audience over the years, too.
RLPO assembling in Malvern for the afternoon rehearsal
The concert to be conducted by English Music aficionado David Lloyd Jones. The filling in the Elgar sandwich would be Russian; Rachmaninov’s Piano Concerto no. 2, played by Freddy Kempf.
Freddy Kempf getting used to yet another strange keyboard…
Time for a spot of practice for me too!
Just for once, the RLPO had enough trumpets on call to give me a break, so I had the second half off.
Forthcoming RLPO appearances include: Dublin, Limerick, London, China; and in Liverpool: Sefton Park, St. George’s Hall, Tate Liverpool, and performances in the Cathedrals…
Cheers!
Malvern Hills Bitter!
If you have the opportunity a visit to Elgar’s Birthplace in Lower Broadheath is really worthwhile.
Lovely post, interesting to read! Thanks for your share…….