- Thursday 19 June – The Fire Station, Sunderland
- Friday 20 June – Newcastle Cathedral
- Saturday 21 June – Hexham Abbey
- Sunday 22 June – Sedbergh Music Festival
- Friday 27 June – Ripon Cathedral
- Saturday 28 June – St George’s Church, Cullercoats
- Sunday 29 June – St Mary’s Church, Wooler
Fresh. Bright. Sounds like summer.
Who’s on stage
Royal Northern Sinfonia, directed by Artistic Partner Maria Włoszczowska, in beautiful venues across the North of England.
What they’re playing
Vivaldi’s timeless The Four Seasons sits at the heart of this concert. Energetic, whirling dances from Greece and Transylvania and Grieg’s Holberg Suite are also on the set list.
What you’ll hear
Sándor Veress Four Transylvanian Dances (15’)
Edvard Grieg Holberg Suite (21’)
Nikos Skalkottas Five Greek Dances (9‘)
Interval
Antonio Vivaldi The Four Seasons (37’)
Who’s playing it
Maria Włoszczowska director
Royal Northern Sinfonia
What’s happening in the music
Three centuries after they were composed, Vivaldi’s The Four Seasons sounds as fresh and tuneful as ever – and there’s still nothing to beat the sensation of hearing these four brilliant concertos performed live in concert. Experience the birdsong of Spring, the downpours of Summer, the celebrations of Autumn, and the icy shiver of Winter. Never mind four seasons in one day, it’s four seasons in half an hour.
Grieg’s Holberg Suite – sometimes also known as ‘From Holberg’s Time – Suite in olden style’ – was written to celebrate the 200th birthday of playwright Ludvig Holberg. It takes five dance styles from the 1700s and gives them a 1884 twist, with some energetic, some more contemplative.
The dances continue with Veress’ Four Transylvanian Dances and Skalkottas’ Five Greek Dances, which both take traditional folk dances and turn them into delightful, dizzying whirlwinds for orchestra.
Get a feel for the music
Here’s one of the pieces you’ll hear on this concert tour – Grieg’s Holberg Suite. It’s a real favourite of Maria and the orchestra, this was recorded in Hexham Abbey in December 2023. Expect the same energy and enthusiasm this time too.
Edvard Grieg’s Holberg Suite – Praeludium (Allegro vivace) | Royal Northern Sinfonia in Hexham Abbey
