Friday 17 January 7.30pm | The Stoller Hall, Manchester
Saturday 18 January 7.30pm | The Heritage Centre, Macclesfield

The Northern Chamber Orchestra’s first concerts of the New Year see them joined by the  marvellously talented Scottish percussionist, Colin Currie. He plays an entertaining work by contemporary Viennese composer Kurt Schwertsik, whose works are characterised by his particular exploration of tonality, musical irony and humour. In Manchester, Colin also partners NCO’s principal clarinet, Elizabeth Jordan, in the atmospheric Nocturne by Stephen Barlow, with whom the orchestra spent many happy years in the pit at the Buxton Festival, and who conducts the piece during the concert. Also on the programme are Dvořák’s Serenade for Strings, in five movements; the glowing harmonies of Delius’ Two Aquarelles; the bracing Praeludium from Grieg’s Holberg Suite (Manchester); and Mozart’s masterpiece, Eine Kleine Nachtmusik (Macclesfield only).