From Darkness To Light
Director Sarah Brandwood-Spencer
Beethoven Overture to ‘Fidelio’
Shostakovich Chamber Symphony, Op.110a
Beethoven Symphony No. 5
Saturday 5 April 2025 7.30pm
The King’s School in Macclesfield
Tickets: £28.00 | Under 30s £18 | Full Time Students and Under 18s Free
This concert moves from the darkness of Beethoven’s Overture to ‘Fidelio’ and the C minor Shostakovich Chamber Symphony to the dazzling C major light that illuminates the closing bars of Beethoven’s Symphony No.5.
Beethoven spent ten years composing Fidelio and said of the overture, “Of all my children, this is the one that cost me the worst birth-pangs and brought me the most sorrow; and for that reason it is the one most dear to me.”
Shostakovich’s introspective, autobiographical and deeply moving Chamber Symphony began life as the Eighth String Quartet. This arrangement for string orchestra was made by the Russian conductor and violist, Rudolf Barshai. When Barshai showed Shostakovich the arrangement he was quoted as saying “Well, that sounds better than the original. We will give the piece a new name: Chamber Symphony, Opus 110a.”
We emerge from the darkness of the Shostakovich into the light. From the most recognisable four note motif opening in all classical music to its triumphant finale, Beethoven’s Symphony No.5 is the pinnacle of Western art music.
Sarah Brandwood-Spencer has toured the world as principal and soloist with the European Union Chamber Orchestra. She was formerly principal violinist of the Hallé Orchestra and now enjoys a varied career as guest principal with many of the country’s leading orchestras.
This concert has been generously sponsored by Michael and Joanna Sambrook.
