York Guildhall Orchestra

The York Guildhall Orchestra celebrates its 40th anniversary with a special concert at York Barbican.

Almost 40 years to the day from when the orchestra was first founded by John Hastie and played in a ‘one-off’ concert in the Guildhall in York in February 1980, the orchestra will celebrate with a concert that features works and composers from that first concert.

Who could have foretold the amazing journey, reputation, critical acclaim and popularity of the group that has developed in the intervening years.

The anniversary concert begins with the first piece the orchestra played in 1980 – Ravel’s Mother Goose Suite – a wonderful showpiece for orchestra glorious tunes featuring the talents of the wind section.  This is followed with a welcome return of the superb and internationally renowned Jamie Walton, playing Elgar’s evergreen ‘Cello Concerto.

A celebratory orchestral work by the orchestra’s founder John Hastie commences the second half.  The concert concludes with the second symphony of Brahms, which will feature the whole orchestra doing what it loves doing best – playing the luxurious, full orchestral works of the Romantic Period of classical music.”

BRAHMS – SYMPHONY NO.2 IN D