'There was nothing to give away that this is a non-professional orchestra so sumptuous was their sound and committed their approach.' musicOMH, March 2009.

Next Salomon Orchestra concert

7:30pm Monday 29th June 2009 at St John's Smith Square

Дмитрий Дмитриевич Шостакович

Conductor Tecwyn Evans

Rossini William Tell Overture

Wagner Prelude and Liebestod (Tristan und Isolde)

Shostakovich Symphony No. 15

A chance to immerse yourself in music of vital importance to Shostakovich, and consider why he embraces it so directly in his valedictory symphony.

Shostakovich' 15th and last symphony looks back on his life with quotations from his own music as well as others, most obviously Rossini's William Tell in the first movement, and Wagner (from Tristan, and the Fate motive from the Ring) in the last. He claimed not to know why he included them, but that he could not, not include them. Perhaps ultimately more surprising than the appearance of the quotes is the realisation of how integrated they are into Shostakovich' music.

Click here for more details of this concert

The Salomon Orchestra has been recognised for many years as London's leading non-professional symphony orchestra. We are renowned for high quality performances of innovative programmes at our regular concert venue at St. John's, Smith Square in Westminster.

'...their playing sounded thoroughly professional. They also brought something extra to the music - a sense of enthusiasm, commitment and adventure that you do not always find in the ranks of professional symphony orchestras.' Seen and Heard International, November 2008.

Rehearsing The Planets at Cheltenham with Martyn Brabbins, November 2008

Excerpt from a review of the Rite of Spring on 14th October 2008:

'The devil is in the detail and much of the detail was spot on here... The performance seemed to fly by and one really longed to hear it all again.'  Classical Music blog - Robert Hugill

Links to other comments and articles can be found on our reviews page. Have a look at our photo gallery - including links to a page of images from our Tchaikovsky- and Dvořák-athons at the Cheltenham Festival, conducted by our president Martyn Brabbins. We have lots of information on previous concerts accessed from our past concerts page.

For details of all our current concerts go to our concerts page. Members or prospective members, go to the rehearsals page for rehearsal details and other information. To navigate around this site either use the menu on the side panel, or go to the site map for more direct access to subordinate pages.

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2001-2009

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