Fizz to Fireworks: an evening with the Philharmonia Winds

Programme

*Due to Covid measures, bookings can no longer be taken online – for any last-minute bookings, please do visit the Bedford Corn Exchange box office from 6.30pm on Monday 14 June, where tickets can be bought in person* 

Join members of the Philharmonia’s wind and brass sections as the Orchestra’s musicians make their eagerly-anticipated return to their Bedford residency in a cheerful programme filled with joy and optimism.

Appearing in Bedford for the first time since lockdown, bassoonist Robin O’Neill leads an ensemble of 15 wind players in his own arrangements of well-loved music by composers including Gershwin, Debussy and Handel.

Building on the wind ensemble tradition popularised by the likes of Mozart and Dvořák in their charming wind serenades, Robin O’Neill presents arrangements of keyboard works from across three centuries. Bach’s Fizz Overture reimagines the iconic C major Prelude from the Well-Tempered Clavier, and paves the way for arrangements from Gershwin and Debussy’s masterly preludes for solo piano.

Equally delightful, but with a devious streak of humour, Stravinsky’s Octet for Wind Instruments is widely recognised as one of the composer’s small-scale masterpieces, with moments of virtuosity for each of the ensemble’s musicians.

And to finish, a real fan favourite: Handel’s Music for the Royal Fireworks traditionally accompanies moments of national celebration – with tonight marking the return of live performance in Bedford, we think there’s no better way to close our programme in style.