STAGING big orchestral concerts on a Sunday afternoon has proved quite a hit with Huddersfield audiences.
Which is why there are two scheduled in the spring section of the Kirklees concert season.
The first is on Sunday, January 13 at 4pm and brings the Orchestra of Opera North back to the hall with a musician who is a big favourite with local audiences, Howard Shelley.
“Over the last two years we have done a couple of Sunday afternoon concerts and everyone has said how much they have enjoyed them,” said Dougie Scarfe, former concerts director of Opera North and the man behind the current season.
“We have included two more in the current season in Huddersfield. One in January and another in March.
“First we have the Orchestra of Opera North with Howard Shelley, one of our very favourite people in this hall.
“I thought as this was my last season with the orchestra, I should give you the work that has meant more to me than almost anything that we have recorded with Howard.”
What Dougie was talking about was the Schumann Piano Concerto in A minor which Howard Shelley will play in Huddersfield.
“He really does make this piece of Schumann sound new,” said Dougie.
“There’s something truly remarkable about a pianist directing a concerto like that from the piano.
“I always think it is a privilege to watch someone who can conduct an orchestra by lifting an eyelid! I don’t know how he does it.
“Although we have recorded this piece with Howard, we’ve never played it live with him so it will be quite an exciting event.”
It all adds up to a perfect way for the family to spend a Sunday afternoon blending as it does the Schumann concerto with Fingal’s Cave, Mendelssohn’s most popular overture, and Symphony No 8 in D, Dvorak’s sunniest symphony.
Award-winning Howard Shelley, who is both piano soloist and director of this concert, is among the most prominent English pianists of his generation, playing a broad range of repertoire.
Since 1985, he has taken the role of conductor, performing with prestigious orchestras including the London Philharmonic Orchestra, Royal Scottish National Orchestra and Royal Philharmonic Orchestra.
There will be a Talking Music event in the concert hall at 3.10pm on the day of the concert.
Tickets are £8 to £24 (with concessions) from the box office on 01484 223 200 or on www.kirklees.gov.uk/townhalls
The next Sunday afternoon concert is on March 17 and again features the Orchestra of Opera North, this time in the popular Classic FM at the Movies event featuring music by Rachmaninov, John Williams and Rota.
