RECESSION and spending cuts are bad news for all of us.
But those working in the arts always fear the worst when an economic squeeze sees private sponsorship dwindling and public money under threat.
Good to see then that when the new orchestral season for Kirklees was announced there was optimism as well as a note of caution from Opera North concerts director Dougie Scarfe.
“It has been one of our most exciting years with a 13% rise in audiences in the orchestral season in Kirklees,” he said.
“In such times, to show a rise in audiences is really heartening.
“Certainly, the next couple of years is not going to be an easy time for anything. Music is one of the things that will be under pressure.
“I’m pretty positive about music here. There’s so much going on here.”
What he meant by here was Kirklees and in particular the stages of Huddersfield and Dewsbury Town Halls which host major orchestral concerts from September to June featuring not just the Orchestra of Opera North which manages the season, but other leading orchestras.
“I’m so pleased that the leader of Kirklees Council, Clr Mehboob Khan wanted to co-sign the welcome message in our concert season brochure this year,” he said.
“We are realistic about the season. The thought of doing something so ambitious as a compete cycle of Beethoven symphonies – which spans this season and next – is exciting and sends down a strong message.
“We are hoping to bring some of the best artists that we can, artists that we think are the best for the series that we have planned.
“We are also delighted that we have confirmed a deal with Classic FM which will make the orchestra its Orchestra in Yorkshire.
“We will become one of its partner orchestras along with other Classic FM orchestras who are regular guests in the season – the Royal Liverpool Philharmonic and the Northern Sinfonia.
“I used the Kirklees season to show Classic FM how we at Opera North feel about music and about the concert programme.
“When I went to see them about the partnership, I was delighted to see how enthusiastic they were about this and how they shared our excitement for music.
Together, Opera North and Classic FM have chosen four concerts during the new season which will be promoted as Classic FM Recommends.
They will be given air time on the radio station which it is hoped will help fill yet more seats at both Huddersfield and Dewsbury.
The year’s programme features eight concerts in Huddersfield Town Hall and four in Dewsbury, one in the Minster and the other three in the Town Hall once refurbishment work is finished.
“Romantics and Revolutionaries is our theme this year and that could hardly be more appropriate in these turbulent times,” said Dougie.
“There will be plenty of reminders during the season of how many times momentous change can often be a spur to the creation of great visionary art.”
The first concert in Huddersfield is on September 23. More details on all the concerts in the new season’s brochure from libraries and information points.
