Step inside St. Hugo of the Hills for an evening that explores the musical building blocks at the heart of great compositions. World-renowned organist James O’Donnell, former Master of Music at Westminster Abbey, leads a powerful program featuring organ concertos by Handel and Poulenc. Joined by works from Saint-Saëns and Composer-in-Residence Hannah Kendall, Cornerstone reveals how composers embed structure, contrast, and emotion into the smallest musical ideas—each one a foundation for something extraordinary.

Cornerstone

St. Hugo of the Hills Church

Richard Strauss’s colossal ‘An Alpine Symphony’ is one of his largest, non-operatic works, calling for no fewer than 125 players. Traversing 22 sections, reflecting the scenes encountered on the ascent and return, it was largely inspired by the composer’s childhood experience of climbing mountains with friends. From the serene sunrise to the ominous storm, Strauss masterfully employs orchestral colours to depict nature’s majesty and challenges.

EPSG:4326

An Alpine Symphony

The Bridgewater Hall

We welcome two international stars at our sixth orchestral evening – conductor Angus Webster and cellist István Várdai.

Dawning, written in 2020 by contemporary British composer Huw Watkins for the Indianapolis Symphony Orchestra, joins other Czech premieres this season. The world premiere was conducted a few years ago by Angus Webster, who was so enchanted by Watkins's academically refined yet highly accessible music that he included it in his Prague debut program.

Watkins. Shostakovich. Schumann

Dvořák Hall Rudolfinum

On the eve of their 20th anniversary, the string, wind and piano players of much-loved Ensemble 360 return to Portsmouth. Their programme includes captivating charm and wit in George Onslow’s Nonet. This is a chance to hear one of the finest and largest-scale chamber works by the composer, nicknamed the ‘French Beethoven’, whose five movements move through an expressive array of moods from turbulence to a jubilant conclusion.

Mozart, Onslow & Watkins

Portsmouth Guildhall

First up, the UK premiere of Jessie Montgomery’s Coincident Dances. Frenetic energy and a multicultural aural palette radiate in this depiction of the sounds of New York. The second UK premiere comes in the form of Elena Kats-Chernin’s violin concerto Fantasie im Wintergarten, written for tonight’s soloist, Emily Sun. Inspired by a 1920s silent film set in the fairground circus Wintergarten in Berlin, the concerto explores the contrast of love and betrayal – from light to shadow, tango to chaos, virtuosity to suspended lyricism. To close we turn to Huw Watkins’ Second Symphony, written during the pandemic this large scale work, whilst relatively short, packs a punchy delivery of ravishing texture and expansive melody.

BBC Now - Now!

Wales Millennium Centre

Bbc Now – Now!

Go behind the scenes as our 2023 Young Composers hear their compositions played for the first time by our festival artists. This interactive session, hosted by our Resident Composer, David Ludwig, will give a glimpse into the creative process of bringing a new composition to life.

Festival Tuesday

Cathedral Church of St. Paul

Saint Michael's College

Britten's Young Apollo and Les Illuminations were written in Canada and America. Here, his setting of Rimbaud’s surrealist poetry is sung by acclaimed UK soprano, Elizabeth Watts. We also hear the sound of 1940s America in the works of Britten’s “very dear friend” and mentor in his bohemian New York circle, Aaron Copland.

Huw Watkins

Events

Upcoming events

16 - 20 May, 2026

Britten In America With Elizabeth Watts And Oleg Shebeta-dragan · Britten Sinfonia

Past events

Jun 14, 2025

Cornerstone · Great Lakes Chamber Music Festival

May 10, 2025

An Alpine Symphony · The Hallé

Future and recently performed repertoire

Piano in Young Apollo by Britten

Britten Sinfonia

About

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