THE ENGLISH MUSIC FESTIVAL celebrates Britain’s rich musical heritage by showcasing the brilliance, innovation and beauty of English music.

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English Music Festival: A Night of Bliss

Dorchester Abbey

Experience the musical brilliance of the Rochester Philharmonic Orchestra under the direction of Music Director Andreas Delfs. This event features a captivating performance of Johann Sebastian Bach's Orchestral Suite No. 3 in D Major, BWV 1068, a piece renowned for its elegance and intricate harmonies. The program also includes William Alwyn's evocative "Autumn Legend," a work that beautifully captures the essence of the season with its rich, lyrical lines. The concert culminates with Ludwig van Beethoven's Symphony No. 2 in D Major, a composition that showcases Beethoven's early mastery and innovative spirit. The performance will highlight the talents of cor anglais soloist Anna Steltenpohl, adding a unique and expressive voice to the evening's repertoire. This event is part of the Sunday Matinee at Naz Series, offering a serene and enriching musical experience.

Bach & Beethoven

Glazer Music Performance Center

Longtime faculty member and clarinet virtuoso Joaquín Valdepeñas conducts top wind students. The program opens with Richard Strauss’s lyrical and melodious Serenade, composed when he was only 17. British composer William Alwyn was also an accomplished conductor and flutist, who showcased his instrument in a 1980 concerto inspired by memories of his youth. In Alwyn’s words, the work “came (to me) like recollections of joy once experienced. I just wanted to write a piece of musical beauty." The program concludes with the Swiss Romantic composer Raff’s sunny and technically brilliant Sinfonietta. Raff was the first composer to use the term to describe a work in several movements similar to a symphony, but shorter and lighter in content. Hear top students in a delightful program of rarities for wind ensemble!

William Alwyn

Events

Upcoming events

Feb 1, 2026

True Love · Worthing Symphony Orchestra

Past events

May 23, 2025

English Music Festival: A Night of Bliss · BBC Concert Orchestra

Sep 15, 2024

Bach & Beethoven · Rochester Philharmonic Orchestra

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