Mussorgsky’s Dawn on the Moscow River was intended as the prelude to his final opera, Khovanshchina, and is a prime example of Mussorgsky’s Russian Folk style. The orchestration was completed by Rimsky-Korsakov in 1886. 

Prokofieff’s Queen of Spades was written as the score for a film by Mikhail Romm, intended for the 100th anniversary of Pushkin’s death, but never completed. English Composer Michael Berkely created a ballet – RUSHES – from Prokofieff’s music for the Royal ballet in 2008, and subsequently published the Orchestral suite played in this concert. 

Stravinsky’s Firebird

Smith Square Hall

Perhaps no work in musical history was as eagerly awaited as Elgar’s First Symphony. Music lovers across Europe and the British Empire were all waiting to see if Elgar could produce a symphony worthy of comparison with those of Beethoven and Brahms. Ahead of its London premiere, the great conductor Hans Richter called it “the greatest symphony of modern times, written by the greatest modern composer – and not only in this country.” Elgar’s choral masterpiece, The Music Makers, was completed only four years later, but sees its composer in a more reflective mood, with touching musical reminders of his earlier works sprinkled throughout, sung here by the acclaimed Elgar Festival Chorus. Featured Composer Michael Berkeley’s Secret Garden is one of his most colourful and ebullient works.

Elgar Festival 2023 - Elgar For Everyone Gala Concert

Worcester Cathedral

An evening of some of the most beautiful and thrilling music ever written for string orchestra, celebrating a web of musical and personal connections. Michael Tippett was the ESO’s first Composer-in-Association, and the orchestra recorded his Concerto for Double String Orchestra under the composer’s guidance during their partnership. Tippett was succeeded by Lennox Berkeley, whose son Michael is this year’s Featured Composer. Michael’s godfather and mentor was, of course, Benjamin Britten, represented here by his incredible homage to his teacher and mentor, Frank Bridge. Two of Elgar’s most haunting miniatures and Ruth Gipps’ beautiful Cringlemire Garden round out a thrilling celebration of British string music.

Michael Berkeley

Events

Past events

May 30, 2026

Stravinsky’s Firebird · Sinfonia Smith Square

Jun 3, 2023

Elgar Festival 2023 - Elgar For Everyone Gala Concert · English Symphony Orchestra

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