### Event Description: Liberation Concert

**Date and Time:** Sunday, 12 November 2023, 2:45 PM  
**Venue:** Assembly Hall, Worthing  
**Conductor:** John Gibbons  
**Leader:** Julian Leaper  

**Program:**
- **Sibelius - Finlandia**
- **Bernard Stevens - Symphony of Liberation**
- **Dvorak - Violin Concerto**
- **Sibelius - Symphony No. 2 in D major**

**Featured Soloist:** Simon Zhu, Violin

Join us for an inspiring afternoon of music at the Assembly Hall in Worthing, featuring the theme of "Liberation." The concert will be conducted by John Gibbons with Julian Leaper as the leader. The program includes:

- **Sibelius' Finlandia:** An iconic symbol of Finnish national pride and liberation.
- **Bernard Stevens' Symphony of Liberation:** Awarded first prize in the 1945 Daily Express Victory Music competition, this piece was premiered by Sir Malcolm Sargent and has been performed by notable conductors such as Sir John Barbirolli and Charles Groves.
- **Dvorak's Violin Concerto:** Performed by the brilliant young violinist Simon Zhu, a major prizewinner at the Yehudi Menuhin International Violin Competition. This concerto is known for its beautiful slow movement and lively dance finale.
- **Sibelius' Symphony No. 2 in D major:** Known for its uplifting conclusion, this symphony is a powerful expression of hope and deliverance from tyranny.

**About Simon Zhu:**
Simon Zhu is a rising star in the classical music world, recognized for his versatile repertoire and exceptional talent. Born in Tübingen, Germany, in 2001, Simon has won numerous prestigious awards, including First Prize at the 13th International Georg Philipp Telemann Competition and the 34th International Violin Competition Valsesia Musica. He has performed with renowned orchestras such as the Academy of St. Martin-in-the-Fields and the Berlin Symphony Orchestra. Simon currently studies with Prof Ana Chumachenco at the Hochschule für Musik und Theater Munich and performs on a fine old Montagnana violin, generously loaned by the Florian Leonhard Fellowship.

Don't miss this opportunity to experience a powerful and moving concert that celebrates the theme of liberation through the works of Sibelius, Stevens, and Dvorak.

**[Buy Tickets](#)**

For more information, visit [Simon Zhu's official website](http://www.simonzhu-violin.com).

Liberation

Assembly Hall Theatre

### Jeneba Kanneh-Mason Concert at Assembly Hall, Worthing

**Date:** Sunday, 26 January 2025  
**Time:** 2:45 pm  
**Venue:** Assembly Hall, Worthing  
**Conductor:** John Gibbons  
**Leader:** Julian Leaper  

Join us for an extraordinary afternoon of music featuring the talented pianist Jeneba Kanneh-Mason. This concert promises a rich and diverse program that will captivate audiences of all ages.

**Program:**
- **Malcolm Arnold:** Cornish Dances
- **Aram Khachaturian:** Adagio from Spartacus
- **Florence Price:** Piano Concerto
- **Samuel Coleridge-Taylor:** Valse de la reine
- **Bernard Stevens:** Symphony of Liberation
- **Klaus Badelt:** Pirates of the Caribbean

**Highlights:**
- **Pirates of the Caribbean** by Klaus Badelt, a piece that needs no introduction for film lovers.
- **Adagio from Spartacus** by Aram Khachaturian, famously known as The Onedin Line theme.
- **Symphony of Liberation** by Bernard Stevens, a complete performance celebrating the theme of liberation.
- **Valse de la reine** by Samuel Coleridge-Taylor, a charming waltz composed during his courtship.
- **Piano Concerto** by Florence Price, performed by Jeneba Kanneh-Mason, a piece she previously showcased at the BBC Proms.
- **Cornish Dances** by Malcolm Arnold, reflecting his love for Cornwall with vivid musical imagery.

This concert is a unique opportunity to experience a blend of classical masterpieces and contemporary favorites, all under the baton of conductor John Gibbons and the leadership of Julian Leaper. Don't miss this chance to witness Jeneba Kanneh-Mason's return to Worthing and her performance of Florence Price’s remarkable Piano Concerto.

**Tickets:** [Buy Tickets](#)

Secure your seats now for an unforgettable musical journey!

Bernard Stevens

Events

Upcoming events

Jan 26, 2025

Jeneba Kanneh-Mason 2025 · Worthing Symphony Orchestra

Past events

Nov 12, 2023

Liberation · Worthing Symphony Orchestra

About

Bernard Stevens hasn't added a bio