From the evocative strings of Vivaldi to the tango nuances of Piazzolla, Sinfonia Viva brings a splendid array of performances to life in the UK. Whether it's the cherished notes of Bach or the innovative sounds of the Holst family, each concert promises a unique auditory experience. Join Sophie Rosa and a host of talented musicians across diverse venues as they breathe life into classical and contemporary masterpieces, inviting you to explore the depths of musical ingenuity and cultural heritage.

Sinfonia Viva: A Journey Through Timeless Classics and Modern Interpretations

Step into the enchanting world of Sinfonia Viva, where music transcends time and geographical boundaries. This season, the distinguished ensemble invites you to experience a series of captivating concerts, each showcasing unique blends of orchestral and choral works. From the tango-infused rhythms of Ástor Piazzolla to the ethereal sounds of flute and harp duets, and a tribute to the Holst family, this journey is set to touch hearts and minds alike. Join us and discover how music connects cultures and eras in the most profound ways.

Sinfonia Viva's Harmonious Journeys: Exploring Music Across Time and Space

Lucy Nolan

Rachel Holt

Sinfonia Viva

And now for something completely different. Our series of intimate afternoon concerts continues with the duo of Section Principal Flute, Rachel Holt, and regular guest harpist Lucy Nolan. This combination of instruments makes for a particularly ethereal and otherworldly sound – great taking a pause from your day and letting the sounds wash over you.

We have a combination of music written especially for flute and harp, and arrangements of well-known pieces, with Rachel and Lucy providing insights into the composers and music throughout the performance. You might not have heard of Pearl Chertok, Jacques Ibert or Marc Bethomieu, but they really were harp specialists and knew how to write for the instrument. But for more familiar sounds we have flute and harp arrangements of Chopin’s famous Minute Waltz and Ashokan Farewell by American folk musician Jay Ungar, based on a Scottish lament.

Flute & Harp

The Museum of Making

Join us for a celebration of the musical legacy of the Holst family – both Gustav and his exceptionally talented and influential daughter, Imogen.

Imogen worked with Benjamin Britten to establish the longstanding Aldeburgh Festival in Suffolk alongside her distinguished composing career. Tonight’s highlights are the folk and baroque–inspired Variations on Loth to Depart and the spectacular but rarely heard Festival Anthem, performed with the Royal Birmingham Conservatoire Chamber Choir.

From Gustav we have his St Paul’s Suite. Like Imogen’s Variations on Loth to Depart it’s based on English folk music, but it’s much more boisterous and dense – like the musical equivalent of eating a chocolate cake.

The Holsts: Father & Daughter

Derby Cathedral

Hear one of the UK’s best young horn players, Sarah Pennington, perform Brahms’ celebrated Horn Trio alongside our leader Sophie Rosa and pianist Ian Buckle. Sarah joined us as Section Principal Horn in 2025, having been joint principal horn of the National Youth Orchestra of Great Britain. We’re excited to be able to showcase her skills in this concert.

One of relatively few pieces composed for horn, violin and piano, Brahms composed the Trio in response to the death of his mother. With a movement marked ‘sorrowful’ and the horn’s melancholic sound fully realised, it evokes time spent in nature, particularly the Black Forest.

Brahms’ Horn Trio

Is there an English sound we can all agree on? Of course not. But at least we can celebrate the music of English composers and how they have depicted the country over time. Ralph Vaughan Williams’ The Lark Ascending is enduringly popular as a portrait of rural England. But it was written amongst military manoeuvres preparing for World War I and so must be heard as much as a heartbreaking piece about loss as it is some depiction of bucolic Albion. Our leader, Sophie Rosa, is our violin soloist. If you’ve heard Sophie before you know what a treat you’re in for, and if you haven’t then you really wouldn’t want to miss this performance

We also have music by two composers who bookend the idea of English classical music. Henry Purcell wrote wild, emotive music for both the palaces and backstreets of early 17th century London. Edward Elgar is the composer we associate with pomp and circumstance and the rigour of Empire. But actually no – listen to Elgar’s Serenade for Strings and you can hear the same raw emotion of Purcell. Maybe the English aren’t so straight laced after all!

Flute & Harp

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