CLASSICAL music fans have an array of fine concerts to choose from in Petersfield this month.
Music to evoke summer is promised at a concert being given by the gemini consort on Saturday, June 18, at 7.30pm, at St Peter’s Church, Petersfield.
It is a very different programme to the ensemble’s Spring Concert of contemplative, moving music by Handel and his contemporaries.
Midsummer Music, directed by Ann Pinhey, contains pastoral music, much of it portraying summer in all its facets.
There are lively choruses by Schubert and folk song arrangements by Vaughan Williams and Benjamin Britten. Popular Schubert songs, spirited vocal duets and instrumental works will also feature in the programme. Admission to the concert is free. Proceeds from the retiring collection will be given to The Rosemary Foundation.
The summer concert by Petersfield Orchestra is usually a time for celebration. But this year, the concert, on Thursday, June 16, at the Festival Hall, will be tinged with sadness.
The orchestra’s conductor for the last 12 years, Robin Browning, is moving on after founding his own professional orchestra in his home town of Southampton.
“Leaving Petersfield will be a wrench,” said Robin. “But I?am leaving on a high.
“We’ve achieved a lot over my time here, and the playing standard has reached a new level.”
He is bowing out with one of the pieces that featured in his first Petersfield concert – Dvorak’s ever-popular New World Symphony. “It seemed appropriate, to close the circle,” said Robin. “But also suggesting there are fresh fields to conquer, both for the orchestra and for me too.”
Talented violinist Sara Struntz will be playing the wonderful concerto by Brahms. And these two pieces will be preceded by a Beethoven overture called The Ruins of Athens.
The concert is at 7.30pm. Robin will be looking back at his time in Peters field at a free pre-concert event at 6.30pm. Tickets are £18 and £16, from Tourist Information at Petersfield Library, or call 01730 268829.