ACCLAIMED PIANIST SET TO JOIN CHESTER ORCHESTRA FOR CATHEDRAL CONCERT

An acclaimed classical pianist is set to join Chester Philharmonic Orchestra for a dazzling performance of one of Rachmaninov's best-loved works.

The concert, part of the orchestra's "Power of Three" series, will be staged at Chester Cathedral on Saturday 25^th April at 7.30pm. 

The highlight of the concert, which also includes music by Aaron Copland and Antonín Dvořák, will be a performance of Sergei Rachmaninov’s 'Rhapsody on a Theme of Paganini' featuring pianist Simon Callaghan. 

Written by Rachmaninov in 1934, 'Rhapsody on a Theme of Paganini' received its premiere in 1934, with Rachmaninov himself performing the piano parts, accompanied by the Philadelphia Orchestra under the direction of Leopold Stokowski. 

The special Cathedral concert will open with Aaron Copland's 'Appalachian Spring' which was written for an American ballet created by Copland and the choreographer Martha Graham. The ballet earned Copland the Pulitzer Prize for Music. In 1945, it was arranged as an orchestral suite featuring the famous " I am the lord of the dance theme". It is now one of Copland's best loved works and has become a staple of orchestral repertoire.  

Completing the trio of pieces which make up the ambitious and dynamic programme, Dvořák's 'Symphony No 3'. was composed in 1873 whilst Dvořák was a violist in the orchestra of the Provisional Theatre in Prague. Dvořák was heavily influenced by the works of German composer Richard Wagner, with his influence heard more in this symphony than in any other of Dvořák's works. 

The orchestra, under the baton of David Chatwin, will be joined for the concert by pianist Simon Callaghan. Simon has developed a wide following and appears on a regular basis in the major concert halls of the UK, Asia, North America and Europe. Renowned for his lyrical touch and commanding virtuosity, Simon has performed with leading orchestras and collaborated with artists including cellist Sheku Kanneh-Mason. 

Speaking about the concert, Diana Anderson, the Chair of Chester Philharmonic Orchestra said:

"We are looking forward to an extraordinary evening of music as part our ‘Power of Three’ series with our special guest, acclaimed British pianist Simon Callaghan. In this concert, he performs as the soloist in Sergei Rachmaninov’s dazzling 'Rhapsody on a Theme of Paganini', a work of breathtaking brilliance, sweeping romance and electrifying piano writing. Copland’s 'Appalachian Spring' provides a musical portrait of wide-open American landscapes and quiet pastoral beauty. Our concert concludes with the richly lyrical voice of Antonín Dvořák’s 'Symphony No. 3', music that will fill the vast acoustic of the cathedral with warmth, colour and drama."

Full details of Chester Philharmonic Orchestra's April concert at Chester Cathedral can be found at: 

www.chesterphilorchestra.co.uk 

...where tickets can be booked online.

Tickets can also be purchased in person at the Chester Cathedral Box Office.