Following a high-spirited evening at London’s Cadogan Hall, our collaboration with the Royal Philharmonic Orchestracontinues with a unique concert hosted by one of Europe’s finest medieval cathedrals - Winchester Cathedral. Renowned violinist Alexandru Tomescu joins the celebrated orchestra and adroit conductor Christopher Petrie for an evening that promises to blaze with passion and virtuosity.
While the first part of the programme pairs the impressionistic Violin Concerto No.3 by Saint-Saëns with a musical gem of sheer Romantic indulgence by little-known Romanian composer Ciprian Porumbescu – ‘Balada’, the second part will feature the World Premiere of Călin Humă’s Symphony No. 2, also known as the ‘Hampshire Symphony'.
Christopher Petrie's conducting encompasses a broad artistic palette, with current interests including the music of Enescu, Mendelssohn, Elgar, contemporary works, and the Parisian Belle Epoque. Chris Petrie has conducted orchestras across Europe, including the Vienna Tonkuenstler Orchestra, Lithuanian State Symphony Orchestra, Philharmonie Horst (Germany), Sibiu & Oltenia Filarmonicas (Romania), University College of London Chamber Orchestra and Monmouth Festival Ensemble (Wales). Soloists with whom he has worked with include pianists Leslie Howard, Tom Poster and Alina Azario, violinists Andrey Baranov and Remus Azoitei, cellist Filip Papa, and many others. Chris is currently the Artistic Director and Principal Conductor of the Philharmonic Chamber Orchestra. Chris studied at the Royal Welsh College of Music and Drama and the Royal Academy of Music, London.
Alexandru Tomescu has proved himself capable of taming any score, no matter how complicated, as his 'Paganini – angel or demon?' project, a turning point in his career, fully demonstrates. After studies in Switzerland with Tibor Varga and in the U.S. with Eduard Schmieder, Alexandru returned to Romania to undertake a personal mission. Through concerts and lectures, he has strived to demonstrate that classical music is a world open to all people, that it can create social harmony and that everyone deserves the chance to explore it. In parallel to a fruitful career in Europe and the world, filled with successes in halls such as Théâtre des Champs Elysees – Paris, Carnegie Hall – New York or Metropolitan Arts Centre – Tokyo, after appearances with conductors such as Valery Gergiev, Kurt Masur or Christoph Eschenbach, Alexandru has continued to actively spread this message in Romania and elsewhere and to conduct social campaigns on behalf of important cultural causes.
The Royal Philharmonic Orchestra (RPO) was founded in 1946 by Sir Thomas Beecham. Deemed responsible for the revival of the UK’s orchestral life after the war, the RPO has achieved both a high standard and a sphere of influence, as it is now widely considered Britain’s national orchestra. The orchestra has its own radio station, The Sound of the Royal Philharmonic Orchestra, and actively participates in educational and community projects.
The concert is a partnership between The Royal Philharmonic Orchestra and The Romanian Cultural Institute and is kindly supported by The Embassy of Romania. Part of the cultural programme celebrating the Romanian Presidency of the Council of the European Union.
When:Friday 3rd May 2019
Where: Winchester Cathedral, Hampshire, SO23 9LS, United Kingdom
Tickets: £29, £36, HERE
