Open University Orchestra

The programme resonates with the Open University's celebration of its 50th anniversary year. The first work champions a highly-talented female composer, born in an era when recognition and appreciation were a challenge for female composers but whose work went on to become a favourite and often repeated item in the BBC Proms.

The second piece is by a multi-talented individual who combined being a leading composer, an eminent academic researcher in chemistry, and a pioneering champion of the right of women to study and practice medicine - founding the School of Medicine for Women in 1872 in St Petersburg.

Ethel Smyth's Overture and Alexander Borodin's Second Symphony are both very enjoyable and listenable to pieces of music.