Esther Abrami and the English Symphony Orchestra

The English Symphony Orchestra undertake a journey of discovery in a programme that captures the imagination.

Tonight’s concert opens with a world premiere from Robert Saxton, until recently Professor of Composition at the University of Oxford. Taking inspiration from the Epic of Gilgamesh, the oldest written literary text in Near Eastern/Western cultural history and itself said to be an influence on the Iliad and Odyssey, the work promises to be an exciting opener.

From ancient Mesopotamia, we then travel to the Scotland for Bruch’s Scottish Fantasy on Scottish Folk melodies, tonight performed by social media superstar and Sony Classical artist, Esther Abrami. This is followed by Mendelssohn’s Scottish Symphony inspired by a walking tour of Scotland that he undertook in 1829.

‘The English Symphony Orchestra…enjoying a comet-like rise under Kenneth Woods, its Principal Conductor’ Musical Opinion

‘Abrami’s self-titled debut album is a pleasing patchwork of pieces, from familiar items in new arrangements to works by high-profile newcomers. Radio airplay is surely guaranteed for this playlist, the gloss of which is almost blinding. Some lovely moments’ BBC Music Magazine