2025 is a year of celebration when it comes to remembering two very famous composers – Ravel and Shostakovich; we will be performing music by Shostakovich in both our February and May concerts, and introduce you to some of our favourite Ravel in May.

Their winter concert will see the return of an old friend, Jamie Walton – a superlative cellist and soloist in the rarely played, but utterly beautiful Shelomo by Ernst Bloch. In the second half, they will perform the exciting 9th Symphony of Dmitri Shostakovich – a deliciously light-hearted work in Shostakovich’s inimitable harmonic style with some gorgeous tunes, especially in the woodwind, and a mischievous glint in the eye! Both Sibelius and Tchaikovsky feature in the programme with two old favourites and orchestral show-off pieces.

The full programme is:

• Sibelius – Karelia Suite
• Bloch – Schelomo
• Tchaikovsky – Romeo and Juliet
• Shostakovich – Symphony No. 9 in Eb

Cello – Jamie Walton

Conductor – Simon Wright

Leader – Fiona Love