An Afternoon of English Classics

Royal Northern Sinfonia creates a tapestry of British wind and string music for this afternoon’s concert.

Elgar’s Introduction and Allegro is bold and fiery – a showcase for strings that punch above their weight, twist through tricky rhythms, and come out swinging. In Vaughan Williams’ spacious and spiritual Fantasia on a Theme by Thomas Tallis, layered strings echo like voices in an empty hall. Britten’s Simple Symphony brings a burst of youthful energy – sharp, playful and full of charm – while Holst’s St Paul’s Suite dances with bold rhythms and folk spirit. Butterworth’s The Banks of Green Willow offers a deeply moving moment of pastoral beauty, and Vaughan Williams lets the violin sing and soar with the much-loved Lark Ascending. This is music that stirs the heart and lets the imagination wander.