Royal Northern Sinfonia - The Four Seasons

Royal Northern Sinfonia and violinist Maria Włoszczowska bring a riot of baroque colour, character and storytelling down the East Coast Mainline from Gateshead for their Kings Place debut.

They begin with two early masters of the violin as we know it: Heinrich Ignaz Franz von Biber and Georg Muffat, twining their music together in dynamic conversation.

Biber’s Sonata Representativa is playful, curious and full of surprises. Birds sing, frogs croak and the music constantly shape-shifts, reminding us just how imaginative composers were in the 17th century. Muffat’s Concerto Grosso No. 4 opens things up. It is bold and brilliant, mixing French elegance with Italian fire and giving the whole orchestra a chance to shine as individuals and as a group.

From there, they move on to the best-known baroque voices: Georg Philipp Telemann and Antonio Vivaldi. Telemann’s Overture-Suite, Burlesque de Don Quichotte, is pure character writing, blending traditional classical forms with fiery folk dances to capture the joy and drama of Cervantes’ hapless hero. Witty, warm and wonderfully vivid, it never takes itself too seriously.

And then there is Vivaldi’s The Four Seasons. Instantly recognisable but never worn out. With Maria Włoszczowska directing from the violin, you will hear every storm, birdsong and icy shiver afresh, crackling with energy, detail and drive.

This event will last approximately 80 minutes with an interval.