The Essex concert venue Saffron Hall continues to go from strength to strength in its 10th anniversary year, with a new autumn season featuring the cream of British orchestral and chamber talent – and several excellent international visitors too.
The London Philharmonic Orchestra will make two visits this autumn, to open and close the season. In September, they present Bartók’s Violin Concerto no. 2, together with Christian Tetzlaff, known for his powerful interpretations of 20th-century violin repertoire. Edward Gardner pairs this with Beethoven’s Egmont Overture and Dvořák’s Seventh Symphony, often regarded as his finest.
The Aurora Orchestra will also be returning to Saffron Walden in the autumn, only a few months after a memorised Rite of Spring, once again displaying their remarkable memory, something fast becoming their calling card. In October, they will present Anna Thorvaldsdottir’s luminous Illumine, alongside newly orchestrated work by percussionist and composer Manu Delago (known for a long collaboration with Björk, amongst others).
English Touring Opera’s double bill at Saffron Hall will definitely be one not to miss. On Friday 20th October, Yshani Perinpanayagam conducts a new arrangement of Monteverdi’s powerfully modern L’incoronazione di Poppea, with a new translation of the libretto by poet and classicist Helen Eastman. The next day, Saturday 21st October, sees a contrast in style with Rossini’s vivacious La Cenerentola (Cinderella). Despite their differing musical eras – and markedly different stagings by ETO – these are both operas with common themes: desire, status and womanhood.
Saffron Hall also offers some excellent chamber music concerts this autumn, beginning in October with the continuation of Paul Lewis’s Schubert cycle, concluding with the grand A Minor Sonata (D.845). The Connaught Brass also makes an appearance in October, with a wide-ranging programme for brass quintet including music by Florence Price and Witold Lutosławski. An expanded Brodsky Quartet will also be appearing in October, with a rich programme of Mozart’s String Quintet in D K395, and Tchaikovsky’s sextet, Souvenir de Florence. These are interposed with Richard Strauss’ elegiac and mournful Metamorphosen. Luba and Richard Tunnicliffe join the quartet on viola and cello, with Leon Bosch on double bass.
For fans of the Bachs, a trio of events in November will be worth checking out. Cellist Nicolas Alstaedt joins the young period ensemble Arcangelo for a programme mostly devoted to Bach’s sons, with Sinfonias by CPE and WF Bach. These are counterposed with contemporary works from Haydn and Boccherini – a fantastic and relatively rare opportunity to hear the powerful influence wielded by the younger generation of the Bach family on music of the mid-18th century.
Then, on 11th November, the luminous touch of Icelandic pianist Víkingur Ólafsson will be on display for a recital of JS Bach’s Goldberg Variations. The work has become something of a rite of passage for pianists, who each look to place a distinct stamp on a set of variations that is, despite a plethora of recordings, still much associated with Glenn Gould’s landmark interpretations. A staple of Ólafsson’s repertoire for the last few years (five stars in 2017), he is touring the work throughout 2023–24. This will be a must-see concert for all budding pianists and piano fans who can make it.
The mini Bach-fest in November continues the following day with the rambunctious and occasionally controversial stalwart of British classical crossover, Nigel Kennedy, performing a quadruple bill of Bach concertos – two for violin, the double violin, and the oboe and violin, together with oboist Clara Dent and the Oxford Philharmonic. A little mellower these days than in his Hendrix-infused 1990s heydey, nevertheless, one can expect fireworks.
The Hallé will also be on call at Saffron Hall this autumn, for a double bill 3rd–4th November. Mark Elder conducts the high-German drama of Brahms’ Fourth Symphony, alongside contrasting and distinctly un-German offerings from Ravel (Ma mere l’Oye) and Rimsky-Korsakov (The Tale of Tsar Saltan). The following day, Euan Shields presents a pot pourri of shorter and lighter offerings for families – the type of event Saffron Hall does very well.
Early Music fans should check out The Sixteen and The Orchestra of the Sixteen tackle Haydn’s Nelson Mass on 25th November – renowned for their exquisite vocal clarity. Then, in early December, The English Concert and Harry Bicket present Handel’s Rodelinda, featuring countertenor Iestyn Davies and soprano Lucy Crowe, among others in a standout cast.
Saffron Hall is celebrating its 10th birthday this season, and the December offerings are markedly celebratory in spirit. Saxophonist Jess Gillam joins the Britten Sinfonia, Saffron Hall’s resident orchestra, for a wide ranging concert featuring the good-natured music of Scottish composer Dave Heath, alongside characteristically English offerings from Thomas Adès and Vaughan Williams. The evening is rounded out by Shostakovich’s Chamber Symphony in A flat, Op.118a, arranged from his emotional Tenth String Quartet.
The celebrated London choir Tenebrae and founder Nigel Short arrive in mid December to really get the seasonal celebrations going, with a programme of carols. Also in December is an intriguing chamber version of The Nutcracker – always popular at this time of year – but this time for solo dancer (Imogen-Lily Ash), solo piano (Alexandra Dariescu) and projected hand-drawn animations.
Then, to close out the season, the London Philharmonic returns, together with Saffron Walden Choral Society – for a full seasonal blowout, filled with all the requisite bonbons and sleigh rides – in celebration of the Choral Society’s 140th Anniversary. Enough to melt even the coldest of hearts.
See our listings for Saffron Hall’s autumn season.
This preview was sponsored by Saffron Hall Trust.
