Upcoming concerts

Performance

Shostakovich is at his most intimate in his Ninth Symphony. Using smaller forces, the piece is the composer at his most cryptically complex. Local composer Elizabeth Winters and local soloist Jessica Meakin are also celebrated in this programme, the latter with Samuel Barber’s iconic Violin Concerto.

Soloist  Jessica Meakin Violin

Joe Davies  Conductor

Floriane Peycelon  Leader

Programme

Elizabeth Winters  The Serious Side of Madness

Samuel Barber   Violin Concerto

Interval

Dmitri Shostakovich  Symphony no. 9

Performance

Performance

Celebrate the rich emotional depth and grandeur of English music with an evening devoted entirely to Sir Edward Elgar. The Canterbury Symphony Orchestra, under the baton of Music Director Joe Davies, presents two of Elgar’s greatest and most heartfelt works.

The programme opens with the iconic Cello Concerto in E minor — a deeply moving and introspective masterpiece, filled with lyrical beauty and quiet intensity. A cornerstone of the cello repertoire, it offers a profound and personal glimpse into Elgar’s later years.

In the second half, the orchestra performs Elgar’s Symphony No. 1, a sweeping and majestic work that combines nobility, tenderness and Elgar’s unmistakable melodic genius. Hailed at its premiere as a triumph, it remains one of the great symphonies of the early 20th century.

This all-Elgar programme promises an unforgettable evening of passion, elegance and English romanticism.

Performance

The Canterbury Symphony Orchestra rounds off its season with a spectacular performance of Holst’s The Planets — one of the most iconic and exhilarating works in the orchestral repertoire. From the relentless power of Mars to the ethereal mystery of Neptune, Holst’s vivid score takes audiences on a cosmic journey full of colour, drama and wonder. A hidden choir adds to the haunting atmosphere of the final movement, creating an unforgettable conclusion.

This thrilling programme also features complementary works to be announced, highlighting the full force and finesse of the CSO under the direction of Music Director Joe Davies, with Leader Flo Peycelon.

Join us for a powerful end to the season, with music that captures the imagination and stirs the soul. Whether you're a seasoned concertgoer or new to orchestral music, this is a night not to be missed.

Tickets will be available via the Gulbenkian box office. Student group discounts available.