BBC Philharmonic pays tribute to composer Haydn in Manchester

Jun 4 2009 by Michael Green, Runcorn and Widnes Weekly News

THE BBC Philharmonic’s four-concert tribute to Haydn in June will bring Manchester’s Haydn the Innovator festival to a thrilling close.

These performances are part of the orchestra’s extensive exploration in 2009 of Haydn’s music, during which time they will perform 19 of the symphonies as well as many of his other choral works, making their survey one of the most extensive undertaken by any UK orchestra in this Haydn anniversary year.

The BBC Philharmonic are performing eight Haydn symphonies over two concerts – the first held last night and the second is to be held on Saturday.

The orchestra is joined by the BBC Singers and top international soloists Kate Royal, Elizabeth Watts, Diana Moore, Andrew Kennedy and Neal Davies for the final two concerts; on June 11 Noseda will conduct a programme of choral works, including The Storm, in which Haydn set his first English text; and the tragic Scena di Berenice.

The festival reaches its climax on Saturday, June 13 with one of the great works of the choral repertoire, Haydn’s Creation.

The concerts on June 3 and 11 will be broadcast live on BBC Radio 3 from The Bridgewater Hall.

Tickets can be booked at www.bridgewater-hall.co.uk or by telephone on 0161 907 9000.