Download Concert Programme - Brighton Philharmonic Orchestra

Brighton Philharmonic OrchestraThe Brighton Philharmonic Orchestra wasformed by Herbert Menges in May 1925 as theSymphonic String Players ‘to become a largeand powerful String Orchestra, and to giveperiodical concerts of a high standard inBrighton and Hove’.By 1928 they had already moved into theBrighton Dome and become the fully orchestral‘Symphonic Players’. Menges remained asPrincipal Conductor and in 1932 Sir ThomasBeecham was appointed as the orchestra’s firstPresident (a position later held by RalphVaughan Williams and Benjamin Britten).In 1972, after 47 years as Principal Conductorand having conducted more than 300 concerts,Herbert Menges died at the age of 69.His successor was John Carewe, whose firstconcert as Principal Conductor marked thestart of the orchestra’s 50th Anniversaryseason. In 1989 Barry Wordsworth wasappointed as only the third Principal Conductorin the BPO’s history. Barry’s distinguishedtenure at the helm has been marked by a seriesof notable performances of both well-knownand more unfamiliar works together with aroster of accomplished and distinguishedsoloists. The past three seasons have seenpremieres of new works by Will Todd, RichardRodney Bennett, Martin Butler and HowardGoodall together with a series of all theBeethoven Symphonies and regularcollaborations with the Brighton FestivalChorus and Brighton Festival Youth Choir.