The Festival Academy Orchestra 

Imogen Cooper, piano

Anthony Robb, flute

Thurs 22nd May

7:00 pm

St James Church

Doors open at 6.15pm

The performance will end at approx. 8.45pm

WILLIAMS, Roderick: Flute Concerto (world premiere)

MOZART: Piano Concerto no.27 in B flat major, K595

SCHUMANN: Symphony no.1 in B flat major, op.38 "Spring"

Conductor - Thomas Hull

Leader - Ruth Rogers

Tickets   £45 I £40 I £35 I £30 I £10 I U25s £1  

We are thrilled to welcome back  Imogen Cooper to play Mozart’s final piano concerto, generally regarded as his most mature, perhaps even his most beautiful contribution to this genre. 

‘Imogen is one of the greatest musicians England has produced. She's utterly without show. Mozart, Schumann and Schubert could have been written for her. There's a poetic, reflective side to her which is always there in her playing.”  (Sir Simon Rattle) 

As an extra bonus this concert starts with the world premiere of Roderick Williams’ Flute Concerto, written for the orchestra’s very own principal flautist Anthony Robb, who celebrates his 60th birthday this year.  

In Tony's words:

"When I had an idea to commission a flute concerto my first choice of composer was Roderick Williams. Roddy and I have known each other since our first day at secondary school age 11. I have played in performances of a number of his pieces over the years, and I knew he would write me a piece that was as enjoyable to play as it was to listen to."

The concert concludes with Schumann’s First Symphony, composed in burst of energy that both befits and depicts the start and passing of Spring.