Wigglesworth Conducts Walton

About

On 20 November, the Bournemouth Symphony Orchestra are joined by the remarkable Nicholas McCarthy in Wigglesworth conducts Walton.

McCarthy made history in 2012, when he became the first one-handed pianist to graduate from the prestigious Royal College of Music. Six years later, he was awarded honorary membership of the RCM by His Majesty King Charles III and his concert performances have seen him described as "Left-hand Virtuoso of our time."

Walton's First Symphony was a landmark of English composition and represents the peak of his symphonic thinking. Its turbulent emotions and high-voltage energy were the fruit of tempestuous events surrounding Walton at the time. The Concerto for the Left Hand displays a great deal of resourcefulness and originality on Ravel's part, so full of illusion and texture that the solo part rarely gives the slightest hint that a mere single hand is involved. The exquisite orchestral scoring leans toward the rich, lower pitches which lends it a rather sombre hue and an apt heroic grandeur. In the overture to his only comic opera, Wagner skillfully combines the main themes associated with the mastersingers and their apprentices.

This is also the first opportunity to see our new Chief Conductor Mark Wigglesworth in action, leading the orchestra in performance that is not one to be missed.