Aurora Orchestra

Hear Aurora Orchestra perform Brahms' First Symphony entirely from memory.

Aurora is currently the only orchestra worldwide playing full symphonies from memory – a performance style which conveys an electrifying sense of adventure, intimacy and heightened communication.

For the orchestra's debut performance at St John's Smith Square – conducted by Nicholas Collon – Aurora applies its thrilling approach to Brahms' monumental First Symphony. This is thought to be the first presentation of a Brahms symphony from memory in Europe since the composer himself enjoyed the memorised playing of the Meiningen Court Orchestra in the 1880s.

The First Symphony's 'alphorn' theme introduces the feeling of an Alpine journey, which is taken up by Richard Ayres' In the Alps. This 'animated concert' combines a ravishing score with elements of theatre and projected film.

Mary Bevan appears as soloist to perform this playful piece, which tells the story of a young girl stranded on the summit of an unclimbable mountain. The girl is taught to sing by the animals of the mountain, and falls in love with the distant trumpet playing of a boy in the valley far below.

This concert is part of The Orchestral Theatre (The Claus Moser Series at Southbank Centre).