Mid Somerset Orchestra

Our guest conductor is Richard Jones who gained his MA from the University of York, specialising in youth music.

Always a keen advocate for youth and community music, Richard currently works as the Music and Arts Strategy Manager for South Gloucestershire. He is involved with orchestras and ensembles around the South West. MSO’s Principal Horn, Jonathan Benger, who has been with the orchestra since 2012, is tonight’s soloist. Jonathan also plays in Frome Symphony Orchestra and gives regular recitals as a solo player and in chamber ensembles.

The concert begins with Beethoven’s Overture Coriolan, composed in 1807 for Heinrich Joseph von Collin’s play. The overture remains a firm concert favourite, but the play languishes in obscurity.

Mozart’s Horn Concerto No 3 was written in the 1780’s for his life- long friend Joseph Leutgeb.

Mozart’s Comic Opera Cosi Fan Tutte, premiered in Vienna in 1790, opens the second half. It includes two appearances of a very significant musical reference to the ensuing opera. Haydn’s Symphony No 99 is one of his 12 London Symphonies, written in Vienna during 1793 when he was anticipating a second trip to London.