Leader of the BBC Symphony Orchestra to perform in Dulwich
The leader of the BBC Symphony Orchestra will perform a violin concerto by a Welsh female composer in Dulwich later this month.
Croydon born Stephen Bryant, will perform Grace Williams’ Violin Concerto with the Dulwich Symphony Orchestra (DSO) at All Saints West Dulwich in Lovelace Road, Norwood, on June 29.
Mr Bryant studied at the Royal College of Music, where he won every available prize.
Now he is Senior Orchestral Tutor and Chamber Music Coach at the College’s Junior Department.
He has been the BBC’s principal violinist since 1992, working with the world’s greatest conductors, including Pierre Boulez, Bernard Haitink, Sir Georg Solti, Sir Michael Tippett, Maxim Shostakovich and Sir Andrew Davis.
In the last year, Mr Bryant has played the BBC Prom season, toured Spain, Poland and China and given two performances of the Grace Williams concerto.
Grace Williams, who died in 1977 aged 70, learned music in Wales before coming to London to study with Vaughan Williams.
She became a teacher at Camden Girls’ School and was the first British woman to write a film score.
Her music, which includes two symphonies, is garnering increasing attention. The violin concerto which, will be played by Mr Bryant, was written in 1950.
Mr Bryant said: “The Grace Williams violin concerto deserves to be played and heard more – it is one of the very best works by someone that many consider to be the most notable Welsh female composer ever.”
As well as the concerto, DSO will be playing Theme and Variations by Erich Korngold, best known for his work as a Hollywood film composer, and Mussorgsky’s Pictures at an Exhibition.
DSO’s conductor Chris Stark said: “I’m really pleased to be working with the orchestra on broadening what we play and performing the works of unjustly neglected composers.
“To be able to do so with a soloist like Stephen is fantastic. It will be a real treat for the audience.”
The concert begins at 7.30pm. Tickets are priced at £12 with concessions at £10 and under 16s given free entry.
Further details are at www.dulwichsymphonyorchstra.org.uk
Pictured top: Stephen Bryant (Picture: Sisi Burn)
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