The Dresden Connection

The evening is built around the musical legacy of the Dresden court, a central hub for baroque innovation. You will hear two of Johann Sebastian Bach’s Brandenburg Concertos, which demonstrate the contrasting textures of the period: the first features the rich, earthy tones of horns, while the second highlights the bright, clarion call of the trumpet alongside flute and oboe. These familiar pillars are balanced by works from Dresden’s resident composers. Zelenka’s Sinfonia offers unexpected rhythmic shifts and dense harmonies, while Heinichen’s Concerto in F Major showcases the formal elegance that defined the city’s sound. The inclusion of a D minor Sinfonia by Wilhelm Friedemann Bach adds a layer of emotional intensity and forward-looking drama. Throughout the performance, listen for the interplay between the individual soloists and the larger group, a hallmark of the concerto grosso style. The presence of the harpsichord at the centre of the ensemble provides a rhythmic pulse that ties these intricate, polyphonic works together into a cohesive journey through the mid-eighteenth century.

The BBC Philharmonic, a cornerstone of the musical landscape in the North of England, brings its versatile sound to this baroque repertoire. The orchestra is celebrated for its broad range of work, from symphonic cycles to collaborative broadcasting projects. For this performance, they are led by director and harpsichordist Johanna Soller. Known for her expertise in early music and her detailed approach to historical performance practice, Soller directs the ensemble from the keyboard. This arrangement encourages a collaborative, chamber-music feel, allowing the orchestra to respond directly to the harpsichord’s guidance in these complex scores.

This orchestral concert takes place at the Royal Northern College of Music in Manchester. The programme, featuring five distinct works by four different composers, offers a varied experience that may particularly suit those who enjoy shorter, self-contained musical structures rather than long-form symphonies. The venue provides a clear acoustic well-suited to the intricate textures of a baroque ensemble. No specific dress code is required for this event, and there is no mention of an interval or a total running time. As an orchestral performance, there is no vocal text or requirement for surtitles.