Proverb & Scheherazade

The evening opens with a significant world premiere: Anna Clyne’s new orchestration of Steve Reich’s Proverb. Originally written for voices and ensemble, this version reimagines the work for a full symphonic palette. You should listen for the steady, hypnotic pulses and layering of short melodic phrases typical of Reich’s style, now expanded with the richer textures of the Hallé. The second half of the performance brings a shift towards vivid narrative music with Rimsky-Korsakov’s Scheherazade. Inspired by the tales of the Arabian Nights, the work is structured as a four-movement symphonic suite. You will hear a recurring, lyrical solo violin theme representing the narrator, which weaves through a series of contrasting orchestral colours. The music ranges from turbulent seascapes to delicate, intimate melodies, showing off the individual character of the different woodwind and brass sections throughout. The transition from the minimalist precision of the first piece to the sweeping Romanticism of the second provides a varied listening experience within a compact timeframe.

The Hallé returns to their home ground at The Bridgewater Hall under the direction of conductor Tess Jackson. Established in Manchester, the orchestra is celebrated for its long-standing contribution to British musical life and its extensive discography. They are particularly regarded for their clarity in large-scale symphonic works and their commitment to commissioning new music. Tess Jackson leads the ensemble through this pairing of a contemporary premiere and a core orchestral staple, bringing together the group's technical precision in modern works and their expressive warmth in the Russian Romantic repertoire.

This performance takes place at The Bridgewater Hall in Manchester and lasts approximately 57 minutes. Because the entire programme is under an hour and contains no interval, it is an excellent choice if you are a first-time concertgoer or prefer a shorter, more concentrated evening of music. The venue offers a modern acoustic designed specifically for orchestral sound. There is no specific dress code for this event, and standard concert etiquette applies. Please ensure you arrive in good time as the short duration means there is little room for late entry once the music begins.