Barry Douglas & Michael Collins

The evening begins with Elena Kats-Chernin’s Zoom and Zip, a contemporary work that sets a fast-paced tone. You will then hear the familiar textures of Robert Schumann’s Piano Concerto, where the soloist and orchestra engage in a conversational and quintessentially Romantic dialogue. Following the interval, the mood shifts toward narrative music with Antonín Dvořák’s The Wood Dove. Listen for the way Dvořák uses orchestral colours to depict a folk tale of guilt and natural justice, using specific instrumental motifs to represent the bird’s call. The performance concludes with Béla Bartók’s Dance Suite. Originally written to celebrate a city anniversary, these movements draw on the irregular rhythms and folk melodies of central Europe. You can expect a physical, driving energy in the strings and brass during these final sections, as the suite moves through five distinct dance moods before reaching a spirited finale that brings all the rhythmic themes together.

The Ulster Orchestra is Northern Ireland’s premier professional ensemble, based in the heart of Belfast. They are joined by two celebrated soloists who both have long-standing relationships with the city. Michael Collins, recognised internationally as one of the finest clarinettists of his generation, leads the orchestra from the podium as conductor. The featured soloist is Belfast-born pianist Barry Douglas, who is known for his technical precision and deep musicality. Together, the ensemble and soloists explore a range of nineteenth and twentieth-century repertoire that highlights their collective versatility and rhythmic agility.

This performance takes place at the Ulster Hall in Belfast, a venue known for its excellent acoustics for orchestral music. The programme is varied enough to suit those new to classical music, offering a mixture of short modern pieces, a famous romantic concerto, and evocative dance rhythms. As the event is categorised under dance, you can expect an emphasis on movement and momentum throughout the selected works. There is no specific dress code, so you should feel comfortable in smart-casual attire. The total running time has not been specified, but a standard concert format usually includes one interval.