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Orchestra of the Swan: Neoclassic Concert with Xuefei Yang

Xuefei Yang will be joining The Courtyard’s resident Orchestra, Orchestra of The Swan, as well as The Swan’s Principal Conductor, Michael Collins, for a Neoclassic Concert this October.

Xuefei Yang is acclaimed as one of the world’s finest classical guitarists. Her fascinating journey began after the Cultural Revolution, a period in which Western musical instruments and music were banned. She was the first ever guitarist in China to enter a music school and became the first internationally recognised Chinese guitarist on the world stage. Her international success has led to her being invited to play in over 50 countries at prestigious venues and major music festivals such as BBC Proms and the Edinburgh International Festival.

Michael Collins also returns to The Courtyard to conduct this Orchestra of the Swan concert. With a continuing, distinguished career as a soloist, Michael has, in recent years, also become highly regarded as a conductor. Recent guest conducting and play-directing highlights have included engagements with the Melbourne Symphony Orchestra, BBC Symphony Orchestra and the Zurich Chamber Orchestra. From 2010 – 2018 he was the Principal Conductor of the City of London Sinfonia.

The concert features Stravinsky’s Concerto in E-Flat Major ‘Dumbarton Oaks’, Rodrigo’s Concierto de Aranjuez and Prokofiev’s Classical Symphony. Neoclassicism in music represented a creative rebirth for early 20th century composers looking for a new way of framing the future whilst taking inspiration from the past.

Inspired by the contrapuntal energy of Bach’s Brandenburg Concertos, Stravinsky’s Dumbarton Oaks received its premiere at Harvard University research institute in Washington. The work is a reflection of the modernist era in which it was conceived. Rodrigo found inspiration in the gardens at the Palace of Aranjuez for his popular guitar concerto. Prokofiev’s Classical’ symphony has become a calling card for musical Neoclassicism. The Ukrainian’s distinct personality is channelled through the prism of Haydn and Mozart’s music, achieving a captivating transparency whilst nevertheless facing towards the future.

Orchestra of the Swan: Neoclassic Concert with Xuefei Yang will be in The Courtyard’s Main House on Friday 13 October at 7.30pm. To book tickets, or for more information contact the Box Office on 01432 340555 or visit www.courtyard.org.uk.

13Oct 23This event has passed

Fees & Tickets

£24

Event Location

The Courtyard Centre for the Arts Edgar Street Hereford HR4 9JR

Organiser: The Courtyard

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