This is the first concert by the newly-formed orchestra ‘The 23’ dedicated to the string orchestra repertoire.

This is great music, often appearing in the shadow of larger orchestral works. The aim of the founder of The 23, conductor David Cutts, working in conjunction with chamber musician and leader Paul Barritt, is to bring this great music to the concert hall with fine players and sufficient rehearsal to reveal it well.

The works in this programme include two of Elgar’s masterpieces from 1892 and 1905 framing Janáček’s youthful but enchanting Suite from 1877 and Barshai’s arrangement for string orchestra of Shostakovich’s most played quartet, the Eighth. This piece is highly personal and dedicated “to the victims of fascism and the war”. It was written in an intense three days in Dresden and premiered in 1960. The string orchestra version brings it even greater intensity.