Tchaikovsky: Serenade in C
Sibelius: Romance
Vivaldi: Guitar Concerto in D RV93
Nielsen: Little Suite Op.1
Finzi: Romance

Corona Strings
Leader, Catherine Leech
Guitar, Mark Ashford
Conductor, Janet Lincé

Dorchester Abbey will be the setting for a concert of romantic music for Valentines’, on Saturday 29 February, to include Tchaikovsky’s magnificent Serenade for Strings, miniature masterpieces by Cotswold-inspired composer, Gerald Finzi, and Nordic composers Sibelius and Nielsen, and a rare chance to hear a British Guitar Concerto by a living composer; Vincent Lindsey-Clark.

The programme opens with Tchaikovsky’s ever-popular homage to Mozart; his Serenade, composed in 1880. The vibrancy and originality of the Serenade is complimented by the exquisite beauty and lyricism of three further works: Sibelius’s intense string miniature Romance from 1903; the first published work – a suite for strings, known as Little Suite - written by Denmark’s most prominent composer, Carl Nielsen; and a deeply felt Romance by English composer, Gerald Finzi. In a change to the published programme, the strings will be joined by Mark Ashford for a performance of a guitar concerto by Vivaldi.

“Dorchester Abbey provides an exceptional acoustic in which to hear these works”, said Conductor, Janet Lincé. “As the host venue for many internationally-renowned artists and events, we are delighted to be performing in one of the most historically important venues in the county.”

Founded in 2012, Corona Strings has established a reputation for dynamic sound and sensitive playing. The orchestra is formed from a fine pool of professional players from Oxfordshire and beyond and repertoire ranges from the Romantic ‘greats’ to music of the 20th century as well as exciting contemporary works.