Arts & Culture
with Manchester’s internationally renowned Hallé Orchestra this year. For a very special performance on Saturday 31st August 2013, conductor Stephen Bell will lead the orchestra in a unique prom in the shadow of the Lovell Telescope. “It will be a huge pleasure to conduct the magnifi cent Hallé in such a brilliant and unique setting as Jodrell Bank,” says Mr Bell. “We’ll play some of the most exciting music there is, and nothing beats hearing a world- class symphony orchestra playing at the top of their game. It will be an unforgettable evening! “T is is the fi rst time Jodrell Bank have hosted an orchestral concert,” he adds, “and in addition to some great music with sci-fi or space connections, the telescope itself will be tilted to form a giant video screen, so we will be able to see massive projections on the dish itself while the orchestra performs.” In addition to classics from Strauss, Mozart and John Williams, the audience will be treated to performances of Jupiter and Mars from Gustav Holst’s T e Planets and a selection of out-of-this-world fi lm music from the likes of Star Wars, Independence Day, E.T., Apollo 13 and Close Encounters. Closing proceedings will also be a fi rework display, lighting up the Jodrell Bank skyline. All of which Stephen Bell hopes may encourage a wider audience to appreciate classical music. “Perhaps some people would consider visiting the Hallé Pops season after having enjoyed an outdoor event such as the Jodrell Bank concert,” he says. “We certainly try to make the Pops very accessible in terms of repertoire and
P
romising a summer’s evening of classical music inspired by the stars, the award-winning Live From Jodrell Bank series has teamed up
Photo by Russell Hart
style, and I always introduce the pieces from the platform and attempt to give the evening a relaxed feel.” For those who catch the classical music bug,
“Nothing beats hearing a world-class symphony orchestra playing at the top of their game”
this will be just one of nearly 100 concerts that the Hallé performs this year. Established in 1858, it is one of Britain’s fi rst professional symphony orchestras and now resides at Manchester’s Bridgewater Hall where it presents over 70 concerts a year, as well as playing 30 concerts around the country and abroad.
It is also one of the most sought-after and
acclaimed orchestras in the world, and under the musical directorship of Sir Mark Elder
has won eight major awards in the last fi ve years. Last season more than a quarter of a million people also heard the Hallé perform – something that its newly appointed Pops associate conductor is well aware of. “I’m so thrilled to be involved with the
Hallé,” says Bell. “T ey were my introduction to orchestral music when, as a schoolboy at Bacup & Rawtenstall Grammar School, I used to attend concerts in the Free Trade Hall when James Loughran was principal conductor. “As a self-employed freelance conductor
they approached me and asked if I’d like to be involved with the planning of their Hallé Pops series. I had no idea they were going to off er me a titled position on such a distinguished roster of conductors, alongside names like Sir Mark Elder and Markus Stenz. One of the things I love about my job is the creative process of putting a programme together - starting with a blank sheet of paper if you like. And, for my associate conductor, Hallé Pops position, I get to do this not just for one concert, but a whole season!” With a number of great concerts at the
Bridgewater Hall to look forward to over the next few months, Bell concludes: “T e modern-day Hallé are in fantastic shape with a superb line-up of players and a wonderful home at the Bridgewater Hall in Manchester, which is without a doubt one of the fi nest concert halls in Europe. T ey are a particularly dynamic orchestra and always play with real commitment and tremendous versatility.” T e Hallé will conclude a season of
transcendent music at Jodrell Bank with performances from T e Australian Pink Floyd, New Order, supported by the likes of Johnny Marr and T e Whip, and Sigur Rós. For more information contact 0844 888 9991 or visit
www.jodrellbankproms.co.uk.
For more information on the Hallé and its upcoming events visit
www.halle.co.uk
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