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The recent pandemic has touched everyone in different ways and members of Havant Chamber Orchestra were devastated to hear of the death from Covid-19 of Brian Howells who was leader of our orchestra for 23 years.  Our first concert in this new season pays tribute to him whilst also celebrating the fact that we are once again able to perform live concerts as we did before.

In tribute to Brian, HCO will play the short piece for strings “Crisantemi” by Puccini which we performed, at Brian’s suggestion, at Emsworth in 2017.

We’ve also chosen the Sinfonia Concertante by Mozart in which Brian was himself the violin soloist back in February 2013.  We will proudly remember him whilst thrilling to the performance of soloists Laura Rickard and Elliott Perks.  Local music lovers may recognise violinist Laura as a former leader of the Hampshire County Youth Orchestra and Artistic Director of the Romsey Chamber Music Festival, which she founded in 2018.  Elliott is a former student of the Yehudi Menuhin School and Royal College of Music with a busy performing career as a violist.  We’re sure you’ll love this dynamic duo!

Surprisingly, we have not performed Holst’s “St Paul’s Suite” before – it’s a light, tuneful and popular piece for strings which we know you will enjoy. 

Finally, a Symphony by Mozart that we last played in 1975!  His Symphony No. 33, written when he was just 23, is a delightful and joyful way to end our concert.