Hull Philharmonic Orchestra Supports Stars Of The Future

The Hull Philharmonic is to premiere a piece written by Beverley-born Kerrin Tatman in the first of three concerts to recognise and celebrate local talent.

The performance of his Fantasy for Viola and Orchestra at Hull City Hall on May 11 is the result of an initiative that enables young composers to have their work performed by a symphony orchestra.

Awarded by the Hull Philharmonic Society, the costs of producing and performing the compositions are covered along with a prize of £500.

28-year-old Kerrin, who is a former member of the orchestra’s cello section and now writes for stage, concert hall and film from his Newcastle base, said that it was the “haunting and hollow sound of the viola” that inspired the piece. “I am obsessed with its sound. I love the timbre of the instrument.

“It is fantastic to be given this opportunity to have my composition performed by the Hull Philharmonic with a soloist who is a rising international viola star.”

The viola solo will be played by 22-year-old Timothy Ridout who will also take to the stage in a performance of William Walton’s modernist Viola Concert written in 1929 bringing the composer to the forefront of British classical music. It is regarded as a ‘brilliantly virtuosic showpiece’.

London-born Timothy has been selected by the Young Artists Classical Trust, a national charity that helps to build the careers of emerging performers with international potential, and is currently training at the Kronberg Academy near Frankfurt.

Andrew Penny, the orchestra’s musical director said: “We have two tremendously talented young artists featuring in our concert which contrasts old and new in terms of programming.

“We believe it is vitally important that we hold the candle for tomorrow’s performers and composers and ensure that our programmes have wide appeal.

“This approach has paid dividends with our concerts attracting both traditional and new audiences with a very wide age group.”

The orchestra will also perform the dramatic Brahms Symphony No1 as the start of a cycle that will see all of the German composer’s symphonies played over the next four years. Sometimes referred to as Beethoven’s 10^th, the work took at least 14 years to complete before its first performance in 1876.

Completing the concert is Walton’s Two Pieces from Henry V.

To continue the Hull Philharmonic Society’s Young Composers Award works by Michael Phillips and Sandy Clarke will feature in May 2020 and 2021.

The concert starts at 7.30pm, but ticket holders are invited to attend a pre-concert talk with Kerrin Tatman and Timothy Ridout at 6.30pm. Tickets are priced from £10 to £28.50 (discounts available) from Hull City Hall box office, 01482 300300 or online at hullphilharmonic.org or hulltheatres.co.uk