Four Decades Of Distinguished Musical Leadership Concludes In Concert Of Favourites

Andrew Penny MBE is to conduct his final programme with the Hull Philharmonic Orchestra after 40 years at the helm.

The May 14 concert marks the end of his tenure with a performance of some of his favourite music at Hull City Hall. The hugely popular Clarinet Concerto by Mozart with soloist John Bradbury and the Enigma Variations by Elgar, will be complemented by the mighty Brahms Symphony No 4.

Andrew has been involved in the Hull Philharmonic Orchestra since the age of 16 when he joined as a clarinettist. He was appointed as a conductor in 1982, aged 29, and has since been responsible for more than 150 concerts, lectures and events, preparing more than 500 pieces. Under his leadership, it has become regarded as one of the UK’s leading community symphony orchestras.

He is the longest-serving musical director and follows luminaries including Sir Henry Wood, founder of the proms, who was the conductor during the early 20th Century.

Andrew said that there were many memorable concerts during his time with the orchestra.

“Looking back, it seems we were very brave in some of our choice of repertoire, and we have covered an enormous amount of ground,” he said.

“A highlight was two performances of Mahler’s Eighth Symphony, the so-called Symphony of a Thousand, which we staged in 1999 for the Millennium celebrations. There were more than 750 local performers taking up much of the Hull City Hall floor space usually reserved for the audience.

“More recently, the three World War One concerts meant a lot to me. They were spread over the duration of the war itself in 2014, 2016 and 2018 and our musical evocation of the time was accompanied by wartime images and scripted, historically-researched narrations read by John and Jane Godber.”

He said that while there were many significant musical memories, it was the musician’s past and present that shaped the Hull Philharmonic.

“Young and old, virtuosi and journeymen, they all make the orchestra what it is. Professionals in the day and enthusiastic amateurs at rehearsal, they bring something special to our true and authentic music-making. In this, the Hull Philharmonic has excelled and will continue to do so I am sure.”

Margaret Pinder, chair of the Hull Philharmonic Society, said:

“Andrew’s contribution to the cultural life of the city is simply immense and this last concert under his leadership will be a living celebration of that tremendous legacy.”

Although Andrew is retiring from his role with the Hull Philharmonic, he will continue to work professionally on various musical projects.

The orchestra is in the process of appointing a successor and will work with three guest conductors during the 2022/2023 season. An announcement is expected next summer.

The concert starts at 7.30 and is preceded by a pre-concert talk which is free to ticket holders. Tickets are priced from £10 – £28.50. Concessions are available. Please visit Hull Box Office https://www.hulltheatres.co.uk/events/hull-philharmonic-orchestra-february-2022