Annual Cathedral Concert – 20 February

Monday 8 February 2010

Following the triumphant performance last year of Elgar’s The Dream of Gerontius at the Cathedral and, more recently, at St. Saviour’s Church, Guildford, the University Symphony Orchestra and Choir return to Guildford Cathedral for their major performance of the academic year, with one of the best-known and loved pieces in the Western Canon, Beethoven’s Symphony No 9 ‘Choral’. The last of Beethoven’s Symphonies, completed in 1824, is considered the supreme work from one of music’s great masters. Magnificent, beautiful, grandiose are just a few of the superlatives that have been used to describe this famous work, but most importantly it is a Symphony of Joy, and the University Orchestra and Choir hope to reproduce this ode to happiness in the magical setting of the Cathedral on Saturday evening.

Under the tutelage of Russell Keable, the University Symphony Orchestra and Choir, made up of students and staff, have continued to excel in recent years. As Clive Williamson, Head of Performance, wrote following their last performance at St. Saviour’s Church, Guildford, “the music-making was of the first order throughout: choir, orchestra, orchestral and vocal soloists were absolutely outstanding.”

Excerpts from one of the world’s most popular operas, Tosca by Giacomo Puccini and Verdi’s Force of Destiny Overture will complete the wonderful programme, offering a great evening out for all the family.

The concert will take place at Guildford Cathedral on Saturday 20 February at 7:30 p.m. For more information and tickets please call the University Box Office on 01483 686 876, Mon – Fri 9:00 a.m. -7:00 p.m.

Tickets are: £12, £10 senior citizens, £5 concessions.

Media Enquiries

Peter La, Press Office at the University of Surrey, Tel: +44 (0)1483 689191, or Email mediarelations@surrey.ac.uk