Hull Philharmonic welcomes first guest conductor of the season

Following an emotional performance in May that saw Musical Director Andrew Penny MBE hand over the baton after 40 years at the helm, Hull Philharmonic Orchestra is all set to welcome the first of three guest conductors for its new season.

Dan Watson with Elaine King, Hull Philharmonic’s rehearsal conductor

Taking place on Saturday 26 November at Hull City Hall, the first concert will be conducted by Dan Watson, who featured in the BBC series All Together Now: The Great Orchestra Challenge as principal conductor of The People’s Orchestra. His programme will take the audience from the quiet lyricism of Vaughan Williams through the exciting virtuosity of Rossini’s only recently discovered bassoon concerto to the splendour of Tchaikovsky at the height of his powers, in what is regarded as one of the most towering symphonic achievements in the repertoire.

Dan said: “It was a privilege to be involved in choosing this programme for the orchestra’s first concert of their 2022/23 season. I enjoy interpreting music that evokes our emotions and the journeys we encounter, as the Vaughan Williams piece in particular has so many different perspectives of life and the hope and fear within it. I also admire the sense of space that it creates; that stillness is something we need in today’s society.”

Dan has been rehearsing with the orchestra at the Albemarle Music Centre since late September. Sharing his experiences working in Hull, he said:

“Everyone in the orchestra is so dedicated to their music-making and their rehearsal discipline is excellent. I’ve been made to feel very welcome and can’t wait to share what will be an emotional and contemplative performance, ranging from a sensuous and melancholy dreamscape to sombre fanfare horns.”

The Rossini concerto will star Adam MacKenzie, the Principal Bassoonist of Opera North and teacher at the Royal Northern College of Music and Chetham’s School of Music.

Later in the season, the Hull Philharmonic will welcome two additional guest conductors – Simon Chalk in February 2023 and James Ham in May 2023. More information can be found at www.hullphilharmonic.org

The November concert starts at 7.30pm. There is a pre-concert talk at 6.30pm with Dan Watson and Adam MacKenzie, which is free to ticket holders. Tickets are priced from £10 – £28.50 and concessions are available. To book your tickets, please call Hull Box Office on 01482 300 306 or visit www.hulltheatres.co.uk/events/hull-philharmonic-orchestra-november-2022