Sheffield Chamber Orchestra (SCO) is proud to present a special concert on Saturday 29 November 2025 at All Saints Church, Ecclesall. This event celebrates the themes of water, flowing motion and musical reflection, while also marking the beginning of conductor Laurence Perkins’ second season as Artistic Director.
Titled “A Journey from Baroque to Today,” the evening will feature a richly varied programme of seven remarkable works, each connected by the ebb and flow of water. The concert will begin with Mendelssohn’s shimmering Die Schöne Melusine and will also include Wagner’s intimate Siegfried Idyll, Telemann’s grand Water Music, and Ruth Gipps’ winds-only Seascape. Sheffield-born William Sterndale Bennett brings a local connection with his piece, The Naiades, named after Greek water-nymphs. The evening will conclude with Johann Strauss II’s stylish and tempestuous Nordseebilder (“North Sea Pictures”).
The highlight of the evening will be the world premiere of Sunset at Sea, a new work composed especially for SCO by celebrated composer Dominic McGonigal. McGonigal’s music has been described as having “great textures, a perfect sense of spacing and pacing.” Drawing on his lifetime of experience in the orchestral world, from playing tuba and cello to singing in the Chapel Choir of King’s College, Cambridge, McGonigal brings a fresh wave of imagination to Sheffield’s classical scene. In conversation with Laurence Perkins, he expressed his joy in writing for SCO, saying, “The balance and clarity between strings, wind and brass… passing the material between different instruments… a wonderful sound-palette to work with.” Sunset at Sea evokes glints of light on water, the vast sweep of sunset skies, and the layered motion of ocean tides.
SCO’s imaginative programming and commitment to quality make this concert more than just a night of music; it is an evening of narrative, sound, and place. Audiences are invited to reflect on the richness of the past, the artistry of the present, and the creative spark of a new commission. Whether you are a long-time follower of SCO or attending for the first time, this is the perfect opportunity to immerse yourself in the shimmering sounds of water, the finesse of chamber orchestration, and the excitement of a world premiere.
Tickets for standard seating are available in advance for £12, with a discounted price of £6 for students and those under 18. This event is made possible by the generous support of season sponsors Agincare and Turner Violins. Don’t miss out on this extraordinary musical evening – book your tickets now and secure your seat. SCO looks forward to welcoming you on 29 November for an unforgettable night of music. Let the music flow!
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