Sheffield Chamber Orchestra Appoints International Classical Soloist Laurence Perkins as Principal Conductor and Artistic Director
Sheffield Chamber Orchestra (SCO) has made a landmark decision by appointing renowned international classical soloist Laurence Perkins as their Principal Conductor and Artistic Director. Perkins, who is best known for his chart-topping solo bassoon recordings for the Hyperion record label, brings with him a wealth of experience and a worldwide reputation.
This is the first time that SCO has appointed an Artistic Director, a role which Perkins welcomes with open arms. He sees it as an important part of his commitment and enthusiasm for amateur music-making. “The word ‘amateur’ means ‘for the love of,'” says Perkins. “I really value the passion and dedication that the SCO members show in their playing, and I’m really looking forward to exploring the incredibly rich, varied and exciting music for chamber orchestra, working at the highest level.”
Perkins’ first concert with SCO in his new role will take place on Saturday 30th November at All Saints Church in Ecclesall. Titled ‘Sheffield Music Makers’, the concert features a wide-ranging program that showcases each section of the orchestra. The only soloist for the evening will be SCO’s leader, Ralph Dawson, who will perform a delightful Romance by 19th century Norwegian composer Johan Svendsen. The strings will feature in Tchaikovsky’s evocative musical portrait of the city of Florence, while the winds will showcase their talent with exotic music by Caplet. The brass will take center stage with the ever-popular ‘Water Music’ by Handel, and the full orchestra will come together for classics by Rossini, Elgar, Rachmaninov, and Mozart.
Tickets for the concert, priced at £12 for adults and £6 for students and children, are available on Sheffield Chamber Orchestra’s website, https://www.scorchestra.uk/concert/sheffield-music-makers-2024/.
Perkins is available for comment at 07866 802248.
The Music
One of the highlights of the evening will be Sir Edward Elgar’s rarely heard but much-loved orchestral work ‘Mina’. This was his last orchestral work and is a love letter to one of his Cairn Terriers. Together with Marco and Meg, the dog became his constant companion after the death of his beloved wife Alice. This work is his hymn of thanks to her (the dog, not his wife). The orchestra’s performance will accompany a short film of Elgar at his final home, Marl House in Worcester, which has since been demolished. The film shows Elgar playing with his pet dogs in the garden and driving with them by car through the Malvern hills, which provided much of the inspiration for his music.
Another standout performance of the evening will be the Romance for Violin and Orchestra by Johan Svendsen. This lyrical and at times heart-wrenching romantic masterpiece will be performed by SCO’s professional leader, Ralph Dawson. The work was apparently sketched during a couple of hours when a violin student did not show up and then written out as a score the same evening.
From Seville to Paris
The concert will also feature classical favorites including Rossini’s overture from “The Barber of Seville”, Handel’s second suite from “The Water Music”, and Symphony 31 “Paris” by Mozart.
The Orchestra
Sheffield Chamber Orchestra, a registered charity, was formed in 1950 and is a small classical orchestra comprised of strings, woodwind, horns, trumpets, and percussion. It is essentially a body of amateur musicians but has the benefit of being professionally trained by its conductor, Laurence Perkins, and leader, Ralph Dawson. Each year, the orchestra gives three concerts in and around Sheffield. The concert program includes a performance with an opportunity for young, professional, local musicians who are just starting out in their careers as concert soloists. The orchestra’s relatively small size allows them to be adventurous with their wide-ranging and innovative repertoire, covering everything from the baroque to the present day.
About Laurence Perkins
Laurence Perkins was born in Lancashire in 1954 and studied at the Royal Northern College of Music in Manchester between 1970-76 with Charles Cracknell, principal bassoonist in the Hallé Orchestra. He joined Manchester Camerata as their principal bassoonist in October 1974 and finally left in June 2017 to pursue more chamber music, solo playing, and conducting. As a performer, he has played in concerts throughout the UK (including the BBC Proms) and on overseas tours, including France, Germany, Portugal, Norway, the Azores Islands, Hong Kong, Macau, Australia, and Japan. He has worked as a soloist with the English Chamber Orchestra, New London Orchestra, City of Birmingham Symphony Orchestra, and the Royal Scottish National Orchestra, as well as
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