The Winds of Change at The Heritage Centre

Eight of the best NCO string, brass and wind soloists perform Schubert’s famously joyful Octet at the Macclesfield Heritage Centre Winds of Change concert on 9 April.

Principal players from the Northern Chamber Orchestra, including two from Greater Manchester, come together to perform as NCO Soloists at Macclesfield Heritage Centre on Saturday 9 April, 7.30pm.  The Winds of Change concert will see them present a programme of three gorgeous pieces, including Schubert’s famous, much-loved Octet, which is as enjoyable to play as it is to listen to. The piece will feature eight players (the clue is in the title!): Nicholas Ward, violin; Catherine Muncey, violin and viola; Richard Muncey, viola; Heather Bills, cello (from Sale); James Manson, double bass; Elizabeth Jordan, clarinet (from Stretford); Llinos Owen, bassoon and Naomi Atherton, French horn.  It bubbles along with beautiful melodiousness on the surface, while an intriguingly dark undercurrent occasionally reveals itself.

Jonathan Thackeray, NCO General Manager, who is himself a professional bass player, said: “The Octet is one of my favourite Schubert pieces (along with The Trout).  It showcases the sonorous tones of the double-bass. What more could one want!”

The NCO Soloists concert also features Mozart’s gentle Horn Quintet, which is almost a mini concerto.  While the horn has the star part, it’s full of sweet duets with the violin, before a spirited finale.  20th century composer, Jean Françaix, loved composing for wind instruments and it shows in his charming, effervescent work, Divertissement, which spotlights the bassoon and its expressive idiosyncrasies.

Winds of Change is the penultimate concert in NCO’s current Macclesfield season.  The Season Finale on Saturday 14 May, entitled Springtime in Italy, will feature Bach’s legendary third Brandenburg Concerto, Vivaldi Concerto all Rustica, two stunning pieces by the operatic masters, Verdi (the prelude to Aida) and Puccini (I Crisantemi), along with wonderful works by Mascagni (Intermezzo from Cavelleria Rusticana) and Corelli (Concerto Grosso Opus 6 no 1).  Classic FM recording artist and regular classical ‘chart-topper’, Craig Ogden, will perform Castelnuovo-Tedesco’s sumptuous Guitar Concerto no 1 in D.  One of the first works recorded by the NCO, the orchestra’s Artistic Director, Nicholas Ward, rates it even more highly than the famous Rodrigo Guitar Concerto.  The Australian guitarist always proves popular with NCO’s Cheshire audiences and his last performance with the orchestra, two years ago, was a sell-out!

Tickets for the NCO Soloists Winds of Change concert on Saturday 9 April, 7.30pm and the Season finale, Springtime in Italy concert on Saturday 14 May, 7.30pm, are available from the NCO Box Office: 0161 247 2220; Macclesfield Visitor Information Centre, Tel: 01625 378123, Congleton TIC Tel: 01260 271095, the Silk Museum Shop at Macclesfield Heritage Centre and On The Door.  Tickets are priced: £16 Auditorium / £13 Balcony, £7 Students; 18s & under Free.  Find out more by visiting NCO’s website at www.ncorch.co.uk