BRISTOL ORCHESTRAL PLAYERS
BRISTOL ORCHESTRAL PLAYERS
Are you interested in playing in a friendly orchestra that meets once a month to work on the orchestral repertoire, and with NO ticket selling?
We could be the orchestra for you! Please read on.......
How we began
Bristol Orchestral Players was formed in 1963 by a small group of musical friends at Southmead Hospital. Since then it has expanded into a fun and friendly group of musicians of differing ages and experience drawn from Bristol and beyond.
For more information about the music we enjoy playing, please click on the About Us page.
Philosophy
We play for the pleasure of working on and getting to know the orchestral repertoire.
From September to March, we meet monthly, usually on the third Sunday, to focus on a couple of works (usually one symphony and one overture) for two successive sessions before moving on to explore new works for the next two rehearsals and so on.
Between April and June, we meet more regularly (up to five times) preparing for our annual concert – which is given free to family and friends, followed by an Americian supper style buffet.
We don't take ourselves too seriously but we do work hard at playing the music to as high a standard as possible.
With only one concert (free!) a year, there is NO TICKET SELLING.... . Friends and family are warmly invited.
Rehearsals
Season 2024/25
A list of dates
and this year's music
can be found
by clicking on the
2024/25 Calendar page
Music Director:
Nicola Ashton
Time:
from 6.30pm to 9.00pm
Where:
St Peter'sChurch Hall, The Drive, Henleaze Bristol BS9 4LD.
Annual subscription: £35.00
Good parking available
Get in touch
The orchestra is affiliated to "Making Music" and managed democratically.
For contact information, please see the Contact page.
We currently have vacancies for all strings; also horns.
For other Brass and Woodwind, please enquire.
Notes from Julian Dale about our 2024/25 Programme
As always, most of this year's programme is made up of pieces requested by members of the orchestra.
Beethoven Symphony no. 3 in Eb, Op. 55, 'Eroica' (1804)
Goethe called Beethoven 'an utterly untamed personality, not altogether in the wrong in holding the world to be detestable'. He wrote some pretty or jolly things to make money or please particular patrons, but most of the time he followed his own path without compromise. A radically original work, sometimes considered to be the first Romantic symphony, the 3rd was a much larger work than his earlier two or indeed than any symphony yet written. Full of striking ideas, it still has a unique place in the repertoire. It is in the usual four movements, the slow 'funeral march' placed second.
Dvorak Symphony no. 9 in E minor, Op. 95, 'From the New World' (1893)
Always remembering his humble origins, Dvorak wrote of himself, 'I am just an ordinary Czech musician', but posterity hasn't accepted that view. He was very successful in the USA and composed this symphony during his time as director of the National Conservatory of Music in New York. Some of the themes were inspired by music he heard in America, especially songs of the recently-emancipated African Americans, but he didn't borrow any actual tunes. It was soon performed to acclaim around the world. Still a great favourite with players and audiences, this was the first symphony to find its way, on tape, to the moon, courtesy of Neil Armstrong. It is in the usual four-movement form, the slow movement second.
More notes on the rest of our year's programme to follow shortly......
