Warwick concert marks orchestra’s farewell to conductor Guy

Members of the Warwickshire Symphony Orchestra will begin their next concert by performing the Russian Easter Festival Overture by Rimsky-Korsakov, based on themes from a collection of Russian Orthodox canticles.

Religious sonorities are also present in a performance of Poulenc’s Organ Concerto in G minor, a work scored for strings and timpani, with Thomas Corns, director of music at St Mary’s, as soloist.

The final work in the programme is Elgar’s First Symphony with its noble, lyrical and triumphant themes.

As well as being the orchestra’s final concert of the 2011-2012 season, the evening will mark the last time Guy Woolfendon is conducting as the orchestra’s principal conductor, following a 40-year directorship.

Chairman Malcolm Rowson, who has played in the orchestra throughout Guy’s time as conductor, said: “Guy’s contribution to the WSO’s development has been enormous – he has introduced the orchestra to so many great works of the 20th century by Britten, Elgar, Mahler, Prokofiev, Shostakovich, Stravinsky and Tippett and we have been delighted to perform several of Guy’s own compositions.

“The WSO will have much to do in order to find a suitable successor.”

The concert starts at 7.30pm. Tickets cost £12 (£7 for children, students and the unemployed).

Call 850385 or go online.