We are back in Blackburn for Blackburn Classics with our Artistic Partner Jess Gillam in a diverse programme of chamber music that opens with Bartók’s colourful Romanian Folk Dances.

Jess features in two works: first, as soloist in an arrangement of Marcello’s Oboe Concerto for soprano saxophone with its heart-achingly beautiful Adagio and then in RANT! from John Harle’s colourful Briggflatts.

Drawing on Cumbrian folk tunes, the composer described the work as a portrait of Jess’s energy, her sound and her presence, all painted in music from her own part of England. The programme also includes Mendelssohn’s String Symphony No.10, written when he was just 14 years old, and Tchaikovsky’s delightfully sunny Serenade, which consists of an homage to Mozart, a lilting waltz and a burst of Russian folk song.

Programme

• Bartok Romanian Folk Dances                                                                                
• Marcello Oboe Concerto
• Mendelssohn String Symphony no.10
• John Harle RANT!
• Tchaikovsky Serenade for Strings

Performed by

• Jess Gillam Saxophone
• Katie Stillman Director
• Manchester Camerata