Saturday 18 July 2026, United Reformed Church, Exeter
TANNHAUSER: OVERTURE – RICHARD WAGNER
ESPANA – EMMANUEL CHABRIER
SYMPHONIC SUITE, THOUGHTS OF CAMBRIDGE – COLIN DANCE
SYMPHONY NO.2 IN B MINOR – ALEXANDER BORODIN
Our ‘Memories & Echoes’ theme focuses upon four evocative works from three nineteenth century masters and one contemporary composer. We open with the Overture to Tannhäuser (WWV 70) by Richard Wagner (1813-1883), a well-known operatic piece which probably needs little introduction. The story, drawing on poetry and mythology, sees the eponymous hero returning home from Venusberg to win a song contest and secure the hand of his first love, Elisabeth, via a pilgrimage to Rome. Despite a lukewarm response at the Dresden première of the opera in 1845, its overture – replete with leitmotiv, including the famous Pilgrim’s Chorus – has since become a worthy staple of the opera house and concert hall.
The orchestral rhapsody España by Emmanuel Chabrier (1841-1894) is perhaps equally familiar. Born in the Auvergne, the composer was not only drawn to Spanish themes – as was his young admirer Maurice Ravel of later Bolero fame – but to Wagner’s operas. A trained lawyer and civil servant for twenty years, Chabrier was inspired by Tristan and Isolde to devote himself to music and compose a collage of Andalucian dances which the composer himself modestly described as a “piece in F and nothing more”. Its catchy exuberance has generated lasting international popularity, although not in Spain!
Our third piece is the much-anticipated world première of the Symphonic Suite, Thoughts of Cambridge by Colin G Dance (1965-). Colin, who describes himself as “a retired policeman who’s become a professional musician”, has been the ESO’s tubist for many years. From learning piano aged 6 years, to co-founding the British Police Symphony Orchestra and recently becoming musical director of the Wellington Silver Band, he’s enjoyed a life steeped in band and orchestral music. We hope you will enjoy this latest composition as much as his Symphony of Somerset back in March 2023.
Our finale, the Symphony No 2 in B minor (unofficially, Opus No 5) by Alexander Borodin (1833-1887) is recognised as the composer’s greatest success alongside his opera, Prince Igor. Written over six years while a full-time organic chemist and physician, the four-movement work demonstrates a mastery of classical technique and explains his inclusion in ‘The Five’ or ‘mighty handful’ dedicated to producing uniquely Russian classical music. During a visit to Weimar in 1879, his great friend Franz Liszt succinctly addressed those suggesting that Borodin should improve his symphony by saying: “Heaven forbid. Do not touch it; alter nothing”. He added that, in their day, Mozart and Beethoven had wisely resisted similar, misplaced advice; as a consequence, countless audiences have since enjoyed this rhythmic and ebullient piece.
