The opening concert of the Society’s 74th season on Wednesday 8th October 2025 provided a spectacular evening of musical entertainment with some memorable virtuoso string and trumpet performances by members of the Cologne based Kammer Philharmonie Europa.
This highly talented chamber orchestra opened with a delightfully cheerful Vivaldi Concerto, which set the scene for some varied music making to follow. The mood changed dramatically with arrangements of two highly emotional and powerful movements of Grieg’s Elegiac Melodies.
The final piece, prior to the interval introduced some exquisite trumpet playing in a Concerto in F Major for trumpet and orchestra by the Italian Opera composer Amilcare Ponchielli.
During the second half, more familiar items were performed including the Bach Violin Concerto in E Major and Faure’s ever popular Pavane. The final scheduled work was Mozart’s Divertimento in D Major, though to the delight of the audience there followed two encore pieces of contrasting contemporary music, which concluded a perfect opening night. After a well earned rest day, the orchestra was heading to Sweden for their next concert.
The evening saw the attendance of Mayors and Mayoresses from the Clitheroe Town Council and the Ribble Valley Borough Council.
To the left, Mayoress of Clitheroe Cllr Joanne Tudda and Mayor of Clitheroe Cllr Michael Graveston. In the centre are the Mayor of Ribble Valley Cllr Simon O’Rouke and Mayoress of Ribble Valley Cllr Donna O’Rouke with members of the orchestra to their left and right.