Ulster Orchestra With Double Vision

The Ulster Orchestra is offering an early February special of "two soloists for the price of one". As part of the Orchestra's current Brahms Concerto series, two internationally-renowned soloists will be playing Brahms's Double Concerto as the Orchestra bids a temporary farewell to the Ulster Hall (Friday 9 February).

The Hall closes in a few weeks' time for its 15 month refurbishment and this will be a last chance to hear its wonderful acoustic for orchestral music for some time to come.

Benjamin Schmid, renowned for his "golden tone, immaculate intonation and faultless technique" plays a 1731 Stradivarius violin. Quirine Viersen, admired for her lyrical and inspired playing - reminiscent of Jacqueline du Pré - plays a 1715 Guarnerius cello.

The Double was Brahms's last concerto and he was attempting to kill two birds with one stone - fulfilling a promise to write a concerto for a cellist friend and attempting to heal a rift with a violinist friend.
The Orchestra's new Principal Conductor-Elect, Kenneth Montgomery will conduct this romantic and expressive Concerto with its vibrant gypsy music finale. Also on the programme is the First Symphony by Sibelius and Weber's magical Oberon overture.

Kenneth Montgomery will be talking about the music in a free pre-concert talk at 7pm. -- www.ulster-orchestra.org.uk