Norfolk Symphony Orchestra concert at King's Lynn's Alive Corn Exchange on January 22 starring Swedish guitarist Johan Löfving

Norfolk Symphony Orchestra is welcoming in the new year with a concert at Lynn's Alive Corn Exchange on Sunday, January 22.

Titled ‘A European Romance’ with works from Austrian, Spanish and German composers, this is the second programme in their 2022/23 season ‘Travels with Friends’ which is sponsored by Adrian Flux Insurance.

Conductor Steve Bingham will open the afternoon’s music with the Overture to Die Fledermaus by J Strauss II. The operetta was popular, as was the overture which is why it is often performed as a stand-alone piece. It is written very much in the style of Rossini and of course contains a waltz!

The orchestra will then take you to Spain for Rodrigo’s Concierto De Aranjuez for guitar. In collaboration with charity organisation Classical Music Rocks, the NSO is delighted to welcome soloist to Johan Löfving to perform this famous and beautiful piece (for more information on CMR please visit www.cmrschoolswestnorfolk.com).

Hailed for his ‘magical playing’ (Classical Guitar Magazine), Swedish-born guitarist and theorbo-player Johan Löfving has established himself as a truly exciting artist of a new generation who has performed in some of the finest music halls in Britain and overseas. His solo debut album ‘Fandango!’ was released in 2020 by Resonus Classics to great critical acclaim.

Johan says Concierto de Aranjuez remains the most beloved guitar concerto and its ‘quintessential Spanishness’ keeps inspiring musicians and audiences worldwide.

He added: "Few pieces unite the picturesque and the passionate in such a perfect way, inviting us to dance and cry in equal measure. Despite the many challenges, the Aranjuez is a guitarist’s dream to perform.

"Even next to an orchestra, Rodrigo manages to convey the intimate beauty that makes the guitar so unique and I can’t wait to perform it in King’s Lynn soon!"

The final work for the afternoon is Brahms' 4th Symphony, the last symphony he wrote, and in many ways the pinnacle of his symphony writing. The piece contains four movements which are a mixture of melancholy and joy, severity and rhapsody, solemnity, and exhilaration.

All sections of the orchestra benefit from Brahms’ excellent melodic writing, and this work will be a wonderful ending to our Travels in Europe afternoon.

Norfolk Symphony Orchestra is committed to producing music of the highest quality, performing varied and exciting programmes and the orchestra will once again be giving away 100 free tickets to under-18s throughout this season.

For details on this offer please call the box office.

Tickets are £16 and are available from the box office on 01553 764864 or at www.kingslynncornexchange.co.uk. The concert starts at 3.30pm.