[105.2] ORCHESTRAL SURGE

In case the fact had so far escaped you, this week, 8-16 March, is National Orchestra Week across Britain. Russell Jones, Director of the Association of British Orchestras says: "National Orchestra Week is about celebrating the diversity and vitality of Britain's orchestras. New music, new audiences and young people are at the heart NOW's objectives." There's still time to catch a host of performances, including student composer Rosemary Toll's prosaically entitled 'About Fish' (inspired by Antarctic science) premiered by the London Philharmonic at the Royal Festival Hall on Sunday 16 March. It's got to be said that the LPO doesn't exactly blazon this on their website, so one fears that they've put it in the 'worthy' basket a little too readily. It takes place at 11.30 am, and also on the FUNharmonics (ouch!) menu is John Adams' stellar 'Short Ride in a Fast Machine' and some Carl Stalling 'Looney Tunes' (of the kind beloved by avant-maestro John Zorn).

See also the ABO information bank here.