Hull Philharmonic welcomes first guest conductor of the season

‘PRIVILEGE’: Dan Watson with Elaine King, Hull Philharmonic’s Rehearsal Conductor

By Rick Lyon

Hull Philharmonic Orchestra is set to welcome the first of three guest conductors for its new season.

Following an emotional performance in May that saw Musical Director Andrew Penny MBE hand over the baton after 40 years at the helm, the first concert of the season will be conducted by Dan Watson, who featured in the BBC series All Together Now: The Great Orchestra Challenge as Principal Conductor of The People’s Orchestra.

Taking place on Saturday, November 26 at Hull City Hall, his programme will take the audience from the quiet lyricism of Vaughan Williams through the virtuosity of Rossini’s only recently discovered bassoon concerto, to the splendour of Tchaikovsky at the height of his powers.

Dan said: “It was a privilege to be involved in choosing this programme for the orchestra’s first concert of their 2022/23 season.

“I enjoy interpreting music that evokes our emotions and the journeys we encounter, as the Vaughan Williams piece in particular has so many different perspectives of life and the hope and fear within it.

“I also admire the sense of space that it creates - that stillness is something we need in today’s society.”

Dan has been rehearsing with the orchestra at the Albemarle Music Centre since late September.

He said: “Everyone in the orchestra is so dedicated to their music-making and their rehearsal discipline is excellent. I’ve been made to feel very welcome and can’t wait to share what will be an emotional and contemplative performance, ranging from a sensuous and melancholy dreamscape to sombre fanfare horns.”

The Rossini concerto will star Adam MacKenzie, the Principal Bassoonist of Opera North and teacher at the Royal Northern College of Music and Chetham’s School of Music.

Later in the season, Hull Philharmonic Orchestra will welcome two additional guest conductors – Simon Chalk in February 2023 and James Ham in May 2023.

The concert this weekend starts at 7.30pm.

There is a pre-concert talk at 6.30pm with Dan and Adam, which is free to ticket holders.

Tickets are priced from £10 - £28.50 and concessions are available.

To book tickets, call Hull Box Office on 01482 300 306 or visit www.hulltheatres.co.uk/events/hull-philharmonic-orchestra-november-2022