Chester Memories: Still hitting high notes

By Chester Chronicle on Jan 12, 10 08:58 AM in 1800-1899

A CHESTER society, founded in 1884, is still going strong 125 years later.

Chester Philharmonic Orchestra, founded by John C Bridge back in the 19th century, began life as Chester Orchestral Society.

According to Peter Jackson, who wrote a history of the society to celebrate its 100th birthday in 1984, the orchestra's first concert was given on April 29, 1884, at the Music Hall and included choral works and a performance of The Ruins of Athens by Beethoven. Bridge's notebooks show that attracted an audience of nearly 600 people.

The CPO is now recognised as one of the best non-professional orchestras in the North West and regularly performs at Chester Cathedral. Recent concerts have included familiar works such as Beethoven's 5th Piano Concerto (Emperor) and Dvorak's New World Symphony and less familiar pieces like Rachmaninov's Youth Symphony and Saint-Saens' Organ Symphony.

Famous cellist Julian Lloyd Webber has played with the orchestra and Peter Young, winner of the BBC Young Musician competition, played his trombone with them in April this year.

Regular professional conductors included Richard Howarth from Manchester Camerata, David Chatwin from BBC Philharmonic, Stephen Threlfall, musical director of Chetham's School of Music, and for the past two seasons Ewa Struinska. Ewa was conducting fellow at the RNCM and has recently been appointed assistant conductor of the Hallé Orchestra.

The CPO is a registered charity and is self-funding through member subscriptions, box office receipts and occasional fundraising activities. Sponsors would be welcomed.

The orchestra rehearses on Monday evenings, from 7.30pm, at All Saints' Church Hall on Hoole Road. Good string players are always welcome and there are sometimes vacancies in other sections.

The CPO presents an early spring concert on Saturday March 6, at 7.30pm at Chester Cathedral featuring Chloe Greenwood, oboe, winner of the Chetham's School/Chester Philharmonic Concerto Prize. Conductor Stephen Threlfall, soprano Diana Palmerston and the Chester Bach Singers

The pictures show: Chester Philharmonic Orchestra in 1980 with conductor Roger Fisher, then Chester Cathedral organist; Chester Philharmonic Orchestra at a performance with Trelawnyd Male Voice Choir in the Royal Liverpool Philharmonic Hall in February 1996, conducted by Edward Warren; Members of Chester Philharmonic Orchestra at Chester Cathedral in 1982 during a rehearsal of the Berlioz Requiem.