sinfonia ViVA

André de Ridder’s final concert in Nottingham as sinfonia ViVA’s Principal Conductor warrants a special programme. The tone is set by Handel’s famous anthem, Zadok the Priest. Written in 1727 for the crowning of George II, this glorious ceremonial piece has been used at every British coronation since. Another giant of the Baroque provides the concerto, with Bach’s jovial Second Violin Concerto performed by the exceptional German violinist Antje Weithaas.

A world premiere by the young English composer Ian Vine sets up a grand finale with Beethoven’s 3rd Symphony. Dedicated, at first, to the revolutionary figure of Napoleon, it had a seismic impact on the musical world. Nothing on its scale had been attempted before; its length, power and emotional range proclaimed it the first truly Romantic symphony and ignited the spark for generations of composers to come.