Page 6 - WORTHING SYMPHONY ORCHESTRA

6
Simon Zhu
Simon Zhu photo - Kaupo Kikkas
The brilliantyoung violinist Simon Zhu
LIBERATION
Sunday
12TH NOVEMBER
at 2.45pm
playsDvorak’sViolinConcerto.
Simon Zhu was born in Germany in 2001 and began violin
lessons at the age of six. He has gone on to win a number of prestigious
competitions and awards. He made his debut with the Berlin Philharmonie in 2015 and has since performed with the Academy of St. Martin-in-the-Fields,
the Berlin Symphony Orchestra and the Salzberg Chamber Soloists.
Sibelius’ Finlandia opens this Remembrance Day concert with the theme of liberation, as this piece became an iconic symbol of freedom – celebrating the release of the composer’s native Finland
from the yoke of the Russian Empire.
After the end of World War II, the Daily Express ran a competition for Victory Music, which was won by Bernard Stevens’ composition Symphony of Liberation. It was premiered by Sir Malcolm Sargent in 1946 at the Royal Albert Hall with further performances under the baton of Sir John Barbirolli and Charles Groves. Alas, it has since fallen into a temporary obscurity but is now brought to public attention by WSO, where its obvious merits and uplifting ending will no doubt ensure its revival.
Continuing the theme of being liberated from the heavy boot of tyranny, Sibelius’ Second Symphony has been described by Finnish conductor Georg Schneevoigt, as defining the hope for freedom that stirred in the heart of every Finn.
Jean Sibelius Finlandia Bernard Stevens Symphony of Liberation Antonin Dvořák Violin Concerto Jean Sibelius Symphony No. 2 in D major