The Alpine Symphony

Is it possible to compose music that sounds like a teacup? Richard Strauss claimed that he could. He had a special talent for painting pictures and scenes with his music. The Alpine Symphony he composed in 1915 is a vivid example.

We set off at sunrise for a day’s journey in the Alps. In the stillness of the morning, we marvel at the magnificent landscape before continuing up the mountain, past streams and a waterfall and through a forbidding forest. The weather and we move through thunder, lightning and wind that almost knocks us off course. Towards evening, it dies down and as the stars come out we pause and reflect on our place in the larger scheme of things.

The adventure in the Alps begins in a different landscape – or rather seascape, with music from Edvard Grieg’s Peer Gynt and Benjamin Britten’s Four Sea Interludes.

The Filialen community orchestra is delighted to be undertaking this musical journey with one of its favourite conductors. Simon Crawford-Phillips has built a unique career as a conductor, pianist and creative programmer. He is the chief conductor and artistic adviser of the Västerås Sinfonietta, the principal guest conductor of the Dala Sinfonietta, the artistic director of the Change Music Festival and the Nash Ensemble and frequently engaged to conduct in Germany. He has made numerous recordings with the Kungsbacka trio and the Nash Ensemble. Simon has conducted Filialen numerous times over the year, including a performance of Stravinsky’s Rite of Spring in this venue in 2023.