The endless sea provided an inexhaustible source of inspiration for Britain's greatest composers. Philzuid immerses audiences in music by Britten, Elgar and Grace Williams. The concert opens with the popular string orchestra work Sea Sketches by the Welsh composer Grace Williams.
Across five movements, the pupil of Vaughan Williams paints a poetic portrait of the sea—from turbulent ocean winds to the serenity of a summer's day on the coast. Edward Elgar also found inspiration in the sea, dedicating an entire song cycle to its boundless waters in Sea Pictures.
Through the expressive combination of soprano Josy Santos and orchestra, the sea is revealed in all its unpredictability, danger, allure and breathtaking beauty. The programme also features Four Sea Interludes by Benjamin Britten, drawn from his best-known opera, Peter Grimes.
Also by Britten is the Serenade for Tenor, Horn and Strings, a remarkable fusion of horn concerto and song cycle, performed by tenor Brett Sprague and Peter Hoeben, principal horn of Philzuid.
