Abergavenny Symphony Orchestra is staging its autumn concert on Sunday November 22 at 8pm at Our Lady and St Michael’s Church, Pen y Pound, Abergavenny.

The programme will include Wagner - Flying Dutchman overture; Sibelius - Violin Concerto and Mendelssohn - Symphony No. 3 (Scottish).

Wagner’s Flying Dutchman overture is perhaps one of the most arresting programme openers ever, the music perfectly conveying the excitement and fear of this ancient and ghostly sea story.

The Sibelius violin concerto is a work of virtuosity, incredible beauty and excitement that truly evokes the spirit of Finland.

Mendelssohn’s third symphony was one of the fruits of the composer’s travels throughout Europe. It was on his first visit to Britain in 1829 that he found the inspiration both for this work, whilst visiting Holyrood Palace, and for the Hebrides Overture or Fingal’s Cave while exploring the west coast.

The orchestra is delighted to welcome exciting young violinist Cristian Grajner De Sa as its soloist for the Sibelius piece.

Cristian made his solo debut at the age of 14 performing the Bach A Minor Concerto in St James’s Piccadilly in London, and is now continuing his studies at the Royal Academy of Music with Professor Maurice Hasson.

Dennis Simons takes over the baton for the concert as newly-appointed Music Director. Dennis was a professional violinist before turning to conducting: he was founder leader of the Alberni String Quartet; co-leader of the London Philharmonic Orchestra; leader of the BBC Philharmonic Orchestra; solo violinist on three continents and did more than 20 solo broadcasts for the BBC.

As a professional conductor he was Music Director and Conductor of the orchestras of Saskatoon (1993-97), Shreveport (1996-2003), and from 2002 - 2012, Music Director and conductor of North Dakota’s Minot Symphony Orchestra. He was also a guest conductor with the Toronto Symphony and the Victoria Symphony; in the USA, Europe and Australia.

As usual the St Michael’s Centre will be open during the interval to provide light refreshments. Remember to take along a cushion for those unforgiving pews!

You can buy your tickets online from TicketSource, or from Abergavenny Music in Cross Street (01873 853394), or at the door.

Children’s performance

Abergavenny Symphony Orchestra is also putting on a free Children’s Concert, which organisers say will give families a chance to sample the riches that lie in wait in discovering classical music.

The concert will be conducted by up-and-coming Tianyi Lu, an assistant conductor to the Hallé Orchestra and BBC National Orchestra of Wales, who has been described by reviewers as ‘inspirational’, ‘energetic’ and ‘charming’.

Pete Geraghty, chairman of the orchestra, said, “A live performance from fifty people playing as one is an experience that can’t be replicated by listening to a recording. Children will get a chance to see and hear close up, talk to the players, and even try out an instrument!”

The programme will range from classic favourites such as Tchaikovsky’s ‘Nutcracker’ to music from the film ‘Frozen’.

The concert is from 4pm to 5pm on Sunday December 13 in King Henry VIII School, Abergavenny and refreshments will be available from the school’s PCTA before and after the performance.

Details are on the orchestra’s website at abergavennysymph.org.uk and on Facebook: Abergavenny Symphony Orchestra.