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12 May 2009
Great Fen concerts a triumph
The Great Fen concerts, performed by one of the world’s most celebrated orchestras, Britten Sinfonia, and held at Peterborough Cathedral and King's College, Cambridge, have been heralded a great success.
The classical music concerts, held on 6 and 7 May, were a celebration of the natural world and featured the world premiere orchestral piece - Whitel’s Ey - by world-renowned composer John Woolrich. His new work was inspired by the landscape and wildlife of the Great Fen Project.
The concerts were introduced by special guests 'Professor of Pop' Paul Gambaccini, in Peterborough, and Stephen Fry, Great Fen Project President, in Cambridge.
Other pieces celebrating the natural world, included Vaughan Williams’ 'The Lark Ascending', Britten’s 'What the Wild Flowers Tell Me', and Sibelius’ 'Scene with Cranes'. The programme was conducted by Garry Walker and featured Russian violinist Alina Ibragimova, the youngest-ever winner of the Royal Philharmonic Society's Emily Anderson Prize.
Great Fen Project partners are grateful to lead sponsor of the concerts, BGL Group. Co-sponsors include Smartseal; The Stradivari Trust; Norwich & Peterborough Building Society; Greenwoods Solicitors; Athene Communications; Cambridge Evening News; Ken Girvan Printers; the Britten-Pears Foundation; the PRS Foundation for new music; and the RVW Trust.
Follow the links to hear Karl Heidel, communications manager for The Wildlife Trust, interviewing:
- 'Professor of Pop' Paul Gambaccini talking about his thoughts on the natural world, music and the Great Fen Project.
- Project President Stephen Fry after the concert in the magnificent setting of King's College, Cambridge.
- John Woolrich, the composer of Whitel's Ey.
Listen to the new orchestral music Whitel's Ey - inspired directly by the Great Fen Project - by composer John Woolrich.
