Barber, Janáček and Nielsen

The evening

Musicians of Royal Northern Sinfonia bring a selection of works for wind instruments as part of Highlights’ rural touring scheme.

Samuel Barber’s Summer Music does what it says on the tin – conjuring up warm, hazy days with chirruping birdsong and mercurial summer breezes. Mladi means ‘youth’ and captures 70-year-old Leoš Janáček reflecting on his childhood. Weaving in Czech folk traditions, it’s full of sparkle and jaunty rhythms. Carl Nielsen was brilliant at writing for wind instruments and his joyful Wind Quintet really gives each player their moment in the sun. Lyrical, lilting and witty.

And the folk flavour continues with Ferenc Farkas’ Ancient Hungarian Dances and Malcolm Arnold’s Three Shanties, complete with a drunken sailor cameo.

Ferenc Farkas Ancient Hungarian Dances Samuel Barber Summer Music Leoš Janáček Mládí Carl Nielsen Wind Quintet Malcolm Arnold Three Shanties

Members of Royal Northern Sinfonia