For their season finale on Saturday 5th July 2025, the Isle of Wight Symphony Orchestra have chosen a programme inspired entirely by dance.
The centrepiece is Aaron Copland’s ballet music for ‘Appalachian Spring’. Created in 1944 with choreography by Martha Graham, the ballet tells the story of a frontier couple on their wedding day and embodies themes of unity and hope. Copland’s luminous score skillfully brings to mind expansive North American landscapes in music of wide emotional range.
Other pieces
Other ballet music on the programme includes ‘Pineapple Poll’ with music by Arthur Sullivan and arranged by Charles Mackerras.
The piece showcases Sullivan’s considerable talent for melody and sparkling entertainment. Capturing a darker mood is Khachaturian’s magnificent ballet score for ‘Spartacus’, which was famously used as the theme for 1970s television series, ‘The Onedin Line’.
Where and when
The Isle of Wight Symphony Orchestra performs on Saturday 5th July 2025 at Medina Theatre, Newport. Tickets can be obtained via the Medina Theatre website.
The evening begins at 7.15pm and the orchestra is delighted to be supporting The Southampton and Isle of Wight Music Trust, Middleton Bursary Scheme at all of its concerts this season.
The scheme provides financial support to young musicians facing challenging circumstances. Sponsorship from Wightlink is invaluable in helping the orchestra maintain the high quality of their concerts from year to year.
News shared by Gareth on behalf of IWSO. Ed
