Welcome 

From Hilary Davan Wetton,  Artistic Director

photo: Karen Parker


A warm welcome to our 2003/2004 concert series. This is our 29th season and our fifth in the theatre; I hope you will find the programme we have chosen for you even more appealing than its predecessors! 

The season makes full use of the special skills of Siân Edwards, our principal guest conductor. Her close relationship with Joanna MacGregor will make the first concert of the season truly exciting and her studies in Russia with Ilya Musin have given her deep insights into the Shostakovich symphonies which will make for an unforgettable evening on January  29th. The other concerts combine my love of English music with major repertoire by Beethoven, Haydn and Mozart. The  Classical Viennese School has been at the centre of our work in Milton Keynes for nearly 30 years and it is a repertoire  which the orchestra plays with a vibrant sense of style. We also present Dvorak’s 7th Symphony - not as well known as the New World but, in my opinion, his greatest achievement. Its nearest equivalent is the 1st Symphony of Brahms which we played for the first time in Milton Keynes in May this year. Those of you who enjoyed that experience will not wish to miss the final concert.

As usual we have a glittering array of soloists. Peter Donohoe’s close association with the MKCO as soloist, conductor and member of our Artistic Board has been a source of inspiration to the orchestra for many years. His visit this season is part of his 50th birthday celebrations! Joanna MacGregor and Bobby Chen are both enjoying enormous success but I know you will share my view that you will have equally remarkable performances from our own orchestral principals, Diana Cummings, Timothy Hawes and Gerard Le Feuvre when they appear as soloists. A policy of highlighting the exceptional talents of our regular principals has been a feature of our programmes since the orchestra began and it is good to be reminded of their artistry. 

We are also delighted to be working again with the fine young musicians of the Milton Keynes Music Service; James MacMillan’s piece is a stunner – as is Jonathan Dove’s Magic Flute Dances – which we play for the second time. I also commend to you our family concert which has become an established feature of every season, an ideal event for a first visit for children of all ages. 

This season is a balanced diet in which every dish has been carefully chosen and prepared. I hope you will want to order the whole menu and I look forward to your company!