Philharmonic leader in the spotlight

Stephen Bingham directs the orchestra and performs popular concerto

On 19th February, in the West Road Concert Hall, Stephen Bingham, leader of the Cambridge Philharmonic Society, will direct the orchestra in works by Mozart and Schubert as well as performing the ever-popular Mendelssohn violin concerto.

Stephen Bingham's achievements (quite apart from his work with the Cambridge Philharmonic) are astonishing. He leads the internationally acclaimed Bingham quartet (which includes his wife Brenda on viola), has guest-lead many top orchestras (including, for example, the BBC Scottish) and plays a variety of modern and world music on his electric violin with the group Ragatal. When not involved with music he is also an expert on Celtic knots and an accomplished Internet web designer. "The best thing about leading an orchestra", he says, "is having the responsibility for getting the strings to work as a team. You have to lead from the front and always make every entry positive. It's a great satisfaction when everyone plays together."

In the concert on 19th February, Stephen will not only lead the strings, but direct the whole orchestra from the leader's chair in the overture to Mozart's opera Cosi Fan Tutte, and Schubert's popular and effervescent Symphony no. 5. But it is his performance of the Mendlessohn concerto which is most eagerly awaited. With its ravishing slow movement, and irresistible high jinks in the outer movements, this is one of the best-loved violin concertos ever written.

Tickets are available from the Cambridge Arts Theatre Box Office, St Mary's Passage (tel: 01223 503333) or on the door.

The concert starts at 7.30pm.

Poster available for download
(Warning: this file is 275kB, and contains the posters for this concert and the concert in April)

Notes for editors

For further information including biographies please see our web site, www.cam-phil.org.uk.
If you would like any interviews for your publication please contact publicity@cam-phil.org.uk, giving as much notice as possible.