Market Harborough Orchestra

CLASSICAL ROOTS, ROMANTIC BRANCHES
2025-06-28 19:30 - 22:00 (Europe/London) | Market Harborough Methodist Church, Northampton Road, Market Harborough, Leicestershire, LE16 9HG, United Kingdom
The Market Harborough Orchestra, under the baton of Stephen Bell, presents “Classical Roots, Romantic Branches”, a concert that blends the elegance of the Classical era with the passion of the Romantic. The programme opens with Beethoven’s powerful Egmont Overture, followed by Dvořák’s enchanting Serenade for Wind. Beethoven’s revolutionary Symphony No. 3, the Eroica, brings the evening to a close with its bold, transformative spirit. This performance offers a journey through musical history, highlighting the enduring beauty of these iconic works.

FROM THE HEART
2025-10-18 19:30 - 22:00
Indulge your senses in an evening of musical passion with the Market Harborough Orchestra’s concert, “From the Heart.” Immerse yourself in the intensity of Brahms’ Tragic Overture, where powerful emotions and dramatic motifs intertwine to create a symphonic masterpiece. Feel the enchantment of Sibelius’ En Saga, a musical narrative that unfolds with poetic allure and vivid storytelling. The journey culminates with Tchaikovsky’s Symphony No. 6, the Pathétique, a symphony that emanates from the depths of the composer’s soul, exploring themes of love, tragedy, and ultimate redemption.
INFORMATION FOR MHO MEMBERS

JOHANNES BRAHMS – Tragic Overture – 3[1.2.pic] 2 2 2 — 4 2 3 1 — tmp — str
JEAN SIBELIUS – En Saga – – 2[1.2/pic] 2 2 2 — 4 3 3 1 — 2perc — str
PIOTR ILYICH TCHAIKOVSKY – Symphony No 6 in B minor – 3[1.2.3/pic] 2 2 2 — 4 2 3 1 — tmp+2 — str

REHEARSALS

Sunday 28th September – 1.45 – 4.30pm – Methodist (Church or Youth wing)
Tuesday 30th September – 7.30=9.30pm – Strings – Venue TBC
Sunday 5th October – 1.45 – 4.30pm – Methodist Church (TBC)
Friday 10th October – 7.30-9.30pm – Wind and Brass – Methodist Church
Sunday 12th October – 1.45 – 4.30pm – Methodist Church (TBC)
Friday 17th October- 7.30 – 9.30pm – Methodist Church
Saturday 18th October – 2.00 to 5.00pm, concert 7.30pm

LULLABIES AND LEGENDS
2026-02-07 19:30 - 22:00
Step into a world of magic, mischief, and memory as the Market Harborough Orchestra, conducted by Stephen Bell, brings timeless tales to life. Humperdinck’s glorious Hansel and Gretel Overture opens the evening in true Brothers Grimm style, full of wonder — and a hint of adventure. Ravel’s shimmering Mother Goose Suite whisks us into a land of sleeping princesses and enchanted gardens, before Grainger’s jaunty Children’s March sets off on a carefree journey “over the hills and far away.” The evening closes with Prokofiev’s poignant Seventh Symphony — music born from a children’s radio play, blending innocence and nostalgia into a final chapter where the magic still lingers.
INFORMATION FOR MHO PLAYERS

Humperdinck, Engelbert- Hänsel und Gretel: Prelude <1890–1893> 3[1.2.pic] 2 2 2 — 4 2 3 1 — tmp+2 — str
Ravel, Maurice – Ma Mère l’Oye (Mother Goose): 5 pièces enfantines (Suite) <1908–1910> 2[1.2/pic] 2[1.2/Eh] 2 2[1/cbn.2] — 2 0 0 0 — tmp+3 — hp — cel — str
Grainger, Percy -Children’s March (Over the Hills and Far Away) <1918> 2[1.pic] 2[1.Eh] 2 2 — 4 3 3 1 — tmp+4 — hp —pf — str
Prokofiev, Serge -Symphony No.7, op.131, C-sharp minor <1951–1952> 3[1.2.pic] 3[1.2.Eh] 3[1.2.bcl] 2 — 4 3 3 1 — tmp+4 — hp — pf — str

REHEARSAL SCHEDULE 2026

Sunday 18 January 1.45 – 4.30pm – Methodist
Tuesday 20 January – STRINGS – Venue TBC
Sunday 25 January 1.45 – 4.30pm – Methodist
Friday 30 January – 7.30-9.30pm WIND – Methodist Church
Sunday 01 February – 1.45 – 4.30pm – Methodist
Friday 6 February – 7.30-9.30pm – Methodist Church
Saturday 07 February – 2.00-5.00pm – CONCERT 7.30pm

SYMPHONIC STORIES
2026-07-04 19:30 - 22:00
Step into a world of vivid imagination and sweeping landscapes with the Market Harborough Orchestra’s Symphonic Stories, conducted by the charismatic Stephen Bell on Saturday 4th July 2026. From the delicate brushstrokes of Respighi’s Three Botticelli Pictures to the sun-drenched vistas of Grofé’s Mississippi Suite, each piece paints a striking musical scene. The journey culminates in Rimsky-Korsakov’s powerful Antar Symphony – a gripping tale of exile, love, and mystical transformation. Join us for an evening where music becomes myth, and every note tells a story.
INFORMATION FOR MHO PLAYERS

Ottorino Respighi – Trittico Botticelliano (Three Botticelli Pictures), P.151 <1927> -1 1 1 1 — 1 1 0 0 — 1perc — hp — cel, pf — str
Ferde Grofé – Mississippi Suite <1925> – 3[1.2.pic] 2[1.2/Eh] 2[1.2/bcl] 2[1.2] — 4 3 3 1 — tmp+3 — hp — str
Rimsky-Korsakov – Symphony No.2, op.9, F-sharp minor (Antar, Symphonic Suite) <1868–1897> – 3[1.2.3/pic] 2[1/Eh.2] 2 2 — 4 2 3 1 — tmp+3 — hp — str

REHEARSAL SCHEDULE 2026

Sunday 14 June – 1.45 – 4.30pm – Methodist
Tuesday 16 June – 7.30 – 9.30pm – STRINGS – Venue TBC
Sunday 21 June – 1.45 – 4.30pm – Methodist
Friday 26 June – 7.30 – 9.30pm – WIND – Methodist Church
Sunday 28 June – 1.45 – 4.30pm – Methodist
Friday 3 July- 7.30-9.30pm – Methodist Church
Saturday 4 July – 2.00 to 5.00pm, CONCERT 7.30pm

THE SYMPHONIC CINEMA
2026-10-17 19:30 - 22:00
The Symphonic Cinema launches the MHO’s new season with a thrilling celebration of film music at its very best. This programme brings some of the most iconic scores ever written to Market Harborough, performed in their full symphonic glory. From the awe and wonder of Jurassic Park and E.T. the Extra-Terrestrial to the unforgettable themes of Star Wars, John Williams’ music reminds us why his sound worlds have shaped generations of cinema lovers. Alongside these classics sits Bernard Herrmann’s gripping Suite from Psycho, music of extraordinary tension and atmosphere, and Joe Hisaishi’s luminous The Legend of Ashitaka from Princess Mononoke. At the heart of the concert is Shostakovich’s exuberant Suite for Variety Orchestra, brimming with colour, wit and energy, including the famous Waltz No. 2, known to many from Eyes Wide Shut. A night of drama, nostalgia and symphonic spectacle, this concert promises a powerful opening to the season.
FOR MHO PLAYERS
John Williams – Theme from “Jurassic Park” – 3(1.2.picc) 3(1.2.CA) 3(1.2.bass) 3(1.2.3/contra) 4331 Timp +3 Hrp Pno strings
Bernard Herrmann -Suite from “Psycho” (Prelude-The City – The Madhouse – The Murder – Finale) – Strings
John Williams -Music from the Star Wars Saga

Imperial March – 3(1.2.picc)2(1.2/CA) 2 2 4331 Timp +2 hrp pno/celeste strngs
Princess Leia’s Theme – 3(1.2.picc)2(1.CA) 3(1.2.bass)2 4331 Timp +2 hrp pno/celeste strngs
Across the Stars – 3(1.2.picc)3(1.2.CA)33(1.2.3/contra) 4231 Tmp+1 hrp pno Strings
Jedi Steps and Finale – 3(1.2.3/picc)3(1.2.3/CA)3(1.2.3/bass)3(1.2.3/contra) 4431 Timp +3 hrp pno/celeste strngs

Joe Hisaishi – The Legend of Ashitaka from “Princess Mononoke” 2,2,3(1.2.bass),2 – 4,3,3,1 – timp+4perc – pno,hp – strings
Dmitri Shostakovich – Suite for Variety Orchestra no. 1 – 2[1.2/pic] 1 2 1 — 3 3 3 1 — 4sx[2asx, 2tsx] — gtr, accordion — tmp+2 — hp — pf, cel/pf — str – perc: bd, cym, sus cym, sd, tri, tambn, glock, xyl, vib (note – guitar, accordion, piano, and celeste will be rationalised into 2 keyboard parts)
John Williams – Adventures on Earth from “E.T. the Extra Terrestrial” -3(3pic)2(2ca)23(3cbn)/4331/timp.3perc/hp.pf(cel)/str
REHEARSALS
• Sunday 27th September 2026, 1.45–4.30pm – Methodist
• Tuesday 30th September 2027 – STRINGS – Venue TBC
• Sunday 4th October 2027, 1.45–4.30pm – Methodist
• Friday 9th October 2027, 7.30–9.30pm – WIND – Methodist Church
• Sunday 11th October 2027, 1.45–4.30pm – Methodist
• Friday 16th October 2027, 7.30–9.30pm – Methodist Church
• Saturday 17th October 2027, 2.00–5.00pm rehearsal, CONCERT 7.30pm

CALL OF THE WILD
2027-02-06 19:30 - 22:00
Call of the Wild is a programme inspired by nature, movement and the elemental forces that shape both landscape and human imagination. Delibes’ Sylvia opens the evening with music rooted in woodland myth and pastoral colour, full of grace, energy and rhythmic vitality. Hamilton Harty’s With the Wild Geese follows, evoking the pull of migration and freedom in a work of sweeping momentum and emotional power. The concert culminates in Sibelius’ Fifth Symphony, a towering statement of Nordic symphonic writing, inspired by the natural world and crowned by the famous horn calls of its final movement, one of the most exhilarating moments in orchestral music. This is a concert of expansive sound, deep atmosphere and thrilling orchestral drive.
FOR MHO PLAYERS
Léo Delibes – Sylvia: Suite – 2[1.2/pic] 2 2 2 — 4 4[2tp, 2crt] 3 1 — tmp+3 — hp — str – perc: sd, tri, cym, bd
Hamilton Harty – With the Wild Geese – 3[1.2.3/pic] 3[1.2.Eh] 3[1.2.bcl] 2 — 4 2 3 1 — tmp+3 — hp — str perc: cym, sus cym, bd, sd
Jean Sibelius – Symphony No.5, op.82, E-flat major – 2 2 2 2 — 4 3 3 0 — tmp — str
REHEARSALS

Sunday 17 January 2027, 1.45–4.30pm – Methodist
Tuesday 19 January 2027 – STRINGS – Venue TBC
Sunday 24 January 2027, 1.45–4.30pm – Methodist
Friday 29 January 2027, 7.30–9.30pm – WIND – Methodist Church
Sunday 31 January 2027, 1.45–4.30pm – Methodist
Friday 5 February 2027, 7.30–9.30pm – Methodist Church
Saturday 6 February 2027, 2.00–5.00pm rehearsal, CONCERT 7.30pm

RIVER OF RED AND GOLD
2027-06-26 19:30 - 22:00
River of Red and Gold closes the season with a richly coloured programme that celebrates warmth, lyricism and heroic spirit. Glazunov’s Autumn from The Seasons sets the tone with glowing textures and a sense of mellow, shifting light. Strauss’ elegant Oboe Concerto brings intimacy and refinement, its transparent scoring allowing every line to shine. The season concludes with Borodin’s Second Symphony, a work of bold themes, muscular rhythms and sweeping drama that draws on epic legend and national character. From autumnal glow to full-blooded symphonic grandeur, this concert offers a generous and uplifting end to the MHO season.
FOR MHO PLAYERS
Alexander Glazunov – Autumn from “The Seasons” – 3[1.2.pic] 2[1.2/Eh] 2 2 — 4 2 3 1 — tmp+4 — hp — cel — str perc: bd, cym, sd, tri, tambn, glock
Richard Strauss – Oboe Concerto, TrV 292 (AV 144), D major – Solo Oboe 2 1[Eh] 2 2 — 2 0 0 0 — str (Tentative Munster Trust Soloist)
Alexander Borodin – Symphony No.2, B minor (Bogatirskaya simfoniya; Heroic Symphony) – 3[1.2.3/pic] 2[1/Eh.2] 2 2 — 4 2 3 1 — tmp+4 — hp — str perc: tri, tambn, cym, bd
REHEARSALS

Sunday 6 June 2027, 1.45–4.30pm – Methodist
Tuesday 8 June 2027 – STRINGS – Venue TBC
Sunday 13 June 2027, 1.45–4.30pm – Methodist
Friday 18 June 2027, 7.30–9.30pm – WIND – Methodist Church
Sunday 20 June 2027, 1.45–4.30pm – Methodist
Friday 25 June 2027, 7.30–9.30pm – Methodist Church
Saturday 26 June 2027, 2.00–5.00pm rehearsal, CONCERT 7.30pm
