Our concert, ‘Soul of the Romantics’, allowed HVO to showcase some excellent musicianship. Under the assured direction of Andrew Griffiths, the orchestra captured the essence of Romanticism in a well-balanced and engaging programme.
Of particular note was Beethoven’s Coriolan Overture with its gripping tension and bold contrasts. Mendelssohn’s Ruy Blas Overture was full of vitality and rhythmic drive and was delivered with conviction and clarity.
Schubert featured prominently in the programme, through a powerful performance of Der Erlkönig, vividly portraying the poem’s urgency and terror. The concert also included Schubert’s Symphony No. 8, “Unfinished,” rendered with warmth and sensitivity. The orchestra shaped the symphony’s long lyrical lines beautifully, allowing its haunting silences and rich textures to resonate.
Altogether, Soul of the Romantics was a thoughtfully curated programme — one that showcased the orchestra’s growing confidence and it’s genuine affinity with the Romantic repertoire.

Some short excerpts from the concert: Timeless Music – Local Passion

The first 2 minutes of Beethoven’s – Corolian