York Beethoven Project performing at Selby Abbey under conductor John Atkin. The Grand Finale, Symphony No 9, will be held there next March
YORK Beethoven Project is entering its concluding year with plans for the last two symphonies to be played during the next 12 months.
Symphony No 8 at Millthorpe School, York, on Saturday, September 26 will be followed by Symphony No 9 at Selby Abbey on March 13 2027.
The project to play all of Ludwig van B’s symphonies was conceived in a conversation under the stage of Harrogate Theatre and was launched with Beethoven’s Symphony No 1 in September 2023.
“The first event at Acomb Methodist Church was a huge success,” recalls founder, organiser and conductor John Atkin, the York musical director and White Rose Theatre stalwart. “Fifty-six musicians put themselves forward to take part in the come-and-play workshop, so we closed registration in advance.
York Beethoven Project founder and conductor John Atkin
“Those players came from a variety of musical organisations in York, as well as further afield, which was the aim, and 54 attended on the day, hosted by York Light Orchestra. They rehearsed Symphony No 1 in C major Op. 2, and it was then performed to an audience, where there was standing room only.”
Since then, the orchestra has averaged 60 players in performing the first seven symphonies as one-day Come & Play sessions in such venues as the Sir Jack Lyons Concert Hall (University of York), Joseph Rowntree Theatre and Selby Abbey.
John says: “We cannot believe it’s nearly over but it’s not all over. What started as a personal target has snowballed into a regular biannual slot for many local musicians, who all share the same passion for orchestral music.
“Since the first event, we have worked with more than 100 local – and some not so local – musicians aged between 17 and much more(!) in some lovely venues. Among the highlights for me must be the ‘Eroica’ (No 3) in Joseph Rowntree Theatre and the ‘Pastoral’ (No 6) in Selby Abbey, but they have all been great days, and to now complete the entire cycle will be a wonderful experience for all involved.”
Symphony No 9 next March at Selby Abbey will be the Grande Finalé in a full concert programme that will include Handel’s Zadok The Priest and the world premiere of Augury, commissioned from Cameron McArthur with the same orchestration as No 9. Cameron is a composer, performer, trumpet player, researcher and educator, who has completed his studies for a PhD in Music Composition at the University of York.
John adds: “We are recruiting a choir and soloists for No 9. Working with local choirs, including Cantores, South Bank Singers and York Opera, we have 52 singers signed up so far but we expect to have around 100 in total by next year for this community event, open to all who can read music and sing in German.”
The Selby Abbey concert will commemorate the 200th anniversary of Beethoven’s death at the age of 56 in Vienna on March 26 1827.
“After No 9, the orchestra will continue to meet twice a year and play varied symphonic repertoire under the name of York Occasional Orchestra,” reveals John.
For more information or to take part in any of these events, please email yorkbeethovenproject@gmail.com.