Guildhall Symphony Orchestra: Hannah Kendall, Shostakovich & Sibelius

Guildhall Symphony Orchestra presents a dynamic programme spanning three centuries of works from colourful and energetic arrangements to brooding and tender grandeur with guest conductor Eivind Gullberg Jensen.

Before Jensen takes to the podium, Guildhall conductor Antoine Veillerette* will lead the orchestra in a contemporary work by Hannah Kendall – the electrifying and socially resonant The Spark Catchers, inspired by a poem about the 1888 Bow Matchgirls’ Strike.

The programme follows with Dmitri Shostakovich’s playful yet tender Piano Concerto No 2, written for his son’s piano exam, before culminating with Jean Sibelius’ brooding yet romantic First Symphony, both conducted by Eivind Gullberg Jensen. Sibelius' work moves through contrasting movements, showcasing his distinctive voice and evolution. 

Eivind Gullberg Jensen is widely recognised for his knowledgeable and insightful interpretations. An experienced conductor with an extensive repertoire range, he has been Artistic and General Director of Bergen National Opera since 2020 and Chief Conductor of Noord Nederlands Orkest since 2022. Before these appointments, he was the Chief Conductor of the NDR Radiophilharmonie in Hannover for five years.