Two young soloists take on mammoth challenge this month

Tuesday, 11 June 2024 08:15

Ewan Hudson and Shannon Gateley (Photo: Col Morley www.pro-pix.com)

With over 80 musicians onstage, and two fabulous soloists to enjoy - experience the pinnacle of orchestra music in Ilkley with the Airedale Symphony Orchestra next concert.

On Sunday June 30, Airedale Symphony Orchestra (ASO) will be performing the incredible Mahler 5 symphony - ‘Transformation’, at the Kings’ Hall in Ilkley.

A spokesperson for ASO said: “This incredibly exciting, beautiful and emotional symphony is one of the titans of orchestral music. With a massive 80 musicians on stage, and every percussion instrument you can imagine, you’ll have a musical experience like no other!

“Key to the symphony are the solo horn and first trumpet, who are taking on some of the most challenging solos ever written for these instruments. Our talented musicians are nailing it, in powerful, emotional performances that are not to be missed!

“So, who are our wonderful soloists?

“On trumpet we have Shannon Gateley, who remarkably didn’t start playing until age 13 when she didn’t want to be left out of a younger brother’s trumpet lessons! But this didn’t stop her studying trumpet at Manchester University and later at the Royal Academy of Music.

“Our solo horn player Ewan Hudson also started his instrument later than usual – swapping from the trumpet to French horn at 18 for a remarkable journey to French horn fab via Liverpool Philharmonic Youth Orchestra and studying music at university.

“Ewan’s role in June will mean moving from being an orchestral player to being a soloist, standing on his own in the orchestra, so his music will shine through over the orchestra in an effect sometimes described as ‘the voice of God’. Ewan is more pragmatic, he says the horn will give that still, beautiful, perfect moment of reflection during music of deep emotion from the rest of the orchestra.

“Meanwhile Shannon will be kicking off the whole symphony with an iconic trumpet solo that is both exciting and foreboding of the turmoil ahead! Known and feared by all trumpet players, Shannon says she’s excited to do it, and certainly at rehearsal, both soloists sound absolutely amazing.

“Alongside the ebullient Shostakovich Festival Overture, and the famous Peer Gynt Suite by Greig with ‘Morning’ and ‘In the Hall of the Mountain King’, this will definitely be a wonderful evening of music played by fabulous local musicians.”

Experience this amazing performance! Get your tickets at www.ticketsource.co.uk/airedale-symphony-orchestra.