Programme details

Debussy: Prélude à l'après-midi d'un faune

John Hopkins: Floating World

W. A. Mozart: Concerto for Flute and Harp

Frank Bridge: Summer

The K. 239 Chamber Orchestra is a semi-professional chamber orchestra based in Cambridge, UK. It was founded in spring 1989 by Nicholas Toller, taking its name from the catalogue number of Mozart's Serenata Notturna, the work which began its inaugural concert. Since then, the orchestra has presented 3 concerts each year, performing in several Cambridge venues (most frequently the University Concert Hall at West Road and Emmanuel United Reformed Church) and has given a great many conducting and solo performing opportunities to local musicians. The orchestra was disbanded in 2004 after the 15th Anniversary Concert but was re-formed in 2007 in memory of Nick Toller. A special trait of the orchestra is the repertoire: in addition to promoting less well-known or neglected works, each concert usually includes at least one work by Mozart and sometimes features works (including premières) by composers living in the city.

The Players

The orchestra consists of players from a very wide range of professional backgrounds. Some of our players are, or have been, professional performers, and several are semi-professional players and teachers of their instrument. For many of the others, orchestral playing is an enjoyable diversion from the stresses of their working day in medicine, science or commerce, etc.

Each member of the orchestra, including the soloists and conductors, contributes their time and expertise on a purely voluntary basis, and any regular member who wishes to do so, may be given the chance to conduct or to feature as a soloist.