Harmony at the Hall

About

The award winning Helix Ensemble is a flexible group of experienced musicians from the East Midlands who perform chamber music. and small orchestral works.  The Helix Ensemble has given the first performances of more than 20 new compositions since their foundation in 1992, and has won two awards from the Performing Right Society for their innovative concert programmes.

Elgar: Serenade for Strings

Edward Elgar’s Serenade for Strings in E minor, Op. 20 is a lyrical and elegant work composed in 1892. It features three movements, blending warmth, charm, and melancholy. The central Larghetto is especially admired for its tender beauty.

Bach: Orchestral Suite No.2 (flute soloist: Jo Conquest)

Bach's Orchestral Suite No. 2 (BWV 1067) in B minor is a seven-movement Baroque masterpiece. Featuring a prominent solo flute, it follows a French overture format with stylized dances like the Sarabande and Minuet. It is most famous for its lively, virtuoso finale, the "Badinerie".

Albinoni: Concert for two oboes (soloists: Victoria Price & Anne Allcock)

Tomaso Albinoni’s Concerto for Two Oboes showcases the Baroque composer’s elegant balance of lyricism and structure. Its refined melodies and clear harmonic design highlight Albinoni’s gift for blending emotional warmth with formal clarity.

Britten: Simple Symphony

Britten's Simple Symphony, Op. 4, is a vibrant and accessible work derived from themes he composed as a teenager. Its four movements showcase his early mastery of orchestral colour and form. The symphony remains a beloved staple, celebrated for its youthful energy, charming melodies, and brilliant string writing, offering an engaging glimpse into the genius of a young composer.