One of the world’s leading ensembles, The Royal Philharmonic Orchestra (RPO), is coming to Bexhill at the end of this month for a summer season of orchestral performances by the sea, as part of Bexhill’s Big Summer Sounds in and around the De La Warr Pavilion.
Outdoor performances of iconic soul and disco hits, performed by one of the world’s most prestigious orchestras – and in a spectacular setting – the Symphonic Groove concert on Saturday 27 June, will be followed by a show-stopping celebration of ABBA’s hits on Saturday 4 July. The choice of popular repertoire follows RPO audience research, which shows that the growing popularity of orchestral music today is, in part, based on presenting orchestral music in a broader context. For example, 75% of Sussex adults say they enjoy a connection with orchestral music – many of who are people experiencing it for the first time (19%), with 40% enjoying classical music alongside other genres, such as pop, soul, rock and R&B. Furthermore, in terms of preferred concert experiences, the RPO’s research reveals that of the 88% of Sussex adults expressed interest in going to a concert that featured classical or orchestral music, although people in Sussex were the most likely in the UK to choose pop/orchestral cross-over (33%), followed by popular music featured in films (31%) and programmes geared for the whole family to enjoy together (23%).
Sarah Bardwell, Managing Director at the RPO comments: “Across the South East, there is growing public interest in experiencing iconic pop music presented by a large symphony orchestra. The RPO has led the way in this field for some years, working on chart-topping orchestral albums with the likes of Rod Stewart and Def Leppard. Our Symphonic Groove concert for Bexhill’s Big Summer Sounds builds on the sell-out soul spectacular we performed at the Royal Albert Hall last autumn – and our ABBAphonic concert will celebrate the timeless hits catalogue of possibly the most popular pop band ever. Research has shown that ABBA frequently tops playlist choices for special occasions – such as weddings, hen nights, birthdays and milestone parties – so there’s no better catalogue of hits to celebrate by the sea at Bexhill this July.”
In addition to the two outdoor concerts that will present an unmissable celebration of soul and disco under the setting seaside sun, the Royal Philharmonic Orchestra will also perform a third concert of classical masterworks on Thursday 2 July inside the De La Warr Pavilion, under the baton of the RPO’s Associate Conductor Emilia Hoving. The RPO will perform Tchaikovsky’s Violin Concerto with rising star Hana Chang; Dvořák’s seminal work, Symphony No.9, ‘From the New World’ – plus Sibelius’ stirring Finlandia.
Emilia Hoving, Associate Conductor at the RPO comments: “The Royal Philharmonic Orchestra connects with such a wide a range of audiences internationally, and the diversity of its orchestral programming is doing so much good to introduce a new generation of people to the orchestral world. We are really looking forward to our seaside rendezvous with the people of Bexhill in the next month. The De La Warr Pavilion is one of the UK’s great music venues and we are proud to support its summer festival in such a beautiful location. For the RPO, our visit to the south coast comes at a time when the Orchestra prepares to celebrate it’s landmark 80th anniversary season in a few months’ time. Being part of such a great festival at Bexhill is, for us, a wonderful way to kick-off what will be a very special year ahead.”
For more information or to book tickets for Bexhill’s Big Summer Sounds at The De La Warr Pavilion, visit: https://www.dlwp.com/event/bexhills-big-summer-sounds/
