The finest of young orchestras
Fantasia Orchestra has a reputation for pioneering cross-genre programming and collaborations with musical stars.
The orchestra was founded by Tom Fetherstonhaugh, one of the UK's leading young conductors, and is home to some of the best of young British classical music talent.
Together they offer an orchestra centred around 'collaboration, curiosity and breaking down traditional musical boundaries'.
I managed to catch the Orchestra's Bold Moves concert at Smith Square Hall, Westminster, London.
This was part of Fantasia's inaugural four-date residency at the venue.
With arrangements by Harry Baker, Tom Fetherstonhaugh conducting, it saw the orchestra collaborating with internationally acclaimed pianist Steven Osborne and trumpeter Aaron Akugbo.
The programme, which is indicative of their approach, embraced work by Bartók and Shostakovich along with the music of Gershwin, Cole Porter and Rodgers and Hart :
- Bartók Divertimento
- Shostakovich Jazz Suite no. 2: Waltz 2
- Porter I've Got You Under My Skin
- Gershwin I Loves You Porgy
- Gershwin But Not For Me
- Rodgers and Hart My Funny Valentine
- Shostakovich Jazz Suite no. 2: Lyric Waltz
- Shostakovich Piano Concerto no. 1
(Images : Pablo Strong)
A musical revelation
Music, of every conceivable genre, provides the soundtrack to my life, whether I am working, driving, working out or simply relaxing.
As for live music, it is musical theatre that is my passion and, perhaps because of this, I have tended to shy away from orchestral concerts.
Would the music, without song, dance and dialogue, be a somehow lesser experience?
Taking this niggling doubt to Smith Square Hall, I found Fantasia Orchestra's Bold Moves concert sublime.
The programme was varied, musically very accessible and played with such joy and expression by the orchestra's twenty consummate musicians and the two guest performers.
While I was well acquainted with the Gershwin, Porter and Rogers and Hart, these sat so easily with the Bartók and Shostakovich and the even 'floated' by.
Fantasia Orchestra's performance was so warmly appreciated by the many aficionados in the audience.
And as a 'first-timer' I found it musical revelation.
While I accept this may not be definitive of all orchestral music, it has made me determined to take in Fantasia Orchestra concerts in future.
And maybe to explore the orchestral musical genre a little further on their tailcoats.
Other concerts by the Fantasia Orchestra include :
- Proms at St. Jude's Church, London with Junyan Chen (27 June 2026)
- Fantasia Orchestra at Smith Square Hall, London with Niamh O'Sullivan singing Sondheim to Strauss in a night of 20th-century song (3 July 2026).
- Pittville Pump Room Cheltenham the orchestra making its debut at the Cheltenham Music Festival (7 July 2026)
- In its tenth anniversary year, Fantasia Orchestra returns to the BBC Proms: Relaxed Prom at the Royal Albert Hall (9 August 2026)
https://www.fantasiaorchestra.com/whats-on
Smith Square Hall
Smith Square Hall, a concert hall in Smith Square, Westminster, London, is one of the finest works of English Baroque architecture.
Originally a church, the Grade I listed building was designed by Thomas Archer and was completed in 1728 as one of the so-called Fifty New Churches.
Originally a church, this Grade I listed building was designed by Thomas Archer and was completed in 1728 as one of the so-called Fifty New Churches.
In 1710, a long period of Whig domination of British politics ended with the Tories sweeping with their slogan of The Church in Danger.
To strengthen the position of the Anglican Church, the new Parliament concluded that 50 new churches would be necessary in the cities of London and Westminster.
Archer and others including Hawksmoor, Vanburgh and Wren were commissioned to design the new churches.
Today, Smith Square Hall hosts an annual programme of lunchtime recitals, Baroque festivals, late night jazz and other activities that 'bring the joy of music to ever-wider audiences'.
https://www.sinfoniasmithsq.org.uk/
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