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Fulham Symphony Orchestra @fso.org.uk · May 27

We’re performing Mahler 7 and Roxanna Panufnik's "Alma’s Songs Without Words" at Smith Square Hall on 21 June. Book now at: fso.org.uk/summer-2025/

Gustav Mahler – Symphony No. 7
Roxanna Panufnik – Alma’s Songs Without Words
Fulham Symphony Orchestra
Marc Dooley conductor
Tom Evans leader
21 June 2025 7.30pm, Smith Square Hall

Roxanna Panufnik – Alma’s Songs Without Words (London Premiere)
Gustav Mahler – Symphony No. 7
Fulham Symphony Orchestra
Marc Dooley conductor
Tom Evans leader
21 June 2025, 7.30pm
Smith Square Hall London SW1P 3HF
Tickets £14, concessions £12, under-16s £9. Booking fees apply.
Book online: sinfoniasmithsq.org.uk
Booking helpline: 02072221061
Gustav Mahler’s Seventh Symphony, sometimes called the Song of the Night, sweeps listeners through an emotional journey from dusk to dawn. The arresting introduction is followed by eerie ‘night music’ movements and a haunting waltz. Scored for a huge orchestra including mandolin, guitar and cowbells, the symphony is full of contrasts, combining romantic serenades, nocturnal marches and ironic humour. The life-affirming finale is crowned with boisterous timpani and blazing brass.

Alma’s Songs Without Words by Roxanna Panufnik reimagines three songs by Alma Mahler, with different instruments or sections of the orchestra taking on the role of the human voice. Alma wrote the songs before her tempestuous and ultimately tragic marriage to Gustav Mahler, who initially made clear his view that there was room for only one composer in their relationship. Panufnik describes the songs as: “extraordinary in their intensity, passion and almost feverish swings in mood and tempo”.
Illustration by Caroline Whitehead

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Fulham Symphony Orchestra @fso.org.uk · Mar 22

Tickets for tonight’s concert are currently sold out but we’re working with the venue to try to make some more seats available. See our website for the latest information: fso.org.uk/spring-2025/

Tchaikovsky, Demessieux and Janáček – 22 March 2025

Leoš Janáček – Taras BulbaJeanne Demessieux – Poème Pyotr Ilyich Tchaikovsky – Manfred Symphony

fso.org.uk

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Fulham Symphony Orchestra @fso.org.uk · Mar 9

Previously the Organ Scholar at the Southbank Centre, she is now Organist at St Nicholas’ Church in Harpenden. She is an Associate of the Royal College of Organists and Co-Chair of the Society of Women Organists.

Concert info and tickets:
fso.org.uk/spring-2025

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Fulham Symphony Orchestra @fso.org.uk · Mar 9

We’re delighted to have organ soloist Hannah Gill performing with us on 22 March at Smith Square Hall.

Born in Wales, Hannah was awarded a scholarship to study at the Royal Welsh College of Music & Drama and was a concerto finalist in the Texaco Young Musician of Wales....

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Fulham Symphony Orchestra @fso.org.uk · Feb 23

Book now for our concert on 22 March 2025 at Smith Square Hall.
fso.org.uk/spring-2025/

A rare chance to hear Tchaikovsky’s great Manfred Symphony, Jeanne Demessieux’s exuberant Poème for organ and orchestra, and Janáček’s Taras Bulba, an orchestral rhapsody inspired by a Cossack hero.

Fulham Symphony Orchestra – 22 March 2025 - Leoš Janáček – Taras Bulba, Jeanne Demessieux – Poème, Pyotr Ilyich Tchaikovsky – Manfred Symphony. Marc Dooley conductor Tom Evans leader Hannah Gill organ. 22 March 2025 7.30pm, Smith Square Hall

A rare chance to hear Tchaikovsky’s Manfred Symphony, his most ambitious symphonic work, which explores the extreme drama of Byron’s poem of the same name. Jeanne Demessieux was a celebrated virtuoso organist and a child prodigy. The exuberant Poème for organ and orchestra was one of her few orchestral compositions. Written during World War I and inspired by the story of a Cossack hero, Leoš Janáček’s Taras Bulba combines poignantly beautiful folk-like themes with the composer’s distinctive and unconventional orchestration. Born in Wales, Hannah Gill was awarded a scholarship to study at the Royal Welsh College of Music & Drama and was a concerto finalist in the Texaco Young Musician of Wales. She has conducted and accompanied prize-winning choirs at both National and International Eisteddfod competitions. Previously the Organ Scholar at the Southbank Centre, she is now Organist at St Nicholas’ Church in Harpenden. She is an Associate of the Royal College of Organists and Co-Chair of the Society of Women Organists. Leoš Janáček – Taras Bulba Jeanne Demessieux – Poème Pyotr Ilyich Tchaikovsky – Manfred Symphony Marc Dooley conductor Tom Evans leader Hannah Gill organ 7.30pm, Smith Square Hall, London SW1P 3HF Tickets £14, concessions £12, under-16s £9. Booking fees apply.

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Fulham Symphony Orchestra @fso.org.uk · Feb 20

In due course we will find a way to honour Steve's huge contribution to the orchestra since 2001. Meanwhile we encourage donations to Cancer Research UK. donate.cancerresearchuk.org/donate

donate.cancerresearchuk.org

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Fulham Symphony Orchestra @fso.org.uk · Feb 20

We have been devastated by the untimely death of our principal trumpet Steve Hicks. His glorious playing, enormous personality and total confidence inspired us all. We have not the words to describe our sense of loss, but all our love is with his wife Andrea and family.

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Fulham Symphony Orchestra @fso.org.uk · Dec 18

@westlondonhistory.bsky.social @hfcouncil.bsky.social

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