Brent Symphony Orchestra

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Brent Symphony Orchestra

Brent Symphony Orchestra, conducted by Levon Parikian gives 4 concerts a year. BSO is a registered charity No. 802678

Brent Symphony Orchestra is one of London's oldest and best known amateur orchestras and celebrated our centenary season in 2010-11. We are a friendly, inclusive orchestra and rehearse on Wednesday evenings, 19:15 to 21:45 at St Martin's Church, Mortimer Road, London NW10 5SN. We give 4 concerts a year, including an annual Charity concert. Strings are always welcome (subject to an initial trial pe

riod). There are no formal auditions, although players need to be at least Grade 8 standard with good sight-reading skills. In order to achieve a balanced orchestra, we rotate violins between 1sts and 2nds and within the sections, therefore players should be confident playing either part. Please come along to a rehearsal or get in touch [email protected]

06/05/2026

The big decision is here, don't forget to vote... for which piece you'd like to play next spring!

Our rep committee have almost decided our rep for our next (117th!) season. But for the spring concert they were torn between two options, so we're putting a vote to all the members of the orchestra. It's between a double-bill of Adams: Chairman Dances paired with Copland: Appalachian Spring OR Price: Symphony No.3.

Which one would you go for?

18/03/2026

Looking forward to our run-through this evening with soloist Emanuella Reiter, ready for our performance of Martinů’s Rhapsody-Concerto this Saturday!

Although Martinů’s music is not very familiar in the UK, he was one of the most prolific composers of the twentieth century. The Rhapsody-Concerto for viola and
orchestra was one of his last works, composed in 1952. It is now one of the most performed twentieth-century viola concertos. By this time Martinů had abandoned the
Stravinskian neo-classicism of his Paris years and was now offering a more romantic style. The concerto occasionally echoes the music of Kodály and Dvořák.

Praised by Vladimir Jurowski as a “highly gifted soloist with a very beautiful tone, an assured technique in connection with intelligent musicianship and real passion and dedication”, Emmanuella Reiter enjoys a varied and international career, with involvement in jazz and chamber music as well as performing concertos around the world.

16/03/2026

Join us next Saturday 21st March for an evening of orchestral masterpieces. We open with Beethoven’s Leonore Overture No. 3, a work so dramatic and symphonic in scale that it famously threatens to overshadow the opera it was written for.

Bohuslav Martinů’s Rhapsody-Concerto for Viola, featuring the exceptional Emmanuella Rieter, showcases the viola’s unique capacity for both fiery virtuosity and nostalgic warmth. It is a rare opportunity to hear one of the most beautiful and evocative concertos in the repertoire.

Our concert reaches its pinnacle with Brahms’ Symphony No. 4. As the composer’s final symphonic statement, it is a work of immense structural power and profound melancholy.

Tickets from the link in bio!

23/01/2026

Laura leading the cellos this term!

At Brent we don't generally have fixed seats/desks, we move around and take turns at section leading. We find it makes a positive environment where anyone can get involved (without hierarchies of who's been there longest...)

Laura joined last year and is leading us for the first time. Simon led last term, Juliet before and we'll see who's next.

Do other orchestras we know do this? How do you find it?

20/01/2026

We'd love for one or two more double basses to join us. Please get in touch if that's you, and spread the word!

17/01/2026

Was your new year's resolution to dust off your violin and join your local orchestra? Perfect! Rehearsals start next week and we have spaces for strings, a tuba and a bassoon. Get in touch to join us!

11/12/2025

Inspiring rehearsal last night with up-and-coming guitarist .gitara ready for our concert on Saturday. Tickets are selling fast so get in quick!

03/12/2025

10 day countdown to our Christmas concert, music with a Latin twist and some festive favourites, and a little audience participation. Tickets from the link in bio, our Christmas concerts usually sell out so booking is recommended!

25/11/2025

Guess what's coming next....

18/11/2025

A packed audience and a great night, thanks to everyone who came on Saturday. Here's a few clips if you missed it or to watch again!

13/11/2025

A sneak peek at our final rehearsal last night, where we had a run through with Elizabeth Roberts.

On Saturday we'll have about 80 people in the orchestra, including 2 sets of timps and 7 horns. Possibly the biggest we've ever been?!

Still room for a few more people in the audience!

Address

London
NW105SN

Website

http://www.brentso.org.uk/

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