THE International Concert Series at The Anvil for 2018-19 features 12pieces that have not been performed at the venue before including Shostakovich’s Symphony no 1 and Strauss’ Sinfonia domestica. 

There is a wealth of music from four centuries to enjoy; discover unfamiliar masterpieces as well as many pieces that Anvil audiences already love including Sibelius’ Fifth Symphony and Rachmaninov’s Second Piano Concerto. 

The series also includes a special gala concert from the Philharmonia Orchestra joined by cellist Sheku Kannah-Mason to mark The Anvil’s 25th birthday in May 2019.

The season kicks off with the Russian State Symphony Orchestra on October 2. 

Vasily Petrenko conducts and British violinist Chloë Hanslip joins the orchestra for an evening that includes Tchaikovsky’s memorable Swan Lake suite, Prokofiev’s Violin Concerto no. 1 and Rachmaninov’s rich and full-bloodied Second Symphony. 

On October 17, the London Philharmonic Orchestra performs Glinka’s fizzing and exuberant overture to his opera Ruslan and Ludmilla. This is followed by Rachmaninov’s Second Piano Concerto and Dvořàk’s Eighth Symphony, its four movements building to an exuberant finale driven by whooping horn calls. 

Soloist is Benjamin Grosvenor, recognized for his electrifying performances. 

On November 1, the Vienna Tonkünstler Orchestra begins its concert with the jaunty overture to Bernstein’s hit show On The Town, which follows three sailors in New York, makes a rousing opening to this concert in his centenary year. 

This is followed by Beethoven’s last piano concerto, his most brilliant and powerful, performed by Canadian Angela Hewitt ,and Sibelius’ fifth and most well-known symphony. 

The Orchestra of the Age of Enlightenment return to The Anvil on November 10 performing Vaughan Williams’ Fantasia on a theme by Thomas Tallis and Brahms’ A German Requiem. Soprano Elizabeth Watts and baritone James Newby join the Choir of the Age of Enlightenment. Conductor Marin Alsop makes a welcome return to The Anvil. 

On December 1 the Bournemouth Symphony Orchestra, conducted by Kirill Karabits, performs Stravinksy’s suite from the ballet Pulcinella, and Walton’s Cello Concerto full of bewitching music. This is followed by Shostakovich’s dazzling First Symphony, which reflects the optimism and experimentation of the early 1920s, while showing signs of how the 19-year-old composer would develop. Cellist Johannes Moser makes his Anvil debut. 

For more information or for tickets, visit anvilarts.org.uk or call the Anvil Arts box office on 01256 844244.