Our application to Grants for the Arts has been successful! The Society’s Secretary Martin Grace has just received notification that the grant application submitted in October to the Arts Council’s Grants for the Arts has been fully successful. The Society has been awarded a grant of £57,000 for 2012-15, enabling the Society to continue its work of bringing classical orchestral concerts to Kendal.

Updated 9th December 2011.

BBC Philharmonic scales the heights

How will the beauty of The Lake District and the grit of fell running inspire a new orchestral piece?

Next month the BBC Philharmonic takes part in a fascinating documentary for BBC Radio 4 (Friday 16 December 11am, producer Ian Bent) which looks at how the beauty of The Lake District and the endurance needed for the most gruelling of Fell Races will inspire a composer to write a new piece of music.

The Bob Graham Round is arguably the most arduous of all fell running challenges. Athletes have to climb 42 peaks, run around 70 miles and ascend 27 000 feet - which is about the height of Everest from sea level - all in a period of 24 hours. 

The run takes place in the glorious beauty of The Lake Distict, with its rapidly changing weather and underfoot conditions.  It's a challenge which unites two motivators of great art; human endeavour and the beauty of nature.

This year, while determined runners made their attempts at the Bob Graham Round, a young Italian composer has been writing a brand new piece of music commissioned by BBC Radio 3, which celebrates fell running in The Lakes.

The young Italian Maurizio Malagnini had never visited Cumbria before and had never heard of fell running. In fact these were two of the reasons he was asked to write a new piece of work for the BBC Philharmonic Orchestra, they wanted to see how fresh eyes would be inspired.

The BBC R4 programme follows two stories: the development of Maurizio's music and the attempt of two runners seeking to complete The Bob Graham Round.

Says Maurizio: “The Suite Running in the Clouds is a musical diary of the memories of the legendary Bob Graham runner Joss Naylor. It portrays the intimate relationship between the runner and his environment.  The music takes us through the most energetic and heroic moments of the ascent. It culminates in the final movement, A View from Yewbarrow. Here, Joss is lost in the mist until the wind blows away a cloud and uncovers an incredible view from the summit.”

Richard Wigley, General Manager of the BBC Philharmonic and a keen (if slow) fell runner says: “The inspirational challenge created by Bob Graham in the 1940s is matched by the inspiration of an orchestra in full flight; the full flight we experience when our minds are allowed to float free from daily life.” 

Extracts of the work will feature in the BBC Radio 4 documentary. The full piece will receive its world premiere with the BBC Philharmonic at Westmorland Hall, Kendal on Saturday 14 January at 7.30pm, conducted by Garry Walker.    

The concert goes out live on BBC Radio Cumbria and will be recorded for future broadcast by BBC Radio 3.

Society News

Another season is underway, but for the Trustees it is not an opportunity to sit back and relax! Since before September Ann has been sorting dates for the 2012-13 season and holding discussions with the various orchestras, conductors and soloists.

Martin has been putting together our application for another three years’ funding from the Arts Council under the Grants for the Arts scheme, and before Christmas will submit an application to South Lakeland District Council for funding for another year. We can never take any funding for granted – we have to justify our existence!

Tim and Pam continue with the huge task of managing ticket sales, including a rush of applications for tickets for the Hallé and BBC Philharmonic concerts in November as the newsletter, produced by Dorothy, goes out to nearly 2000 households.

Paul puts together the programmes for each concert, and Fraser holds the purse strings; like Bill Wood before him, he runs a tight ship. Peter, our Chairman, tirelessly promotes the work of the Society and seeks commercial sponsorship. His welcome to everyone at the start of the season was warmly received, underlining the ‘family’ feel at the subscription concerts.

The Society continually seeks support from Patrons and Friends as well as commercial sponsors to make sure the Society can continue to provide top quality concerts. Please can you help?

Extra dates for your 2012 diary

Wednesday 13th June : Society AGM at Lakes Leisure, commencing 7.30p.m. All welcome.
Mid-July : Publication and mailing of the 2012/2013 season brochure.
Saturday 11th August : Allocation of Subscription Seats. If you will be away please write to our Membership Secretaries so they know you will want seats for the 2012/2013 season.

We are always grateful for comments about the Society and its concerts. Please do get in touch with questions or remarks.

How about some 'New Season Resolutions'?

1. Come and listen to the excellent pre-concert talks.

2. Become a Friend of the Society!