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Brandon Hill Chamber Orchestra was founded in 1987 by a group of talented Bristol-based musicians. We play the majority of our concerts in the marvellous acoustic of St George's Bristol - one of the premiere venues nationwide. BHCO has always worked with young professional conductors and achieves a high standard by rehearsing intensively before each concert.
The orchestra spans the full repertoire, augmenting its forces if necessary. Artists with whom the orchestra has worked include: Christopher Hogwood, Andrew Shulman, Martyn Brabbins, Grant Llewellyn, Douglas Boyd, Paul Watkins, Alexander Shelley and Graham Jackson, Bernard D'Ascoli and Elizabeth Layton.
*** A ROUND-UP OF 2000-2008 SEASONS ***
The 2000-2001 season got off to an exciting start with an inspirational concert conducted by CHRISTOPHER HOGWOOD. Working with him on Haydn's 99th Symphony was an enlightening experience and enabled us to produce some new sounds and musical styles. Hogwood gave his services free and proceeds from the concert were donated to the Archictecture Centre. The Architecture Centre is an organisation whose mission is to raise awareness and understanding of the architectural riches in Bristol. In February BHCO continued its 'CELEBRITY CONDUCTORS' series with Anthony Halstead, one of the main conductors of the Hanover band. A JC Bach Symphony - a speciality of Tony's - was very dramatic and exciting and we also played the Bizet Symphony in C.The 2001 season finished on a high with two of BHCO's favourite artists - Andrew Shulman and Bernard D'Ascoli. Andrew came over from Los Angeles to work with the orchestra. Bernard gave his usual sensitive and lyrical performance of Mozart's piano concerto no 23. The highlight of the concert was a rousing performance of Beethoven's 7th Symphony.
In 2002 BHCO was very fortunate to begin working with Douglas Boyd and in March gave a rousing performance of Schubert's "Unfinished" Symphony and Strauss's Oboe Concerto (Sol. Barbara Ingleby) to great acclaim and received an excellent review. Boyd, a distinguished oboist and artistic director of Manchester Camerata, has 2 further dates with BHCO (17 May 2003 and 21st February 2004). We also started an association with the eminent 'cellist Paul Watkins (winner of 2002 Leeds' conductors' competition and solo cellist with Nash Ensemble). Watkins played and directed Haydn's 1st Concerto. He has 2 more dates with BHCO - Nov.8th 2003 and October 2004.
In 2003 Andrew Shulman made a flying visit from LA to conduct Mozart's "Jeunehomme" piano concerto with Bernard d'Ascoli and a romantic performance of Sibelius 1st Symphony - also received a 4* review. The next concert was with Douglas Boyd who crafted Schubert's mighty "Great C major" symphony and accompanied Stephen Stirling in Strauss's superb 2nd horn concerto (4* review in Bristol Evening Post).
Boyd worked further with the orchestra in 2004-5 carrying off a magnificent performance of Strauss's "Don Juan" and Dvorak's 9th Symphony. A significant achievment in 2004 was a performance of Brahms's double concerto directed from the 'cello by Paul Watkins which was reviewed well in the Guardian. A highlight of 2005 was the continuation of the partnership of virtuoso Thomas Bowes with Andrew Shulman playing the Elgar (Bowes played the Brahms and Tchaikovsky in the 2 previous seasons). BHCO also played the "Pathetique" symphony to great public acclaim.
In 2005 BHCO made its debut in the Cheltenham Festival at a conducting masterclass with Martyn Brabbins which was repeated in 2006.
In 2006 the orchestra made its debut with Alexander Shelley, winner of the Leeds Conductor's Competition in 2005. We had 3 highly successful concerts - Appalachian Spring, Shostakovich 2nd piano concerto and Brahms 4 in May , and then the High Sheriff Concert in Bristol Cathedral to a packed audience to hear Julian Lloyd-Webber play the Elgar Cello Concerto. Shelley will work again with the orchestra in May 2007. Then Douglas Boyd inspired the orchestra in November with performances of Strauss 4 last songs and Mahler's 4th Symphony. In 2008 the first concert was with Andrew Shulman to a packed St Georges and received a 4* review. Prokofiev's Romeo & Juliet Suite No 2 was followed by the Mendlessohn Violin Concerto (Thomas Bowes); Rachmaninov's rousing Symphonic Dances concluded the programme.
Shelly's performance of Appalchian Spring was broadcast on Radio 3 as part of the "Listen Up" series
BHCO continues to support local Charities. Past beneficiaries include: Home Start Bristol, Fairbridge West, The Samaritans, Music Space and the St George's "Duet" Appeal. See our events page for more information about future concerts. More info from Graham Appleton 01295 811606 or mail us through the mailing list button above. Over the past 8 years, BHCO has received generous financial support from local firm SKANSKA CONSTRUCTION UK LTD. Skanska have had a strong association with the series of concerts that the orchestra has performed with the outstanding French pianist, Bernard D'Ascoli.
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