The Shrewsbury Symphony Orchestra will return to The Alington Hall, Shrewsbury School on Wednesday, November 30 at 7.30pm with an exciting programme, including Poulenc's Concerto for Two Pianos! 

The Autumn term concert also includes Doreen Carwithen's magnificent Bishop Rock overture (1952), which conjures visions of the thundering Atlantic and high seas swelling around this westernmost part of the Scilly Isles, and Ralph Vaughan-Williams' Symphony No.4. This beautiful work was first performed in 1935 by the BBC Symphony Orchestra conducted by Adrian Boult.  

SSO conductor and pianist John Moore will join concert pianist Vincent Barrella (who last performed with the SSO as soloist in 2018) to perform the Poulenc concerto, which was commissioned for two pianos and orchestra and premiered at the International Society for Contemporary Music in Venice in 1932. 

They first played this together 45 years ago as students at the Royal Academy of Music! 

Vincent has previously appeared with the London Philharmonic (Alfriston Festival 2009), Tonbridge Philharmonic Orchestra, Kent County Youth Orchestra and Dartford Symphony Orchestra, as well as professional recordings for television (Poirot, 2013).  In recognition for services to music and for his outstanding concert work, especially with young musicians, he was awarded the prestigious ARAM, Associate of the Royal Academy of Music, in 2001, one of the highest awards for former students.

John Moore scarcely needs an introduction in Shropshire - he was Director of Music at Shrewsbury School for 31 years, whilst simultaneously maintaining a career as a composer and performer, with countless writing credits for TV and stage, including most recently a new musical 'Gatsby' which enjoyed sell-out performances at Edinburgh Fringe this summer (his 10th for the school!).

John studied piano at the Royal Academy of Music with Sidney Harrison and Alexander Kelly and has worked as accompanist and continuo player with, amongst others, The Edinburgh Contemporary Arts Ensemble and the Scottish Baroque group, Kist of Music. John has been conductor of the Shrewsbury Symphony Orchestra for 17+ years, is on the committee of the Gregynog Young Musicians Competition where he is an official accompanist, and is currently helping organise concerts for the Shropshire Music Trust.

John said: "Shrewsbury Symphony Orchestra's Autumn programme features a wonderful array of 20th century masterpieces, with Vaughan William's most individual and powerful symphony No 4 as the centrepiece. It will be terrific to play the Poulenc Double Piano Concert again with Vincent, 45 years after we first did so as students at The Royal Academy of Music. "

Tickets for the concert are available via https://www.ticketsource.co.uk/shrewsbury-symphony-orchestra