Saturday 13th June 2026 - St James Church, Taunton 7.30pm ​

​Borodin  Polovetsian Dances no 17  

Kashperova  Symphony in B minor  

Tchaikovsky  Symphony no 5 in E minor

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Our Summer Concert features three Russian composers, with beautiful and evocative music written in the 19th Century.

Alexander Borodin worked on his opera Prince Igor for 18 years but, sadly, he died before he could complete it. Fortunately, Polovtsian Dances No 17 was finished - though it was later orchestrated by Rimsky-Korsakov and Glazunov. It is a vibrant, exotic and totally captivating concert work that has proved to be exceptionally popular with audiences. You will love it!

Leokadiya Kashperova was a prominent and popular musician in St Petersburg when she wrote her Symphony in B minor and, as his piano teacher, she was crucial to the musical development of Igor Stravinsky. However, after the Russian Revolution public performances of her work stopped because she was considered to have close connections to the gentry. Consequently, though she continued to create music, it was not long before she became a forgotten composer. This is a rare opportunity for you to enjoy this delightful symphony. Do not miss it!

Pyotr Ilyich Tchaikovsky composed his Symphony No 5 in E minor in the summer of 1885. It is an enormously popular work that listeners can experience on a very personal level. Tchaikovsky lacked confidence when writing symphonies, and initially he reflected on this one with profound self-doubt, but eventually like most of us he grew very fond of it. It is a powerful work that focuses on people’s futile struggle with destiny, but its gorgeous melodies will stay with you as you contentedly journey home. Save the date  in your diary! Now!