Concert review by Suzanne Smelt, Huddersfield Examiner 29 April 2013

The French Connection

Huddersfield Philharmonic Orchestra concert

27 April 2013 in Huddersfield Town Hall

Expect the unexpected with ‘España’ by the French composer Chabrier opening this concert of French music. This delightful apéritif had a clicky castanet feel created by pizzicato and staccato playing and the final flourish left me wanting more.

The following musical hors d’oeuvres began with Debussy’s impressionistic Prélude à l’après-midi d’un faune. The orchestra, minus most of the brass, shimmered with ..read more

Top performance of ambitious works

Huddersfield Daily Examiner review by Suzanne Smelt

Monday 11 February 2013

A mighty symphony by Bruckner and two powerful works by his hero, Wagner, telling of love, death and the legend of a devil-cursed sea captain, were on the menu for the Huddersfield Philharmonic Orchestra.

Wagner’s The Flying Dutchman – the mythical seaman – was confidently portrayed by the brass; precise articulation and tuning in the woodwind, and nimble finger-work paired with agile bowing from the violins, also deserves ..read more

Christine Stanton’s splendid book “Philharmonic Notes” is now available at just £5.00 per copy. Numbers are limited by a relatively small micro print / publishing run so “buy now” to avoid disappointment (and help boost the Society’s funds through generous donation of any profits).

Says Peter Lewis, President:

“A fascinating read, with many insights from the last 25-30 years or so of the Phil’s history, I wish a copy had been available when I first started my own involvement with the Phil’s ..read more

Huddersfield Examiner 30 April 2012

Concert review by William Marshall

In front of a large town hall audience, the two most venerable organisations in Huddersfield musical life combined for a true celebration of local cultural traditions.

It was a gala concert to mark the 150th anniversary of Huddersfield Philharmonic Orchestra, and the presence of the 176-year-old Huddersfield Choral Society meant that this really was a remarkable occasion.

“There are few towns in the whole country, or the whole world, that have such a distinguished ..read more

Huddersfield has always been seen as a musical town. And that reputation was underlined this week when the Mayor of Kirklees, Clr Eric Firth, hosted a civic reception to honour one of the area’s musical organisations.

Huddersfield Philharmonic is proudly celebrating its 150th anniversary and the dinner at Huddersfield Town Hall was well-deserved recognition of its rich contribution to the life of the town.

The Mayor rightly remarked on the pride felt in the town at the achievements of the Phil and ..read more

Huddersfield Examiner Saturday 10 March 2012

The 150th anniversary of Huddersfield Philharmonic Orchestra was marked with a civic reception. About 200 people attended the event at Huddersfield Town Hall, including past and present conductors and most of the current orchestra.

There were speeches from the orchestra’s longest-serving member, cellist Paul Michelson, who has been a member for almost 56 years, current president Peter Lewis, and Kirklees Mayor Clr Eric Firth.

The orchestra can trace its roots back to 1862, when a Unitarian Minister ..read more

The Phil’s concert on Saturday 12 November 2011 began with a performance of Sibelius’ Valse Triste, played in acknowledgement of the death in July of Mary Rafferty, leader of the orchestra from 1988 to 2009. The choice of music was made in conjunction with Mary’s husband, Ken. Along with the words below, which appeared in the concert programme, this was a demonstration of the affection and esteem in which Mary was held by those who knew her, both within Huddersfield ..read more

Huddersfield Daily Examiner, Monday 14 November 2011

Review by William Marshall of

Concert in Huddersfield Town Hall on Saturday 12 November 2011

Extravagant folk music-infected compositions by Khachaturian and Borodin began and ended this concert and between them was the Brahms Violin Concerto in D major.

So this was not a concert that could easily be labelled with one of the thematic umbrella titles that orchestras like to devise whenever possible. On the other hand, the music of Brahms – for all its poise and ..read more

Huddersfield Examiner – 2 May 2011

Review by William Marshall

Having been confirmed as its new principal conductor, Nicholas Smith presided over one of the Huddersfield Philharmonic’s most assured, mature performances for a long time.

It was a demanding programme, but there was always plenty of power in reserve. Towards the close of the concert, the blaring fortissimo at the start of the final movement of Shostakovich’s Fifth Symphony pinned the entire Town Hall audience back in their seats.

It is sometimes the case ..read more

Our thanks to players Bob (Principal Horn)  and Julie (trumpet) Shaw for providing this insight into the musicians aboard the Titanic, including bandleader Wallace Hartley, former playng member of the Huddersfield Philharmonic. It is an interesting coincidence that the centenary of the voyage of the Titanic occurs in the same year as the orchestra’s 150th anniversary (2012).

Excerpt from “The Titanic Survivor” – The Memoirs of Violet Jessop, Stewardess

I would like to elaborate on the musicians. On her maiden voyage, Titanic ..read more