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Symphonia Academica
One of England's most versatile string ensembles and Associate Ensemble to Anglia Ruskin University.
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Imagination & Versatility

Symphonia Academica is one of the country's most versatile and engaging string chamber ensembles, whose members perform internationally with some of London's finest orchestras. Artistic Director, Peter Bussereau, leads a dynamic group of musicians to perform classical works from the most intimate of settings to the concert hall.

"Our aim is to engage with the audience in a relaxed and informative style, drawing them into the music."

Sunday 28 April 2024 - Pop Up Classics at Redbourn

Symphonia Academica performance in Pop Up Classics Spring Festival at Redbourn, Hertfordshire.

Symphonia Academica had great pleasure in performing music for strings, flute and keyboard to a capacity audience in the stunning medieval church of St Mary's, Redbourn.

The works performed included Mozart's overture to Don Giovanni in an arrangement by Kuffner, the Suite in B minor by Bach and Haydn's London symphony in an arrangement by Salomon.

Sunday 5 May 2024 - Pop Up Classics at Barton le Clay

Symphonia Academica continued in Pop Up Classics Spring Festival series with a performance in Barton le Clay, Bedfordshire of music for clarinet and strings.

The ensemble was pleased to give its second performance of the quintet for bass clarinet and strings by York Bowen. This is a musical gem but rarely performed. Also in the programme was the clarinet quintet by Mozart together with his Divertimento in D K136.

Monday 13 May 2024 - Pop Up Classics for Luton Music

Symphonia Academica's final concert in Pop Up Classics Spring Festival was for Music on Mondays series for Luton Music.

On this occasion Symphonia Academica performed works for string sextet, including Wagner's Prelude to Tristan in a stunning arrangement by Sebastian Gurtler and Schoenberg's magically impressionistic Verklarte Nacht. The ensemble was pleased to be joined by the young virtuoso pianist Kwanyee Chan in a breathtaking performance of Chopin's second piano concerto.

Saturday 8 June 2024 - Letchworth Festival

Symphonia Academica performed in the leafy setting of Letchworth Garden City as part of the Letchworth Festival, and in association with Letchworth Music.

The performance took place in the beautifully intimate setting of Howgills, a Friends Meeting House built in the arts and crafts tradition in 1907. The ensemble of flute and strings performed Mozart's Magic Flute overture in an arrangement by Martelli, Vaughan Williams Suite de Ballet in a beautifully crafted arrangement by the ensemble's flautist, Nicola Summerscales, Mozart's flute quartet in D and Beethoven's string trio in G.

Saturday 29 June 2024 - Letchworth Garden City

As their final concert for the Letchworth Festival Symphonia Academica's Artistic Director Peter Bussereau was joined by the accomplished pianist Yukiko Hosedo for a programme of music for violin and piano. The concert was in association with Letchworth Music.

Performing in the beautifully intimate setting of Howgills, the Friends Meeting House, the duo performed Beethoven's energising sonata in G Op 30 No 3, the beautifully serene Siciliano from Bach's sonata BWV 1017 and Faure's colourful first sonata in A.

And Coming Up In 2024

Plans for later 2024 include works for clarinet by Ruth Gipps, Bernard Herrmann and Sir Arthur Bliss, Mendelssohn's Octet and Haydn's Clock symphony in the chamber arrangement by Salomon. To be kept up to date with performances contact us on the contact page and we will add you to our concerts emailing list.Send us an email and to receive our newsletter

Chamber music

Chamber music is at the heart of the ensemble. The principal players have a passion and commitment for performing string quartets ranging from Mozart and Beethoven to Golijov and Pärt. With guest pianists and windplayers, the ensemble's programming adventurous and far ranging.Read more

String orchestra

The ensemble performs a wide ranging repertoire of music, including works by Vivaldi, Mendelssohn, Elgar, Rautavaara, Schoenberg and Webern.Play more

Music in miniature

The ensemble's versatility allows them to perform chamber versions of larger scale works such as Debussy's Prélude à l'apres midi d'un faune, Dukas' The Sorcerer's Apprentice, Strauss' Till Euenspiegel or Mahler's Symphonies Nos 1 or 4 to more intimate sized audiences.Hear more

Education

Education is key to the ensembles ethos, having worked on projects for young and old alike and involving other creative areas such as dance singing and visual artists.Learn more

Following a highly successful residency at the University of Bedfordshire, the ensemble is excited to now be the Associate Ensemble at Anglia Ruskin University in the East of England.