As clocks go back this weekend, bringing darker evenings, Bournemouth Symphony Orchestra (BSO) and new Corporate Patron Paris Smith invite audiences to find sunshine through music.
On Wednesday 4 November, the BSO presents a concert of Sunshine Symphonies at Lighthouse, Poole. Audiences can expect an evening of music full of energy, colour and optimism, supported by the Orchestra’s new Corporate Patron, Paris Smith.
The concert features Beethoven’s Symphony No. 2, Schumann’s Piano Concerto and Prokofiev’s sparkling First Symphony. It is led by the BSO’s Chief Conductor Mark Wigglesworth and welcomes the return of award-winning pianist Boris Giltburg.
Finding joy through music
At the heart of the programme is Beethoven’s Second Symphony. The symphony forms part of the BSO’s Road to Joy series, a two-year celebration of Beethoven’s music and enduring influence ahead of the bicentenary of his death in 2027.
Written at a time when Beethoven was confronting increasingly serious hearing impairments, the work is remarkable for its vitality, humour and exuberance, with music that seems to find joy despite the difficult circumstances in which Beethoven was living.
Paris Smith becomes Corporate Patron of Bournemouth Symphony Orchestra
Frank Prior, Partner in Family Law at Paris Smith, said:
“The clocks going back is always a reminder that the darker evenings are here. As a firm, we often support people and businesses through challenging periods, and we know how important it can be to have things that bring connection, positivity and perspective.
“We are delighted to become a Corporate Patron of Bournemouth Symphony Orchestra and to support Sunshine Symphonies. We are particularly pleased to be able to contribute to the cultural life of the community in which our Bournemouth office is now firmly established – and what better way to bring a little sunshine to November than through live music?”
Dougie Scarfe OBE, Bournemouth Symphony Orchestra’s Chief Executive, said:
“We are delighted to welcome Paris Smith as a new Corporate Patron of Bournemouth Symphony Orchestra. Corporate support helps us to bring live orchestral music to audiences across the South and South West.
“Sunshine Symphonies feels particularly appropriate as the evenings draw in. Beethoven’s Second Symphony is an extraordinary example of music full of energy and optimism; despite the profound challenges Beethoven was experiencing at the time. We’re delighted to share this music with audiences in Poole and grateful to Paris Smith for supporting the concert and investing in the BSO.”
Sunshine Symphonies
Based at Lighthouse, Poole, the Orchestra is resident in Bristol, Exeter, Portsmouth, Southampton and Yeovil, and performs in towns and villages across the region. A registered charity, it is the largest performing organisation in the South West of England, serving one of the biggest and most diverse regions in the UK.
Sunshine Symphonies tours to Bristol Beacon the following night, on Thursday 5 November, and is also available as a live broadcast Digital Concert.
As the clocks go back and the evenings become darker, the BSO’s message is simple: there is still plenty of sunshine and joy to be found.
Bournemouth Symphony Orchestra performs Sunshine Symphonies at Lighthouse, Poole on Wednesday 4 November at 7.30pm. Visit Bournemouth Symphony Orchestra for full details and booking information.
Sunshine Symphonies concert details
Wednesday 4 November, 7.30pm
Lighthouse, Poole
Sunshine Symphonies
- Prokofiev – Symphony No. 1 ‘Classical’
- Schumann – Piano Concerto
- Beethoven – Symphony No. 2
- Mark Wigglesworth – conductor
- Boris Giltburg – piano
- Bournemouth Symphony Orchestra
The Poole concert is also available to watch live online as a Digital Concert.
Thursday 5 November, 7pm
Bristol Beacon
Sunshine Symphonies
- Prokofiev – Symphony No. 1 ‘Classical’
- Schumann – Piano Concerto
- Beethoven – Symphony No. 2
- Mark Wigglesworth – conductor
- Boris Giltburg – piano
- Bournemouth Symphony Orchestra
Press release prepared by Bournemouth Symphony Orchestra.