Programme Bartók Romanian Dances Bloch From Jewish Life Vaughan Williams 5 Variants of Dives and Lazarus Dvořák Movements from Legends Op.59 and Czech Suite CONDUCTOR ROLF VERBEEK CELLO THOMAS ISAAC From Bartók’s passion for learning and collecting the music of his Hungarian homeland to Bloch’s inspiration from both Jewish religious and secular music, and Vaughan Williams’s love of arranging new English discoveries for orchestra, composers have always been fascinated by folk music; learning about it, popularising it and weaving it into their work for orchestra. Much of what you will hear in this concert has its roots in folk music familiar to and beloved by the featured composers and it makes for a vibrant and dramatic evening of music – you might even spot a local favourite! Alongside works by these scholars of folk, the Ulster Orchestra also gives a rare performance of movements from Dvořák’s Legends, a contemplative piece said to be designed as a series of meditations on the lives of saints. The Orchestra welcomes Rolf Verbeek to the podium, and the Orchestra’s Cello Section Leader Thomas Isaac performs as featured soloist.