I was very fortunate to be able to sit in on rehearsals with the Britten-Pears Orchestra at Snape Maltings, near Aldeburgh today.  The rehearsals were for their performance on Sunday 16th, August 2009 (more info here) conducted by Vasily Petrenko, it was excellent. The main aim for me going was to learn more about “traditional” instrumentation and orchestration for a much larger project already under way and to come out very soon.

Luckily the day for me started with Wagner’s Tristan and Isolde prelude, one piece of music I have listened to and studied on my own (I have read entire books purely on that single piece of music) so it was serendipitous that I should start venturing into this world of sound with a piece I know and love.

Also during rehearsals were Shostakovich Symphony No.1, which I was unfamiliar to start with but enjoyed none the less, overall it was a great day and I am extremely grateful for being able to sit in on the rehearsals it certainly looks like it will be an excellent concert.