With a little over a month until the opening concert of their 2026/7 season, Rutland Sinfonia's Music Director Paul Hilliam shares insights on this season's programme of music.

Paul Hilliam was first appointed the Music Director and Conductor of the Rutland Sinfonia in 2007, while also pursuing work with a number of professional and local orchestras, including Leicester Symphony Orchestra, Stamford Chamber Orchestra and Peterborough Symphony Orchestra.

'You are in for a real treat,' says Hilliam about the upcoming season.

Last season was a undoubted success for Rutland Sinfonia as they celebrated their 50th anniversary season with a series of ambitious sell-out concerts.

Proud to hold the reputation of 'an amateur orchestra that plays like professionals,' Paul Hilliam explains what audiences can expect with their first performance of the new season.

'Rutland Sinfonia's 2026/27 season starts with two of the most popular pieces of classical music ever written - Mendelssohn's Hebrides Overture and Mozart's Clarinet Concerto (one of the last pieces he wrote).

'I've prepared thoroughly for this concert by visiting to Fingal's Cave on Staffa (definitely recommended) and having recently worked with the wonderful Easher Austin (our clarinet soloist) I know you are in for a real treat!

'However, in the second half of the concert we are performing two pieces that might be lesser known - Haydn's Symphony No 44 'Trauer' and Kodaly's Dances of Galanta.

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'Haydn's 'middle period' symphonies (he wrote at least 104) are emotionally charged, but the symphony's nickname Trauer (meaning mourning) refers to the beautiful slow movement which the composer requested be played at his funeral.

'Most of all I am looking forward to conducting Kodaly's Dances of Galanta - a riot of Hungarian folk music inspired virtuosity!'

The season opening concert is on Saturday 26th September at Oakham School Chapel, 7.30pm

Tickets at www.rutlandsinfonia.org.uk