Henleaze Concert Society: Eastern Echoes

Béla Bartók Romanian Folk Dances
Frédéric Chopin Piano Concerto No.2 Op.21
Dmitri Shostakovich Gadfly Suite
Franz Liszt Hungarian Rhapsodies 2 and 9 arr. strings

Viv Mclean piano

Our season opens with Béla Bartók’s Romanian Folk Dances, a vibrant suite composed in 1915 amid the turmoil of the First World War. Drawing on fiddle tunes he collected from the Transylvanian countryside, Bartók captures the raw energy and charm of traditional peasant music—from the flirtatious Sash Dance to the proud swagger of the Stick Dance.

Folk influences also shine in Franz Liszt’s Hungarian Rhapsodies. Written in 1851, Rhapsody No. 2 – described by Liszt as “truly Hungarian” – is a beloved showpiece, while No. 9 blends authentic folk melodies with brilliant improvisatory flair, creating a dazzling display of virtuosity and color.

Dmitri Shostakovich’s Gadfly Suite brings cinematic drama to the concert hall. Composed for the 1955 Soviet film The Gadfly, it follows the tale of a 19th-century Austrian revolutionary. The suite includes the dashing Galop and the lush, unforgettable Romance.

We close with the lyrical beauty of Frédéric Chopin’s Piano Concerto No. 2, composed in 1829 when he was just 20 years old. Premiered in Warsaw to a sold-out audience with Chopin himself at the keyboard, this concerto showcases the composer’s gift for haunting melodies and brilliant pianism. The central Adagio, tender and romantic, was inspired by his youthful infatuation with soprano Konstancja Gładkowska.

Pre-concert talk with Steve Clarke begins at 6.45pm. Doors open at 6.15pm for the talk and at 7.15pm for the concert only.

Individual concert prices

Tickets for Henleaze Concert Society members £17.50
Tickets for non members £21
Under 25 year olds £5

The ticket price includes a programme and interval drink.

How to book

Book tickets online – see below

You can also book by sending a cheque payable to Henleaze Concert Society, covering note and SAE to 2 Saville Mews, Kingsdown Parade, Bristol BS6 5UL

Tickets are available on the door from 6.15pm.

Season Tickets and Annual Society Membership

Season tickets are only £100 including Society Membership and admission to all six concerts from September to July. Alternatively, becoming a member of Henleaze Concert Society for £15 entitles you to book tickets for individual concerts at the members’ discounted rate. Season tickets and membership are available to buy by post by returning the Ticket Order Form with your payment and a stamped addressed envelope.