Refuge

Cambridge Philharmonic, one of the longest standing cultural institutions in the city (founded in 1887), continues to demonstrate its commitment to fostering community, innovation, and artistic excellence with their May concert, entitled, ‘Refuge’. This extraordinary concert is part of the Philharmonic’s ongoing legacy of creating music that unites people and reflects the times we live in.

‘Refuge’ includes the world premiere of Rouzbeh Parsa’s ‘Concerto for Kamancheh and Orchestra’
Composed by the Iranian refugee virtuoso, and commissioned with the support of local sponsors, this new work reflects the power of music to transcend boundaries and unite cultures. Harry Sever, the Cambridge Philharmonic music director, explains,

‘The idea for this concert came from a discussion with Rouzbeh about how to frame his new commission. Rouzbeh fled religious persecution in Iran and undertook the perilous journey across Europe and across the Channel, leaving his family and risking his life to reach safety and sanctuary here. We wanted somehow to tell his story, and that of countless other refugees, in presenting his new Kamancheh concerto. The concerto fuses elements of Iranian folk and classical elements, arranged and orchestrated by Cambridge-based composer Jonathan Brigg.’

Rouzbeh Parsa shares his inspiration:
‘The Kamancheh is one of the oldest traditional instruments in Iranian music, and I have always dreamed of writing a concerto for it. This piece blends Iranian music with other traditions, drawing from composers like Mendelssohn, Sibelius, and Arvo Pärt, whose folk roots resonate deeply with me. Collaborating with Cambridge Philharmonic last year sparked my imagination and was an incredibly welcoming, inspiring experience. I am thrilled to return for this special project.’

The concert also includes the second performance of British composer Johnathan Dove’s visceral and moving cantata ‘Odyssey’. This work, a dramatisation of the refugee experience, received high praise at its world premiere in January 2024. Drawing on first-hand accounts, the work follows the harrowing journey of a refugee fleeing their homeland, navigating dangers, and seeking safety in a new country. This storytelling is shared between soloists, choruses, and the philharmonic orchestra.Cambridge Philharmonic Chorus will be joined by a newly formed Refugee Choir (Cambridge City Council have kindly contributed towards the costs of forming the Refugee Choir and Clare College is also supporting this initiative).

Harry Sever adds,
‘As artists, I feel it is important that we sometimes challenge our audiences with the urgent difficulties of our times, and Odyssey is absolutely the piece with which to do that.’

The evening will also include Béla Bartók’s ‘Concerto for Orchestra’, a radiant masterpiece and one of his most celebrated works, composed in 1943 during his time in the United States, after fleeing Hungary due to World War II. Unlike traditional concertos that feature instrumental solos, this piece treats each section of the orchestra as a ‘soloist,’ showcasing their virtuosity and individuality.

Rouzbeh Parsa Concerto for Kamancheh and Orchestra
Béla Bartók Concerto for Orchestra
Jonathan Dove Odyssey

Performed by:
Cambridge Philharmonic Orchestra
Cambridge Philharmonic Chorus
Harry Sever – Conductor
Rouzbeh Parsa – Kamancheh
Francesca Chiejina – Soprano
John Gyeantey – Tenor

Tickets: £15, £20, £25, £30. Student concessions available. FREE carer / companion tickets available.

Box Office: https://cambridgephilharmonic.com/whats-on/refuge/