At only ten years old, Bath Philharmonia has been credited with considerable artistic recognition both locally and nationally. Central to its focus is to serve the community in Bath & North East Somerset. The orchestra is renowned for its musical virtuosity as well as an innovative approach to programming. Bath Phil also prides itself on a wide-ranging and eclectic community and education portfolio. Led by Music Director Jason Thornton, the orchestra gives between 20-30 concerts per annum including a year-round programme of events in Bath. In recent seasons the orchestra has received critical acclaim for its performances of contemporary and classical repertoire alike. The orchestra regularly works with a roster of international soloists including Nicola Benedetti, Jennifer Pike, Peter Donohoe, Michael Collins, Tim Hugh, Emma Johnson, Sumi Jo, Sarah Connolly, James Gilchrist and Sir Willard White.
In April 2010, the orchestra received national recognition in The Guardian, Radio 3 & 4, as well as Channel 4 News for its heritage concert celebrating the life of Bath resident and international castrato Venanzio Rauzzini. Marking the bi-centennial of his death in 1810, Bath Philharmonia performed works written for him by Mozart, including the motet Exultate Jubilate, in Bath Abbey where he is buried.
Bath Phil has recently seen the release of its first commercial recording Requiem for an Angel by Paul Carr on the Stone Records label . Consequently, Classic FM chose this disc as its ‘CD of the Week’ during November 2010.
The orchestra also performs throughout the South West and regularly works with festivals, venues, promoters and choral societies. It has given concerts at The Eden Project, Hall for Cornwall Truro, Beaminster Festival Dorset, Fishguard Festival, Frome Festival Somerset, Shaldon Festival Devon, Colston Hall, Bath International Music Festival, Wiltshire Music Centre and Bristol Choral Society.
The Community and Education portfolio includes close ties with Young Carers organizations in both West Wiltshire and Bath & North East Somerset. This resulted in an innovative nine-month project during 2010 concluding with performances in Bath Abbey during the Bath International Music Festival, and the Greenbelt Festival in Cheltenham. Ensembles from Bath Phil have also worked at the Royal United Hospital, the South West Children’s Hospice, several dementia homes and at Bristol Airport. Bath Phil also has a close association with Bath Spa University Music Department.
Future plans in 2011 include performances of Elgar’s Cello Concerto with Tim Hugh, Strauss Four Last Songs with Lisa Milne, a live performance of Paul Carr’s Requiem for an Angel and Brahms Piano Concerto No.1 with Peter Donohoe. Bath Phil is also planning to extend its community engagement with many new partners as well as continuing its work with the Young Carers organisations.
Bath Phil is managed by a small-dedicated team of arts professionals operating out of its office in Bridge Street Bath. The Chairman is Professor Rod Morgan and an active Board of Trustees governs the orchestra.
