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Please note new venue for March concert - This will now be held at the Methodist Church, Market Square Buxton

It was with great regret that we learned of the recent death of JIm Guy .  Jim was a popular, long-standing member of the cello section of HPO for many years and had only recently given up coming to rehearsals.  Our sympathy goes to his family.

Buxton Festival Fringe Review of the HPO July concert 2009

"Over the years Andrew Hodkinson has constantly encouraged the development of the HPO so that now they were able to present what was a sparkling Fringe Concert to a packed St John's Church.

A rousing opening with Rossini's Overture the thieving Magpie prepared the way for the well known 'cello concerto by Dvorak.  The soloist was Simon Turner, now second 'cello with the Hallé and with an impressive musical background.  Sensitive playing from him was just what this work required in order to bring out the beautiful melodies which reminded us of the composer's enthusiasm for national music and his simple peasant origins.

The concert concluded with Rachmaninov's last work - the symphonic dances.  This composition exhibits Rachmaninov's interest in the tones of different instruments such as the alto saxophone, harp and piano as well as more conventional orchestral instruments.  It is one of the composer’s most difficult works to play successfully, requiring immense concentration on the part of the performers.  By committing themselves to that the result was one of the most compelling performances that HPO have given on the Fringe."

Buxton Festival Fringe Review of the HPO July concert 2008

"A  capacity audience in St John's church gave an enthusiastic reception to another fine programme from the High peak Orchestra whose concert has now become one of the musical highlights of the Fringe.

The highpoint of the programme was Martinu's oboe concerto. Composed in 1955 the work is not well known but in fact the music is really approachable and enjoyable.  A great coup for the orchestra was soloist Richard Simpson - principal oboist with the BBC Symphony Orchestra and president of the HPO. And we were not disappointed.  Richard gave us a spirited but sensitive interpretation of the work marvelously assisted by his wife Janet playing the piano part, almost as demanding as the oboe solo.

The programme had opened with Dvorak's twenty seven variations Op 78.  These variations are very much in the strong traditionalist tradition which colours almost all of Dvorak's compositions.  There is no affectation in his music; just simple clarity of expression which the orchestra caught very well in their performance.

The programme concluded with a strongly romantic performance of Tchaikovsky's Symphony no. 5. In this work the composer makes serious demands on the orchestra, particularly the horns and clarinets, but they rose magnificently to the challenge and the result was one of the best performances from the HPO that this reviewer has heard in many years of attending their concerts.  It is amazing how Andrew Hodkinson continues to develop their abilities."

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