A living landscape: Bristol Youth Orchestra mark 100 years of CPRE in sumptuous sound and cinema

Bristol Youth Orchestra joined forces with the Campaign to Protect Rural England  for A Concert for the Countryside, a moving event celebrating 100 years of caring for England’s countryside through a stunning mix of music, film, and reflection.

Conducted by Tim Harrison, the orchestra comprised of 90 of Bristol’s best young orchestral players, gave an exceptionally-polished and moving performance.

Their repertoire drew on English musical voices, from the folk-inspired landscapes of Ralph Vaughan Williams to the expressive writing of Samuel Coleridge-Taylor, and the unmistakable Edward Elgar. Alongside these works, pieces such as Harrison J Collins’ A Page from the Book of Nature added a contemporary angle, grounding the event in the present day. A highlight was the a world premiere by Debbie Wiseman. We were so thrilled to welcome her to the stage to conduct her own commission!

Rather than telling a single story, the concert moved through time through film and a sumptuous score. Glimpses of rural life across a century were shown through archival footage, depicting shifting landscapes, working land, weathered coastlines, post-war rebuilding, and the quieter hums of rural communities, all curated by filmmaker David Parker and oral historian Bob Pitt..

In the days leading up to the concert, members of the orchestra joined CPRE volunteers in planting 100 trees at the new Lower Chew Forest. Taking part first-hand in caring for the landscape they’re performing about, gave the whole experience a deeper sense of purpose and connection.

A huge thank you and congratulations to all involved for an unforgettable and moving evening, showcasing some of Bristol’s best young talent.