BBC Symphony Orchestra leader performs with Watford Orchestra

30 October 2023

By Daisy Stephens

The leader of the BBC Symphony Orchestra is set to perform with an orchestra in Watford. 

Stephen Bryant, who has led the BBC Symphony Orchestra since 1992, will play the second movement of the Korngold Violin Concerto with Audentior Symphony Orchesta, Watford’s newest and most ambitious ensemble. 

The violinist has a long relationship with the concerto. 

He performed it as a student at the Royal College of Music in 1982 – and only discovered afterwards that it was the first UK performance of the piece. 

He later wrote to the composer’s son, George Korngold, informing him of the debut, and sent him a recording. 

In a letter back to Mr Bryant in 1986, just a year before he died, Mr Korngold congratulated him on his “beautiful” playing. 

“You have a beautiful tone, play with great musicality and no need to say anything about the fine technique,” he wrote. 

“I wish you all the best for a future career, which, it seems to me you will certainly achieve.” 

And achieve he did – as well as leading the BBC Symphony Orchestra for over 20 years, he has also worked with orchestras in America, Europe and Asia, and has collaborated with some of the world’s finest conductors including Bernard Haitink, Sir Michael Tippett and Maxim Shostakovich. 

He has performed the Korngold Violin Concerto several more times since the UK debut – including twice with the BBC Symphony Orchestra. 

His performance with Audentior Symphony Orchestra will take place on Saturday 16 December at St Luke’s Church, WD17 3EG. 

The concert will also include a number of winter-themed favourites, including Tchaikovsky’s Nutcracker Suite and Rimsky-Korsakov’s Snow Maiden Suite. 

Tickets can be purchased on Audentior Symphony’s online box office – https://www.tickettailor.com/events/audentiorsymphonyorchestra  – and pre-booking is strongly advised.