11/06/2026
Into the last week of rehearsals before our concert on 20th June - and one of one of Britain’s most experienced conductors is going to be joining us!
Howard Williams, who has conducted the London Philharmonic, Royal Philharmonic and BBC Symphony as well as countless others in the UK and Europe and beyond - not to mention conducting at the Proms and festivals across the world - is going to be rehearsing with us next week together with our soloist Bilal Alnemr.
Howard is going to conduct Bilal in the Korngold Violin Concerto in the concert as they have a connection going all the way back to 2008 when he first went to Damascus (with Thomas Gregory as cello coach) to work with the National Youth Orchestra of Syria.
As Howard explains, "On that occasion he was a soloist (aged about 12!) in the Vivaldi concerto for 4 violins. Over the next four years - until the orchestral courses were no longer viable in the war zone that Syria had become - I watched him grow and develop, showing clear signs of the phenomenal talent that we can now witness. I so look forward to working with him again!"
We're lucky to have two opportunities to hear Bilal - as well as playing the concerto on 20th June conducted by Howard Williams, he is giving a masterclass in the Creativity Pavilion in the East Court at Alexandra Palace on Wednesday 17th June at 5.30 pm.
Tickets for the masterclass: www.fortismeremusiccentre.co.uk/events/masterclass
And for the concert - www.fortismeremusiccentre.co.uk/events/fcso20june
Hope to see you there!
A dance-themed concert featuring Syrian violinist, Bilal Alnemr.
