Aldworth Philharmonic Orchestra

24/10/2026

Tonight! 7.30pm - tickets available on the door

Music of myth, tension and vivid orchestral colour, culminating in the radiant breadth of Sibelius’s Second Symphony.

Aldworth Philharmonic Orchestra return to The Great Hall with "Myths & Legends" this Saturday, 24 October.

23/10/2026

One day to go! As wind and rain sweep across Berkshire, we'll be preparing to unleash storms of our own tomorrow evening in the Great Hall.

Many thanks to Cheeselogs, who spoke to our Assistant Music Director, Mel Le Breuilly, for this fantastic preview of Myths and Legends, featuring music by Wagner, Hans Zimmer, Tchaikovsky and Sibelius.

We'd love to see you there.

Saturday 24 October, 7.30pm
Great Hall, University of Reading

Tickets: apo.org.uk/next-event

This Saturday, Wagner’s apocalyptic vision, Tchaikovsky’s journey through hell and Hans Zimmer’s film music share a stage in the Ding.

The Aldworth Philharmonic Orchestra presents Myths and Legends at the Great Hall, University of Reading (London Road Campus), on Saturday, 24 October at 7.30pm.

Andrew Taylor conducts the orchestra as they perform Wagner’s Prelude to Götterdämmerung, Zimmer’s Chevaliers de Sangreal and Tchaikovsky’s Francesca da Rimini, ending with Sibelius’s Symphony No. 2.

Tickets are £15 (£10 under 18s, £7 APO Young members, under 5s free). Seating is unreserved, so arrive early.

Never been to a classical music concert before? The Concert Virgin scheme gives first-timers a free ticket.

In our exclusive interview, APO's co-leader Mel Le Breuilly talks about the programme, how an orchestral leader keeps everyone in time, and how to enjoy the music if you’re new to it. It's all on the Cheeselogs website.

21/10/2026

🔥 Francesca da Rimini in 75 Seconds

What's a fiery whirlwind in the Second Circle of Hell got to do with one of Tchaikovsky's most thrilling orchestral works?

Here's a quick guide from our Music Director, Andrew, to one of the highlights of our Myths and Legends concert on 24 October.

🎟 Tickets available via the link in our bio / website (apo.org.uk)

13/10/2026

If these are APO players' answers, can you guess the question? And how many did it take you before you twigged? Be honest!

And while we're at it, what's yours? Maybe the one we're playing on Saturday 24th October?

07/10/2026

Sometimes it's hard to think of original content for our monthly posts thanking Big Yellow Self Storage for their kind support of our storage needs. So here's a big yellow train (prizes for guessing which country it's from and where it was spotted - an extra photo is included as a clue for the latter).

04/10/2026

📸 Rehearsals are underway!

We had our first rehearsal for Myths and Legends yesterday and made a great start on this autumn's programme.

The afternoon took us from the dark world of Wagner's Prelude to Götterdämmerung and Hans Zimmer's Chevaliers De Sangreal through the drama of Tchaikovsky's Francesca da Rimini and into the sweeping landscapes of Sibelius's Second Symphony.
There's still plenty of work ahead, but it's already shaping up to be a fantastic concert. Here's a few photos from the first rehearsal.

🎟️ Tickets available at apo.org.uk/next-event

30/09/2026

🎬 Making Room For Zimmer! 🎶

Film music lovers - this one’s for you. After years of people asking us to programme Hans Zimmer, we’ve finally made room for him… and yes, we’re very excited about it.

We’re performing Chevaliers De Sangreal at our autumn concert on Saturday 24th October in the Great Hall, Reading. It’s the music from the climax of The Da Vinci Code - building from a soft, searching opening through a mighty crescendo to a thrilling climax as Robert Langdon reaches the big reveal (no spoilers…just in case you haven’t seen it since it was released...in 2006!).

Like so much of Zimmer’s music, it brings a nervous energy and tension that fits perfectly into our dark first half exploring myth, legend and drama:
🔥 Wagner’s Götterdämmerung Prelude
🌪️ Tchaikovsky’s Francesca da Rimini
✨ And in the second half, Sibelius’s radiant Second Symphony

You’ve got to Hans it to us - it’s a great programme.

Warm, friendly, relaxed - APO concerts are a lovely way to spend an evening.
🎟️ Tickets: apo.org.uk/next-event

29/09/2026

On 24 October, Aldworth Philharmonic Orchestra bring Myths And Legends to life!

Their next concert brings together music of myth, tension and vivid orchestral colour, culminating in the radiant breadth of Sibelius’s Second Symphony. Though the pieces come from different eras and traditions, they share certain echoes that only become clear when heard together.

Look & book via link in comments

18/07/2026

Wow. What an absolutely unforgettable afternoon at Reading Station! 🚂🎶

​A massive thank you to everyone who stopped by the transfer deck, clapped along, filmed us, and to the incredibly brave souls who stepped up to the podium to conduct a full 7l60-piece symphony orchestra. You were brilliant! Massive thanks also to the wonderful GWR station staff for welcoming us so warmly.

​If you enjoyed that little taste of our high-energy, Spanish-themed programme today, we would love for you to join us for the main event tomorrow.

​We’re bringing the full, glorious sound to Wokingham for ¡Arriba at All Saints!

​📅 Sunday 19th July at 4:30 pm (Drinks bar opens at 3:45 pm)
📍 All Saints Church, Wokingham

​Expect fantastic atmosphere, incredible live acoustics, and a wonderful community turnout. Plus, if you've never been to an orchestral concert before, you can claim a completely FREE ticket through our Concert Virgins scheme!

​🎟️ Find out more and book your tickets here:
https://www.aldworthphilharmonic.org.uk/next-event/

​See you tomorrow afternoon, Wokingham! 🇪🇸⛪🎻

17/07/2026

Calling all Wokingham residents and neighbours! Looking for something spectacular and inspiring to do right on your doorstep this Sunday afternoon? 🇪🇸⛪🎻

With the weekend of the World Cup final upon us, we’ll all be throwing our support behind Spain - so why not get into the spirit with some incredible live music with a Spanish flavour, here in town?

This Sunday (19th July) at 4:30 pm, the Aldworth Philharmonic Orchestra (APO) is coming to All Saints Church for 🎶 ¡Arriba at All Saints! - Wokingham

We are performing a brilliant, high-energy Spanish-themed programme. Think the full, fiery splendour of Bizet’s Carmen Suites, Chabrier’s España, and Rimsky-Korsakov's dazzling Capriccio Espagnol.

Why join us?

⛪ A stunning local setting: All Saints offers a wonderful atmosphere and fantastic acoustics to experience the full power of a live 60-piece symphony orchestra.

🍷 Drinks bar open from 3:45 pm: Arrive early, grab a glass of w**e or a soft drink, and catch up with friends and neighbours before the music starts.

🎟️ "Concert Virgin" scheme: If you (or someone you know) live in the area and have never been to a classical concert before, you can claim a completely FREE ticket to come and try it out!

Sunday's ticket sales directly support the orchestra and fund our ongoing community and educational outreach work across Berkshire.
Come along and support local live music. We'd love to see a great Wokingham turnout!

🔗 Find out more and book your tickets here: https://aldworth.wufoo.com/forms/z14bbh8w0909mct/

(📸 Rehearsal photos by Phil Creighton of Cheeselogs)