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Ulster Orchestra

@ulsterorchestra.bsky.social

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Northern Ireland's only professional symphony orchestra whose mission is to enrich lives through music. ulsterorchestra.org.uk

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Ulster Orchestra @ulsterorchestra.bsky.social · Jun 20

Our 2025/26 concerts are now on sale. ✨

What will you hear?

Notes full of drama, notes that bring peace, notes that paint landscapes; notes of myth and legend, notes filled with emotion...

Every Note Tells a Story.

Explore our new season of concerts and book your tickets.
buff.ly/2iRmCEk

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Ulster Orchestra @ulsterorchestra.bsky.social · 4h

We're delighted to welcome back conductor Fiona Monbet for our concert on 24 October.

We'll be performing Michael Gallen's Bád on Alltár, a fusion of Irish traditional and classical musics; Debussy, Lili Boulanger and Ravel. Part of @belfastfestival.bsky.social.

Book your tickets: buff.ly/i5UVUjo

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Ulster Orchestra @ulsterorchestra.bsky.social · 11h

We're excited to return to the City of Derry International Choir Festival next Wednesday evening (22 October) for its opening gala concert: A Night at the Opera.

Limited tickets remaining: buff.ly/8hNs51s

Ulster Orchestra @ulsterorchestra.bsky.social · 1d

It was lights, camera, action at the Waterfront Hall on Saturday, as Pete Harrison conducted the Orchestra in a night of spectacular soundtracks. From The Godfather to Up, The Avengers to The Big Country and many more, we hope you enjoyed hearing music from your favourite films.

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Ulster Orchestra @ulsterorchestra.bsky.social · 1d

Our wellbeing quartet have been out and about over the past month, performing short concerts of songs and tunes well known by their audience.

They visited Lansdowne Care Home on 2nd September, Cherryvalley Care Home on 23rd September, and Marie Curie Hospice on 1st October.

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Ulster Orchestra @ulsterorchestra.bsky.social · 2d

Friday night saw the world premiere of Amelia Clarkson's 'The Rain Keeps Coming' (a commission supported by the Vaughan Williams Foundation @vwfndn.bsky.social & Ulster Orchestra Foundation), Beethoven's Piano Concerto No.5 with Vadym Kholodenko & Tchaikovsky's 4th. Andrew Gourlay conducted.

Male presenting pianist playing a grand piano seated wearing formal suit, musicians behind seated in formal clothing play string instruments.

Female presenting individual in grey floral pattern dress with high neckline crosses hands to chest with grateful expression.

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Ulster Orchestra @ulsterorchestra.bsky.social · 3d

Listen to our season-opening concert on BBC Sounds: Anna Sułkowska-Migoń conducts the Orchestra for Stravinsky's Firebird Suite, Laura van der Heijden performs Saint-Saëns' Cello Concerto No.1, and there's also music by Borodin and Fauré.

Listen now: buff.ly/iFMcXzh

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Ulster Orchestra @ulsterorchestra.bsky.social · 4d

Until 17 October, if you fill in the short survey on our website you could win two tickets to an Orchestra concert of your choice.

We're currently developing our exciting new home on Townsend Street and would love your views to help shape the programme and future of this project.

buff.ly/mOQEopM

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Ulster Orchestra @ulsterorchestra.bsky.social · 4d

Rehearsals are underway for our Spectacular Soundtracks concert TONIGHT in the Waterfront Hall, Belfast. Enjoy memorable masterpieces from films such as The Godfather, Titanic, Mission: Impossible, Pixar's Up, The Avengers + many more 🍿

Book tickets: buff.ly/1nndMqV

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Ulster Orchestra @ulsterorchestra.bsky.social · 5d

30 seconds of Vadym Kholodenko performing Beethoven's Piano Concerto No.5 'Emperor' with the Ulster Orchestra conducted by Andrew Gourlay, from tonight's concert at the Ulster Hall, Belfast.

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Ulster Orchestra @ulsterorchestra.bsky.social · 5d

In movies, the music is often as important as the visuals. But how quickly can you guess the film from its soundtrack?

Join us for an unforgettable night of music from some of the greatest blockbusters of all time.

See the full set list and book tickets on our website: buff.ly/phtXqRu

Ulster Orchestra @ulsterorchestra.bsky.social · 6d

Tomorrow night we welcome back Vadym Kholodenko, who will join the Orchestra to perform Beethoven's 5th Piano Concerto, known as the 'Emperor'. Our viola player Philip Walton explains why the piece evokes a feeling of absence and what Beethoven did to achieve this.

Book tickets: buff.ly/2q1rSaC

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Ulster Orchestra @ulsterorchestra.bsky.social · 7d

Streaming platforms are all very well, but sometimes you just can't beat the experience of being in a large room with others enjoying something you love. Join us on Saturday at the Waterfront Hall for an unforgettable night of movie music.

See the full set list + book your tickets: buff.ly/rofFEQ1

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Ulster Orchestra @ulsterorchestra.bsky.social · 7d

We are thrilled to welcome Guylaine Eckersley to the orchestra's woodwind department as our new section lead bassoonist.
You can see Guylaine's opening concert as a permanent member of the Ulster Orchestra on Friday 10 October, 7.45pm in the Ulster Hall, Belfast.

Book tickets: buff.ly/l6Lryac

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Ulster Orchestra @ulsterorchestra.bsky.social · 8d

We chatted with composer Amelia Clarkson ahead of the Friday evening première of The Rain Keeps Coming.

Our thanks to the Vaughan Williams Foundation and the Ulster Orchestra Foundation for supporting the commission of The Rain Keeps Coming. @cmcireland.bsky.social

🎫: buff.ly/TpdfPl8

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Ulster Orchestra @ulsterorchestra.bsky.social · 9d

📣 Applications for Come & Play 2026 are now open.

Come & Play gives aspiring amateur musicians of all ages from Grade 3 onwards the chance to come and play with the Ulster Orchestra for a day.

Find out more on our website. Applications close 14 Nov.
buff.ly/BZcA55i

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Ulster Orchestra @ulsterorchestra.bsky.social · 10d

Tchaikovsky's 4th was the first symphony our second violin player Sarah White ever played at age 15, and she still remembers every note. Which is handy, because we're playing it this Friday in the Ulster Hall.

Book your tickets: buff.ly/l6Lryac

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Ulster Orchestra @ulsterorchestra.bsky.social · 11d

Hear music from some of the greatest blockbusters of all time performed live by the Ulster Orchestra for ONE NIGHT ONLY next Saturday night at the Waterfront Hall.

See the full set list and book your tickets on our website: buff.ly/rofFEQ1

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Ulster Orchestra @ulsterorchestra.bsky.social · 12d

Did you know that our home in Townsend St was intended to have a spire which was never completed?

We're beginning development to restore the building and we'd love your views.

Fill in our short form before 17 October for a chance of winning a pair of concert tickets.

buff.ly/FLTXRaS

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Ulster Orchestra @ulsterorchestra.bsky.social · 13d

We're looking forward to making our first ever appearance at An Carn, Maghera this Saturday, with a concert hosted in English and as Gaeilge, with a special appearance by multi-instrumentalist and singer Jack Warnock.

Book tickets via our website: buff.ly/Mgu7IqU

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Ulster Orchestra @ulsterorchestra.bsky.social · 13d

We're LIVE NOW on BBC Radio 3's Classical Live 🔊

Listen: buff.ly/HJthbOh

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Ulster Orchestra @ulsterorchestra.bsky.social · 14d

Pianist Vadym Kholodenko joins us at our next season concert on 10 October to perform Beethoven's 'Emperor' Piano Concerto No.5.

Here's a clip from Vadym's performance with us in 2023, where he performed Bartók's 3rd Piano Concerto.

Get your tickets: buff.ly/NeIGcps

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Ulster Orchestra @ulsterorchestra.bsky.social · 14d

Turn on BBC Radio 3 tomorrow afternoon to hear the Orchestra with conductor Jack Sheen performing live from the Ulster Hall with music by Satie, Wagner and Stravinsky.

🔊 buff.ly/HJthbOh

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Ulster Orchestra @ulsterorchestra.bsky.social · 16d

We are officially back for our new season, and on Friday night we held our opening concert in the Ulster Hall, featuring Laura van der Heijden performing Saint-Saëns' beautiful Cello Concerto No.1. Anna Sułkowska-Migoń also conducted the Orchestra in Stravinsky's magical Firebird Suite 🐦‍🔥 and more.

Femme presenting person in formal evening wear plays cello passionately with closed eyes. Other musicians behind also play string instruments.

Wideshot of full, grand concert hall. Orchestra sit on lit stage and audience below and in balconies above (all in shadow) watch on in grand hall with organ behind the orchestra and chandeliers on the ceiling. The architecture is very grand and detailed.

Musicians all in black formal clothing stand with conductor (also in black formal clothing) or raised platform taking applause after a performance.

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Ulster Orchestra @ulsterorchestra.bsky.social · 16d

On this week's Classical Connections, composer Amelia Clarkson spoke to John Toal about her new piece, 'The Rain Keeps Coming' – an Ulster Orchestra commission that we will premiere at our next season concert on 10 October.

🔊 buff.ly/iFvDmbO
(Interview begins at around 40 mins)

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Ulster Orchestra @ulsterorchestra.bsky.social · 18d

Next Saturday, musicians from the Ulster Orchestra are delighted to make their first ever appearance at An Carn, Maghera, with a concert hosted in English and as Gaeilge, with a special appearance by multi-instrumentalist and singer Jack Warnock.

Book tickets: buff.ly/tMgAycT

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