A Symphony of Centuries – Longwell Green Orchestra’s 100th Anniversary Premiere

After five years of waiting through the pandemic, the Longwell Green Orchestra finally unveiled A Symphony of Centuries — a new commission by Joe celebrating an extraordinary 100 years of continuous music-making.

The work traces the story of Longwell Green itself. An energetic Overture awakens the landscape of Bristol’s eastern edge, before “Alfred’s Theme” sweeps us into the lively Charleston rhythms of the 1920s. The reflective third movement transforms the hymn There Is a Green Hill Far Away, offering a moment of calm and contemplation, followed by “Remembrance”, a solemn tribute to those and times gone by.

Nostalgia shines in “Yesteryear”, echoing the sounds and optimism of the 1960s and 70s, before the Finale bursts into a joyful celebration — weaving earlier themes together in a triumphant close.

Marking a century of music, resilience, and community spirit, A Symphony of Centuries stands as both a reflection on the past and a jubilant salute to the future of the Longwell Green Orchestra.