THE world premiere of a Double Bass Concerto will take place at Altrincham Grammar School for Girls.

The concerto by North West composer Ivor Hodgson will be the highlight of Lancashire Chamber Orchestra’s autumn matinee concert at the school on Sunday, November 4.

Ronan Dunne, leader of the BBC Philharmonic Orchestra double bass section, will be the soloist performing the new concerto under the baton of renowned North West conductor Robert Chasey, himself a former section leader with the BBC Philharmonic.

Ivor Hodgson, a former student of Sir Peter Maxwell Davies, combines considerable international success as a composer with a parallel career as a professional double bass player, currently also with the BBC Philharmonic.

He said: “The Bass Concerto is the culmination of three years’ work and is a piece that I have had the most difficulty writing.

“It is a traditional concerto in three movements – fast, slow, fast – and tries to show the more lyrical side of the instrument.

“It moves through various moods, finishing with an uplifting and optimistic coda.”

The concert, which also features Beethoven’s Second Symphony and Wind Octet, heralds the start of the Lancashire Chamber Orchestra’s Golden Anniversary season in 2019.

Originally formed in 1969 by a group of enthusiastic string teachers, the orchestra has blossomed under a number of conductors into one of the North West’s premier amateur orchestras.

The performance at Altrincham Grammar School for Girls, starts at 3pm.

Tickets cost £10 (children free), including a programme and tea and cakes in the interval.

They may be reserved in advance by ringing the LCO box office on 0161 980 4275.

For more information visit www.lancashirechamber.co.uk.