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Book nowThu 21 May 2026, 6.00PM
The Bridgewater Hall
Rush Hour: West Side Story Symphonic Dances
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Anna Lapwood gives her closing performance as Hallé Featured Artist, as we welcome Emilia Hoving in her Hallé debut.
Kristina Arakelyan, dubbed internationally as ‘one to watch’ (Scala Radio), is one of today’s most exciting composers, celebrated by audiences and critics alike for her music’s serene and compelling honesty. What a treat we have in store to hear Anna Lapwood perform her Toccata for Organ and Orchestra.
Bernstein’s Symphonic Dances from West Side Story takes us through some of the musical’s best-loved tunes and interludes: from the poignant hopefulness of ‘Somewhere’, through the percussive fire of ‘Mambo’, to the tragic finale, rounding off what is sure to be an electrifying Rush Hour concert.
In association with The Bridgewater Hall.
Get to know the music
Featuring
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Emilia Hoving
Conductor
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Anna Lapwood
Organ & Hallé Featured Artist
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Emilia Hoving
Conductor
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Anna Lapwood
Organ & Hallé Featured Artist
Listen Out For…
Entirely orchestral, the Symphonic Dances musically portray the clashes between the Sharks and Jets gangs in fictional 1950s Manhattan. During ‘Mambo’, characterised by its fiery, syncopated brass and percussion-filled refrain, listen out for the orchestra who should MAMBO!
Anna Lapwood
Hallé Featured Artist 2025-26“I'm so excited to get the chance to play alongside the Hallé so many times this season! I made my BBC Proms solo debut with the Hallé back in 2021 - a Proms debut is always a pivotal moment, and so the orchestra has held a special place in my heart ever since. We're going to be exploring some really fun repertoire together, too, from the 'war horses' by Saint-Saëns, Poulenc and Jongen, to brand new concerts by Max Richter and Kristina Arakelyan. It will also be great to be reunited with the wonderful Marcussen organ of The Bridgewater Hall, which works so well for all of this repertoire. I hope to see you there!”
Rush Hour Concerts
The Hallé's Rush Hour Series offers early evening, hour-long, weekday concerts. Why battle with trains and trams when you could be listening to stunning music played by your amazing orchestra?
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