Yorkshire Symphony Orchestra to Headline Bradford Live on Yorkshire Day

Posted By: KLTVon: April 10, 2025In: Cultural Leaders Group TV, News

Picture : Lorne Campbell / Guzelian Ben Crick, conductor of the recently re-formed Yorkshire Symphony Orchestra (YSO) plays the cello on a backstreet in Bradford, West Yorkshire, to promote the Orchestra’s performance of Mozart’s Requiem with Bradford Festival Choral Society next month (April). Originally a cellist, Ben conducts other orchestras and choirs in the north of England. PICTURE TAKEN ON THURSDAY 16 MARCH 2023.

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By KLTV Newsdesk –

The region’s finest musical talent takes centre stage in Bradford’s newly restored landmark venue

On 1 August, Yorkshire Day, the Yorkshire Symphony Orchestra will perform a spectacular concert titled Yorkshire Calling at Bradford Live, a newly restored 1930s Art Deco venue.

The event promises a captivating celebration of the county’s culture, talent, and history, as part of Bradford’s UK City of Culture celebrations for 2025.

The venue, once at risk of demolition, has been meticulously restored to its former glory and is now a shining beacon of the city’s cultural resurgence.

This reopening is one of the most eagerly anticipated events in the calendar as Bradford prepares for its City of Culture year.

An Unmissable Musical Celebration

The concert will feature a stunning line-up of guest artists, including celebrated poet Ian McMillan, the BBC’s Bantam of the Opera Choir, and internationally renowned pianist Yuanfan Yang.

Under the direction of Ben Crick, the Yorkshire Symphony Orchestra will perform A Northern Score, a powerful piece celebrating influential northerners through time, set to an original score written by Crick himself.

Ben Crick, the orchestra’s conductor, shared his excitement: “This event is a love letter to the region’s culture, talent, and heritage. To perform at Bradford Live with such an incredible gathering of artists is a privilege. Expect passion, power, and a proper Yorkshire celebration.”

Poetry, Music, and a Nod to Yorkshire’s Legends

Ian McMillan, a renowned broadcaster and poet, will narrate poems that reflect the spirit of Yorkshire’s great figures.

He explained, “I see these poems as steps across the Yorkshire landscape, each step singing with the power of possibility and the joy of creativity.

“Guy Fawkes has a plan dark as a flat cap, Emily Brontë wakes to write at the Wuthering Hour, J.B. Priestley has a voice like parkin, and the James Bond composer John Barry is licensed to drill deep into music’s fathomless mine.

“Set to Ben’s music, it’s a powerful and uplifting piece.”

The Yorkshire Symphony Orchestra’s patron, Alan Bennett, has a long history with the orchestra, attending its concerts in his youth alongside Bradford-born artist David Hockney.

Ben Crick added, “It’s fitting that the Yorkshire Symphony Orchestra, which we reformed in 2021 after it disbanded in 1955, is performing at a venue that was also saved from closure, and that it’s happening in the City of Culture year.

“This night is like a phoenix from the ashes. Yorkshire truly gets to show off.”

Community Spirit at Bradford Live

The Bantam of the Opera choir, made up of Bradford City AFC fans, will also take part in the event.

This choir, formed through a BBC Radio Leeds programme, is known for its operatic renditions.

They have received training from the BBC Singers and support from renowned figures like Lord Andrew Lloyd Webber, opera singer Lesley Garrett, and sporting legend Chris Kamara.

Pianist Yuanfan Yang, a Leeds International Piano Competition alumnus, will also perform.

He is a Piano Ambassador for the Wharfedale Festival of Piano and has made significant contributions to the classical music scene.

The concert will be a grand showcase of both local and international talent, marking the beginning of what promises to be an exciting cultural chapter for Bradford.

Bradford Live: A New Chapter for the City

Bradford Live has a rich history as the heart of Bradford’s cultural life, once known as the New Victoria, the Gaumont, and the Odeon.

The space now features a modern auditorium, ballroom, and restaurant, and will host a variety of live events throughout the year.

More information about upcoming performances will be released soon.

Yorkshire Day: A Tribute to the County’s Legacy

Yorkshire Day, celebrated annually on 1 August, is a tribute to the county’s rich heritage, culture, and identity.

Established by the Yorkshire Ridings Society in 1975, the day has been managed by the Yorkshire Society for over 40 years.

This year, Bradford is hosting the celebrations, offering a chance to reflect on Yorkshire’s historic contributions, from the Battle of Minden to the region’s literary, culinary, and industrial heritage.