Cannon fire and live bell ringing in orchestral performance at Exeter Cathedral

Live church bells across Exeter and the sound of artillery fire from Plymouth Citadel will be used in a performance of 1812 Overture at Exeter Cathedral on Thursday 25 April.

As well as the Cathedral bells, the bells of St Thomas Church across the city will be rung live and fed into the performance. The bells of Widecombe Church will also join the cacophony which represents the victory bells in Russia’s defence against Napoleon.

The score also calls for Russian cannon shots. To make the performance by Exeter’s EMG Symphony Orchestra more local and up-to-date, Plymouth’s Two-Nine Commando (29th Commando Regiment Royal Artillery) will be participating by working with the orchestra to produce a recording of their artillery fire (L118 105mm Light Gun) which will be cued by the orchestra’s conductor in the performance.

The piece by Tchaikovsky was originally planned to be performed in the cathedral square in Moscow, with a brass band to reinforce the orchestra, the bells of the cathedral and other churches in Moscow ringing and live cannon fire in accompaniment. That performance did not take place.

Co-ordinator of the project Gillian Taylor said:
“The original performance might not have taken place but we’ve used all sorts of technical wizardry, and with the help of some dedicated bell ringers and Two-Nine Commando, we think we might make the audience jump out of their seats.”

EMG Symphony Orchestra are also playing Tchaikovsky’s 5th Symphony and Die Toteninsel (Isle of the Dead) by Rachmaninov. The concert takes place Exeter Cathedral on Thursday 25th April 2013 at 7.30pm.

Tickets are available from Tourist Information Office, Dix’s Field, Exeter, Tel: 01392 665885 and Devon Strings Workshop. 1 Bartholomew Street West, Exeter, EX4 3AJ priced from £8 to £15. 50% discount for NUS card holders and under 16s for £12/£10/£8 price bands.