We're pleased to welcome back violinist Andy Long to perform Beethoven's Violin Concerto in D Major on Sunday 23rd March 2025.

Speaking with Andy about the upcoming concert, he tells us:

"Playing the Beethoven concerto has been described as climbing Everest for violinists. The length alone is daunting enough but the technical challenges lay the performer bare before the audience. There really is nowhere to hide! Having said that, it's absolutely glorious and rightly revered and loved in equal measure.

I'm so looking forward to joining up once again with Martin and Richmondshire Orchestra and of course to playing in such a beautiful part of the world."

Described by the American Record Guide, Andy's performances provide "sensitivity, vigour and taste in equal proportions." 

After many years of freelancing as an orchestra leader, Andy held the positions of Associate Leader with the Royal Liverpool Philharmonic Orchestra and Opera North. As a soloist he has given concerto and recital performances throughout Britain, Norway, the Czech Republic, Germany, Belgium and Poland, where he gave a live televised performance of Elgar's violin sonata. He is also a regular recitalist at the Duke of Westminster's country home. Andy led the Performing Arts Symphony Orchestra for many years and regularly performed solos to audiences of over 16,000 people. He was a tutor at Chetham's School of Music for 15 years and taught privately for Sir Yehudi Menuhin. 

Andy is a keen exponent of contemporary music and with his quartet and ensemble has commissioned many new works and recorded CDs. Naxos recommended his recording of Kevin Malone's "Eighteen Minutes" as one of their Top 20 tracks from their catalogue of 1.9 milion to choose from. His recent commission of Malone's new violin concerto "A Day In The Life" has been performed several times to critical acclaim.

Andy also conducts, arranges for and presents the Andy Long Orchestra where he indulges his passion for the light music and easy listening genre. Their website is andylongorchestra.com

His recordings with Ian Buckle of music for violin and piano by Sir Edward German and Humphrey Procter-Gregg are on worldwide release. For three years, Andy had the privilege of playing a magnificent 1735 Guarneri "del Gesu" and now plays a violin made by Carlos Libreros in 2020.

Andy previously performed with Richmondshire Orchestra in December 2022 when he performed Bruch's Biolin Concerto No.1 in G minor.