Article published in Manchester Evening News 4 September 2015

WHEN the Hallé Orchestra decided to offer a concert with free admission and the option to ‘pay what you like’, it clearly struck a chord.

Within 24 hours, the performance – on Sunday (September 6) – was a sell-out. If ‘sell-out’ is the right word …

But Hallé Pops conductor Stephen Bell is excited by the concept, particularly because the big majority of those who signed up have not been to a classical concert before.

“It will be informal – people can bring their drinks in and dip in and out of the pieces as they want,” he says. “We haven’t included items we would normally do in a Pops concert, either – but meaty music … real orchestral classics.”

Stephen’s next date here is on October 10, in a film music programme. It’s all by one composer – one of the most versatile writers for the screen – John Williams. His scores include Jaws, Raiders Of The Lost Ark, Star Wars, Schindler’s List, ET, Jurassic Park, Saving Private Ryan and Harry Potter. “With John Williams there’s really an embarrassment of riches,” Stephen says. “And he’s such a craftsman that his music for film now has a life of its own.”

Hallowe’en is on a Saturday this year, and Stephen’s concert for October 31 is suitably called Fright Night, with scary music from films (Harry Potter again, and Psycho among them) and classical pieces about ghoulies and ghosties and things that go bump in the night.

Presenter is Alasdair Molloy, a Hallé regular, who you should expect to see in skeleton suit – “and we hope the audience will dress up a bit, too,” says Stephen. Then, on a more serious note, comes a programme on November 21 about the First World War: Keep The Home Fires Burning.

“It’s a re-working of a show for schools which presenter Tom Redmond devised last year,” says Stephen. “It was hugely successful.

“There’ll be a couple of World War One songs, along with classical pieces created during that time or associated with it, and a lot of visual imagery on the screen, all narrated and linked together by Tom.”

He’s got a full schedule of Christmas performances and New Year specials, including another ABBA concert. “Last time we had the whole of the Bridgewater Hall audience on their feet dancing,” he says, misty-eyed. “And then there’s Valentine’s Day, with a very special night of music all about love.”