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History of Ulster Orchestra brought to life in new book

Alf McCreary at the launch of his new book, Unfinished Symphony, which tells the story of the Ulster Orchestra since its creation in 1966. Picture by Hugh Russell.
Alf McCreary at the launch of his new book, Unfinished Symphony, which tells the story of the Ulster Orchestra since its creation in 1966. Picture by Hugh Russell. Alf McCreary at the launch of his new book, Unfinished Symphony, which tells the story of the Ulster Orchestra since its creation in 1966. Picture by Hugh Russell.

A NEW book charting the dramatic story of the Ulster Orchestra over the past 50 years ago has been published. Written by journalist and author, Alf McCreary, Unfinished Symphony sets out the orchestra's journey on and off the stage since its creation in 1966 - from great music to surviving the Troubles and battling a financial crisis. Regarded as one of the best orchestras of its size in the world, it has attracted some outstanding principal and guest conductors as well as renowned soloists including James Galway and Barry Douglas, both of whom have written warm tributes in the book. Leslie Morrison, deputy chairman of the Ulster Orchestra, said: "This is more than a history of the Ulster Orchestra. It is laced with wonderful vignettes, which bring to life a storied past and the challenges of survival. It is also a distilled treasury of our cultural life."