International Concert Series 2023-2024

INTERNATIONAL CONCERT SERIES

WELCOME BACK

We are delighted to welcome you to The Anvil’s concert series for 2023-24. Fourteen pieces never heard here before, and debut performances by outstanding soloists and conductors, as well as many returning favourites, feature this season. We show support for cultural life in Ukraine, welcome orchestras from Strasbourg and China, and present a thrilling version of The Rite of Spring. So come and enjoy a feast of music at “one of the most vital arts organisations in the South of England” (The Times). We look forward to seeing you – at the new start time of 7.30pm.

Hear more music for less money with our subscription deals – see the booking form for details. And don’t forget that under 25s pay just £12 for any seat in the house.

1. Thursday 28 September 2023

Philharmonia Orchestra

2. Saturday 28 October 2023 Chineke! Orchestra

3. Thursday 23 November 2023 Bournemouth Symphony Orchestra

4. Thursday 1 February 2024

Bournemouth Symphony Orchestra

5. Wednesday 14 February 2024 Strasbourg Philharmonic Orchestra

6. Friday 23 February 2024

7. Wednesday 6 March 2024

Philharmonia Orchestra

Philharmonia Orchestra

8. Wednesday 20 March 2024 China Shenzhen Symphony Orchestra

9. Friday 5 April 2024 Orchestra of the Age of Enlightenment

10. Thursday 18 April 2024 Orchestra of the Age of Enlightenment

11. Thursday 9 May 2024 Hallé Orchestra

12. Thursday 23 May 2024 BBC Symphony Orchestra

13. Tuesday 28 May 2024

Philharmonia Orchestra

EXTRA CONCERTS

Saturday 21 October 2023

Wednesday 29 November 2023

Ukraine National Symphony Orchestra

The Sixteen

Friday 7 June 2024 Chineke! Orchestra

CONCERTS START AT 7.30PM UNLESS OTHERWISE STATED

£44, £38, £33, £24, £16 (except extra concerts)

Under 25s and f/t students £12 (includes £4 booking fee)

Group rate available

Most concerts have pre-concert talks, bookable on line

anvilarts.org.uk 01256 844244 box.office@anvilarts.org.uk

Group booking 01256 366935

group.booking@anvilarts.org.uk

Thursday 28 September

1 CONCERT

Muhly

One Line, Two Shapes

Brahms

Violin Concerto

Rachmaninov Symphony no. 3

Nicola Benedetti violin

Cristian M˘acelaru

PHILHARMONIA ORCHESTRA

The series opens with a short but very affecting piece by American composer Nico Muhly. One Line, Two Shapes was composed during Covid lockdown and first performed in Köln under tonight’s conductor. Nicola Benedetti then joins the orchestra for Brahms’ magnificent violin concerto, which is built on a symphonic scale. He replaced the original middle two movements with one of his most beautiful adagios, and the finale is a vigorous Hungarian dance. Rachmaninov’s Third Symphony was written just after the Rhapsody on the theme of Paganini. Its taut construction and dramatic power make the many moments of lyricism throughout the score all the more poignant and emotional.

The Philharmonia Orchestra is Anvil Arts’ Orchestra in Partnership

Nicola Benedetti

Philharmonia Orchestra

“An ensemble at the top of its game”

Seen and Heard

Lyatoshynsky

Symphonic Picture:

Grazhyna

Bruch

Violin Concerto no. 1

Strauss

Don Juan

Liszt

Mazeppa

Aleksey Semenenko

violin

Saturday 21 October

UKRAINE NATIONAL SYMPHONY ORCHESTRA

We are delighted to welcome one of Eastern Europe’s finest orchestras on its biggest ever UK tour, supporting the continuation of the rich musical culture in Ukraine. Boris Lyatoshynsky is regarded as the father of modern Ukrainian music, and Grazhyna is one of his best works, based on a poem about a fierce princess who leads her people in battle. Bruch’s most popular violin concerto is one of the wonders of the violin repertoire, with an endless flow of heartfelt melody which is unsurpassed. Strauss’ exhilarating Don Juan was the first big success of his career, a bold and dashing work which proceeds at full throttle before evaporating in an enigmatically dark conclusion. The concert ends with Liszt’s symphonic poem, based on the story of the nobleman Mazeppa punished for an illicit affair by being tied to a wild horse which gallops relentlessly across the Ukrainian countryside.

£42, £38, £31, £24, £16 (includes £4 booking fee)

Volodymyr Sirenko

Aleksey Semenenko

Volodymyr Sirenko

Saturday 28 October

2 CONCERT

Haydn Symphony no. 85 (La Reine)

Bologne

Violin Concerto

Beethoven Symphony no. 3 (Eroica)

CHINEKE! ORCHESTRA

The fourth of Haydn’s groundbreaking Paris set of symphonies is one of the finest in his whole huge output. Three stately opening movements (befitting its ‘royal’ title) give way to a dancing, lighthearted finale. It’s followed by a violin concerto by one of the great figures of 18th century French music, a composer, violinist and conductor born in Guadeloupe whose virtuoso orchestra commissioned the Paris symphonies from Haydn. Beethoven’s Eroica symphony expanded both symphonic form and musical language in one astounding blow. The emotional heart of the piece is the famous funeral march, and it ends with a set of variations on a simple tune that overflows with musical imagination.

Gramophone

Nathan Amaral violin

Kellen Gray

“An ensemble where the sense of shared enjoyment is palpable”

Nathan Amaral

Kellen Gray

3

Thursday 23 November

BOURNEMOUTH SYMPHONY ORCHESTRA SEETA PATEL DANCE

Tchaikovsky

Suite:

The Sleeping Beauty

Stravinsky

The Rite of Spring

An extended suite from Tchaikovsky’s great ballet score forms the first part of this special evening. Written at the height of his powers, the composer always thought of it as one of his very best works. Just twenty-three years later, Stravinsky detonated the Russian ballet world with his extraordinary score for The Rite of Spring. This performance is brilliantly re-imagined with choreography from the Indian tradition of Bharatanatyam. From the whirling of massed dancers to the smallest movement of hands and fingers, Seeta Patel’s choreography amplifies and illustrates details in the score to make you listen afresh. Premiered to huge acclaim in March, this is one of a handful of chances in this country to see one of the most exciting performances of the year – don’t miss it.

Dancing Times

Financial Times

“Danced with huge energy and winning ferocity…definitely a Rite to remember”

The Stage

The Observer

The Rite of Spring

“It feels like the two different forms were meant for each other”

“Up there with the very best…terrific”

“Beautiful, intelligent and exciting”

A Child is Born

Harry Christophers

Wednesday 29 November

THE SIXTEEN

One of the world’s great choral ensembles, The Sixteen thrills and delights audiences around the world. This special Christmas programme includes a feast of carols and seasonal choral music, from Hildegard of Bingen to Morten Lauridsen. Favourite traditional versions, stunningly beautiful Tudor and Renaissance works and modern settings are combined in a ravishing and satisfying evening of music. The perfect way to start your Christmas celebrations.

£38, £29 (includes £4 booking fee)

Gramophone

“This is something really special… The Sixteen elevate everything they perform”

The Sixteen

4 CONCERT

Mozart

Wind serenade in C minor K388 Vasks

Violin Concerto: Distant Light

Shostakovich Symphony no. 15

Thursday 1 February

BOURNEMOUTH SYMPHONY ORCHESTRA

Mozart’s many wind serenades range from genial entertainments to serious masterpieces, and this C minor work is one of his very best. The soulful and passionate concerto by Vasks which follows was inspired by childhood memories and stars twinkling in the night sky. “This haunting work strives constantly and touchingly towards ‘distant light’” (The Times). The concert ends with Shostakovich’s fifteenth and final symphony, a mysterious work which the composer never explained. The orchestra is used sparingly yet effectively, while quotations from Rossini, Wagner, and Shostakovich’s own long-suppressed Fourth Symphony appear. The overall tone is reflective, leading to a delicate and subtle ending.

Classics Today

Vadim Gluzman violin

Kirill Karabits

Vadim Gluzman

“Vadim Gluzman must be one of the two or three finest violinists currently active”

Kirill Karabits

Marko Letonja

“Nikolai Lugansky is a pianist with everything impressively under his command…a true inheritor of a profound keyboard tradition”

The Guardian

Nikolai Lugansky

Berlioz

Overture: Roman Carnival

Rachmaninov

Piano Concerto no. 2

Franck

Le Chasseur maudit

Ravel

Suite: Mother Goose

La Valse

Nikolai Lugansky piano

Marko Letonja

5 CONCERT

Wednesday 14 February 2024

STRASBOURG PHILHARMONIC ORCHESTRA

We welcome this distinguished orchestra to The Anvil for the first time. Renowned for its performances of Berlioz, the concert opens with his rollicking portrait of a feast day in Rome.

Rachmaninov’s Second Piano Concerto was a breakthrough piece after years of creative block. Its passionate and lyrical character has deservedly made it a favourite amongst his works. Cesar Franck’s spine-tingling symphonic poem tells the tale of an arrogant huntsman cursed to be forever hunted himself for riding out on a Sunday. The concert ends with two pieces by Ravel: his delicate and touching evocation of six contrasting fairy-tales, and the dizzying kaleidoscope of La valse.

Friday 23 February

CONCERT

PHILHARMONIA ORCHESTRA 6

Sibelius

Lemminkainen’s Return

Prokofiev

Violin

Sibelius’ energetic piece depicts the hero of the Finnish folklore returning home after success in battle. Prokofiev’s violin concerto has the atmosphere of a fairy tale or dream, with the two rhapsodic outer movements divided by a quirky scherzo. The composer’s delicate orchestration is to the fore as the finale evaporates in an iridescent shimmer of sound. Tchaikovsky’s Fifth Symphony was composed on his return to Russia in 1888 after a successful European concert tour. The waltz feel of much of the first movement foreshadows the waltz which takes the place of the usual scherzo. The slow movement is pure melody, while the finale is a burst of power and orchestral colour.

The Philharmonia Orchestra is Anvil Arts’ Orchestra in Partnership

Concerto no. 1

Tchaikovsky Symphony no. 5

Esther Yoo violin

Emilia Hoving

“A real discovery…the audience was dazzled by her performance of Prokofiev”

Cincinnati Courier on Esther Yoo

Esther Yoo Emilia Hoving

Wednesday 6 March

CONCERT

PHILHARMONIA ORCHESTRA 7

Tchaikovsky

Piano Concerto no. 1

Borodin Symphony no. 2

Rimsky-Korsakov

Capriccio espagnol

Frank Dupree piano

Santtu-Matias Rouvali

Tchaikovsky’s piano concerto set the pattern for many future pieces with its dramatic confrontation between heroic soloist and eloquent orchestra. Borodin’s epic second symphony is one of the boldest and most colourful of its time. The composer was at the peak of his powers while writing this work, and its four movements are packed with musical incident, culminating in a resplendent finale.

Rimsky-Korsakov was captivated by the dash and glitter of popular Spanish musical themes, and worked several of them into the striking and piquantly orchestrated piece.

The Philharmonia Orchestra is Anvil Arts’ Orchestra in Partnership

“A sincere, feeling and enormously interesting artist”

Emanuel Ax on Frank Dupree

Frank Dupree

Santtu-Matias Rouvali

Wednesday 20 March

CHINA SHENZHEN SYMPHONY ORCHESTRA 8

Tan Dun

Excerpts from Crouching Tiger, Hidden Dragon Chausson Poème

Saint-Saëns

Introduction and rondo capriccioso

Respighi Roman Festivals

Fountains of Rome

Pines of Rome

Jiapeng Nie cello

After excerpts from Tan Dun’s celebrated and atmospheric Oscar-winning film score, two contrasting pieces for violin and orchestra from nineteenth-century France, the first slow and soulful, and the second sparkling and virtuosic. The concert ends with Respighi’s spectacular triptych of Roman pieces for large orchestra – three suites which give musical depictions of the sights, sounds, landmarks and history of Rome in a tour de force of orchestral colour and imagination.

Tamsin Waley Cohen violin

DaYe Lin

Tamsin Waley Cohen

CONCERT

Friday 5 April

ORCHESTRA OF THE AGE OF ENLIGHTENMENT 9

Glinka

Overture:

Ruslan and Ludmilla

Rachmaninov

The Rock Grieg

Peer Gynt: Suite no. 1

Sibelius Symphony no. 5

Maxim Emelyanychev

Glinka’s fizzing, exuberant overture to his opera captures the essence of Pushkin’s magical poem, rooted in Russian fairy tales. The twenty-year-old Rachmaninov’s expressive tone poem The Rock won the enthusiastic admiration of Tchaikovsky and already shows many of the composer’s qualities. The perennial freshness of Grieg’s much-loved music to Peer Gynt never fails to make an impact in concert. Sibelius’ fifth and most well-known symphony grows from the seed of its tiny opening figure to the most outwardly heroic of his seven works in the form. The final majestic brass theme was inspired by a flight of swans the awestruck composer saw wheeling over his house in the countryside.

The Philharmonia Orchestra is Anvil Arts’ Orchestra in Association

“He is dynamic, energetic and exciting to watch, exhilarating for musicians and audience alike”

The Guardian

Maxim Emelyanychev

Sir Andras Schiff

Thursday 18 April

ORCHESTRA OF THE AGE OF ENLIGHTENMENT 10

CONCERT

Mendelssohn Symphony no. 1

Piano Concerto no. 1

Symphony no. 4 (Italian)

Mendelssohn’s C minor symphony, his first scored for full orchestra after a series of works for strings, is packed with originality, astonishing for a fifteen year-old composer. The piano concerto shows many of his strengths, as a dramatic first movement gives way to a lyrical and tender slow section. The finale is a tour de force of elegant, fleet-fingered virtuosity. The irresistibly exuberant Italian Symphony captures in four movements his impressions of the country. The slow movement is a pilgrim’s march, and the gently flowing scherzo is followed by an exhilarating Neapolitan dance as a finale.

The Philharmonia Orchestra is Anvil Arts’ Orchestra in Association

Sir Andras Schiff piano/director

“Joy untrammelled coursed through the Orchestra of the Age of Enlightenment’s concert”

The Observer

Thursday 9 May

HALLÉ ORCHESTRA 11 CONCERT

Brahms

Piano Concerto no. 1

Butterworth

Rhapsody: A Shropshire Lad

Elgar

Enigma Variations

Sir Stephen Hough piano

Sir Mark Elder

Brahms’ titanic concerto took many forms, first a sonata for piano duet, then a symphony, before becoming a concerto. Its stormy opening section is followed by a rich slow movement of quiet beauty. The finale is a defiant rondo of great energy which eventually turns to the major mode for a triumphant close. George Butterworth’s gentle and reflective orchestral piece is imbued with the spirit of English folk song and the countryside. Elgar’s famous variations are fond musical descriptions of close friends, varying from the serious ‘Nimrod’ (his publisher) to the romantic and delicate C.A.E. (his wife), concluding with an energetic and confident self-portrait.

Sir Mark Elder

Sir Stephen Hough

Thursday 23 May

BBC SYMPHONY ORCHESTRA 12 CONCERT

Beethoven Symphony no. 5

Alice Mary Smith was a formidably talented midnineteenth century composer who as far as is known wrote the first symphony produced by a woman in this country. The Masque of Pandora was not completed before her untimely death, but its overture is a lively and attractive piece. Britten’s early and lyrical concerto for violin and viola is “a wonderfully distinctive and characterful work” (The Guardian) and well worth this rare hearing. Beethoven’s fifth symphony, from the most famous opening in music, builds steadily through its four movements from dramatic struggle, through doubt and uncertainty, to a blazing, triumphant conclusion.

“It’s official: if you want to be guaranteed an infallible musical adrenalin boost, you can always be sure to find it with Finnish conductor Sakari Oramo and his BBC Symphony Orchestra”

Alice Mary Smith

Overture: The Masque of Pandora Britten Double Concerto

Vilde Frang violin

Lawrence Power viola

Sakari Oramo

Arts Desk

Vilde Frang

Lawrence Power

Sakari Oramo

PHILHARMONIA ORCHESTRA 13 CONCERT

Mozart

Overture: The Marriage of Figaro

Elgar Cello Concerto

Sibelius Symphony no. 2

The sparkling overture to Mozart’s most popular opera opens this concert. Elgar’s Cello Concerto highlights the composer’s heartfelt lyricism. The drama of the opening movement is followed by a nimble scherzo, and a slow movement of elegiac beauty. The powerful finale is memorably interrupted by a haunting reminiscence of the slow movement before rushing to its close. Sibelius’ second symphony was written largely in Italy and inhabits a very different musical world from the northern darkness of his first. The sense of renewal and exploration continues through its four movements before building inexorably to the final thrilling brass theme.

“An

Nicolas Altstaedt cello

Tabita Berglund

absolute revelation. Nicolas Altstaedt, one of the cello realm’s most brilliant young princes”

Huffington Post

Nicolas Altstaedt

Tabita Berglund

New commission

Fela Sowande

African Suite

Max Richter

Vivaldi Recomposed

Elena Urioste violin

Friday 7 June

CHINEKE! ORCHESTRA

Sail across musical boundaries in this programme. Fela Sowande came to London in 1934 and had a distinguished career in England, Nigeria and the USA. His music combines Western tradition with his native Yoruba culture. Perhaps his best-known work, the African Suite is packed full of open-hearted melodies in its five short movements. Max Richter fused the musical DNA of Vivaldi’s The Four Seasons with his own style. The result topped the charts in 22 countries and has now been recorded by Chineke! Orchestra – take this chance to hear it live.

£38, £29 (includes £4 booking fee)

Daily Telegraph

Classic fm

“A subtle and often moving piece of work”

“Mesmerising…rediscover these amazing works”

Elena Urioste

GREAT MUSIC OF THE WORLD

KEYSTONE DONOR

Lord & Lady Sainsbury of Preston Candover through the Linbury Trust

MAJOR DONORS

Mr Peter Bedford

Mr Jan Bowlus

The Bulldog Trust

Mrs P Cadbury

Hackwood Arts Trust

Jeremiah Colman Trust

Mr P Degermark

Edward Garside

Mr and Mrs J M Holden

Dr Michael Hollas

Sally Jones

John and Jill Leek

Anthony and Alison Milford

Sir John Milne

David & Diana Norman

The Countess of Portsmouth

Mr & Mrs John Raymond

Mr Stuart Roden

Mr & Mrs G J Rushbrook

Prof J M Smith

Mr & Mrs Michael Steen

Leslie Strickland

Tenon

Philip and Jill Walsh

Michael Webster

P S Wilmot-Sitwell

A complete list of donors can be found on the

Anvil Arts website

Since

The Anvil

opened in 1994, the International Concert Series has brought many superb performers to Basingstoke.

The Anvil presents one of the largest orchestral series in the country. However, with fewer than half the number of seats to sell of other concert halls, we are unable to cover the cost of bringing these great orchestras to Basingstoke from ticket revenue alone. The Great Music of the World fund gives us the security to be able to make the upfront commitment required.

In the last twenty years, the Fund has supported more than forty concerts, including memorable appearances by the Leipzig Gewandhaus, St. Petersburg Philharmonic, Czech Philharmonic and Budapest Festival orchestras.

Please support the fund so that we can continue to put Basingstoke on the map by bringing the world’s great orchestras for everyone to enjoy.

We would like to express our gratitude for their support to all donors to the Great Music of the World Fund.

Anvil Arts

The Anvil Trust is grateful for the support of the following:

Sponsors and Corporate Members:

Access facilities

Anvil Arts operates a free Access List in order to improve our service to patrons with access needs. Registration forms are available from the box office or Anvil Arts website.

For full details of all facilities, please visit anvilarts.org.uk/access or contact the box office

This brochure is also available in other formats

Picture credits

Nicolas Altstaedt © Marco Borggreve

Nicola Benedetti © Andy Gotts

Frank Dupree © Raphael Steckelbach

Sir Mark Elder © Groves Artists

Vilde Frang © Marco Borggreve

Emilia Hoving © Laura Oja

Sir Stephen Hough © Sim Canetty-Clarke

Kirill Karabits © Konrad Cwik

The Sixteen © Firedog

Nikolay Lugansky © Marco Borggreve

Sakari Oramo © Benjamin Ealovega

Seeta Patel Dance © Foteini Christofilopoulou

Sir Andras Schiff © Nadia F Romanini

Esther Yoo © Je Won Kim

Ticket prices

Area 1 (Red) £44

Area 2 (Blue) £38

Area 3 (Green) £33

Area 4 (Yellow) £24

Area 5 (Purple) £16

Ticket prices include £4 booking fee

Subscription discounts available – please contact the box office for details.

Please note – there is level access to Stalls row H and, via a lift, Circle row C and most of rows CB, CC, DB and DC (Side Circle).

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This brochure is printed on environmentally friendly paper. It is biodegradable and the pulp used to make the paper is a mixture of Totally Chlorine Free and Elemental Chlorine Free.

Not all seats may be available at all performances