20th Anniversary
Residencies Projects Commissions Learning Recordings
Britten Sinfonia © Harry Rankin
The playing was marked “ by the kind of luminous and
infectious beauty that only comes from a true marriage of mastery and love.
”
The Guardian
brittensinfonia.com
@brittensinfonia
britten.sinfonia
WELCOME Britten Sinfonia reminds me of why I “ became a musician in the first place: there are few ensembles as open-minded, as energetic and, frankly, as good as this one.
”
Huw Watkins, piano
I am delighted to welcome you to Britten Sinfonia’s 2012-13 season which is remarkable in two ways: as well as celebrating our 20th birthday, we are also beginning a partnership as Associate Ensemble at one of the world’s finest arts centres, London’s Barbican. I have had the extraordinary privilege of being involved with Britten Sinfonia since its inception in 1992. The orchestra has received generous praise over the years for many reasons, but the one constant which has driven forward its continued success and development, has been the quality of its players who represent the cream of Britain’s finest chamber musicians and soloists. It is their commitment and inspiration which have brought the orchestra to where it is today. Pierre Boulez’s ‘take’ on the modern orchestra as “an ensemble of possibilities” which has influenced the changing role of the modern orchestra, has always been at the forefront of my mind when shaping our own artistic collaborations and programmes. But it would have been impossible to realise this vision without the passionate support and inspiration of the players themselves. I hope you will enjoy reading about some of Britten Sinfonia’s memorable highlights from the past 20 years. But while this is a time to celebrate it is also a time to look ahead, and our new partnership with the Barbican, along with our continuing residencies in Brighton, Cambridge and Norwich, and our chamber music association with Wigmore Hall, offer us an enviable platform from which to launch our musical adventures of the future.
We are thrilled to welcome back, for our birthday gala concert, a stellar cast of artists and composers who have been our loyal friends and collaborators over the past 20 years. And for our celebrations in Cambridge and Norwich, we are also delighted to be showcasing the newly-formed Britten Sinfonia Academy, an ensemble of 11-18 year old musicians which it has long been our ambition to create, and which will have an important role to play in the orchestra’s future. Who knows, maybe some of them will be part of the main orchestra during our 30th anniversary festivities. To our many partners and supporters in Brighton, Cambridge, Norwich and London, we would like to say a heartfelt thank you. In particular we would like to thank Arts Council England whose unfailing support since 1992 has enabled us to be bold and pioneering, both artistically and commercially. Finally and most importantly, on behalf of the staff and musicians of Britten Sinfonia, I would like to say a huge thank you to our audiences for their unstinting enthusiasm and loyalty. It is you who have made our enterprise and endeavour so fulfilling and worthwhile over the past 20 years, and it is you, we hope, who will carry us forward as we pioneer into the next 20. David Butcher Chief Executive, Britten Sinfonia
Welcome | 1
DIARY
Cambridge Norwich London Brighton Eindhoven Rotterdam Birmingham Bradford upon Avon Mexico Antwerp Brugge Chipping Campden
2012 Mr Big Family Concert Sat 6 Oct Cambridge – West Road Concert Hall
2pm & 4pm
www.brittensinfonia.com
7.30pm
www.brittensinfonia.com
7.30pm
www.brittensinfonia.com
7.30pm
www.barbican.org.uk
7.30pm
www.barbican.org.uk
2pm & 7pm
www.barbican.org.uk
2pm
www.muziekcentrum.nl
9pm
www.dedoelen.nl
Cambridge – West Road Concert Hall
7.30pm
www.brittensinfonia.com
London – Wigmore Hall
7.30pm
www.wigmore-hall.org.uk
Fri 30 Nov
Norwich – Assembly House
1pm
www.brittensinfonia.com
1pm
www.brittensinfonia.com
Wed 5 Dec
London – Wigmore Hall
1pm
www.wigmore-hall.org.uk
8pm
www.barbican.org.uk
Britten Sinfonia 20th Birthday Mon 22 Oct Cambridge – West Road Concert Hall Tue 23 Oct
Norwich – Theatre Royal
Britten Sinfonia 20th Birthday Gala Launch
Sat 27 Oct
London – Barbican Hall
Vivaldi Recomposed / Max Richter
Wed 31 Oct
London – Barbican Hall
Where the Wild Things Are
Sat 3 Nov
London – Barbican Hall
Nico Muhly Percussion Concerto
Sun 11 Nov Sun 11 Nov
Eindhoven – Muziekgebouw Frits Philips Rotterdam – De Doelen
Alice Coote sings Phaedra
Mon 19 Nov Thu 22 Nov At Lunch 1
Tue 4 Dec
Cambridge – West Road Concert Hall
Philip Glass / Koyaanisqatsi
Fri 14 Dec
London – Barbican Hall
The UK’s most consistently “ dynamic chamber ensemble.” The New Statesman
2 | Diary
2013
Angela Hewitt directs Beethoven Tue 8 Jan Norwich – Theatre Royal Sun 13 Jan
7.30pm
www.brittensinfonia.com
Fri 11 Jan
Cambridge – West Road Concert Hall
7.30pm
www.brittensinfonia.com
5.30pm
www.thsh.co.uk
Wed 16 Jan
Birmingham – Town Hall London – Barbican Hall
7.30pm
www.barbican.org.uk
Sun 20 Jan
Brighton – Corn Exchange
11am www.brightondome.org
Wed 23 Jan
London – Wigmore Hall
1pm www.wigmore-hall.org.uk
At Lunch 2
Tue 22 Jan
Cambridge – West Road Concert Hall
1pm www.brittensinfonia.com
Norwich – Assembly House
1pm www.brittensinfonia.com
Fri 8 Feb
Norwich – Assembly House
1pm www.brittensinfonia.com
Tue 12 Feb
Cambridge – West Road Concert Hall
1pm www.brittensinfonia.com
Fri 25 Jan
At Lunch 3
Sat 9 Feb
Wed 13 Feb
Brighton – Corn Exchange
1pm www.brightondome.org
London – Wigmore Hall
1pm www.wigmore-hall.org.uk
Composers Workshop
Sat 16 Feb
Cambridge – West Road Concert Hall
10.30am – 5pm www.brittensinfonia.com
Mon 25 Feb
Cambridge – West Road Concert Hall
7.30pm
www.brittensinfonia.com www.barbican.org.uk
Sat 3 Mar
7.30pm
Norwich – Theatre Royal
7.30pm
www.brittensinfonia.com
Bradford upon Avon – Wiltshire Music Centre
7.30pm
www.wiltshiremusic.org.uk
Tour of Mexico
various
www.brittensinfonia.com
Wed 3 Apr
London – Wigmore Hall
1pm www.wigmore-hall.org.uk
Tue 9 Apr
Baltic Nights
Wed 27 Feb
London – Barbican Hall
Kraggerud plays Four Seasons
Thu 14 Mar
18 – 29 Mar At Lunch 4
Fri 5 Apr
Ian Bostridge
Sat 4 May
Norwich – Assembly House
1pm www.brittensinfonia.com
Cambridge – West Road Concert Hall
1pm www.brittensinfonia.com
London – Barbican Hall
7.30pm www.barbican.org.uk
Chipping Campden Music Festival
Wed 8 May
Chipping Campden – St James’ Church
7.30pm
www.camdenmusicfestival.co.uk
London – Barbican Hall
7.30pm
www.barbican.org.uk
Fri 24 May
Cambridge – West Road Concert Hall
7.30pm www.brittensinfonia.com
Sat 1 Jun
Brugge – Concertgebouw
8pm www.concertgebouw.be
Nico Muhly New York Festival
Sat 11 May
Adams and Muhly
Thurs 30 May Sat 2 Jun
Antwerp – De Singel
8pm www.desingel.be
Eindhoven – Muziekgebouw Frits Philips
3.30pm www.muziekcentrum.nl Diary |
3
Residencies & Associations Brighton Cambridge Norwich Wigmore Hall
Barbican
Barbican
As a touring orchestra we have a number of places we call home. Our backbone of residencies stretches through the east of England, from Norwich to Brighton via Cambridge (where we are the University’s Orchestra-in-Association) and London. Over the past 20 years Britten Sinfonia has performed in some inspiring venues, and we are fortunate to have a committed, adventurous audience who have shared our journey. Our most recent association is our biggest yet. We are delighted to have taken our place as an Associate Ensemble at the Barbican.
4 | Residencies & Associations
The Barbican’s pioneering arts programme reflects our own artistic outlook. This season alone, we bounce from projects such as Netia Jones’ stunning staging of Oliver Knussen’s operas based on the late Maurice Sendak’s books, to the premiere of new Schubert arrangements by Detlev Glanert, sung by acclaimed tenor Ian Bostridge. This range and flexibility reflects the scale of ambition we can explore together at the Barbican.
It is with great pleasure “and excitement that we
welcome Britten Sinfonia to the Barbican’s family of ensembles. Britten Sinfonia stands for excellence and diversity and these shared goals make this a partnership of limitless possibilities. I am delighted that this new venture will start with the orchestra’s 20th birthday celebrations; this promises to be an eclectic evening featuring many of the strong relationships the orchestra has forged with some of the world’s most exciting artists. We are also delighted that Britten Sinfonia will work in partnership with the Barbican on some of our own major presentations this season and beyond.
”
Angela Dixon Head of Music, Barbican
Associate Ensemble
Reduced bo
020 763
www.ba
Residencies & Associations | 5
Projects & Collaborations A selection from 2012-13
The essence of Britten Sinfonia’s programming is collaboration and intelligent musical choices. We don’t have a principal conductor or music director. We’re not defined by a particular musical period, nor a specific style. Our focus is on the musicians and their willingness to experiment, not only with artists and repertoire, but across genres and media. This brings enormous creative freedom. Projects become an artistic journey for
Britten Sinfonia 20th Birthday Concerts 27 October 2012 Barbican – 7.30pm Kuljit Bhamra tabla Thomas Gould violin/director Tom Herbert bass Alina Ibragimova violin Pekka Kuusisto violin/director Joanna MacGregor piano/director Nico Muhly piano Mark Padmore tenor Seb Rochford drums Jacqueline Shave violin/director Andy Sheppard saxophones Britten Sinfonia Voices Eamonn Dougan chorus director Purcell Hear my Prayer Nico Muhly Looking Forward (World première) Bach Concerto for Two Violins in D minor Britten Les Illuminations James MacMillan One (London première) Prokofiev Symphony No.1 ‘Classical’ Bach Keyboard Concerto No.5 in F minor Moondog arr. Joanna MacGregor Sidewalk Dances A co-production with the Barbican 6 | Projects & Collaborations
all involved, and because Britten Sinfonia players are chamber musicians and soloists at heart, the quality and energy is palpable when they come together. Our vision is to inspire the artists and musicians we collaborate with so they, in turn, can inspire our audiences.
22 & 23 October 2012 Cambridge | Norwich – 7.30pm Pekka Kuusisto violin/director Thomas Gould violin/director Jacqueline Shave violin/director Caroline Dearnley cello Nicholas Daniel oboe Britten Sinfonia Academy Alissa Firsova Gallo Variations (World première tour) Sibelius Rakastava Bach Concerto for Oboe and Violin James MacMillan One (World première tour) Tippett Fantasia Concertante on a theme of Corelli Prokofiev Symphony No.1 ‘Classical’
Alice Coote © Ben Ealovega
reasons for Britten “The Sinfonia’s incremental
rise in the past 20 years are various, but among them are a commitment to interesting programmes and the assiduous building of relationships.
”
Financial Times
Where the Wild Things Are 3 November 2012 Barbican – 2pm & 7pm
Alice Coote sings Phaedra 19 & 22 November 2012 Cambridge | Wigmore Hall – 7.30pm
Claire Booth Susan Bickley Rebecca Bottone Lucy Schaufer Christopher Gillett Jonathan Gunthorpe Graeme Broadbent Graeme Danby Ryan Wigglesworth conductor Netia Jones director
Alice Coote mezzo-soprano Jacqueline Shave violin/director
Oliver Knussen Where The Wild Things Are Oliver Knussen Higglety Pigglety Pop!
Purcell Rondeau from Abdelazer Suite Purcell arr. Nico Muhly Let the Night Perish (Job’s Curse) Purcell arr. Stokowski Dido’s Lament Tippett A Lament, from Divertimento on ‘Sellinger’s Round’ Handel Selection of arias from Alcina Britten Prelude and Fugue Purcell ed. Britten Chacony in G minor Tippett Little Music Britten Phaedra Recorded at Wigmore Hall for live broadcast by
Projects & Collaborations | 7
Alina Ibragimova © Sussie Ahlburg
been very lucky “toI’vework with Britten
Sinfonia now for many years in all kinds of diverse and exciting projects. The flexibility and creativity they have in approaching music means that their programmes are always adventurous and their performances full of life and personality.
”
Alina Ibragimova
At Lunch 1 30 November – 5 December 2012 Norwich | Cambridge | Wigmore Hall – 1pm
Philip Glass Koyaanisqatsi 14 December 2012 Barbican – 8pm
Jacqueline Shave, Miranda Dale violins Clare Finnimore viola Caroline Dearnley cello Stephen Williams double bass Emer McDonough flute Nicholas Daniel oboe Joy Farrall clarinet Sarah Burnett bassoon Stephen Bell horn
Philip Glass Ensemble Michael Riesman conductor
Britten Phantasy Quartet Op.2 Lutoslawski Dance Preludes Dobrinka Tabakova New Work (World première tour) Britten Sinfonietta Op.1 Recorded in Cambridge for future broadcast by
8 | Projects & Collaborations
Philip Glass Koyaanisqatsi (Live film screening)
Angela Hewitt directs Beethoven 8 – 16 January 2013 Norwich | Cambridge | Barbican – 7.30pm Angela Hewitt piano/director Thomas Gould violin/director Wagner Siegfried Idyll Beethoven Piano Concerto No.2 Sibelius Scene with Cranes Beethoven Piano Concerto No.4
At Lunch 2 20 – 25 January 2013 Brighton | Cambridge | Wigmore Hall | Norwich – 1pm
At Lunch 3 8 – 13 February 2013 Norwich | Brighton | Cambridge | Wigmore Hall – 1pm
Mark Padmore tenor Caroline Dearnley cello Richard Watkins horn Huw Watkins piano
Thomas Gould, Miranda Dale violins Clare Finnimore viola Caroline Dearnley cello Alasdair Beatson piano
Richard Rodney Bennett Tom O’Bedlam’s Song Poulenc Elégie (in memory of Dennis Brain) Gerald Barry Jabberwocky (World première tour) Walton Three Songs (words Edith Sitwell) Britten The Heart of the Matter
Copland Vitebsk Shostakovich Two Pieces for String Quartet (Elegy & Polka) Britten Reflection Jay Greenberg New Work (World première tour) Britten Three Divertimenti
Recorded in Cambridge for future broadcast by
Recorded in Cambridge for future broadcast by
Baltic Nights 25 February – 3 March 2013 Cambridge | Barbican | Norwich – 7.30pm Alina Ibragimova violin/director Jacqueline Shave violin/director Britten Sinfonia Voices
Mark Padmore © Marco Borggreve
Perotin Viderunt omnes Bach Violin Concerto No.1 in A minor E¯riks Es˘envalds New Work (World première tour) Bach Motet - Komm, Jesu, komm Pe¯teris Vasks Violin Concerto ‘Distant Light’
Projects & Collaborations | 9
Colin Currie © Marco Borggreve
Ian Bostridge © Simon Fowler
At Lunch 4 3 – 9 April 2013 Wigmore Hall | Norwich | Cambridge – 1pm
Bostridge sings Schubert 4 May 2013 Barbican – 7.30pm
Jacqueline Shave, Miranda Dale violins Clare Finnimore viola Caroline Dearnley cello Nicholas Daniel oboe Lucy Wakeford harp
Ian Bostridge tenor Jacqueline Shave violin/director
Britten Six Metamorphoses after Ovid Britten Tema ‘Sacher’ Bridge Two Old English Songs Opus 2013 composition winner New work (World première tour) Britten Suite for Harp Bridge Sir Roger de Coverley Recorded in Cambridge for future broadcast by
10 | Projects & Collaborations
Mahler Adagietto from Symphony No.5 Henze L’heure bleue Schubert arr. Detlev Glanert Das Lied im Grünen (London première) Viola (World première) Waldesnacht (World première) Schubert Notturno in E flat for Piano Trio Britten Nocturne
Ten to remember Projects & Collaborations
Adams and Muhly 24 May – 2nd June 2013 Cambridge | Antwerp | Brugge | Eindhoven Colin Currie percussion Winner of 2012 TROMP International Percussion Competition Thomas Gould violin Clark Rundell conductor John Adams Shaker Loops John Adams Chamber Symphony Nico Muhly Seeing is Believing Nico Muhly Double Percussion Concerto (UK première tour)
1993 Jonathan Miller’s production of Ariadne auf Naxos provides Britten Sinfonia’s first critical success 1994 Britten Sinfonia celebrates the 50th anniversary of Tippett’s Child of our Time at London’s Adelphi Theatre 1998 Landmark Frank Zappa and the Fathers of Invention series sells-out in Cambridge 2001 Ten date tour with Joanna MacGregor features in a South Bank Show profile for LWT 2004 Britten Sinfonia and Polyphony perform and record James MacMillan’s Seven Last Words 2006 Imogen Cooper’s four-year Beethoven piano concerto cycle cements the non-conductor direction of Britten Sinfonia 2008 International acclaim for collaboration with the Michael Clark Company (Stravinsky Project) 2009 Wellies and violins - Britten Sinfonia becomes the first orchestra to perform at Latitude Festival 2011 A 70-strong Britten Sinfonia performs Rufus Wainwright’s Prima Donna at Royal Opera House 2011 Britten Sinfonia Voices make their debut with Berlioz’s L’enfance du Christ conducted by Sir Mark Elder
band can do anything and “This make it look effortlessly fun.” The Independent
Projects & Collaborations | 11
International Touring This acclaimed “ ensemble finally made its American debut at Lincoln Center - it was worth the wait.
”
Britten Sinfonia heading towards the concert hall in Leon, Mexico © Hannah Bates
New York Times, Concentric Paths tour with Thomas Adès, 2012
Being part of a touring orchestra like Britten Sinfonia means I get to perform all over the UK, which I love, but I will always jump at the chance to tour internationally. A tour to Poznan stands out for me. Imagine performing an outdoor concert in Poland, in December! Four of us played a Piazzolla Season each interspersed with the hugely inspirational Pekka Kuusisto playing the Vivaldi Seasons. We travelled there, eco-style, by bus and played inside the Greenpeace Globe. It was wacky, but it was brilliant. That’s what I love about Britten Sinfonia. We can take risks and experiment. We’re not afraid of anything. In 2013 we’re heading back to Mexico with Henning
12 | International Touring
Kraggerud; I can’t wait. We get big audiences in Mexico and they’re so enthusiastic, we’ve been known to salsa on the roof of the university before concerts with the local orchestra. Every country, and every venue has its own energy and, as a musician, you respond to that. All the time we’re on tour we’re absorbing information. We meet new people, discover new music and get inspired by new ideas. We’re introduced to people as friends then, years later, find ourselves collaborating with them. You never know what will come out of a tour, but something always does. Miranda Dale, Principal Second Violin
Colin Currie percussion Thomas Gould violin Baz Wiegers conductor Nico Muhly Double Percussion Concerto (World première tour) Joey Roukens Percussion Concerto
Tour of Mexico 18 – 29 March 2013 Henning Kraggerud violin/director Programme to include: Vivaldi Four Seasons
Adams and Muhly 30 May – 2 June 2013 Antwerp | Brugge | Eindhoven Colin Currie percussion Winner of 2012 TROMP International Percussion Competition Thomas Gould violin Clark Rundell conductor John Adams Shaker Loops John Adams Chamber Symphony Nico Muhly Seeing is Believing Nico Muhly Double Percussion Concerto
eight to remember International Touring
1994 Britten Sinfonia makes international debut at Wratislava Cantans Festival in Poland 1999 First tour to Germany includes performances at Munich’s Gasteig and Frankfurt’s Alte Oper 2003 Greece debut with Django Bates sets music by John Zorn against John Adams and John Woolrich 2004 Collaboration with Nitin Sawhney takes in Belgium and Britten Sinfonia’s debut at Royal Festival Hall 2007 Joanna MacGregor joins Britten Sinfonia for extensive tour through Brazil, Argentina and Uruguay 2010 Britten Sinfonia joins Brad Mehldau and his trio in Germany for a live tour of his album Highway Rider 2010 14 date tour of UK and Europe with Mark Padmore and Pekka Kuusisto premièring Nico Muhly’s Impossible Things 2012 Acclaimed USA debut at the Lincoln Centre, New York with Thomas Adès conducting
Britten Sinfonia © Stephen Bourne
TROMP International Percussion Competition 11 November 2012 Eindhoven | Rotterdam
International Touring | 13
soloists, innovative programming and enthusiastic audiences every Britten Sinfonia project is like an exciting adventure with friends.
”
Miranda Dale, violin
2009 Greenpeace concert in the Earth Dome, Poznan
Twenty years of Britten Sinfonia Miranda Dale © Colin Dale
With hand“picked guest
Miranda Dale
1994 Britten Sinfonia with Sir Michael Tippett, 50 year anniversary of A Child of our Time
1999 Huw Watkins and Nicholas Cleobury
14 | Twenty years of Britten Sinfonia
2009 Latitude
20 years ago when Britten “Sinfonia was created I started
playing the most amazing music with my friends. Today I am still with friends playing the most amazing music. What a privilege.
”
2006 Imogen Cooper with the Britten Sinfonia taxi
Joy Farrall, clarinet
Britten Sinfonia – the early years
Inspiration, “ perspiration (!),
precision and timing, commitment, friends, discoveries, and every era of music played stylistically well. These things make my Britten Sinfonia.
”
2007 Jacqueline Shave and David Butcher collecting Britten Sinfonia’s RPS Award for Chamber Music
Nicholas Daniel, oboe
Gil Goldstein music director Luciana Souza vocals Romero Lubambo guitar Alex Acuña percussion Britten Sinfonia
SATURDAY 24 NOVEMBER AT 7.30PM
QUEEN ELIZABETH HALL, LONDON Part of the London Jazz Festival in association with BBC Radio 3
TUESDAY 27 NOVEMBER AT 7.30PM
TOWN HALL, BIRMINGHAM
2006 Moondog recording session with Joanna MacGregor and Seb Rochford
Twenty years of Britten Sinfonia | 15
Commissioning
Alissa Firsova
A selection from 2012-13
Working with the composers of today is one of our inspirations. In the 20 years since Britten Sinfonia was established we’ve commissioned or premiered over 100 works. New music and living composers are at the core of our programmes – mixing the established with the young and building connections between repertoire and genres. Our 2012-13 season alone features eight new commissions, across all corners of the musical world. Many are co-commissioned with Wigmore Hall as part of our award-winning lunchtime chamber series, and most receive multiple performances and broadcasts on BBC Radio 3.
Opus 2013 In 2012, for the first time, we issued an open call for submissions offering unpublished composers the chance to receive a professional commission for our At Lunch series. Over 200 applications were received and following shortlisting and a workshop one will be chosen to write a piece for chamber ensemble. Première performances: At Lunch 4✱ 03 – 09 April 2013 London | Norwich | Cambridge
16 | Commissioning
Alissa Firsova Alissa Firsova won the BBC Proms Young Composer Competition at the age of 14 and is currently completing postgraduate conducting studies at the Royal Academy of Music. She will write a new work for Britten Sinfonia Academy. Première performances: Britten Sinfonia 20th Birthday ✚ 22 - 27 October 2012 Cambridge | Norwich | London
Dobrinka Tabakova Idiosyncratic rhythms, memorable melodies and distinct orchestration form Dobrinka Tabakova’s musical language. An award-winning young British/Bulgarian composer, will write a new work for ensemble for our 2012-13 At Lunch series. Première performances: At Lunch 1✶ 30 November – 5 December 2012 Norwich | Cambridge | London
Gerald Barry Gerald Barry was born in Ireland in 1952 and studied composition with Stockhausen and Kagel. His radical ensemble works ‘__________’ and ‘Ø’ first brought him acclaim in 1979. He will write a new work for tenor Mark Padmore, horn and piano for our 2012-13 At Lunch series. Première performances: At Lunch 2✶ 20 – 25 January 2013 Brighton | Cambridge | London | Norwich E¯riks Es˘envalds E¯riks Es˘envalds is one of a new generation of composers from Latvia. His oratorio Passion and Resurrection was r ecorded in 2010 by Britten Sinfonia and Polyphony for Hyperion. E¯riks Es˘envalds will write a new work for strings and voice for our professional vocal ensemble, Britten Sinfonia Voices. Première performances: Baltic Nights 25 February – 03 March 2013 Cambridge | London | Norwich
Jay Greenberg American composer Jay Greenberg was commissioned after winning the annual University of Cambridge Composers Workshop with Britten Sinfonia. A recent music graduate student reading music at Peterhouse, Cambridge, Jay will write a piece for piano quintet for our 2012-13 At Lunch series. Première performances: At Lunch 3✶ 8 – 13 February 2013 Norwich | Brighton | Cambridge | London
James MacMillan and Nico Muhly In celebration of Britten Sinfonia’s 20th anniversary James MacMillan and Nico Muhly have generously written special birthday tributes. Première performances: Britten Sinfonia 20th Birthday 22 – 27 October 2012 Cambridge | Norwich | London
✱ Co-commissioned with Wigmore Hall with support from Arts Council England Escalator programme ✚ Generously supported by the William Alwyn Foundation ✶ Co-commissioned with Wigmore Hall
SEVEN to remember Commissions
1999 David Matthews Symphony No.5 – premiere given at Britten Sinfonia’s BBC Proms debut 2001 James MacMillan Parthenogenesis – premieres given in Cambridge and Edinburgh International Festival 2005 At Lunch series launches with commissions from John Woolrich, Jason Yarde, Kenneth Hesketh and Joseph Phibbs 2009 At Lunch series honoured with Royal Philharmonic Society Chamber Music Award 2010 Nico Muhly in residence with Britten Sinfonia presents two new works, including Impossible Things for Mark Padmore and Pekka Kuusisto 2010 James MacMillan Oboe Concerto – premiere given in Birmingham with Nicholas Daniel 2012 “A Tenner for a Tenor” invites supporters to turn commissioners by investing in Jonathan Dove’s new work The End
to Britten “Congratulations Sinfonia on your 20th
year. You have become an outstanding ensemble and an important asset to the national chamber music circuit. Wigmore Hall is very pleased to continue its long association with Britten Sinfonia, especially in the commissioning of new music.
”
John Gilhooly Director, Wigmore Hall
Commissioning | 17
CREATIVE LEARNING To me, the point of “ playing an instrument
is to play in different groups and genres, and I love to meet new people… It even makes scale practice seem worthwhile!
”
Katy, Trombone Britten Sinfonia Academy
170 children from in and around Wymondham, Norfolk perform their own song cycle inspired by Finzi Dies Natalis
Whilst our artistic programme reaches to Europe, the Americas and beyond, our Creative Learning programme roots us firmly and proudly in the east of England. Wherever possible, the programme links in with our concert series’ in Norwich and Cambridge, but our reach also stretches out to rural Norfolk and Cambridgeshire. In addition, we are currently developing exciting new relationships in Peterborough. The ethos which we uphold with our work on the concert platform also permeates our Creative Learning programme in that it is driven by the artistic vision, skills and passion of our players.
18 | Creative Learning
Britten Sinfonia Academy, our new youth ensemble, is our latest exciting programme. During 2012-13 we will be working with 18 talented secondary school-aged instrumentalists from across the east of England. Working alongside Britten Sinfonia players, these young musicians will be equipped with the skills which make our own musicians special – learning to play without a conductor, developing their skills as chamber musicians and further cultivating their eagerness and desire to explore a vast range of music. In this their first year, the Academy’s highlights will be the performances of Alissa Firsova’s new piece Gallo Variations, especially commissioned for the Academy and Britten Sinfonia for our 20th birthday concerts and a weekend residency, culminating in a performance at the Fitzwilliam Museum in Cambridge in March 2013.
Carola, Cello, Britten Sinfonia Academy
SEVEN to remember Creative Learning
Joe, Double Bass, Britten Sinfonia Academy, and Stephen Williams, Principal Double Bass
Opportunities to play in a chamber music environment are fairly rare, so when my teacher suggested that I audition, I knew that this was an opportunity not to miss. I hope that, through the Academy, I will be able to improve my musicianship and become a better ensemble player. I am especially looking forward to meeting and learning from the Britten Sinfonia members; not only do I wish to gain from their musical knowledge, but I hope that the unique enthusiasm of these musicians will influence my approach to playing. I am definitely set on a career in music, however, for now, I am keeping my options open as I am interested in so many different areas within the subject; maybe the experience of being part of the Academy will help me to decide which path to choose! Joe, Double Bass, Britten Sinfonia Academy
1992 Britten Sinfonia gives its first ever performance, a family concert in Chelmsford 1993 With a grant from the Foundation for Sport and the Arts, Britten Sinfonia appoints its first Education Manager 1998 125 children from five local schools take part in creative workshops and concert visits to help celebrate Britten Sinfonia’s first subscription series in Norwich 2001- Annual residencies at Horizon Centre 2003 in Cambridge, working with adults with additional needs 2003 Creative project in Fenland Pupil Referral Unit and the start of 6 year programme of working with hard to reach and excluded young people 2007 Workshops with children in Buenos Aires accompany the orchestra’s first tour to South America 2010 Sinfonia at Work workshops go to Abu Dhabi in partnership with Judge Business School, Cambridge University 2012 Britten Sinfonia Academy is launched 2013 Two commissions for At Lunch concert series come from Creative Learning projects - Opus 2013 & Cambridge Composers Workshop Creative Learning | 19
Recordings Mark Padmore’s “ performance of the
Serenade for tenor, horn and strings and the Nocturne are of the utmost sensitivity, skilfully accompanied by Britten Sinfonia.
”
Gramophone
Just as Britten Sinfonia programming centres on collaborations, so too do our recordings. By the time we reach the studio, the artists and performers will have nurtured the project from conception to concert halls. So, at the point of recording, the pieces are highly-personal, highlynuanced performances. Our recordings have received Grammy nominations and a Gramophone award. We’ve recorded for major labels including Warners and EMI, and regularly record for Hyperion Records. Britten Sinfonia has also recently
20 | Recordings
established a new partnership with Harmonia Mundi. Our new release on the label, featuring tenor Mark Padmore performing Britten and Finzi, received outstanding reviews. Forthcoming releases include Tõnu Kõrvits’ Kreek’s Notebook with the Choir of Royal Holloway for Hyperion, and a further collaboration with Mark Padmore performing works by Warlock, Vaughan Williams and Jonathan Dove for Harmonia Mundi.
There is no such thing as an ideal “Messiah, any more than there is a
single definitive text. This one comes exhilaratingly near to it.
”
Sunday Times
SIX TO REMEMBER Recordings
1995 Debut CD featuring David Pyatt in the Strauss Horn Concertos wins a Gramophone Award 1997 Classic FM’s new label features Britten Sinfonia musicians Nicholas Daniel, Joy Farrall and Kate Hill performing Mozart concerti 2005 First releases on Hyperion - James MacMillan Seven Last Words from the Cross and Morten Lauridsen Lux Aeterna 2006 Bach meets Moondog project and recording epitomises the art of bringing the right collaborators together 2009 Britten Sinfonia launches own label with two releases: Songs of the Sky and a selection of works by Hindemith 2010 Warner Classics & Jazz releases Live in Buenos Aires recorded on tour in South America with Joanna MacGregor
Recordings | 21
20th BIRTHDAY
GIFT Over 42,500 people came to hear us play last year, with the orchestra visiting ten different countries on three continents. As well as giving concerts, last season we commissioned thirteen new works, launched a new professional choir, put the finishing touches to our ambitious Academy for talented young players, and gave 3,800 young people the chance to participate with Britten Sinfonia in school workshops and on stage with our players. Ticket income, however, covers barely a quarter of the cost of presenting all of this work.
This year please help celebrate Britten Sinfonia by way of a birthday gift. We’d love to welcome you to join as a Friend (from just £50) or to support an Orchestra Chair (from £500) or maybe a new piece of music. Get involved and help us continue to set the benchmark for all chamber orchestras for the next 20 years, by supporting our work through a donation. There’s never been a better moment to get involved!
Visit brittensinfonia.com, call Gabrielle Deschamps on 01223 300795, or email info@brittensinfonia.com to find out more.
THANK YOU We acknowledge with enormous gratitude the generosity of our supporters, all of whom make Britten Sinfonia’s extensive concert, touring and Creative Learning programmes possible. Everyone who supports us makes a vital contribution to the life and music of Britten Sinfonia, and is a source of inspiration to us.
We would particularly like to acknowledge the support and encouragement of Arts Council England and Cambridge University Press, as well the many trusts, foundations, individuals, businesses, and other organisations who support our work.
Principal Funder
Broadcast Partner
International Partner
Corporate Sponsors
Other Partners
Kirby Laing Foundation
Town Close Estate Charitable Trust
Thank you | 23
Britten Sinfonia
1st violins Jacqueline Shave, Leader Thomas Gould, Associate Leader Magnus Johnston Clara Biss Ruth Ehrlich Martin Gwilym-Jones Beatrix Lovejoy Fiona McCapra Katherine Shave 2nd violins Miranda Dale Nicola Goldscheider Alexandra Reid Anna Bradley Marcus Broome Judith Kelly Suzanne Loze
Violas Clare Finnimore Kate Musker Bridget Carey Rachel Byrt Cellos Caroline Dearnley Benjamin Chappell Joy Hawley Julia Vohralik Double Basses Stephen Williams Roger Linley Flutes Emer McDonough Sarah O’Flynn Oboes Nicholas Daniel Emma Feilding
Bassoons Sarah Burnett Simon Couzens Horns Stephen Bell Tom Rumsby Trumpets Paul Archibald Tom Rainer Tuba James Anderson Harp Lucy Wakeford Piano Huw Watkins Harpsichord Maggie Cole
Clarinets Joy Farrall Andrew Webster
Trustees
Management
Dame Mary Archer, DBE Jonathan Barclay Dr Jerome Booth Prof. Germaine Greer Margaret Mair Charles Rawlinson, MBE John Stephens, OBE
Concerts Director Hannah Donat
Creative Learning Director Isobel Timms
Orchestra Manager Hannah Tucker
Finance Director Rebecca Walsh
Development Director Will Harriss
Press Consultant Sophie Cohen
Chairman Stephen Bourne
Chief Executive David Butcher
Marketing Assistant Lisa Buckby
Artistic Planning Director Nikola White
Creative Learning Assistant James Brady
Concerts Coordinator James Calver
Finance Assistant Elaine Rust
Development Assistant Gabrielle Deschamps
Publications Editor Samantha Walker
Marketing Director Claire Bowdler
All details correct at time of going to print, however Britten Sinfonia reserves the right to substitute repertoire and artists as necessary.
24 | Britten Sinfonia Musicians, Trustees, Management
“an all-star orchestra”
Britten Sinfonia © Harry Rankin
Radio Times
Design: carly.merrydew@gmail.com
Britten Sinfonia 13 Sturton Street Cambridge CB1 2SN United Kingdom Telephone: +44 (0)1223 300795 Email: info@brittensinfonia.com www.brittensinfonia.com Chief Executive: David Butcher Chairman: Stephen Bourne Registered Charity No. 291245