the finest symphonic
concert season 2017/ 18
Kirill Karabits Chief Conductor
www.bsolive.com
Welcome to the 2017/18 season of BSO concerts at Portsmouth Guildhall Whether you’re new to a live symphony orchestra or a seasoned concert-goer, the variety of world-class performances on offer by the BSO in Portsmouth hold opportunities for fantastic evenings out. There are performances of core Classical repertoire by Beethoven, Mozart and Schubert; masterpieces including Pictures at an Exhibition and Elgar’s exceptional Cello Concerto; and some lesser-known works if you like exploring new pieces. In addition, we have a concert of famous excerpts of Smooth Classics; a Christmas Proms to get you into the festive spirit; and our popular Heroes & Monsters film night with big scores from the movies.
We invite you to explore the sound worlds, atmosphere, and goose bumps that only a full live symphony orchestra can evoke. We look forward to seeing you!
Symphonic Firsts Two geniuses emerge thrsay october 7.0pm beethoen Symphony No.1 beethoen Piano Concerto No.4 biet Symphony in C Kirill Karabits, Steven Osborne
We open the season with one of the greatest composers ever. Beethoven displays his emotional diversity and dedication to music in both works performed in this concert. Bizet’s Symphony in C shows off the talent of a boy who was only 17 years old when he wrote this remarkable gem. With its youthful vitality and melodies of great beauty, no wonder it remains a concert favourite.
Salzburg Connections Exploring the Classical period friay 20 october 7.0pm moart Sinfonia in G Major ‘Neue Lambacher’ m hayn Cello Concerto a moart Serenade No.9 ‘Posthorn’ Reinhard Goebel, Bruno Delepelaire
Both the Mozart and Haydn families have become icons of Classical composition, much of their activity centred in Salzburg. Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart wrote the Posthorn Serenade during a hugely creative part of his life while his father, Leopold is the genius behind the Sinfonia. The Cello Concerto is a new discovery for the music world. Expansive and effective, it was only recently attributed to Michael Haydn, rather than his brother Joseph.
Russian Masters A showcase of artistic brilliance thrsay 2 noember 7.0pm ina Ruslan & Ludmilla Overture ina Valse from A Life for the Tsar ainnio Symphony No.1 rachmanino Piano Concerto No.3 Kees Bakels, Lukáš Vondrácek
A variety of genres show off three of Russia’s greatest composers. Glinka uses colourful folk influences in his operas, reflecting the stirring emotions at the time. Kalinnikov’s First Symphony is instantly charming and elegant in its melodies and harmony. Rachmaninov’s outstanding Piano Concertos have become favourites across the globe. His third is one of the hardest in the repertoire and requires both incredible technical talent and great virtuosity.
Smooth Classics The most relaxing music ever friay 2 noember 7.0pm rie Peer Gynt – Morning moart Clarinet Concerto – adagio far Pavane abinoni Oboe Concerto No.2 – adagio an more Victor Aviat, Anna Pyne, Tammy Thorn, Eluned Pierce, Ed Kay, Kevin Banks
Relax and unwind in a concert of some of the most beautiful classical music ever written especially selected for a sublime evening, including the Intermezzo from Cavalleria Rusticana, Dance of the Blessed Spirits, Clair de Lune as well as excerpts from the New World Symphony, Mozart’s Flute and Harp Concerto and Beethoven’s Pastoral Symphony.
The Snowman and Paddington Bear’s First Concert friay 22 ecember pm bae The Snowman chappe Paddington Bear’s First Concert Hugh Brunt, Pui Fan Lee
The Snowman is the soundtrack to everyone’s Christmas. We’re walking in the air… join the Snowman and James on their magical journey through the winter sky in this special showing of the festive classic on the large screen, accompanied by the full BSO. Paired with Paddington Bear’s First Concert, narrated by special guest Pui Fan Lee from CBeebies, this is the perfect way for the whole family to join together and begin the holidays! The Snowman Composer Howard Blake Creator Raymond Briggs © Snowman Enterprises Ltd
Paddington Bear Composer Herbert Chappell Story Michael Bond © P&Co Ltd/SC 2014
Last Night of the Christmas Proms Festive fun for all friay 22 ecember 7.0pm Pete Harrison, Annie Skates, James Spilling
Kick off Christmas with our fun-packed concert for all the family, guaranteed to get you into the festive mood! Two top singers join Pete Harrison and the full Orchestra for a selection of showstopping hits from Broadway and the West End, as well as seasonal classics old and new including I Wish It Could Be Christmas Every Day, Chestnuts Roasting, Rockin’ Around The Christmas Tree, Santa Baby and many more – all wrapped up with a sprinkling of BSO magic and sparkle!
Triumph and Passion Big love and big melodies thrsay 2 anary 7.0pm hachatrian Adagio of Spartacus and Phrygia shostaoich Piano Concerto No.2 tchaiosy Symphony No.5 Mikhail Tatarnikov, Boris Giltburg
An evening of fantastic romantic melodies begins with the lyrical Adagio from Spartacus, used in many a love scene and famously in The Onedin Line, before moving on to the Piano Concerto with its sublime and hauntingly beautiful slow Andante and the vivacious, fun outer movements. The brilliant finale of the concert features one of the most popular works by the master of melody, Tchaikovsky.
Perfect Fourths Two outstanding symphonies thrsay 8 febrary 7.0pm schbert Symphony No.4 ‘Tragic’ maher Symphony No.4 Kirill Karabits, Catherine Foster
Mahler is an expert in epic works and his Fourth Symphony is no different. If you like the big symphonic sound that reverberates through your entire body, this is the piece for you. It jumps from sheer joy to inexplicable sadness, showing Mahler’s emotional complexity. Schubert’s symphony begins as a stormy and dramatic piece but, despite its name, ends triumphantly and heroically, making it one of his best-loved works.
Heroes & Monsters More music from the movies friay 1 febrary 7.0pm iiams Jurassic Park shore Lord of the Rings herrmann Psycho iiams Dracula Pete Harrison
Once again the full power of a symphony orchestra is unleashed in a concert packed full of stirring and epic soundtracks of the silver screen – this time featuring music from films with monsters galore, whether they be prehistoric dinosaurs, giant beasts from the jungle or the deep, supernatural creatures of the night or psychopathic killers. Other titles include The Mummy, Silence of the Lambs, King Kong, Super 8, The Abyss, Pan’s Labyrinth, Jaws and Gremlins .
Elgar’s Cello Eulogy Emotional endings and promising starts thrsay 22 febrary 7.0pm aner Siegfried Idyll ear Cello Concerto or Symphony No.9 ‘From the New World’ Christoph König, Leonard Elschenbroich
The New World Symphony with its numerous well-known melodies holds a special claim to fame as the underlying music to Britain’s favourite TV advert – remember the boy and his bike on Shaftesbury’s Golden Hill? The Cello Concerto is an audience favourite, its emotional depth and instrumental range making for an extraordinary concert experience, as personal a piece as the Wagner that preceeds it.
Picture Perfect Ravel’s orchestral fireworks thrsay 8 march 7.0pm rae Rapsodie espagnole ebssy (orch.rae) Danse – Tarantelle styrienne rae Piano Concerto in G mssorsy (orch.rae) Pictures at an Exhibition Carlos Miguel Prieto, Gabriela Montero
The fantastic Pictures at an Exhibition is an orchestral favourite, taking us on a walk through a variety of moods and characters in brief, striking episodes. Ravel’s Rapsodie paints a picture of a joyous Spanish festival and his Piano Concerto, too, takes influence from Iberian melodies on the one hand, and jazz riffs on the other. It sparkles with a spontaneity and energy also evident in Debussy’s dance.
Hollywood Concerto Big screen sparkle v. Pathétique friay 2 march 7.0pm copan An Outdoor Overture orno Violin Concerto tchaiosy Symphony No.6 ‘Pathétique’ Andrew Litton, Stefan Jackiw
It may come as a surprise that Korngold’s Violin Concerto features familiar music. He reworked many of his famous tunes from his film scores for violin, and the lush and romantic music of his concerto certainly brings to mind the swashbuckling films of the period. A blazing fanfare opens the evening, and if you liked Tchaikovsky’s Fifth earlier this season, you will definitely enjoy his final symphony.
Bohemian Fire Musical joie de vivre friay 20 apri 7.0pm rachmanino Symphony No.1 tchaiosy Violin Concerto rachmanino Caprice bohémien Kirill Karabits, Alexandra Soumm
Rachmaninov’s Caprice is overflowing with the ideas and passion of a young composer. Much of it is fiery, celebrating the joy of living, but there are also moments of melancholy. His First Symphony, composed shortly after, shows the same iconic driving force and massive instrumental effects. Tchaikovsky’s Violin Concerto with its attractive melodies and opportunity for dazzling showmanship has become a firm audience favourite.
Bournemouth Symphony Orchestra
concert season 2017/ 18 ticets for all concerts except The Snowman £32 £27 £22 £17
inc. booin fee an £1 iha restoration ey
ticets for The Snowman 22 Dec 4pm £26 £21 £16 £11
inc. booin fee an £1 iha restoration ey
Generous series discounts of up to 40% available. Concessions available. Ask box office for details.
bo office Ticketmaster
0844 453 9028
7p per minte ps yor phone company’s access chare
Portsmouth Guildhall
02393 870211
bsolive.com Portsmouth Guildhall Guildhall Square Portsmouth PO1 2AB
ant to fin ot more abot the msic Free ‘Meet the Music’ pre-concert talks take place before the concerts marked with at 6.40pm in the Council Chamber at Portsmouth Guildhall. There is also more information at bsolive.com Bournemouth Symphony Orchestra, 2 Seldown Lane, Poole, BH15 1UF Tel: 01202 670611 www.BSOlive.com. BSO is a Charity Registered No.208520 and a company limited by guarantee Registered No.538351 England. All information is correct at the time of going to press – however artists are subject to availability. BSO reserves the right to make any necessary changes from the advertised programmes.