March events

THURSDAY 1 MARCH, 7.30PM

Russian State Philharmonic with Valentina Lisitsa, piano

Part of Zurich International Orchestra Series 2017-18

Tchaikovsky Romeo & Juliet Overture Rachmaninov Piano Concerto No. 3 Tchaikovsky Symphony No. 4

Valery Polyansky conductor Valentina Lisitsa piano

The Russian State Philharmonic’s Music Director Valery Polyansky is recognised today as a leading interpreter of the works of Rachmaninov & Tchaikovsky.

Rachmaninov said that the third was his personal favourite amongst his piano concertos, requiring breathtaking virtuosity from both soloist and orchestra. Valentina Lisitsa joins them for this physically demanding work.

Tchaikovsky’s Symphony No. 4, written soon after the collapse of his disastrous marriage, is saturated with the idea of ‘that fatal force which prevents the impulse to happiness from attaining its goal’. The vigorous finale, incorporating a famous Russian folk song, swings from the dark emotions of the first movement to a more triumphant mood.

Tickets: £45 (premium seats), £42, £35, £28, £22, £18

Series discounts available ENCORE Members: premium seats for £42, £42 seats for £35

FRIDAY 2 MARCH, 7.30PM

RNCM and Paris Conservatoire Symphony Orchestra

Paris-Manchester 1918

Debussy Prélude à l’après-midi d’un faune Elgar Enigma Variations Wagner The Ring, an orchestral adventure (arr. de Vlieger)

Musicians from the RNCM and Paris Conservatoire Markus Stenz conductor

A new generation of international musicians from two of the world’s leading conservatoires perform alongside one another for the first time in a programme inspired by musical life in wartime 1918.

A joint orchestra from the Royal Northern College of Music (RNCM) and the Conservatoire National Supérieur de Musique et de Danse de Paris (CNSMDP) perform works by three great European masters – Debussy, Elgar and Wagner – conducted by Markus Stenz.

This concert forms part of Paris-Manchester 1918, a partnership project between the RNCM and the CNSMDP that combines performance and research to shed light on the musical life of Paris and Manchester during the First World War.

SATURDAY 3 MARCH, 7.30PM

Imperial College Symphony Orchestra

Mozart Overture to The Marriage of Figaro Walton Cello Concerto Prokofiev Symphony No. 5

Laura van der Heijden cello Richard Dickins conductor

Imperial College Symphony Orchestra, rightly recognised as one of the finest University orchestras in the UK, makes a welcome return to Cadogan Hall with a programme that features Prokofiev’s Symphony No. 5 which the composer himself described as “a symphony of the greatness of the human spirit, a song of praise of free and happy mankind”.

In the first half of the concert, they are joined by distinguished cellist Laura van der Heijden for a performance of Walton’s Cello Concerto – the piece that shot her to fame when she won BBC Young Musician in 2012.

Tickets: £40 (premium seats) £32, £27, £18

Tickets: £20, £17, £12 Students: £5 off all tickets

SUNDAY 4 MARCH, 3.00PM

Royal Philharmonic Orchestra

Myths and Fairytales III

Humperdinck Overture to Hansel & Gretel Wagner Wesendonck Lieder Grieg Peer Gynt – excerpts

Alexander Shelley conductor Madeleine Shaw mezzo-soprano

This ethereal concert explores the nostalgic sound-worlds of Humperdinck, Wagner and Grieg. Humperdinck’s stirring opening Overture is where the magical story begins, leading into Wagner’s delightful Wesendonck Lieder, performed here by exceptional mezzosoprano Madeleine Shaw. This atmospheric programme concludes with excerpts from Grieg’s ever-popular and lyrical Peer Gynt.

Enjoy a new live listening experience. If you would like real-time insights about the music delivered straight to your smartphone, download the free app EnCue by Octava and book EnCue tickets at a special discounted price. For more information, please visit www.rpo.co.uk/whats-on/myths-and-fairytales, or contact Cadogan Hall Box Office.

SATURDAY 10 MARCH, 7.30PM

Thames Philharmonic Choir

Mozart Requiem Bernstein Chichester Psalms Barber Adagio for Strings

Katherine Crompton soprano Theo Golden countertenor Adam Tunnicliffe tenor Edward Grint bass John Bate conductor

Leonard Bernstein’s impressive choral masterpiece, the Chichester Psalms, here celebrates his centenary; pianist, conductor and composer, in jazz, classical and musical theatre (West Side Story), he was a giant of 20th-century American music.

The first half of the programme is completed by the heart-achingly beautiful Adagio for Strings by his compatriot Samuel Barber; originally the slow movement of a string quartet, it was frequently played by Toscanini as an encore.

Mozart’s Requiem needs little introduction; mysteriously commissioned, and left unfinished at his death, it is one of the most popular of all choral-orchestral works, containing page after page of his finest music.

Tickets: £40, £32.50, £25, £15

ENCORE Members: £5 off top 3 prices tickets Series discounts available ENCUE tickets available online

Tickets: £28, £25, £18, £12 ENCORE Members: £5 off top 2 price tickets

MONDAY 12 MARCH, 7.30PM

John Lewis Partnership Music Society

The John Lewis Partnership Music Society presents a concert to mark the centenary of the end of the First World War.

Jenkins The Armed Man: A Mass for Peace

The John Lewis Partnership Music Society perform an orchestral first half by Elgar, followed by one of Jenkins' most popular works The Armed Man – a poignant piece in light of this year’s WW1 centenary.

Voices in Partnership and The Cavendish Ensemble directed by Manvinder Rattan.

TUESDAY 13 MARCH, 7.30PM

Royal Philharmonic Orchestra

Dimitry Masleev performs Shostakovich

Weber Euryanthe Overture Martucci Notturno Shostakovich Piano Concerto No. 2 Tchaikovsky Symphony No. 6 (Pathétique)

Christoph König conductor Dmitry Masleev piano

This concert opens with the charming Overture to Weber’s opera Euryanthe, a work which paved the way for Wagner’s operatic innovations. This is followed by Martucci’s lush and pensive Notturno.

The Orchestra is then joined by Dmitry Masleev for Shostakovich’s energetic Piano Concerto No. 2, before the evening is drawn to a close by Tchaikovsky’s monumental Symphony No. 6, known as the Pathétique Symphony. The Symphony bursts with passion; Tchaikovsky himself described the piece many times in his letters as the best thing he had ever composed.

WEDNESDAY 14 MARCH, 7.30PM

Wimbledon High School London Concert

Sibelius Karelia Suite – Intermezzo Beethoven Symphony No. 7 – Allegretto Copland Rodeo – Hoe Down Grieg Holberg Suite – excerpts Ravel Pavane pour une infante défunte Marquez Danzón No. 2 Jenkins Adiemus II – Cantata Mundi

WHS Symphony Orchestra Baroque Ensemble Canto A Cappella Clare Kennington Director (Baroque Ensemble) John Parsons Director (Canto) Richard Bristow Director of Music

The musicians of Wimbledon High School return to Cadogan Hall for their annual London Concert. Featuring performances by the WHS Symphony Orchestra, Baroque Ensemble, Canto and A Cappella, the concert is the musical highlight of the academic year and should not be missed.

THURSDAY 15 MARCH, 7.30PM

Classical Opera and The Mozartists

Haydn: Applausus

Ellie Laugharne Temperantia Elspeth Marrow Prudentia Thomas Elwin Justitia John Savournin Fortitudo David Shipley Theologia

The Mozartists Ian Page conductor

Ian Page and The Mozartists continue MOZART 250, their ground-breaking chronological journey through Mozart’s life, works and influences with a rare performance of Haydn’s fascinating and unjustly neglected Applausus cantata. This work has been largely forgotten, but the music is revelatory, ranging from the Sturm und Drang dynamism of its two bass arias to two exquisite tenor concertante arias featuring extended solos for harpsichord and violin respectively.

“You can count on Page to come up with startlingly good young singers.” (The Times)

6.15pm-6.45pm: Free pre-concert talk, where Ian Page provides an overview of Applausus and its historical context.

Tickets: £18, £16, £14, £6

Students: £2 off ENCORE Members: £2 off all tickets

Tickets: £55 (premium seats), £50, £42, £36, £28, £18

FRIDAY 16 MARCH, 7.30PM

SWR Symphony Orchestra Stuttgart with Francesco Piemontesi, piano

Part of Zurich International Orchestra Series 2017-18

Beethoven The Creatures of Prometheus Overture Beethoven Piano Concerto No. 3 Beethoven Symphony No. 3 (Eroica)

Sir Roger Norrington conductor Francesco Piemontesi piano

Sir Roger Norrington, fêted for his historically informed performances of Beethoven, was Chief Conductor with the Stuttgart Radio Orchestra for 13 years. He continues to shape the music world with his inquisitive, provocative approach and joins the orchestra tonight as Conductor Emeritus.

Swiss pianist Francesco Piemontesi has been widely praised for his ‘playful, assertive, intelligent music making, with bone-china clarity’ (The Times). He performs Beethoven’s Third Piano Concerto.

Beethoven’s Symphony No. 3 conducted by Sir Roger Norrington promises to be an outstanding highlight of this year’s concert series.

SUNDAY 18 MARCH, 7.00PM

Ealing Choral Society

Beethoven: Missa Solemnis

Ealing Choral Society Sinfonia Britannica Marie Arnet soprano Samantha Price mezzo-soprano James Way tenor Ashley Riches bass Dr Jonathan Williams conductor

The Missa Solemnis in D Major, Op. 123 is a solemn mass composed by Ludwig van Beethoven from 1819 to 1823, around the same time as his Ninth Symphony. It was first performed on 7 April 1824 in St Petersburg, Russia, under the auspices of Beethoven’s patron Prince Nikolai Galitzin. It is considered one of the composer’s supreme achievements and one of the most significant Mass settings of the period. While it is not Beethoven’s first religious work, it is generally regarded as the one in which he expressed himself most fully.

The challenging nature of this dramatic work – for orchestra, choir and soloists – means that it can be less frequently performed than other works. Enjoy this rare opportunity to experience a true masterpiece.

Tickets: £45 (premium seats), £42, £35, £28, £22, £18

Series discounts available ENCORE Members: premium seats for £42, £42 seats for £35

Tickets: £24, £17, £10 ENCORE Members: 10% off all tickets

MONDAY 19 MARCH, 7.30PM

The Purcell School Symphony Orchestra

Wagner Overture to Die Meistersinger Hindemith Symphonic Metamorphosis Brahms Piano Concerto No. 2

Moritz Gnann conductor Thomas Kelly piano

The young musicians of The Purcell School Symphony Orchestra perform under the baton of Moritz Gnann. Gnann is starting his third season as Assistant Conductor at the Boston Symphony Orchestra, prior to this he was Kappellmeister at Deutsche Oper Berlin.

Pianist Thomas Kelly is an alumnus of The Purcell School, and is currently studying at the Royal College of Music. The Purcell School is the UK’s oldest specialist music school; alumni include Oliver Knussen CBE, Catrin Finch and BBC Young Musician of the Year winners, Nicholas Daniel, Lara Melda, Martin James Bartlett, and Alexandra Ridout (Jazz Award).

Photograph © Simon Pauly

WEDNESDAY 21 MARCH, 7.30PM

Choir of King’s College, Cambridge

Part of Choral at Cadogan 2017-18

Palestrina Stabat Mater Tallis Lamentations of Jeremiah I Poulenc Lenten motets Lassus Stabat Mater Tallis Lamentations of Jeremiah II Brahms Warum ist das Licht gegeben? Brahms Schaffe in mir, Gott

Stephen Cleobury director of music

The events of Lent and Holy Week have inspired composers over the centuries to write some of their most profound music.

Here, two great settings of the poem Stabat Mater, which describes Jesus’ mother standing at the foot of the Cross on the first Good Friday, are coupled with Tallis’ dramatic interpretation of sombre words from the Lamentations of Jeremiah.

Two motets, with apposite texts by Brahms and Poulenc’s sequence of four penitential motets complete the programme.

Tickets: £20, £17.50, £15, £12.50

Students & Under 18s: £5 off top price tickets ENCORE Members: £5 off top price tickets

Tickets: £31, £27, £23, £19

Series discounts available ENCORE Members: pay £27 for top price tickets

THURSDAY 22 MARCH, 6.00PM

Beth Nielsen Chapman

With very special guest Robert Vincent

From writing hits for other artists to recording her own, twice Grammy-nominated Beth Nielsen Chapman, the Nashville-based singer-songwriter has truly embraced musical diversity and takes to the stage this March at Cadogan Hall for one night only.

A breast cancer survivor, environmental activist, teacher of workshops and lecturer on the magic of creativity, she’s penned numerous hits and written songs for many top artists including Bonnie Raitt, Emmylou Harris, Bette Midler, Elton John, and more.

Beth will be promoting her new album Hearts of Glass, out on Feb 9th through Proper Records. It includes co-writes with Graham Gouldman, who she met at Chris Diffords UK Songwriting workshops.

Americana.co.uk said it is an "effortlessly cohesive album" and Unionmusicstore.com says it’s "a powerful collection of songs".

6pm: Venue doors 7.30pm: Robert Vincent 8.40pm: Beth Nielsen Chapman

FRIDAY 23 MARCH, 7.30PM

Goldsmiths Choral Union

Bach: St John Passion

Nick Pritchard Evangelist Lukas Kargl Christus Alice Gribbin soprano Benjamin Williamson countertenor Peter Harris tenor Nicholas Mogg bass Brian Wright conductor Musicians of London

Starkly dramatic, Bach’s great St John Passion is presented by one of London’s finest amateur choirs, Goldsmiths Choral Union. Sung in German, and with a superb group of soloists led by the renowned tenor Nick Pritchard as the Evangelist storyteller and the Austrian baritone Lukas Kargl as Christ, the performance features the authentic sounds of period instrumentalists, Musicians of London.

Tickets: £34.50, £29.50, £22.50Tickets: £30, £25, £20

SATURDAY 24 MARCH, 7.30PM

Kingston Choral Society

Bach: Mass in B minor

Kingston Choral Society The Purcell Orchestra Anna Devin soprano Katie Bray alto Nick Pritchard tenor Dingle Yandell bass Andrew Griffiths conductor

Kingston Choral Society is thrilled to return to Cadogan Hall, alongside a superb quartet of soloists and the period instruments of The Purcell Orchestra, to perform perhaps the greatest piece of choral music ever written: J.S. Bach’s mighty Mass in B minor. Intended as compendium of everything that Bach had achieved in his lifetime, it contains music of every kind: majestic, overwhelming choruses, magnificent fugues, and arias of heart-rending beauty.

THURSDAY 29 MARCH, 7.30PM

English Chamber Orchestra with Christian Zacharias

Mozart Piano Concerto No. 25 in C major, K. 503 Mozart Ch’io mi scordi di te, K. 505 Mozart Symphony No. 38 in D major, K. 504 (Prague) Mozart Parto, Parto from opera La Clemenza di Tito K.621

English Chamber Orchestra Christian Zacharias piano/conductor Renata Pokupic soprano

Amadeus means “beloved by God” and for over two centuries, musicians and listeners alike have agreed that there’s only one way to describe the genius of Mozart: simply divine. The German master-pianist Christian Zacharias has devoted a lifetime to the music of Mozart, and today he directs the ECO in both the majestic Prague Symphony and some of Mozart’s brilliant concert arias – music that Mozart said should fit a singer’s voice “like a well-tailored suit”. First, though, he stars as both soloist and director in Mozart’s 25th Piano Concerto exactly as the composer himself would have done, back in 1786.

Tickets: £30, £22, £15

Concessions (Students & Over 60s) & ENCORE Members: £4 off top 2 price tickets, £2 off bottom price tickets

Tickets: £45, £35, £25, £10

ENCORE Members: £5 off top price tickets Book two or more ECO concerts and receive 20% off