Leeds International Chamber Season 2018/19
Tuesdays at 7.30pm
The Venue Quarry Hill, Leeds
Leeds International Chamber Season 2018/19
What a great pleasure and privilege to have the opportunity to programme a series of concerts around the music of Schubert. For me, Schubert’s chamber music conveys a range of emotion equalled only by Beethoven. Like Beethoven, there is often a feeling of great intimacy and tenderness, giving you the sense that he is confiding in you – in you only. His final Piano Sonata in B flat from December’s programme seems almost like a secret diary – perhaps not even intended for reading. To programme all the works on my wish list I’d need another six concerts at least! But I’m thrilled with how the series has turned out – and indebted to my wonderful friends and colleagues who have kindly agreed to be part of it. The programmes also include music which either relates to, or simply compliments the works by Schubert. To kick off the series we have a programme with two of the most famous and beloved chamber music masterpieces: Mozart’s
Clarinet Quintet and Schubert’s Octet. We will be treated to a feast of song with Lieder by Schubert, Schumann and Spohr as well as duos and trios by Schubert and Mendelssohn, and Strauss for piano and strings. And finally, I can’t wait to give you a taste of the piano music of Voříšek, a close friend of Schubert’s. I hope that there will be something in the series for everybody, and that the performances will resonate with you for a long time to come. Sam Haywood Artistic Director
Tue 9 October 2018
Tue 13 November 2018
Tue 11 December 2018
Chiaroscuro Quartet
Jack Liebeck violin Guy Johnston cello Sam Haywood piano
Ailish Tynan soprano Katherine Spencer
Alina Ibragimova violin Pablo Hernán Benedi violin Emilie Hörnlund viola Claire Thirion cello with Katherine Spencer clarinet Peter Whelan bassoon Richard Bayliss horn Luis Cabrera double bass Mozart Clarinet Quintet Schubert Octet The season opens with a concert featuring Schubert’s masterpiece of the chamber repertoire, his Octet of 1824. Schubert’s piece was strongly influenced by Beethoven’s Septet of 1799, not least in the number of movements, six in both works, and the arrangement of keys. The Octet was commissioned by Ferdinand Troyer, a renowned amateur clarinettist, and as a result there is particularly beautiful and prominent writing for the clarinet. “Katherine Spencer is simply the best clarinettist performing today, in my opinion, and we are incredibly lucky that she has agreed to perform two of the greatest chamber music masterpieces for us – a rare treat to hear them both together in one concert. I felt that the fabulous Chiaroscuro Quartet would complement her pure, warm sound and effortless music-making. She will be using clarinets from the period and the quartet will play on gut strings with historical bows. They particularly requested that I invite Peter, Chris and Luis to join them for the Octet. I am delighted that they were all able to come.” SH
Schubert Arpeggione Sonata Schubert Sonatina in A minor Mendelssohn Piano Trio No 1 Schubert Notturno Opening this concert featuring different combinations of violin, cello, and piano is Schubert’s Arpeggione Sonata. It was originally written for the arpeggione, an enlarged guitar-like six stringed instrument developed in Vienna around 1823. It was bowed and played vertically like the cello. The instrument itself was short lived but the beautifully lyrical sonata itself survives, most commonly heard in transcriptions for viola or, as in this concert, the cello. “In this programme, two of the country’s most distinguished string players will join me to perform a Schubert duo each, followed by two trios. The first trio was composed by another great melodist, Felix Mendelssohn. I’ve always loved the drama of the outer two movements, the heart-breaking tenderness of the Andante, and the playful scherzo reminiscent of A Midsummer Night’s Dream. The programme will end, unusually, with a gentle nocturne by our hero, Schubert. It is the kind of sublime music which is, in my opinion, impossible to follow.” SH
clarinet
Sam Haywood piano Schumann Liederkreis Op 39 Schumann Fantasiestücke Op 73 Spohr Three Songs from Six German Songs Op 103 Schubert: Gretchen at the Spinning Wheel Laughter and Weeping Ave Maria The young Nun The Trout Night and Dreams To Music The Shepherd on the Rock No series focussing on the music of Schubert would be complete without a concert exploring the catalogue of the Master of Song. Through the composition of his more than 600 Lieder, Schubert developed the form in terms of dramatic content, harmonic innovation and pictorial description. As Dvořák said: “Schubert created a new epoch with the Lied... All other songwriters have followed in his footsteps.” “We can look forward to a veritable feast of song with the wonderful Irish soprano Ailish Tynan. Ailish has chosen some of Schubert’s most famous Lieder, alongside a cycle by the other great Romantic Lied composer, Robert Schumann. She will be joined by Katherine Spencer for the beautiful song of Schubert’s Shepherd on the Rock and some rarities for the same ensemble by Schubert’s contemporary Louis Spohr. SH
Tue 8 January 2019
Tue 19 February 2019
Tue 19 March 2019
Sam Haywood piano
Elias Quartet
Schubert Sonata in B flat, D960 Schubert Impromptus, D899, Nos 3 & 4 Voříšek Two Impromptus Op 7, Nos 4 & 6 Chopin Impromptus Nos 1 & 4
Sara Bitlloch violin Donald Grant violin Martin Saving viola Marie Bitlloch cello with Chi-Chi Nwanoku double bass Sam Haywood piano
Rainer Honeck violin Sam Haywood piano
An Impromptu is a piece usually written for a solo instrument, in a free form style, giving the impression of improvisation, capturing the spirit of the moment. The spur-of-themoment nature of the style, free from the constraints of Classical form, appealed to the nature of Romantic composers including Chopin, Schumann, Liszt, and Sibelius, who took up the idea from Voříšek and Schubert’s initial works. “For my solo recital I have chosen Schubert’s final piano sonata, written at the age of 31 – the last year of his life. It’s a work of great intimacy, almost like a private diary. Any attempt to describe it in words would fall so far short of what the music is able to convey. The Czech composer Voříšek was a friend of Schubert’s and wrote the very first Impromptus for piano. They are such wonderful pieces and hardly ever heard. Conversely, Schubert and Chopin’s takes on the genre have become standards of the repertoire.” SH
Schubert String Quartet No 13 (Rosamunde) Schubert String Quintet (The Trout) The quartet known as the Rosamunde is one of Schubert’s later quartets, written in 1824. The development of his quartet writing is much in evidence here; the music for each member of the quartet is equally important and characterful. In the early quartets, most of the important melodic interest had been given to the first violin. The later quartets also have a greater structural integrity with themes. Harmonies and textures recur throughout the four movements, tying the whole work together. Both the Rosamunde and Schubert’s Trout Quintet feature examples of Schubert using references from his song catalogue in other areas of his work. “What an incredible team will be joining me for this concert! Watch out, the Elias Quartet can reduce you to tears if you’re not careful, as I can testify from their stunning performances at our Solent Music Festival. The double bass player and broadcaster Chi-Chi Nwanoku needs no introduction. The first time I heard Chi-Chi was at the Royal Festival Hall with the Orchestra of the Age of Enlightenment. It was as if she was the engine of the orchestra – such incredible rhythm and energy. She now has her own ensemble: Chineke Orchestra.” SH
Mozart Violin Sonata K454 Strauss Violin Sonata Schubert Fantasy in C major The final recital of the series is a celebration of the incredibly rich musical output of Vienna. Home to Mozart, Beethoven, Schubert and so many more great composers, it is the birth place of some of the finest chamber, orchestral and operatic music of the Western Classical tradition. “We finish with a tribute to Vienna, where Schubert lived and died. I spent some of the happiest years of my life studying in this magical, musical city. I later met and performed with the leader of the great Vienna Philharmonic Orchestra, Rainer Honeck. Given the orchestra’s schedule, I couldn’t believe that he was free to perform in this series. Mozart also lived and died in Vienna. I find his Sonata for Piano and Violin in B flat highly operatic in character. Richard Strauss’s Violin Sonata, on the other hand, has an orchestral feel – reminiscent of his tone poems. Strauss was Musical Director of the Vienna State Opera for a time and lived for part of World War II in the city. Schubert’s epic Fantasy in C major is a fitting way to finish the series. It includes variations on the theme of one of his most beautiful songs and finishes with a rousing march.” SH
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There is a lift at the front of the building to The Venue and disabled toilets in the foyer area. Patrons with disabilities and their essential carers may obtain two tickets for the price of one – via the LICS Essential Carer Scheme – details from the Box Office 0113 376 0318. Support dogs are welcome. Please let us know when booking of any special access requirements you may have.
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The Venue
The Venue is equipped with an infra-red system for the hard of hearing.
Quarry Hill, Leeds, LS2 7PD There is a designated disabled car park beside Leeds College of Music which has spaces for at least ten cars.
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Ticket prices and booking information Ticket prices
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£10.50
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Leeds Town Hall, The Headrow, Leeds, LS1 3AD Email: boxoffice@leeds.gov.uk 10am – 6pm, Monday to Saturday. Cheques should be made payable to Leeds City Council. Please enclose a stamped addressed envelope if you would like your tickets sent to you. Whilst every effort is made to avoid changes, we reserve the right to change artists and programmes without notice if unavoidable. Designed and produced by: Design It: studio@designit-uk.com Printed by: LCC Print Management Printed on paper sourced from sustainable forests
Booking dates 16 – 27 July: For existing chamber subscribers retaining seats Please note: this is a separate subscription from the Endellion String Quartet series.
Requests for seat changes by existing subscribers will be processed on a first-come-first-served basis from 30 July – 3 August and can be returned to the Box Office any time from 16 July. 6 August: For new subscribers 18 August: General booking Subscription renewals may be made by phone, post, or in person. New subscriptions may also be booked online from 6 August.
Talk to us! If you have any questions or comments about Leeds International Concert Season, please call us on 0113 378 6600 or email us at music@leeds.gov.uk. For more information on the music and performers visit www.leedsconcertseason.co.uk @LeedsConcerts Leeds International Concert Season