News from Liverpool Philharmonic Spring 2019
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Encore Edited by Jayne Garrity Head of Communications Designed by Paul Kelly Commissioned photography Mark McNulty Front cover image In Harmony Liverpool 10th Birthday Concert conducted by Rod Skipp with In Harmony Artist in Residence Pacho Flores trumpet
Principal Funders
Thanks to the City of Liverpool for its financial support
Principal Partners
In Harmony Liverpool 10th Birthday Weekend Special celebrations from 9-11 March this year, marked In Harmony Liverpool’s milestone 10th Birthday. Four concerts over three days showcased the Royal Liverpool Philharmonic Orchestra, Liverpool Philharmonic Youth Orchestra, young In Harmony musicians of Everton Junior Philharmonic and Resonate Youth Philharmonic in their performance with the Orchestra of In Harmony North of England, and the 10th Birthday Concert which featured Everton Children’s Orchestra and Choir, Everton String Orchestra, and Anfield Children’s Choir, with musicians from the Royal Liverpool Philharmonic Orchestra. We were delighted to be joined in our celebrations by our Young Artist in Residence, cellist Sheku Kanneh-Mason, In Harmony Liverpool Artist in Residence, Venezuelan trumpet player Pacho Flores, and guest conductor Holly Mathieson.
Media Partner
Sheku Kanneh-Mason cello
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Phoebe Lafferty
These fantastic guest artists along with 504 young musicians performed to a total audience of 4380 at Liverpool Philharmonic Hall over the 10th Birthday Weekend. With the support our long-standing media partner Classic FM, the live stream of the 10th Birthday Concert reached 90,000 people from around the world. The In Harmony Liverpool Chamber Stars ensemble, featuring eight In Harmony young musicians and three professional Liverpool Philharmonic musicians, performed at an informal thank you reception at Liverpool Philharmonic at the Friary for local community leaders; at the 10th Birthday Concert post-concert reception for invited guests and at a special House of Commons reception on 18 March, sponsored by Dan Carden MP and attended by over 100 invited guests, including the Rt Hon Nick Gibb MP, Schools Standards Minister and Royal Liverpool Philharmonic Orchestra Chief Conductor, Vasily Petrenko.
Pacho Flores trumpet
18-year-old Phoebe Lafferty, who was part of In Harmony Liverpool from the very beginning in 2009 when she was a nine-year-old at Faith Primary School and is now studying at LJMU, spoke passionately about what music had given to her: ‘Through the time I played I learned many life skills and had so many life changing opportunities I’m so very grateful for and will cherish for the rest of my life. ‘Many people overlook young people like us from our areas however we are more than capable of achieving amazing things especially when we have things like In Harmony Liverpool in our lives.’
In Harmony Liverpool Chamber stars with the Rt Hon Nick Gibb MP and Chief Conductor, Vasily Petrenko
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Welcome to …. All Saints Catholic Primary School and Anfield Children’s Centre into our In Harmony Liverpool programme. All Saints joins Faith Primary School, where Liverpool Philharmonic established In Liverpool Harmony in 2009 working with 84 children; Everton Nursery School and Family Centre, and The Beacon Church of England Primary School. This new partnership adds 600 children aged 0-11 years and their families to the programme taking In Harmony Liverpool’s weekly reach to 1502 children . In Harmony is now thriving in Everton and Anfield. Since 2009, the project has enabled over 2,000 children, young people and their families to take part in orchestral music-making with free instruments, and performing in children’s orchestras in and out of school.
Above: Dan Carden MP, Labour MP for Liverpool Walton with children from All Saints Catholic Primary School, Headteacher Jeremy Barnes and In Harmony Artistic Director, Rod Skipp. All Saints is the fourth school in the MP’s constituency to join the In Harmony Liverpool programme in North Liverpool.
Thank you…. Love Music: In Harmony Liverpool We’re grateful to our donors and audiences for their generous support of our In Harmony Liverpool fundraising campaign. We have raised an incredible £139,000 so far, which together with matched funding, has meant that we have been able to invest an additional £189,000 in to the programme which has enabled us to expand In Harmony Liverpool into Anfield. On behalf of our participating children, families and schools in North Liverpool – our thanks again for such wonderful support, which is vital to the continuation of this life-changing project.
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Award Success In Harmony Liverpool A great start to our birthday celebrations, In Harmony Liverpool was awarded ‘Outstanding Classical Music Education Initiative’ in the National Music Teacher Awards 2019. Winners were announced in March at the Awards Ceremony in London. The commitment and longevity of the project from its founding on 9 March 2009, was specifically cited in the announcement of the award, as was the profound impact the programme has had and is having on the lives of young people who would not otherwise have an opportunity to make music. Top: The In Harmony Liverpool music leaders team Bottom, left to right: In Harmony team members Zoë Armfield, Carolyn Yates, Emily Vanlint, Sally-Anne Anderson, Eve Harrison and Rod Skipp accept their award.
Liverpool City Region Tourism Awards 2019 Hosted in the magnificent Liverpool Cathedral, the Liverpool City Region Tourism Awards 2019 celebrate the best of Liverpool City Region’s Visitor Economy. Liverpool Philharmonic Hall and Music Room were awarded ‘Entertainment Venue of the Year’. Thank you to all our colleagues, resident and visiting artists, audiences, funders and supporters who have played their part in us winning this prestigious award.
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100th Anniversary of the Armistice Benjamin Britten’s War Requiem Our Principal Guest Conductor, Andrew Manze united hundreds of musicians and choristers from Liverpool and Hannover, both UNESCO Cities of Music, in two performances of Britten’s masterpiece, War Requiem. The performance in Liverpool Cathedral the day before Remembrance Sunday in November was preceded the week before by a performance in Hannover’s Kuppelsaal. Both were attended by a civic delegation from the city led by Lord Mayor of Liverpool, Cllr Christine Banks and were the centre-piece of Liverpool Philharmonic’s participation in a number of events as part of the city’s 2018 Brittle Heart season, commemorating the 100th anniversary of the end of World War One. ‘For me, uniting these great musical forces from Britain and Germany has profound symbolism as once hostile countries rehearsing and performing Britten’s landmark War Requiem
together in two UNESCO Cities of Music. War Requiem resonates as powerfully as ever as a sign of reconciliation, bringing us together to hear great music that moves us and challenges us to think of the impacts of our actions at a time of remembrance.’ Andrew Manze Principal Guest Conductor The Hannover performance was live-streamed in partnership with Germany’s national television broadcast channel, NDR.
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‘Beyond the many symbolic or historical parallels you might draw, is the figure of Andrew Manze. The long silence, hanging heavy in the air at the end, roared agreement. This work may be flawed, but its ability to communicate is masterly.’ HHHH
Internationally-famous Liverpool poet Roger McGough remembered the War Poets, reading the poetry of Siegfried Sassoon, Robert Graves and Wilfred Owen with music by Ravel and his wartime contemporaries played by pianist Ian Buckle as part of our Chamber Music Series at St. George’s Hall Concert Room.
Other concerts and events as part of our participation in the Armistice commemorations included: The 19-year-old British cellist Sheku KannehMason in his first concert as our ‘Young Artist in Residence’, brought all his passion and poetry to Edward Elgar’s Cello Concerto, written in the aftermath of World War One for a world changed beyond recognition. This concert also included Willie Stock, written by our Composer in Association, Gary Carpenter as a musical memorial to an uncle who fell at the Somme.
Young composers associated with Liverpool Philharmonic wrote new commissions which were performed by members of Liverpool Philharmonic Youth Company as part of an evening of music and poetry remembering the life and work of Wilfred Owen and his comrades from Birkenhead at a concert at Christ Church, Birkenhead (the church attended by Wilfred Owen as child). Grace-Evangeline Mason (Christopher Brooks Prize Winner 2017) As Bronze Richard Miller (Christopher Brooks Prize Winner 2016) Different Skies (I saw his round mouth’s crimson) Joshua Quinlan (Rushworth Young Composer 2016-18) Futility Armand Rabot (Rushworth Young Composer 2017-2019) 1914 This event was organised by Frank Field, Independent MP for Birkenhead, and renowned actress, Dame Patricia Routledge, who was born in Birkenhead.
Bachtrack ‘…for a very young man to tackle such a piece (Elgar’s Cello Concerto) one cannot fail to admire his confidence, his command of the stage and his formidable virtuosity.’ HHHH
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Artists in Residence Mahan Esfahani harpsichord In March, we welcomed award-winning IranianAmerican harpsichordist Mahan Esfahani to Liverpool. His residency included recitals, well as a special performance with Ensemble 10/10 which featured the world premiere of a new Concerto for Harpsichord, written by our Composer in Association , Gary Carpenter. He joined the Royal Liverpool Philharmonic Orchestra in two concerts in which he performed Elena Kats-Chernin’s Ancient Letters, concerto for amplified harpsichord and orchestra, JC Bach’s Harpsichord Concerto in E Flat, and Poulenc’s Concert Champetre for harpsichord and orchestra, conducted by Mihhail Gerts.
‘Harpsichordist Mahan Esfahani champions the ‘English Bach’ All the more reason to head to Liverpool to hear the harpsichordist in the last concert of an inspired residency perform JC Bach’s Concerto in E flat, Op 7 No 5. The RLPO entered into the spirit, as did the young Estonian conductor Mihhail Gerts, standing in at short notice for an indisposed Elim Chan. He mastered this tricky concert with precision and flair.’
Anderson and Roe piano duo The talented and dynamic Anderson and Roe brought their original music arrangements to their residency at the start of the 2019-2020 season. It included a performance of Mozart’s Concerto for Two Pianos with the Orchestra; their own arrangements of popular classics in their recital at St George’s Hall Concert Room and a two special ‘Close Up’ concerts in Music Room.
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Ensemble 10/10: 21st Birthday ‘The Royal Liverpool Philharmonic Orchestra’s avant-garde flying squad’
The Orchestra’s new music group, which has been championing new music through commissions and concerts since 1998, turned 21 in October 2018 in the same year that Estonia celebrated 100 years of Independence. Their birthday concert at St. George’s Hall Concert Room featured three pieces by Estonia’s greatest musical export, Arvo Pärt alongside works by fellow Estonian’s Erkki-Sven Tüür and Lepo Sumera. It also included two world premieres, Stephen Davismoon’s Beyond Twighlight; and On Weighless Wings, written by our third Christopher Brooks Composition Winner, Grace-Evangeline Mason.
Left to right: Chief Conductor, Vasily Petrenko with Grace-Evangeline Mason and members of Ensemble 10/10
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New Partnership with ‘The Leeds’ The Orchestra’s first concert of the 2018-2019 season launched a new partnership with Leeds International Piano Competition, known as ‘The Leeds’, rebooted under new artistic directors, Liverpool-born pianist Paul Lewis CBE and Adam Gatehouse. 20-year-old US pianist Eric Lu won the 19th competition with his rendition of Beethoven’s Fourth Piano Concert and just five days later made his professional debut performing the same work at the Orchestra’s season opening under the baton of Vasily Petrenko.
‘We want to redefine what a music competition can give to young performers as well as audiences,’ says Paul Lewis, who stresses that ‘The Leeds’ aims to nurture its winners in the long term to help them develop lasting careers.
‘The Leeds’ second and third prizewinners, Germany’s Mario Häring and Xinyuan Wang from China both gave recitals in Music Room.
New Music As part of our commitment to new music, the Orchestra and Vasily Petrenko gave the world premiere of Argentian composer Claudia Montero’s Vientos del sur (Winds of the South): Concerto for Piano Accordion and Orchestra, with Latvian accordion virtuoso, Ksenija Sidorova, returning to Liverpool following her debut at our 2016 Christmas Concerts.
‘Performed by the charming Ksenija Sidorova, her effervescent style and phrasing proved a perfect fit for Montero’s dramatic and colourful – and deeply melodic - concerto, with its distinct flavour of a late-night Buenos Aires milonga mixed with the feel of a theme to a suave 1960s spy series. Enchanting and evocative stuff.’ HHHH
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Access for All Liverpool Philharmonic holds Gold status, awarded by ‘Attititude is Everything’ and is one of only nine venues nationally to have achieved this highest standard. ‘Attitude is Everything’ aims to improve access to live music at venues and festivals for deaf and disabled people. In order order to maintain Gold status, Liverpool Philharmonic continutes to implement additional improvements to our facilities and working practices. These have included the introduction in 2017 of an Access Scheme to enable us to provide a better service for our customers with mobility issues, disabililities or other access needs during their visit to the Hall and Music Room. Joining our FREE Access Scheme is the best way for customers to help Liverpool
Philharmonic to provide the appropriate support they need to make sure their visit is an enjoyable one. The ticket booking process a smoother one and members of the scheme can obtain refunds on tickets if they are are unable to attend an event due to illness. Between 2017-2018, 1998 customers joined the Access Scheme and by the end of March this year, numbers had grown to 3184 customers who are taking advantage of the benefits the scheme offers. It is quick and easy to register for the scheme by visiting liverpoolphil.com/access Or request a registration form by emailing access@liverpool
Our Environmental Sustainability Liverpool Philharmonic continues to make positive steps forward to raise awareness amongst our colleagues, visitors and the wider public of our environmental impact and the things we can do to reduce it. Building on the efficiencies created by our Building Management System installed as part of the 2014 refurbishment of our venue including low energy LED lighting, and reductions in utilities usage such as electricity, water and waste management, we have since installed a vehicle (EV) charging point on our Caledonia Street Car Park, and implemented a ‘Bike to Work’ scheme. We are ensuring that all our suppliers have strong sustainability
credentials across all areas of our business, from the papers and inks we use on printed materials to containers and packaging for consumable goods in the both public and backstage areas of the Hall.
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Sirens – Spotlight on Music by Three of France’s Finest Historical Female Musical Voices As one of the first recipients of a generous gift from the Association of British Orchestra’s new Sirens fund for projects to raise the awareness and appreciation of historic women composers from around the world, earlier this year Jessica Cottis made her debut conducting the Royal Liverpool Philharmonic Orchestra in two concerts of all-French music including works written in the nineteenth century by Paris-based female composers, Lili Boulanger (1893-1918), Germaine Tailleferre (1892-1983) and Cécile Chaminade (1857-1944).
Cécile Chaminade
‘I’m thrilled to be bringing all these pieces to life, sharing with our audiences a chance to get to know and connect with these extraordinary composers. Thanks to the ABO for their visionary work in raising awareness and appreciation of the music written by historical women from around the world.’ Jessica Cottis Liverpool Philharmonic’s Sirens project also included adult learning events and work with the Liverpool Philharmonic Youth Company, including a talk with Cottis and Alexandra Dariescu and a conducting workshop. These two concerts form part a strong roster of female composers past and present in the Royal Liverpool Philharmonic Orchestra’s 2018-2019 concert season including Claudia Montero, Grace-Evangeline Mason, and Jennifer Higdon and Sofia Gubaidulina; and, as well as Jessica Cottis, female conductors Anu Tali, Elim Chan, Nathalie Stutzmann and Holly Mathieson. Top to bottom Lili Boulange, Germaine Tailleferre
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New Board Members Vanessa Bakewell, Global Client Partner with Facebook, and Liverpool solicitor Angela Bellingham have been appointed to the Board of Directors of the Royal Liverpool Philharmonic. They will contribute to a dynamic team of directors, led by Chairman, Professor Nigel Weatherill, that continue to drive Liverpool Philharmonic’s vision to be a world-class music performance and learning organisation, promoting the love of music-making.
Left to right: Vanessa Bakewell and Angela Bellingham
Congratulations to… Board member, Vanessa Reed who has been appointed President and CEO of New Music USA following 11 successful years as CEO of PRS Foundation, the UK’s leading funder of new music and talent development. Vanessa was appointed to our Board of Directors in November 2016 and has made an exceptional contribution as a passionate advocate and music industry leader to our successes and achievements. Amongst many accolades and awards, Vanessa was recognized as No.3 on BBC Woman’s Hour Music Power List 2018 after Beyoncé and Taylor Swift. As she steps down from the Board in June, we offer our grateful thanks to Vanessa for all her work on our behalf and offer her our best wishes as she takes up her exciting new role based in New York City.
OMD Return Synth-pop icons Orchestral Manoeuvres in the Dark celebrated their 40th anniversary last autumn beginning a year of major events with a very special pair of concerts at Liverpool Philharmonic Hall. The band were joined by the Royal Liverpool Philharmonic Orchestra conducted by Richard Balcombe for the shows which coincided with the anniversary of OMD’s first gig which took place at legendary Liverpool club Eric’s in October 1978.
‘…a rollercoaster ride through OMD’s biggest hits, and a few band favourites thrown in for good measure. Celebratory stuff.’ HHHHH
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Music Room – A Success Story Since it opened in 2015 as part of the £14.5 million refurbishment of Liverpool Philharmonic Hall, with a sold out appearance from long standing Elvis Costello collaborator Steve Nieve, Music Room has established itself as a space loved by artists and audiences alike. The variable capacity venue has hosted in excess of 650 public events, with audiences reaching 60,000 in total in a space with capacities of 190 seated and 250 standing. The space is loved by artists and audiences alike, providing an intimate experience of very high quality. Audiences particularly enjoy the ‘close up’ experience of performances. Music Room presents many artists who otherwise would not be seen in the city, as well as providing a great showcase for ensembles from the Royal Liverpool Philharmonic Orchestra and Choir.
‘Have you ever wandered into a gig and felt instantly welcome? Its something you don’t experience often, but somehow, wandering into the Music Room tonight felt like coming home. Bassekou Kouyaté is a musician from Mali, renowned for his mastery of the ngoni, a simple and traditional lute-like instrument with just four strings, common throughout West Africa. He’s shared the stage with icons like Carlos Santana and Taj Mahal, but this evening’s event demonstrated his own clout, with a rapt audience drinking in every note.’
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On the Record The latest recordings with the Royal Liverpool Philharmonic Orchestra.
Elgar Engima Variations Elgar In the South Elgar Serenade Vasily Petrenko conductor Onyx
‘If any life is left in the myth that only the English can do Elgar, it’s put to shame by the Russian conductor (Petrenko). An ideal mix of the grand and the intimate shows a first-rate musician’s unencumbered, enthusiastic response to great music. Petrenko and his excellent players bring out countless details in the scoring.’
Stravinsky The Firebird Rimsky-Korsakov Le Coq D’or Vasily Petrenko conductor
Vaughan Williams A Sea Symphony * Vaughan Williams The Lark Ascending + Andrew Manze conductor Sarah Fox soprano * Mark Stone baritone * James Ehnes violin + Royal Liverpool Philharmonic Choir Ian Tracey Chorusmaster
Mozart Così fan tutte Mozart’s original thoughts recreated and recorded for the first time European Opera Centre Laurence Pillot conductor Rubicon
Onyx
‘The fourth instalment in Andrew Manze’s Vaughan Williams symphony cycle couples a delectably articulate performance of The Lark Ascending (featuring James Ehnes at his customarily unruffled best) with a watchful, impressively agile account of the mighty Sea Symphony. Manze directs with scrupulous sensitivity and a shrewd ear for detail has an experienced and intelligent pair of vocal soloists, and secures some finely drilled and conspicuously eager results from his highly accomplished RLPO forces.’
Cilla with the Royal Liverpool Philharmonic Orchestra DECCA Cilla Black’s most important and bestloved songs,each featuring her original vocal recording and including ‘Anyone Who Had a Heart’ with Rebecca Ferguson, ‘You’re My World’ with Sir Cliff Richard, ‘Alfie’ with Sheridan Smith, as well as ‘Step Inside Love,’ ‘Don’t Answer Me’ and ‘Something Tells Me’.
Onyx
‘The RLPO and Petrenko dazzle in The Firebird. The playing is voluptuous, alive and controlled: Brilliance of detail and narrative drive have to be held in perfect balance in Firebird. Petrenko and the RLPO, expert in both, achieve this here.’
‘It’s easy to forget that Cilla Black was once the second biggest-selling music star to emerge from Liverpool after The Beatles.’
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In Pictures Images from the two performances of Benjamin Britten’s War Requiem in Hannover’s Kuppersaal and Liverpool Cathedral.
Principal Chief Conductor, Andrew Manze led the combined forces of musicians and choristers from Britain and Germany, joined by singers Susanne Bernhard soprano, Ed Lyon tenor and Benjamin Appl baritone.
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In Pictures Images from In Harmony Liverpool’s 10th Birthday Weekend at Liverpool Philharmonic Hall.
Goodbye to‌.. Rod Skipp, Artistic Director of In Harmony Liverpool is relocating with his family to his native New Zealand to become Programme Director at Sistema Aotearoa. Rod joined Liverpool Philharmonic in 2009 and during this time has been instrumental in the growth and success of In Harmony Liverpool. We wish Rod well in his new ventures and thank him for all of his hard work and commitment over the last 10 years.
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Musicians Performance and Wellbeing programme Liverpool Philharmonic, Liverpool John Moores University and Help Musicians UK launch pioneering research partnership Our inaugural partnership with LJMU’s world-renowned Research Institute for Sport and Exercise Sciences (RISES) supported by Help Musicians UK, the leading independent music charity, will explore injury prevention in musicians through a collaborative PhD study for the long-term benefit of musicians across the industry. Physiotherapist and Masters Graduate Céleste Rousseau is the first PhD Student in Liverpool Philharmonic’s pioneering Musicians’ Performance and Wellbeing Programme, which supports our musicians to consistently play at the highest level in a professional symphony orchestra. The programme, which has also benefitted from the support of Jerwood Arts since 2015, includes measures such as injury prevention screening, hearing health surveillance, sports massage in Liverpool and on tour, fast referral physiotherapy, individual performance coaching, individual appraisals, investment in musicians’ personal training and development, and wider health and wellbeing support.
Céleste Rousseau
Céleste’s three-year research and development programme into injury prevention will focus on our musicians in the Orchestra and throughout the profession. She will develop a range of injury assessment, prevention and recovery interventions to support and sustain healthy, lifelong careers. Céleste will benefit from the knowledge and expertise of LJMU’s RISE which includes longstanding major partnerships with a host of professional football clubs including Liverpool, Everton, Tranmere Rovers, Manchester United and Real Madrid, in addition to sport governing bodies, the NHS and across a range of other sports from rugby to cycling.
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New Partnership Liverpool Philharmonic is delighted to be partnering with British Association for Performing Arts Medicine (BAPAM) BAPAM provides free, specialist health support to performing artists. We are delighted to be working in partnership with the organisation by hosting a new, free, GP-led and confidential monthly clinic at Liverpool Philharmonic Hall for our own musicians and other performing arts professionals and students in Liverpool and the North West. The practicing GP has completed the MSc Performing Arts Medicine course at University College London, so has benefitted from the latest research and knowledge from one of the leading courses in the world in this field. Consultations will provide impartial help, advice and referrals to the most appropriate and effective care pathway for individual musicians and performing artists. ‘Liverpool Philharmonic has pioneered an exemplary approach to developing and
supporting performance excellence through providing specialist health and wellbeing services to their musicians in the Orchestra. The positive effects of this investment are proving that performer wellbeing and artistic excellence are interlinked. Our partnership with Liverpool Philharmonic is now helping BAPAM bring this approach to the Liverpool’s wider performing arts community.’ Claire Cordeaux, Director of BAPAM More information at bapam.org.uk or call BAPAM on 020 7404 8444 to book a free, confidential appointment.
Thank you to…. Dr Christopher Mimnagh who retired in 2019 after over 25 years service as Liverpool Philharmonic’s on-call BAPAM GP.
New Music Curriculum Peter Garden, Liverpool Phiharmonic’s Executive Director – Performance and Learning, has been appointed to a new Expert Music Panel by Rt Hon Nick Gibb MP, Schools Standards Minister, and the Department for Education to oversee the development of a new model music curriculum for primary and secondary schools.The Government’s aim is that this will support teachers to provide a high quality music education, particularly teachers with little confidence or knowledge in music. The new music curriculum will be launched in autumn 2019.
Peter has also given presentations about our pioneering Musicians Performance and Wellbeing Programme at the invitation of the Royal Society of Medicine.
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Being Social
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We continue to grow our followers on our social media platforms including Facebook, Twitter and Instagram and in March we welcomed our first Instagrammer-in-Residence, Kate Goodbody. As an emerging instagrammer, over the next few months, Kate will have the the opportunity to capture the essence of Liverpool Philharmonic and the Orchestra through her camera lens. Originally from Birkenhead, Kate found her love for photography while she was a
student in Paris. Since returning to the UK, she has been honing her skills by exploring Liverpool with her camera in tow. She now runs her blog More Native Than the Natives and her Instagram, @morenativethanthenatives focusses on unearthing hidden gems from around the world. She hopes to translate this theme into her work with Liverpool Philharmonic.
Michael Eakin Appointed Chair of Liverpool City Region Music Board Steve Rotheram, Metro Mayor of Liverpool City Region has appointed our Chief Executive to Chair a panel of experts and influential figures from the world of music on a new Liverpool City Region Music Board which aims to sustain, support and develop the music sector in our region. The Music Board, made up of 18 members and seven observers are charged with cementing the city region’s position as one of the world’s music capitals and will also work to ensure music businesses and communities have a stronger voice in local and regional decision-making. The Music Board will also work closely with all our local authorities and seek to build on the success of Liverpool’s status as UNESCO City of Music.
Michael was appointed to the National Council of Arts Council England from April 2018. National Council is the non-executive board of the Arts Council and holds overall responsibility for the governance of the organisation. Members, and those who are members of Arts Council’s five area councils, bring their local and specialist knowledge to inform decision making to the Arts Council’s role in developing arts and culture in England.
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In June, the Orchestra conducted by Alasdair Malloy with former CBeebies presenter and children’s author Cerrie Burnell, will perform five schools concerts for Key Stage 1 primary age children.
The School Run….
Further information at liverpoolphil.com/takepart/schools-concerts/
In March we welcomed over 11,000 children and young people, teachers and volunteers from across the Liverpool City Region to eight primary and secondary schools concerts. These were first established in the 1940s by Sir Malcolm Sargent as an inspirational introduction to classical music and performed by the Royal Liverpool Philharmonic Orchestra. Devised and presented by Alasdair Malloy, concerts this year were linked to the ‘British Values’ section of the National Curriculum, exploring how music reflects, and is inspired by values such as tolerance, the rule of law, inclusion and liberty, featuring music by composers from across the world. The concerts also included a world premiere of a new song by poet Mandy Ross and the Orchestra’s Principal Horn, Timothy Jackson, All Our Different Stories, a song that children learnt in school before attending a concert, and then performed it as a massed choir with the Orchestra, incorporating sign language.
Letter from one of the children that attended one of our schools’ concerts.
Liverpool Philharmonic achieved ‘Highly Commended’ in the ‘Best Family Welcome’ category in the ‘Fantastic for Families Awards’ 2019. ‘We can’t wait to come again in the summer and hope there are more super concerts for the under 5s in the pipeline so we can continue enjoying those lovely introductions to classical music with our children.’ Patient
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Investing in Young Talent
Supporting Young Composers Christopher Brooks Competition Prize Winner 2019 Liverpool Philharmonic is delighted to announce 22-year-old Carmel Smickersgill as the fourth winner of our annual Christopher Brooks Composition Prize in association with The Rushworth Foundation and Lancashire Sinfonietta Legacy Fund. The Christopher Brooks Composition Prize provides young North West-based composers with a unique opportunity over a year to develop their talent. Carmel will be supported with a bespoke programme of workshops, masterclasses and mentoring sessions from resident and visiting musicians, conductors, composers, performers and other industry professionals associated with Liverpool Philharmonic. Carmel’s year will culminate in her writing a new work for performance by Ensemble 10/10, the Royal Liverpool Philharmonic Orchestra’s new music group, which will be premiered in autumn 2019. On winning the Christopher Brooks Composition Prize 2019, Carmel commented: ‘It’s such a privilege to have the chance to work with such an inventive group of worldclass musicians as well as being able to see, first hand, the inner workings of the Royal Liverpool Philharmonic Orchestra and its associated ensembles.’
Dementia-Friendly and Music and Mental Health Concerts presented in Music Room at Liverpool Philharmonic Hall
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Transforming Lives Dementia-Friendly Concerts New this season, in November, Liverpool Philharmonic presented our first dementia friendly concert: Postcards from Liverpool in the Music Room. The Ensemble of St Luke’s (musicians from the Orchestra) performed a varied programme of music while projected images of Liverpool from the 1950s, 60s and 70s helped to create talking points during the concert and enabled audience participation.
Our next Dementia-Friendly Concert is on Wednesday 5 June at 1pm
Liverpool Philharmonic Front of House staff and musicians received Dementia Friends training prior to the event.
Our music and mental health partnership with Mersey Care NHS Foundation Trust is now in its 11th year, supporting some of the most vulnerable people in Liverpool, improving the recovery, health and well-being of participants through music.
Feedback from audience members and their families
For more information, confirmed performers and programmes, visit liverpoophil.com/ dementia-friendly
Music and Mental Health
‘Carers and their loved ones full of smiles and joy.’
Since 2008, the programme has benefited 10,000 Mersey Care service-users and their families and carers. Over 50 professional musicians have been involved in delivering the programme.
‘Always amazed how music makes lots of the old Peter/Dad that we know is in there shine through’
Our vision is to benefit a further 10,000, including young people, across Liverpool City Region by 2023.
‘Thank you so much for such a great experience on Saturday. My husband has early onset Alzheimer’s disease (he is 66) and he so enjoyed the concert. The range of music was fantastic; something to suit all. I am still singing Coldplay in my head! That was so brilliant! Bill may not remember that we were in Liverpool yesterday but in that moment he had a great time.’
Thank you to….
‘Your staff were very welcoming and kind and the atmosphere was calming and quiet. We thought the musicians were wonderful and the cellist/presenter(Gethyn Jones) was exactly what the concert needed as he made it so intimate. Please thank them all on our behalf.’
Mersey Care NHS Foundation Trust for their continuing support of our music and mental health programme. We are grateful to The Foyle Foundation who have committed support towards our music and mental health five-year plan which will include increased activity at Liverpool Philharmonic Hall and evaluation of the programme. Together with our first pilot project in mental health in Birkenhead with Wirral Council which begins in May, we are already seeing growth in our music and mental health work.
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2019 –2020 Season Bachtrack ‘…one of Europe’s finest orchestras.’
• Vasily Petrenko conducts the complete Mahler Symphony Cycle • Artists in Residence Sheku Kanneh-Mason cello and Liverpool-born Jennifer Johnston mezzo soprano • Beethoven 250 • Premieres and commissions of new music • Close Up and Lunchtime Concerts • Relaxed and Dementia-Friendly Concerts • Films with Live Music and Concerts for all the family • Chamber Music
All tickets on sale Monday 24 June
Box Office 0151 709 3789 liverpoolphil.com LiverpoolPhilharmonic liverpoolphil liverpool_philharmonic
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Forever Bells Over many years, our Principal Percussionist Graham Johns has worked tirelessly to help us to create a full set of 14 bronze church bells for use in performances by the Royal Liverpool Philharmonic Orchestra and for hire to orchestras in the UK and internationally. This is a unique project as, due to costs, no other UK orchestra has a full set of church bells. Where composers’ scores require them, they are usually substituted with the less authentic sound of tubular bells. Through the generosity of donors, so far we have been able to cast eight new bells, each of which features ‘Royal Liverpool Philharmonic Orchestra’, the year of the bell’s casting and a dedication of their choice to the respective donor. The bells will be used for many generations to come, hence the name Forever Bells. As we approach the end of Vasily Petrenko’s tenure as Chief Conductor in summer 2021, the final chapter of the Forever Bells is being created. We will fulfill Vasily’s long-held ambition to perform all of Mahler’s symphonies in sequence, over one calendar year, in 2020. We were the first British orchestra to perform a full Mahler symphony cycle under Sir Charles Groves. Vasily has proved his status as a great Mahlerian and this will be our most ambitious artistic project to date, celebrating Vasily’s successful 15-year tenure at our helm. The 2020 Mahler cycle will feature some of the Forever Bells, the newest of which, the C Bell, will be cast on 7 June at the Royal Eijsbouts Foundry in Asten, Netherlands. It will be cast, along with the G bell, with the names of donors who have made a gift to help us to fulfil our ambition to perform the Mahler cycle, and will be dedicated to Vasily as a lasting legacy to his exceptional contribution to Liverpool Philharmonic and the city.
Both bells will feature in the opening concert of the season in Berlioz’s Symphonie Fantastique. This will be the first ever performance in the UK that uses the correct octave of bells as the composer intended, another Liverpool Philharmonic first! Our sponsor Maestro! who have supported the casting of the B Bell, have arranged an overnight visit on 6 June to Asten, in the company of Graham Johns, to witness the historic casting of the ‘Vasily Bell’ with explanation and commentary. Places are still available on this trip and can be reserved on a first come first served basis. maestrotouring.com/music-arts-tours/261
Thank you…. To all who support Liverpool Philharmonic, as ticket buyers, donors and sponsors. We could not do what we do without you.
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Welcome to …. Some new faces who have joined Liverpool Philharmonic and the Royal Liverpool Philharmonic Orchestra this year. Rebecca Else First Violins
Qian Wu First Violins
Becky began the violin at the age of 4 and throughout her school years was a member of many ensembles in the Harrogate area. Becky then studied at the RNCM and Royal College of Music with Maciej Rakowski. Since graduating in 2016 Becky has been working as a freelance player with many of the northern orchestras. Away from the violin, Becky enjoys running and cycling and is a keen baker.
Qian Wu was born in China. She began violin lessons at the age of seven and was awarded a place at Shanghai Conservatoire of Music. During her studies, Qian was awarded many scholarships and in 1998 won second prize in the National Young Violinists Competition in China. In 2000 she was a semi-finalist in the Menuhin International Violin competition in the UK. She then studied at Chetham’s School of Music, followed by the Royal College of Music with Gyorgy Pauk. Qian teaches at Chetham’s and continues to play in chamber music ensembles.
Eva Thorarinsdottir Associate Leader Eva was born in Reykjavík, Iceland, and began playing the violin at the age of three. She is a graduate of the Yehudi Menuhin School and the Royal Northern College of Music where she studied with Maciej Rakowski. She graduated from RNCM in 2010 with an International Artist Diploma in Solo Performance. Recently a Nordic Soloist Prize finalist, Eva is also a prize winner in numerous international violin competitions and has played with many orchestras and ensembles in the UK and internationally. More recently, Eva has been focussing on her solo playing and chamber music collaborations, whilst also exploring contemporary music and folk tunes from her native Iceland. Eva plays on an 1845 Joseph Rocca violin, previously owned by the great Alfredo Campoli.
Distinguished Service A number of our players have recently marked long service milestones playing in the Orchestra. Ruth Davies is now an Honorary Member of the Royal Liverpool Philharmonic Society having marked, on 1 March, 25 years as oboist with the Orchestra. Jonathan Aasgaard principal cello, Kate Richardson second violins and Neil Hitt principal timpanist have recently celebrated 20 years; Concettina Del Vecchio and Ruth McNamara first violins and Ruth Owens cello 15 years; and Gareth Twigg contrabassoon, 10 years with the Orchestra.
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Left to right: Jonathan Aasgaard, Ruth Davies, Neil Hitt, Kate Richardson, Concettina Del Vecchio, Ruth McNamara, Ruth Owens and Gareth Twigg
And Goodbye to….. Cellist Stephen Mann, who retired from the Orchestra after performing in his last concert on 27 January. Stephen had served with the Orchestra for 34 years and nine months on his retirement. We wish Stephen well for the future and thank him and all our musicians for their long service and everything they have contributed and continue to contribute, to our success and achievements.
In our Administration Team, welcome to... Zoë Armfield Head of Learning (promotion from In Harmony Liverpool Manager) Clara Marshall Cawley Learning Projects Coordinator Emma Donnell Head of Visitor Experience Caroline Cairns and Dayana Turmanova Box Office Assistants Mika Haasler Development Assistant Kelly Stubbs, Jessica Moore, Joe Corkill, Alex Gomes, Joseph Eyres, Adam Ward, Zoe Marras, Julie Melia, Rachel Salmon Stewards Will Shacklady Production Technician (promotion)
Support your favourite musicians Adopting a member of the Orchestra is a wonderful opportunity to gain an insight into the life of Liverpool Philharmonic and to develop a relationship with the Orchestra. Our annual Patrons’ Reception will give you a unique opportunity to get to know your adopted musician, as well as other players from the Orchestra. Players can be adopted by more than one patron. For a full orchestra list, and to find out who has already been adopted please visit liverpoolphil.com/the-orchestra/ourmusicians, telephone the fundraising team on 0151 210 2921, or email fundraising@liverpoolphil.com
Samantha Hunter Senior Steward (already Bar Supervisor) Ryan Kane Senior Steward (promotion from Steward) Raven Maguire Stage Door Receptionist (additional role to Steward) Andrew Flaherty Stage Door Receptionist (additional role to Bar Person) Bethany Howells Hall and Events Administrator (secondment from Stage Door Receptionist ) Peter Johnson Building Maintenance Operative (formerly Steward) Our thanks and best wishes to all who have recently left Liverpool Philharmonic.
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Royal Liverpool Philharmonic Orchestra Summer Concerts Over the Rainbow: Best of Broadway Saturday 22 June 7.30pm An evening of musical theatre’s finest, including music from: The Lion King, Chicago, Sweet Charity, Guys and Dolls, Wicked, Annie Get Your Gun, A Chorus Line Cabaret and The Wizard of Oz
Petrenko’s Summer Classics Wednesday 10 July 7.30pm Rossini Overture, The Silken Ladder Beethoven Piano Concerto No.5 ‘Emperor’ Mendelssohn Symphony No.4 ‘Italian’
Michael England conductor
Vasily Petrenko conductor Boris Giltburg piano
Singers from West End International: Emma Williams, Scott Davies, Caroline Sheen, Ashley Day
Nashville Classics Saturday 13 July 7.30pm
Beethoven’s Seventh
A night of country music including:
Thursday 27 June 7.30pm
Blanket on the Ground, Crazy, Always on My Mind, Ring of Fire and Islands in the Stream
Weber Overture, Der Frieschutz Mozart Piano Concerto No.21 Beethoven Symphony No.7
Kennedy Aitchison conductor Singers from Capital Voices: Annie Skates, Zoe Nicholas, Lance Ellington, Stephen Weller
Domingo Hindoyan conductor Jeremy Denk piano
L’Après Midi Debussy Prélude à l’après-midi d’un faune Mendelssohn Violin Concerto Sibelius Symphony No.2 Duncan Ward conductor Alena Baeva violin
Image Alena Baeva © Vladimir Shirokov
Saturday 29 June 7.30pm
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There's No Place Like Home
80th Birthday Celebration of Liverpool Philharmonic Hall and The Wizard of Oz (cert U) Wednesday 19 June 7.30pm Liverpool Philharmonic Hall
Special screening of the classic film, premiered in 1939, the same year that Liverpool Philharmonic Hall opened on Hope Street. Screened on the unique Walturdaw cinema screen, accompanied by resident cinema organist of 30 years standing, the inimitable Dave Nicholas. Wizard-themed cocktails plus appearances by ‘Judy Garland’ and other characters from the film.
Box Office 0151 709 3789 liverpoolphil.com LiverpoolPhilharmonic liverpoolphil liverpool_philharmonic
And In The End: A Celebration of 50 Years of Abbey Road and Let It Be Thursday 26 September 7.30pm Friday 27 September 7.30pm Liverpool Philharmonic Hall
Box OfďŹ ce 0151 709 3789 liverpoolphil.com includes UK tour dates