Encore Summer 2011 by Liverpool Philharmonic

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Summer 2011 Box Office 0151 709 3789 liverpoolphil.com

With the Royal Liverpool Philharmonic Orchestra’s 2010/11 season coming to a close, the overall attendance for the core season has continued to rise, reaching 76% capacity across the season, a 3% increase on the previous year.

Critics’ Circle Award

News

Violinist Alina Ibragimova, along with conductor Robin Ticciati and soprano Sophie Bevan was the recipient of the 2010 Critics’ Circle Award for Exceptional Young Talent. Alina’s award was presented to her when she was guest soloist with the Royal Liverpool Philharmonic Orchestra, conducted by Vasily Petrenko on 26 May playing Mozart’s Violin Concerto No 4. The concert was broadcast live on BBC Radio 3’s Performance on 3.

Geoffrey Norris, Chief Music Critic of The Telegraph and Chairman of the Music Section of The Critics’ Circle presented Alina’s award to her on stage at Liverpool Philharmonic Hall after her performance.

– Left:Geoffrey Norris presents Alina Ibragimova with her award. Right:Orchestra Leader James Clark,Vasily Petrenko and Alina Ibragimova take a bow.

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Playing for Liverpool The Royal Liverpool Philharmonic Orchestra with Chief Conductor Vasily Petrenko open the new concert season in Liverpool and then head off for a 3-concert date tour taking in Bucharest and Prague Star violinist Midori will perform Walton’s Concerto for Violin and Orchestra in Liverpool on 13 September, before joining the Orchestra a few days later in Bucharest in the same concert programme. Russian pianist Alexei Volodin will perform Prokofiev’s Piano Concerto No.3 in the Orchestra’s second Bucharest concert, which also features Rachmaninov’s Symphony No.3 and Stravinsky’s Symphony in Three Movements. Liverpool Philharmonic is in Bucharest at the invitation of the international Enescu Festival, named after the great Romanian national composer, George Enescu. The Orchestra and Vasily will then travel to Prague, again by invitation, to perform in the international Dvořák Festival to perform Dvořák’s The Wild Dove and the Rachmaninov Third Symphony and are joined by the young Czech pianist Lukas Vondracek, who will perform Liszt’s Piano Concerto No.2. –

Left to right:Vasily Petrenko © Mark McNulty / Midori Bottom:Lukas Vondracek © Martina Cechova

Travel the World with Liverpool Philharmonic

Shanghai,Paris,San Francisco,London

Just some of the destinations that our supporters have travelled to to hear the Orchestra and Vasily Petrenko on tour. Tours are organised by Maestro Tour Management Ltd (ATOL 9141) and your tour cost includes a modest donation to Liverpool Philharmonic.

Bucharest and Prague 15 - 22 September

There are just six places left so please call Maestro Travel immediately on 0800 678 5747 if you are interested.

Berlin or Vienna - November 2011

Vasily Petrenko conducts the Berlin Radio Orchestra at the legendary Philharmonie in Berlin and leads the Oslo Philharmonic in a performance at the Konzerthaus, Vienna.

Tour Plans for 2012

In 2012 Maestro! will offer a series of escorted and 'go as you please' holidays.

Highlights will include attending performances conducted by Vasily Petrenko in Paris, Copenhagen, Geneva and Prague and escorted holidays to London, Barcelona, St Petersburg and Washington DC. The full programme wil be published in September so, to ensure that you get the information as soon as it's available, register your interest now by calling 0800 678 5747.

Trips Preview Afternoon

Wednesday 28 September 2pm; Rodewald Suite, Liverpool Philharmonic Hall

Come along and hear all about plans for 2012 and book your place on the day if you wish! Light refreshments will be served. To reserve your spot, please call Gemma Lynch on 0151 210 2921 or email gemma.lynch@liverpoolphil.com. liverpoolphil.com encore | 3

In recent months, Liverpool Philharmonic has devised and developed two major new projects featuring leading musicians from Liverpool and beyond.

Sea Sessions Success Liverpool Philharmonic’s contribution to the 2010 Liverpool Irish Festival included the inaugural Irish Sea Sessions, featuring artists from both sides of the Irish Sea. It proved a winning formula and it was voted Best Folk/Roots Event of the Year by Liverpool Daily Post readers.

The Sessions return on 21 October 2011, and building on last year’s success, will tour to Belfast and Derry. Once again, musicians from traditional and contemporary backgrounds explore the shared music and special bond between Liverpool and Ireland. Look out to for a CD recording of Irish Sea Sessions 2010 on release soon.

“A spectacular gathering of singers, storytellers and musicians – a truly trail-blazing gig. 15 out or 10 (honest).” Liverpool Confidential reviews Irish Sea Sessions 2010. – Damien Dempsey in rehearsal for the Irish Sea Sessions

Jacqui and Bridie’s Folk Club Farewell

Souvenir DVD recorded live at the concert now available If you’re a fan of live folk music and are interested in the musical roots and traditions of the city of Liverpool, then you will be well aware of the stories and songs connected with that institution of Liverpool music, Jacqui and Bridie’s Folk Club.

In 2010, Liverpool Philharmonic presented the 50th Anniversary concert and what turned out to be the final night of the club. The emotional and memorable event is now available on a commemorative DVD, filmed and recorded live at Liverpool Philharmonic, where Jacqui and Bridie last recorded as a duo – the LP Jacqui and Bridie Live at Liverpool Philharmonic – back in 1987.

Watch again all those performances by Jacqui and friends including Harvey Andrews, Jacob Carter, Terry Clark-Coyne, Gerry Ffrench, John Gorman, The Houghton Weavers, Jennifer John, Hughie Jones, Stan Kelly, John McCormick, Jacqui McDonald, Jimmie Macgregor, Mike Neary, Pagoda Chinese Youth Orchestra, and the Sense of Sound Choir The DVD (with a little bit extra) is available from Jacqui directly for £10 plus postage & packaging from Jacqui’s website www.jacquiandbridie.com or email her on ljmc.luing@virgin.net

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Distinguished Partnership The name of Liverpool Philharmonic’s Principal Partner, Rensburg and its various iterations, has been embedded in the commercial world of Liverpool for almost 150 years. It spans the years when Liverpool was the second city of the Empire, to the current time which sees the City’s renaissance continue.

In June, the company changed their name to Investec Wealth & Investment following a takeover by parent company, Investec. Investec’s Senior Investment Director David Owen says “While the name has changed, our core business values remain ingrained in our DNA. We look forward to our future as a distinctive part of the Investec family with enthusiasm and excitement.”

News

A testimony to Investec Wealth & Investment’s ongoing commitment to both Liverpool, where the company employs almost 200 people, and to the Royal Liverpool Philharmonic Orchestra, is shown in their recent announcement that the company have extended its Principal Partnership for a further two years, to 2015.

Adds David; “And to celebrate the long history of the name Rensburg being synonymous with support of Liverpool Philharmonic and the arts in Liverpool, we are also thrilled to announce that we are launching Henry E Rensburg Series of concerts for the 2011/12 season. “As one chapter closes, another one begins and our support and championing of the arts and Liverpool Philharmonic in particular, is proof that even if our name changes, our commitment to clients, our colleagues, our values and the City of Liverpool remains undimmed.”

– L to R; Cellist Alban Gerhardt, Chris Aitken, Head of Financial Planning for Investec and Vasily Petrenko, Liverpool Philharmonic’s Chief Conductor at Investec’s recent concert reception at Liverpool Philharmonic Hall.

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Spotlight on our Musicians Donald Turnbull First Violin

Interview

Donald Turnbull joined the Royal Liverpool Philharmonic Orchestra in 1966, and with one brief spell away has played with the band ever since. Donald retires in September and here for encore readers, shares some of his experiences in a long, happy and distinguished career – and how his musical life actually began Donald found himself another teacher. “Then the Blackpool Tower Company rang me up and I was playing in the Winter Gardens Pavilion with David Whitfield, playing for old time dancing at the Empress Ballroom until 2am in the morning - I was only 16 or 17 so that was a bit late for me, I worked in the Southport Floral Hall, and then I got My Fair Lady at the Empire Theatre in Liverpool.”

Donald was born in Blackpool, and started playing the violin when he was around 12. “I tried the trumpet but my lips were the wrong shape. I was always interested in music. My uncle was Clifford Knowles, who was Leader of the Phil (1966 – 1973).”

Donald took lessons for a year with William Reece who led the Blackpool Youth Orchestra, and won a place at the Royal Manchester College of Music when he was 17 years old. He was thrown out aged 17 and three quarters!

“I was hopeless at academic things, I couldn't really write or spell at that time. I was from a very working class family and I didn't have much of an education. You had to have 5 GCE's to get into the college, but my teacher managed to get me an audition, they were reasonably impressed and let me in. I didn’t mind really as I wasn’t enjoying it, although my family were very annoyed. In fact I never looked back, I’ve never been out of work since.” 6 | encore liverpoolphil.com

I did two summer seasons in Bridlington with Edwin Harper’s Concert Orchestra, 16 weeks, 13 concerts a week and no rehearsals. It was a great experience, you became a very quick sight reader. When I was 21, the Phil played a concert in Bridlington and I asked for an audition and got the job. You had to play a concerto, and were expected to play some Mozart, then lots of sound-reading. They didn’t send you the music in advance, they’d just throw things at you to play. Charlie Groves accompanied me on the piano for my audition and he and the leader, Paul Collins and a panel of musicians from the Orchestra offered me the job in the second violins there and then. There was no such thing then as trialling for positions”. Donald’s first concert with the Royal Liverpool Philharmonic Orchestra, conducted by Sir Charles Groves was at Philharmonic Hall. “I’d finished a season in Bridlington on Sunday 18 Sept 1966. I was starting at the Phil at 10am the following morning and it was announced to the audience in Bridlington. I travelled overnight by train from York. We were rehearsing Walton’s First Symphony and I’d arrived having had no breakfast, no sleep and no day off for four months! I couldn’t believe what I was hearing. I’d never heard or seen that sort of music before, it was absolute hieroglyphics to me, I’d been playing light music up till then. I struggled for a week or two but I got the hang of it. I played it on tour with the

Orchestra in Germany, again with Groves in 1966, the first time I’d ever been abroad.” In 1969 a first violin seat vacancy came up. “We all had to audition. I froze under audition conditions. But then I was playing Prokofiev’s third piano concerto right under Charlie Groves’ nose and I was summoned into the office and it was then I was put into the first violins. They’d heard me play in a relaxed situation and saw that I could do it.” In 45 years with the Orchestra, Donald has played regularly with many conductors and composers who are now legends including Sir Malcolm Sargent and Sir Adrian Boult and composers including William Walton and Sir Michael Tippett.

On Sargent, Donald says “The first time I saw him live, I was sitting at the back of the second violins and saw this famous face walk on, very smart, a carnation in his lapel, I thought how fantastic that I’m playing for this man, I was in awe of him at the time. And he was wonderful, a real gentleman and a fine musician. I enjoyed working with John Pritchard too. He was very economical in rehearsal, he always finished early, and we had a lot of fun.”

Donald has played most if not all of the standard repertoire, many times. “Petrenko takes each score completely apart every time we do it, even if we recorded it a few weeks earlier, and he always finds something new there at the end.” From 1975, Donald spent time travelling, working in Australia, followed by three years playing in Holland. In 1981, the then leader Malcolm Stewart and orchestra manager Brian Pidgeon auditioned Donald for a first violin vacancy. He’s been at the Phil ever since.

“I have a memory of a very fine concert of Mahler’s First Symphony with Franz -Paul Decker. We’d just finished the concert, and you know that marvellous ending and everyone’s walking off, stunned, downstairs to the bandroom. And the first words I heard after the concert were from bass player, Len Barnsley who said to Ray Hutchinson, the principal double bass, in a broad Yorkshire accent, ‘I’ve

sharpened your circular saw.’ To which Ray replied, “Oh, aye, ‘ave you, thank you!’ I’ve never forgotten it.”

Donald plays a Lorenzo Storioni violin which he’s had since 1968. Storioni (1744 — 1816) a master violin maker, was a pupil of Stradivarius and today the instruments are very highly sought after. Donald will soon be taking ownership of a new violin though, made for him by former Liverpool Philharmonic violinist, Clifford Bibby and hopes to play it before he retires from the Orchestra. “I’ll certainly be taking it as an extra with me on the Orchestra’s tour in September to Bucharest and Prague.” On his forthcoming retirement, Donald still plans to continue to live in Liverpool and to do some work as an extra player with Orchestra. “It’s always nice to come back to the Phil, it’s a marvellous hall to play in.”

Liverpool Philharmonic is grateful to the donor who has ‘adopted’ Donald in memory of Duncan Atherton through our Adopt a Player Scheme. Duncan was a former first violinist in the Orchestra. If you are interested in ‘adopting’ one of the players in the Royal Liverpool Philharmonic Orchestra and gain a fascinating insight in to the life of Liverpool Philharmonic, with opportunities to meet your adopted player and others in the Orchestra, please contact the Fundraising Team on 0151 210 2921 or email fundraising@liverpoolphil.com

Look out for our some new players joining the Orchestra in September. We’re pleased to welcome. Susannah Jordan First Violins Tom Verity No.2 Principal Clarinet Rebekah Abramski No.2 Principal Bassoon

Our interview with viola player Tony Burrage, who recently celebrated 40 years of playing in the Orchestra, will feature in a future edition of encore. liverpoolphil.com encore | 7

News

A Super Day Chief Conductor, Vasily Petrenko conducted 72 amateur musicians of all ages alongside musicians of the Royal Liverpool Philharmonic Orchestra in a special SuperOrchestra concert at Liverpool Philharmonic Hall 12 June. The Liverpool Philharmonic SuperOrchestra rehearsed all day with Vasily and were coached by Liverpool Philharmonic musicians in different sections of the orchestra. The SuperOrchestra performed Prokofiev’s Romeo and Juliet Orchestral Suite No.1 'Montagues and Capulets'; Romeo and Juliet Orchestral Suite No.2 'Masques' and Waltz from Cinderella; Elgar’s Pomp and Circumstance March No.4 and Dvořák’s Slavonic Dance in C major.

On conducting SuperOrchestra for the first time, Vasily said: “SuperOrchestra is a very popular annual event for us. I think it’s a great opportunity for enthusiastic amateur musicians and music-lovers to come together and experience playing in a symphony orchestra. It’s challenging but our musicians are there to 8 | encore liverpoolphil.com

help and we all have a lot of fun making music together.”

The SuperConcert als0 featured performances by the 60 singers of SuperSing Jazz, conducted by Pete Churchill and the 87 Singers of Supersing Classics conducted by Ian Chesworth making a grand total of 219 amateur musicians and singers on stage at Liverpool Philharmonic Hall. SuperSing Jazz and Classics participants had been rehearsing over a six week period with their respective conductors. “Fantastic concert. The orchestra was amazing. I really enjoyed singing with the SuperSing Jazz. Pete Churchill was inspirational! Thank you.” Pep Martin on Liverpool Philharmonic Facebook

A Bright Future Through Music 23,605 children and teachers attended Liverpool Philharmonic’s annual schools’ concerts for Key Stage 1, 2 and 3 during March and June devised and presented by Alasdair Malloy, and with presenter Dave Benson Phillips.

In their evaluations of the concerts, schools attending Key Stage 2 and 3 gave a 100% satisfaction rating for the concerts and their educational value, compared to 96% the previous year. 95% of schools are interested in returning again next year. “Great time at the KS1 concert this afternoon we had taken 110 year 1 and 2 children - and they loved it.” Ruth on Liverpool Philharmonic Facebook

Due to the generosity of our friends and donors, the first year of A Bright Future through Music fundraising campaign enabled 1,972 children and teachers from 21 schools across Liverpool (13 schools), Knowsley (3 schools) and Preston (5 schools) to attend our schools concerts for the first time. Many of those schools bought additional tickets for more children, demonstrating how this campaign has connected the incredible sound of a live symphony orchestra to many children who would otherwise miss out –one Liverpool primary school brought all 351 children to a concert!

News Liverpool Philharmonic Fundraising Challenge

Supported by the Kenneth Stern Trust

Thank you to all of our supporters who have so generously donated to the Liverpool Philharmonic Fundraising Challenge Appeal, supported by the Kenneth Stern Trust. We have now raised a magnificent £90,805.20!

We still have a little way to go before we reach our £100,000 target – so if you would like to join us in our efforts to protect and cherish the Royal Liverpool Philharmonic Orchestra in the wake of recent cuts in public funding, please support us now by making a donation online at www.liverpoolphil.com or by speaking with a member of our Fundraising team on 0151 210 2921.

“

“Times have certainly changed since David Gray was busking in Bold Street. The former Liverpool University student’s loyal following sold out the Philharmonic on the first night of his new UK tour, Lost and Found” Emma Pinch, Liverpool Daily Post reviews David Gray at Liverpool Philharmonic, April 2011

”

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On the Record The latest release from Vasily Petrenko and the Royal Liverpool Philharmonic Orchestra in their acclaimed exploration of Rachmaninov’s orchestral music. Rachmaninov Piano Concertos Nos. 1 and 4 Rhapsody on a Theme of Paganini

Simon Trpceski piano / Vasily Petrenko conductor Royal Liverpool Philharmonic Orchestra AV 2191

– “What I find so captivating about these superb young musicians’ Rachmaninov is its lack of bombast and gooey sentiment…outstanding ... captivating ... perfection ... a meeting of dazzling musical minds." Hugh Canning, The Sunday Times Classical CD of the Week 5*, July 2011 “Simon Trp eski,Vasily Petrenko and the Orchestra bring understanding and instinct to their performances, to make these performances utterly compelling.” Geoffrey Norris, The Daily Telegraph Classical CD of the Week 5* June 2011 "The virtuosi Macedonian Trpc˘eski and St Petersburg-born Petrenko combine in taut, poetic performances with notably coruscating brass playing from an RLPO on impressive and expressive form" The Observer, June 2011 ..”a scintillating performance…. poised and subtle” Colin Anderson, Classical Source June 2011

All CDs can be purchased from the online Shop at liverpoolphil.com and on Orchestra concert nights from the Information Desk in the Grand Foyer Bar at Liverpool Philharmonic 10 | encore liverpoolphil.com

The Beatles for Orchestra www.carldaviscollection.com Catalogue No. CDC012

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A new recording of classic Beatles tracks, conducted by Carl Davis and played by the Royal Liverpool Philharmonic Orchestra.

– It has long been an ambition of Carl Davis, an honorary Liverpudlian and a man associated with the Liverpool Philharmonic and the city for many years, to arrange and record a Beatles album. Says Carl “A chance remark sparked off this CD. My old friend, Sandra Parr, Head of Programming at Liverpool Philharmonic said in passing, ‘You know we are always being asked to play Beatles, but we don’t have anything’. I replied, ‘I’ll give you something to play’. Indeed, the original recordings are still with us and I feel for a long time yet. But a new, sensitive arrangement would demonstrate the range of their talent from the early rock and roll influences to the quirky, with my own special preference for Paul McCartney’s soulful ballads. Their work was pure genius”.

– Vasily Petrenko and Simon Trpc˘eski. © Mark McNulty

Alwyn Violin Concerto, Miss Julie Suite, Fanfare for a Joyful Occasion

Lorraine McAslan violin Royal Liverpool Philharmonic Orchestra David Lloyd- Jones conductor Naxos Catalogue No8.570705

“This recording calls attention to the music’s beguilingly romantic heart and to Alwyn’s ability to make the violin sing. Beautifully played .” Geoffrey Norris, The Daily Telegraph 4*, April 2011

A Different View The Music of David Jephcott

Royal Liverpool Philharmonic Orchestra Clark Rundell conductor Nimbus Alliance Catalogue No. NI6140

And one to look out for ... Former Deep Purple keyboardist and Hammond Organ legend, Jon Lord, spent two days in June with the Orchestra at Liverpool Philharmonic Hall making the definitive studio recording of Jon’s Concerto For Group And Orchestra, originally composed and first performed in 1969.

"I'm thrilled to have the Royal Liverpool Philharmonic on board. I have immensely enjoyed working with them on several occasions since recording Durham Concerto with them in 2007. They are a wonderful group of players, and with Paul Mann conducting — a dear friend and a man who knows the score inside out — there couldn't be a better conductor and orchestra for this studio recording of the Concerto” says Jon. More news on the recording release date when we have it!

– Jon Lord on Hammond Organ recording with the Orchestra.

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In Harmony Liverpool Celebrating 2 years

News

– Left to right:In Harmony celebrates 2 years at Liverpool Philharmonic Hall. Anton Beato attended a film premiere at Leicester Square.

Hundreds of family, friends, members of the West Everton Community and special guests watched a special concert at Liverpool Hall in March, celebrating the achievements of young people from West Everton who are learning to play, enjoy and succeed in orchestral music as part of Liverpool Philharmonic’s In Harmony programme. The community development programme, funded by the Department for Education and delivered working with partners in West Everton, is now engaging over 130 children aged 0-12, established in 2009 as the West Everton Children’s Orchestra in daily, high quality music-making.

In Harmony Gets Busy …

As well as their concert at Liverpool Philharmonic Hall, and their daily music-making at Faith Primary School, West Everton Children’s Orchestra and its associated ensembles have had a busy schedule of other performances including the Children’s University Graduations at Liverpool Hope University, Out of the Blue 12 | encore liverpoolphil.com

Festival at Everton Park, the official opening of the Museum of Liverpool, and at the free On The Waterfront Festival at Pier Head Liverpool along with the Royal Liverpool Philharmonic Orchestra.

James Clark, joint leader of the Royal Liverpool Philharmonic Orchestra led a master class for West Everton Super Strings in June; and in the same month, sections and ensembles from West Everton Children’s Orchestra took part in masterclasses at Liverpool Philharmonic Hall led by In Harmony Artistic Director, Rod Skipp and his team supported by Liverpool Philharmonic musicians including Jonathan Aasgaard (cello), Marcel Becker (double bass), Sally Anne Anderson (violin), Sophie Coles Ian Bracken (cello) , Becky Walters (viola) and Josephine Frieze (percussion) – all followed by ensemble performances by the In Harmony team and Liverpool Philharmonic players for parents and family members.

On 29 June, Anton Beato (Year 6 violinist in West Everton Children’s Orchestra, Super Strings and Junior Strings) and his dad, Dennis, attended the Leicester Square premiere of the Tate Movie Project for the Cultural Olympiad, The Itch of the Golden Nit made by Aardman Animations and starring voice overs by David Walliams, Catherine Tate and Rik Mayall. West Everton Children’s Orchestra worked with the National Youth Orchestra of Great Britain in February to record part of the film soundtrack. Anton was selected to attend the premiere due to his exemplary attendance record, commitment and musical achievements this term.

The recently published independent evaluation of In Harmony and two Ofsted inspections during the year at Faith Primary School have reported that In Harmony is supporting Faith Primary School to develop a learning community.

The children are making outstanding progress in their musical ability as individuals and as musicians in West Everton Children’s Orchestra, and are demonstrating greatly improved educational attainment in all three areas of the curriculum (reading, writing, numeracy) despite 4.25 hours per week being taken from core curriculum time to deliver the In Harmony programme. The percentage of pupils achieving their targets in 2010 greatly increased beyond that expected in comparison to 2009.

Youth Choir Winners Congratulations to Liverpool Philharmonic Youth Choir who won the Bronze Medal at the Llangollen International Musical Eisteddfod 2011, competing in the Senior Childrens' Choir category.

The renowned competition, which featured twenty-three international choirs is one of the most hotly contested in the choral world.

The choir performed the world premiere of Enter Spring by Liverpool born composer Kenneth Hesketh and Las Amarillas by Canadian composer Stephen Hatfield. The choir’s performance of the Hesketh, a highly challenging and technical work, received the highest mark for an individual piece in the whole competition. The Choir’s director, Simon Emery said “This is a major achievement for the choir. The choristers have worked extremely hard to prepare for this competition and they fully deserve getting placed. Performing the Hesketh was a real challenge but the choir rose to it magnificently” The Youth Choir (12-18 years), Training Choir (9-12 years) and Melody Makers (7-9 years) are currently recruiting new members. Full details can be found on liverpoolphil.com/learning.

The Department for Education has committed to continue to fund In Harmony for a further year, to 2012, albeit at a reduced level. Liverpool Philharmonic has secured the rest of the funding for 2011-12 and is grateful to Liverpool Primary Care Trust for their financial support of In Harmony in 2011/12.

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Show-stopping Xylophone A generous gift made in memory of Kenneth and Pamela Williams has enabled Liverpool Philharmonic to purchase a new xylophone.

The Orchestra’s Principal Percussionist Graham Johns and percussion colleagues Josephine Frieze and Henry Baldwin, unveiled the instrument before the delighted eyes and ears of members of the Fisher family

The wooden bars and resonators of the xylophone are original, made in 1912 and now 100 years old. They were found in an attic in Chicago and have been lovingly restored and a new frame commissioned and built. Graham, Jo and Henry gave an impromptu concert demonstrating the xylophone’s versatility and their own virtuosity, watched by members of the Fisher family, Chief Conductor Vasily Petrenko and players from the Orchestra. “We’re so grateful to the Fisher family for their generosity” said Graham. “We’re thrilled to be custodians of this wonderful instrument for future generations.”

The new xylophone had its first public outing with the Orchestra in the Summer Pops White Nights concert on 17 June, in a performance of Shostakovich’s Movements from Jazz Suite No. 2, conducted by Vasily Petrenko. – Graham John, Vasily Petrenko, Henry Baldwin, Josephine Frieze and members of the Fisher family try out the xylophone

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L to R;John Schorah, Head of Commercial, Weightmans, Pat Downey, Samantha Kinnear, Marketing Manager, Weightmans, Vasily Petrenko, Lawrence Downey, Consultant, Weightmans.

Welcome to Weightmans

Liverpool Philharmonic is pleased to announce that the Liverpool office of national law firm Weightmans will continue as our sponsor, following their merger with Mace and Jones. The company hosted 50 guests at the Royal Liverpool Philharmonic Orchestra’s recent Heroes concert, conducted by Vasily Petrenko with guest soloist, the Russian pianist, Kirill Gerstein.

Managing Partner at Weightmans Patrick Gaul commented: “We inherited our sponsorship from our new colleagues who have joined from Mace & Jones and we are delighted to have done so. We all had a great evening, we will certainly be coming back and we hope to extend and develop our relationship with Liverpool Philharmonic in the future. It is an iconic orchestra and venue in the City.”

Michael Eakin, Liverpool Philharmonic’s Chief Executive, added: “Liverpool Philharmonic has enjoyed an excellent relationship with Mace & Jones and we are very pleased that Weightmans have chosen to continue their sponsorship with us. The support of the business community is crucial in allowing us to provide worldclass music in Liverpool and Weightmans’ support shows a great commitment to ensuring a thriving cultural life in the City.”

What’s On Events to look out for at Liverpool Philharmonic Hall

Box Office 0151 709 3789 liverpoolphil.com

Lunchtime Learning

Discover the Classics

Autumn Series

With Classic FM’s Creative Director and Presenter, Tim Lihoreau

Merseyside-based composer and musician Ian Stephens leads our Lunchtime Learning series

Schubert Octet Lunchtime concert Thursday 6 October 12pm –

Serenade Rehearsal visit Wednesday 12 October 1pm

Music of Holst, Walton and Elgar John Wilson conductor Jonathan Aasgaard cello –

Nordic Landscapes Rehearsal visit Monday 7 November 1pm

Music of Grieg, Carpenter and Sibelius Vasily Petrenko conductor Alan Pendlebury bassoon Tickets Each series is £45 per person Concessions £30 per person (Claimants, Students)

and community groups (minimum of 5 people)

Discover the musical, social and historical stories behind some of the superb music and composers from the Royal Liverpool Philharmonic Orchestra’s 2011/12 season with commentary by Tim, animated with short musical extracts performed by a musician from the Royal Liverpool Philharmonic Orchestra.

Sessions take place on Saturdays from 11am – 1pm in the Rodewald Suite at Liverpool Philharmonic Hall. Tea and coffee provided.

Hollywood! Saturday 15 October

A look at the A-list composers who wrote for the movies – AND… the ones who didn’t: the composers who had their music smuggled into some of our favourite screen moments! –

Beethoven I Van the Man: 3 is a Magic Number! Saturday 19 November

A look at the Leonore Overture No. 3 (and finding out what made it third time lucky for Ludwig), and the stories behind Symphony No. 3 ‘Eroica’. –

Beethoven II ‘Au Naturel’ Saturday 7 January

Symphony No. 6 ‘Pastoral’ is under the spotlight.

– Ian Stephens

– Tim Lihoreau

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Royal Liverpool Philharmonic Orchestra 2011/12 Concert Season Now on Sale

In Conversation with Vasily Petrenko Wednesday 7 September 6 – 7pm

Our Chief Conductor talks with Darren Henley, Managing Director of Classic FM about the forthcoming season, his musical passions and the joys and challenges of being a conductor.

Tickets £5 (free for members and subscribers) – must be reserved in advance This event will be followed at 7.30pm by a screening of the classic film, The Big Sleep, starring Humphrey Bogart. Tickets £5.50, £6.50 –

Opening Night Saturday 10 September 7.30pm Stravinsky Symphony in 3 Movements Liszt Piano Concerto No.2 Rachmaninov Symphony No.3

Vasily Petrenko conductor Lukas Vondracek piano

Tickets £16, £21, £28, £33, £40 –

Midori Returns Tuesday 13 September 7.30pm Enescu Suite No.2 Walton Violin Concerto Prokofiev Symphony No.7

Vasily Petrenko conductor Midori violin

Tickets £13, £18, £24, £29, £36 –

The Birds Saturday 24 September 7.30pm

Forthcoming Highlights ... 16 | encore liverpoolphil.com

Dvor ˘ák The Wild Dove (Holoubek), Op. 110 Ravel Mother Goose Suite Tchaikovsky Suite from Swan Lake Vasily Petrenko conductor

Tickets £13, £18, £24, £29, £36

Paul Lewis piano Tuesday 27 September 7.30pm St George’s Hall Concert Room

Schubert Four Impromptus D935 / Moments Musicaux D780 / Fantasy in C 'Wandererfantasie' D760

Serenade Thursday 13 October 7.30pm Holst Suite, The Perfect Fool Walton Cello Concerto Elgar Serenade for Strings Vaughan Williams Symphony No.9