Encore Winter 2011 by Liverpool Philharmonic

encore Winter 2011 | liverpoolphil.com

Winning Ways Gramophone Award

The Royal Liverpool Philharmonic Orchestra and Chief Conductor Vasily Petrenko’s recording of Shostakovich’s Symphony No.10 is the Orchestral Recording of the Year in the Gramophone Awards 2011. It is the Orchestra’s second win in three years, having previously scooped the same award in 2009 for Tchaikovsky’s Manfred Symphony, also conducted by Vasily. We were delighted that our Principal Percussionist, Graham Johns was able to accept this year’s prestigious award in London on behalf of his colleagues in the Orchestra and Vasily, who was in the USA with the San Francisco Symphony. In making the Gramophone Award presentation, BBC Radio 3 broadcaster Rob Cowan said; ‘In this particular case, you’ve got a great recording of a great Shostakovich symphony that doesn’t come from Russia, but comes from Liverpool. Petrenko and the Royal Liverpool Philharmonic have given us a performance of such heat and intensity; it conjures the spirit and the atmosphere of this symphony like no other modern recording. I must say that if the rest of the cycle is like this, it’s going to be a benchmark enterprise.’ The recording of Symphony No.10, released in September 2010, is one of the first six volumes in a critically acclaimed cycle of the complete symphonies by Shostakovich scheduled for release. The latest volume, of symphonies Nos. 6 & 12 is now available and this, along with all our recordings is available to buy from the Information Desk in the Grand Foyer Bar on concert nights and online at liverpoolphil.com.

→ Graham Johns accepts the Gramophone Award for Orchestral Recording of the Year

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News

→ Gramophone Awards presenters, soprano Susan Bullock and Gramophone Magazine Editor, James Inverne

Royal Society for Public Health Awards Liverpool Philharmonic’s Musician in Residence programme delivered in partnership with Mersey Care NHS Trust has been recognised by the Royal Society for Public Health Arts and Health Awards 2011 with a Special Commendation for Innovative and Outstanding Contributions to the Field of Arts and Health Practice. We began working in partnership with Mersey Care NHS Trust in 2008 providing musicians from the Royal Liverpool Philharmonic Orchestra in a Musician in Residence programme on two mental health inpatient wards in Liverpool. It is now delivered at inpatient units across all of Mersey Care’s mental health and learning disability services in Liverpool and Sefton, providing nearly 400 music sessions a year. Mersey Care commission the orchestra’s musicians to provide therapeutic music sessions for adults and older people with mental health problems, dementia, learning disabilities and brain injury, as well as patients detained in secure units. There are also informal concerts by ensembles from the Royal Liverpool Philharmonic Orchestra at inpatient units and service users are assisted, where practicable, to attend the Orchestra’s rehearsals and concerts at Liverpool Philharmonic Hall.

In awarding their Special Commendation, the RSPH Awards Committee “…were very impressed by the musical excellence of this project in its work with people with enduring mental health needs. Given the scale of mental health needs in the UK today, and the need for new approaches to supporting recovery, the public health implications of your work are clear and substantial.”

Alan Yates, Chief Executive of Mersey Care NHS Trust commented: ‘Creative activities are hugely important to achieving a holistic understanding of mental health and well-being. The excellent partnership we have with Liverpool Philharmonic has stimulated all kinds of different musical experiences for patients and offered new possibilities for inclusion in the cultural life of the city.

‘The Musician in Residence programme is great value for money and it works. It aids recovery. The judging panel were rightly impressed by the musical excellence of this project. It would not be possible without Royal Liverpool Philharmonic and some very talented musicians.’ ↓ Cellist Georgina Aasgaard leads a Mersey Care Musician in Residence session

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Playing for Liverpool on the World Stage

Led by Vasily Petrenko, the Royal Liverpool Philharmonic Orchestra’s recent 3-concert date tour to Romania and the Czech Republic was a resounding success, with capacity houses for two concerts in Bucharest’s Grand Palace Hall and a concert in Prague’s Dvor˘ák Hall. It was a pleasure to see a party of supporters from Liverpool, on a trip organised by Maestro Travel in both cities.

‘The Royal Liverpool Philharmonic Orchestra was given a rousing reception at its first ever appearances in Romania. Both concerts were sold out and Saturday’s event was also broadcast live on Romanian television and radio. Meanwhile, Vasily Petrenko was shadowed by a French TV production company making a documentary about the Enescu Festival and featuring the Phil.’

Travel the World with Liverpool Philharmonic

For further information on forthcoming opportunities to see Vasily Petrenko and the Royal Liverpool Philharmonic Orchestra in international destinations, call Stacey Friend on 0800 678 5746 or visit www.maestrotravel.com.

→ Scenes from Vasily Petrenko and the Royal Liverpool Philharmonic Orchestra’s tour to Romania

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News

Cover Star!

Vasily Petrenko, Chief Conductor of the Royal Liverpool Philharmonic Orchestra, is on the cover of the November issue of BBC Music Magazine. The giveaway CD is a recording of the Orchestra’s performance of Prokofiev’s Cinderella Suite at Liverpool Philharmonic Hall on 8 December 2010, and the National Youth Orchestra of Great Britain’s recording of Respighi’s Roman Festivals at the BBC Proms in 2010. Both performances are conducted by Vasily (he’s the NYOGB’s Principal Conductor too) while inside the magazine, there’s a fascinating interview with Vasily on his life as conductor. The magazine is available to buy on concert nights from the Information Desk in the Grand Foyer Bar (while stocks last!).

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News Music Spectaculars! Magnificent Mahler On the 1st October, a super-sized 114-strong orchestra, 365 choristers and 8 international singers performed Mahler’s Symphony No.8, the hotly anticipated landmark in Vasily Petrenko and the Royal Liverpool Philharmonic Orchestra’s two-year Mahler Edition in the magnificent setting of Liverpool Cathedral. Last performed by the Orchestra in 1989, conducted by former Principal Conductor, now Conductor Laureate, Libor Pes˘ek KBE, singers were drawn from the Royal Liverpool Philharmonic Choir, Huddersfield Choral Society, choristers of Liverpool Cathedral and Liverpool Metropolitan Cathedral, Deva Singers and the Choir of Holy Trinity Church, Southport.

‘... a knockout.’

‘…enough sonic welly to raise the roof of Giles Gilbert Scott’s huge cathedral.’ ‘Grand in physical scale, and grand in musical scale as well, the power of hundreds of voices drilled by the Phil’s exacting kapellmeister Vasily Petrenko lifting listeners.’ ‘... the performance touched on magnificence.’

→ Images from Mahler 8 at Liverpool Cathedral and Waterfront Weekend at Liverpool Pier Head

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On the Waterfront

On the 23rd of July, as part of Liverpool City Councilâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s On The Waterfront weekend, the Royal Liverpool Philharmonic Orchestra conducted by Carl Davis performed a Beatles-themed concert at Liverpoolâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s historic Pier Head during the Summer to an audience of over 25,000 people. The event marked the 100th anniversary of the Liver Building and the opening of the Museum of Liverpool.

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News

↑ Classic FM Live 2011 at the Royal Albert Hall, London

Classic FM Live

On the 4th October the Royal Liverpool Philharmonic Orchestra performed at our media partner, Classic FM’s hugely popular annual concert at a sold out London’s Royal Albert Hall, conducted by Joana Carneiro with a starry list of guest artists including violinist Charlie Siem, and pianist Benjamin Grosvenor.

Fantastic Feast

While the Orchestra was on tour in Eastern Europe, back home, Liverpool Philharmonic’s Open Day on the 18th September was again at the heart of another successful Hope Street Feast. A host of activities throughout the Hall included performances by the Royal Liverpool Philharmonic Choir, Liverpool Philharmonic Youth Choir, In Harmony’s West Everton Super Strings and Junior Strings and a preview of the Irish Sea Sessions 2011. Staff and volunteers welcomed visitors throughout a busy day with record numbers of visitors to iconic Hope Street this year.

↑ Hope Feast 2011

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Irish Sea Sessions 2011

Part of our contribution to Liverpool Irish Festival, the second Irish Sea Sessions, devised and developed by Liverpool Philharmonic was another resounding success, building on last year’s inaugural event, and played to a packed house at Liverpool Philharmonic Hall. Uniting musicians from traditional and contemporary backgrounds to explore the music and special bond between Liverpool and Ireland, this year’s Sessions included an especially commissioned slow air, Liverpool Remembers played by Terry Clark-Coyne, one of Merseyside’s most influential traditional musicians. Irish Sea Sessions 2011 went on tour to Belfast and Derry/Londonderry.

‘Scouse pride adds to night of Celtic passion.’ 4****

→ Scenes from the Irish Sea Sessions 2011

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On the Record

The latest CD releases from Liverpool Philharmonic

Shostakovich Symphony No.6 & Symphony No.12 ‘The Year 1917’ Royal Liverpool Philharmonic Orchestra Vasily Petrenko conductor

John Ireland Piano Concerto

John Lenehan piano Royal Liverpool Philharmonic Orchestra John Wilson conductor

‘Previous releases in Vasily Petrenko’s Shostakovich cycle have been heaped with praise, and this superb pairing of two of the less performed symphonies comfortably maintains the same high standard.’ 4****

Michael Torke Tahiti Ensemble 10/10

Made in Britain

Royal Liverpool Philharmonic Orchestra John Wilson conductor

‘Vaughan Williams is the king of this domain: “The Lark Ascending” was recently voted Britain’s favourite classical piece, and is airily rendered here by James Clark.’

The Irish Sea Sessions 2010

‘A spectacular gathering of singers, storytellers and musicians – a truly trail-blazing gig. 15 out of 10 (honest!)’ Liverpool Confidential

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

FREE £10 Gift Voucher

ED Y IT NL M O LI E M TI

Coming Soon ...

If you’re stumped for what to buy that special someone this Christmas, why not take advantage of Liverpool Philharmonic’s Gift Voucher promotion?

Offenbach Un Mari á la Porte (A Husband at the Door)

Royal Liverpool Philharmonic Orchestra Vasily Petrenko conductor Singers of the European Opera Centre

Purchase any 2 Royal Liverpool Philharmonic Orchestra CDs and get a FREE £10 gift voucher towards the purchase of tickets for any Royal Liverpool Philharmonic Orchestra concert between 20 January and 21 March 2012.

Offer is subject to availability, does not apply to previously purchased tickets, no other discounts apply. One voucher per order.

Wine Lovers

We’re delighted that online wine retailer, Naked Wines has extended their in-kind sponsorship for a second year, running through Liverpool Philharmonic’s 2011/12 concert season.

Tine Thing Helseth Story Teller

Royal Liverpool Philharmonic Orchestra Tine Thing Helseth trumpet Evind Aadland conductor ↓ Naked Wines co-founder Ben Hopkins pictured here with Vasily Petrenko and Classic FM Managing Director Darren Henley.

We have been working closely in partnership with Naked Wines and are delighted to extend this exclusive offer to our audience members.

Naked Wines is an online wine retailer, that invests in independent winemakers, to get delicious wines at preferential prices. Which they pass on to you. Claim your half price taster pack at www.nakedwines.com/thephil or by calling 01603 281800 and quoting “thephil” Offer valid until 31/12/2011

NEXT DAY delivery as standard, only £4.99, your money back if you are not totally tantalised and no requirement to join a wine “club” nakedwines.com

£24.99 for customers of Liverpool Philharmonic (worth over £50)

To redeem this offer, you must be 18 or over. 1 half price case available per customer. This offer cannot be used in conjunction with any other offer, voucher or promotion. Full terms and conditions are available at www.nakedwines.com

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News Liverpool Philharmonic Schools Concerts 2012 Now on Sale Our concerts for Key Stages 1, 2 and 3 are an inspirational introduction for children and young people to orchestral music. Devised and presented by Alasdair Malloy and performed by the award-winning Royal Liverpool Philharmonic Orchestra, our Schools’ Concerts are especially designed to enhance and enrich the music and wider school curriculum and include a FREE scheme of work on the concert theme and FREE CD of concert repertoire specially recorded by the Royal Liverpool Philharmonic Orchestra. NEW for 2012: Specially adapted lesson plans for SEN pupils

Key Stage 2 Concerts Monday 5 March 2012 10.30am & 1:30pm Tuesday 6 March 2012 10.30am & 1.30pm Thursday 8 March 2012 10.30am Thursday 8 March 2012 1.30pm Monday 12 March 2012 10.30am & 1.30pm SOLD OUT Preston Guild Hall Friday 16 March 2012 11.30amSOLD OUT Key Stage 1 Concerts Monday 11 June 2012 1.15pm Tuesday 12 June 2012 10.15am & 1.15pm Wednesday 13 June 2012 10.15am SOLD OUT Wednesday 13 June 2012 1.15pm Key Stage 3 Concerts Wednesday 7 March 2012 10.30am & 1.30pm

All concerts at Liverpool Philharmonic Hall unless otherwise stated. For further information or to book please contact us on 0151 210 2901 or email schoolsconcerts@liverpoolphil.com to request a booking form. Information and downloadable booking form also available at liverpoolphil.com.

A Bright Future Through Music inspire the next generation of music lovers

Last year, thanks to the generosity of our donors, 21 schools and 1,972 children attended Liverpool Philharmonic Schools’ Concert for the first time as a result of our Bright Futures Through Music campaign. This autumn, we re-launch A Bright Future Through Music to raise money for Liverpool Philharmonic’s Schools’ Concert series 2012.

Support the second year of our campaign and enable even more children aged from 5 to 11 years to attend their first orchestral concert.

For further information or to make a donation, please contact Gemma on 0151 210 2921 or visit liverpoolphil.com.

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Don’t Take Our Word For It ...

Liverpool Daily Post’s Arts Editor, Laura Davis, recently interviewed 6 of our fantastic supporters about their love of Liverpool Philharmonic, and where their love of music began - at our Schools’ Concerts! Without them they say, they would have been unlikely to have attended classical music concerts. All are regular concert-goers and donors to Liverpool Philharmonic, including sponsoring some our musicians through our Adopt a Player scheme, here’s some of what Brian and Colleen Higgins, Barry and Alice Mintz, Carmel Stewart and Mary Riddoch had to say.

Mary’s first classical music concert was September 28, 1945, as the war came to an end, it was a Victory Celebration concert. From the early 80s, Mary has attended every single one of the Orchestra’s home dates. ‘I started saving up my Christmas and birthday money to buy tickets for Sunday afternoon concerts as my parents wouldn’t let me go out that late for evening concerts.’ Mary is a Liverpool Philharmonic Patron and sponsors three of the Orchestra’s musicians: violinists Lesley Gwyther and Concettina Del Vecchio and oboe player Ruth Davis.

‘We can’t live without the Phil, it’s a simple as that.’ says Barry, who began attending concerts in his teens. Alice began attending concerts with Barry in the late 70s.

‘I see a great many younger people at the concerts now - particularly students - who are obviously thoroughly enjoying their concerts.’ Barry and his son David sponsor the Orchestra’s percussionist Josephine Frieze, a Christmas gift for them both from Alice.

Deputy headteacher Carmel first heard the Orchestra at the age of 11. ‘I felt like I’d come home, I’d found my niche. If you have a very stressful job, which mine can be, you come here (to Liverpool Philharmonic) and by the time you go out, you’re walking on cloud nine.’ Carmel sponsors Orchestra violinist Stephan Mayer

‘Liverpool Philharmonic is very important not only musically, but also to Liverpool. It’s a great ambassasor for the City and one we can’t afford to lose’ says Brian, who with his wife Colleen, sponsor the Orchestra’s Principal Cello, Jonathan Aasgaard.

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. – Interview extracts and photograph reproduced courtesy of Liverpool Daily Post/Trinity Mirror

↓ L to R: Brian and Colleen Higgins, Barry and Alice Mintz, Carmel Stewart and Mary Riddoch pictured at Liverpool Philharmonic Hall

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Music to Our Ears Liverpool Philharmonic is delighted to announce that Bang & Olufsen of Liverpool, dealers in exclusive home entertainment solutions, have committed to support us as a Corporate Member.

Offering a further enhancement to their Corporate Membership support, the Liverpool Castle Street showroom of the international company is extending an invitation to Liverpool Philharmonic members to visit them with their favourite Royal Liverpool Philharmonic Orchestra CD recording and listen to it through Bang and Olufsen’s exclusive audio products. Carl Hestford, Manager at Bang & Olufsen of Liverpool said: ‘We know that Liverpool Philharmonic has an extensive back catalogue of acclaimed recordings, and that they’ve just won a prestigious Gramophone Award for one of their latest releases. We thought it would be a nice gesture to invite the orchestra’s supporters to try out the unique home listening experience that Bang & Olufsen offers. We believe it’s the next best thing to the unique experience of a live performance. ‘Some of the team at Liverpool Philharmonic have already visited the showroom to listen for themselves. They tell us that what they heard was quite extraordinary and said that the sound was so good it genuinely gave them goose bumps’. If you would like to make the most of this wonderful opportunity, please call Carl on 0151 236 3000 or send an email to ch.liverpool@bang-olufsen.co.uk. You can visit at any time that is most convenient to you, even outside normal hours, and experience your favourite music in extraordinary quality. Bang & Olufsen of Liverpool, 52 – 54 Castle Street, Liverpool, L2 7LQ

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↑ L to R – Royal Liverpool Philharmonic Orchestra musicians, Concettina Del Vecchio (violin), Cormac Henry (principal flute) and Richard Wallace (viola) at the announcement of Bang & Olufsen’s Corporate Membership

Thank You!

To the many donors and supporters whose overwhelming generosity has raised over £100,000 in support of the Liverpool Philharmonic Challenge Fund.

We are extremely grateful too, to the Kenneth Stern Trust who matched the first £20,000 raised.

Thank you also to the Royal Liverpool Philharmonic Choir members who raised £1000 on a recent Wirral Fundraising Walk.

In the face of severe cuts to public funding, Liverpool Philharmonic is committed to cherishing and protecting one of the UK’s most valuable cultural institutions. The generosity of our donors and supporters helps us to bridge the gap between ticket income and other funding, and what it costs to run a world-class symphony orchestra and an extensive Learning programme. It is no exaggeration to say that every great performance by the Royal Liverpool Philharmonic Orchestra is thanks to our supporters.

News

In Harmony Liverpool One of our flagship Learning programmes, In Harmony Liverpool continues to attract interest from peer organisations, the education, health and regeneration sectors as a powerful model highlighting the potential of music to transform schools and learning, and strengthen families and communities.

Peter Garden, our Executive Director (Learning) was invited to speak at the recent North West Public Health Conference at Liverpool’s BT Convention Centre about In Harmony’s positive impacts in West Everton.

West Everton Junior Strings, one of several ensembles that have emerged out of West Everton Children’s Orchestra, also gave a short performance, and along with Peter’s presentation, received a great response from the audience of over 400 national delegates.

The Department for Education has committed to support In Harmony for a further 12 months to 2012. In Harmony Liverpool is also supported through funding from Liverpool Primary Care Trust, Liverpool Philharmonic and private donors and we will seek to secure further support for the continuation of the project beyond 2012.

See In Harmony in Action ... Tuesday 22 November 7pm at St. George’s Hall Concert Room

In Harmony Chamber Concert

In Harmony’s first-ever Chamber Concert, performed in the exquisite Concert Room within historic St George’s Hall, home of Liverpool Philharmonic’s Rodewald Concert Series. Headlined by West Everton Super Strings, the concert will also showcase West Everton Junior Strings, and the In Harmony String Quartet and String Quintet. Tickets are free with unreserved seating available from Liverpool Philharmonic Box Office. 50p postal charge applies for mailed tickets

Friday 16 December 5pm

at St Francis Xavier’s Church, Everton

In Harmony Christmas Concert

In Harmony’s now annual Christmas Celebration Concert stars the West Everton Children’s Orchestra, playing some new repertoire and favourite sing-a-long carols! Ticket details to be announced soon, see liverpoolphil.com for details.

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100 Years of Chamber Music in Liverpool

News

having established the Liverpool Orchestral Society (LOS) which he conducted until his sudden death in 1903. One of his closest friends was Sir Edward Elgar dedicated his Pomp and Circumstance March No. 1 to Rodewald and the LOS and conducted its first performance. On the death of Stanford, Elgar was invited to become President, but he declined in an infamous letter now on display in the Rubato Café Bar at Liverpool Philharmonic Hall. ↑ Sacconi String Quartet

On 12 October, a performance by the Sacconi String Quartet featuring the world premiere performance of John McCabe’s Quintet for Horn and String Quartet at St. George’s Hall Concert Room marked the centenary of the first concert promoted by the Rodewald Concert Society on 16 October 1911. The RCS was founded to perform chamber music, madrigals and lectures with the support of Sir Charles Villiers Stanford and H Plunket Greene (a famous baritone of the day) on the understanding that the name of Alfred E Rodewald was associated with it. Rodewald was a cotton merchant by profession but also a distinguished musician,

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The Rodewald Concert Society built a reputation for the high standard of the ensembles it engaged and for its enterprising programmes. Contemporary music of the day was frequently performed - both Elgar’s String Quartet and Piano Quintet were performed in Liverpool within weeks of their premieres. More recent commissions have included, in 2007 a Clarinet Quintet by Hugh Wood performed by the Royal Liverpool Philharmonic Orchestra’s Principal Clarinet Nicholas Cox and the Chilingirian Quartet. Today, the concert series is managed and promoted by Liverpool Philharmonic in the beautifully renovated St Georges Hall Concert Room. The RCS has generously supported the commissioning of new works which are featured during the 2011/12 season, including John McCabe’s work and in May next year, the world premiere of fellow Liverpudlian Emily Howard’s Clarinet Quintet once again featuring the Royal Liverpool Philharmonic Orchestra’s Principal Clarinet, Nicholas Cox.

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Coming up in the Rodewald Concert Series St. George’s Hall Concert Room William Brown Street, Liverpool L1 1JJ

Belcea Quartet The Complete Beethoven String Quartets Monday 28 November 7.30pm

String Quartet Op.95 in B flat major ‘Serioso’, String Quartet Op.18 No.6 in B flat major and String Quartet Op.127 in E flat major Tickets £25

Joglaresa Saturday 3 December 7.30pm

On Yoolis Night – an evening of Medieval carols

Tickets £22

Belcea Quartet The Complete Beethoven String Quartets Friday 20 January 7.30pm

String Quartet Op.18 No.2 in G major, String Quartet Op.59 No.2 in E minor and String Quartet Op.131 in C sharp minor. Tickets £25

Paul Lewis piano Mark Padmore tenor Tuesday 7 February 7.30pm Schubert Winterreise Tickets £25

Belcea Quartet The Complete Beethoven String Quartets Tuesday 13 March 7.30pm

String Quartet Op.18 No.1 in F major, String Quartet Op.59 No.3 in C major and String Quartet Op.132 in A minor Tickets £25

Introducing …Zoë Armfield In Harmony Liverpool Manager

I’m responsible for all non-musical aspects of In Harmony Liverpool in West Everton.

Since I started in April 2009, highlights for me have been seeing the Simon Bolivar Youth Orchestra at the Royal Festival Hall with all the In Harmony Liverpool children at the beginning of the project, and leading the children onto the pitch at Goodison Park when we played at half time in February 2010. My favourite part of my job is spending time with the young musicians, and seeing their development year on year. Here’s what I’m looking forward to coming up in the season.

When I was a child and studying piano, my favourite film was Shine in which David Helfgot (played by Oscar-winner Geoffrey Rush) struggles to cope with the complexities of playing Rachmaninov’s Third Piano Concerto. For The Fountains of Rome concert (17 May) , Wirral-born keyboard maestro Stephen Hough will be playing the concerto, which also includes Glazunov’s Symphony No.9 and Respighi’s The Fountains of Rome. The conductor is the teenage musical phenomenon, Illyich Rivas, who has emerged from Venezuela’s inspirational El Sistema on which In Harmony is modelled.

It will be great to welcome back the National Youth Orchestra of Great Britain to Liverpool (5 Jan). The In Harmony children worked with them and Tate Liverpool earlier in the year on the Aardman Films animation, The Itch of the Golden Nit which received its premiere at the Odeon Leicester Square.

I’d really recommend the In Harmony Third Year Celebration Concert (26 March) and Liverpool Philharmonic Youth Orchestra’s concert (25 March), in which the Youth Orchestra will be joined by Liverpool Philharmonic Youth Choir in a programme that includes Vivaldi’s Gloria.

And finally, although it’s quite a way ahead, I’m really looking forward to hearing Vasily conduct Beethoven’s Symphony No.9 (9 June) as the In Harmony children have been playing Ode to Joy. We’re hoping to bring some of them to hear the concert too.

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News

All Sing!

The Royal Liverpool Philharmonic Choir have just returned from a tour to Porto, Portugal to repeat their performance of Mahler’s Symphony No.8, though this time with another orchestra, the Orquestra Sinfónica do Porto Casa da Música.

With Christmas fast approaching, the Choir of course, along with Liverpool Philharmonic Youth Choir have a central role to play in our ever popular Spirit of Christmas Carol Concerts, and conclude the festive season with their traditional performance of Handel’s Messiah, all conducted by Ian Tracey. Full details on p.22.

↑ Spirit of Christmas Concerts at Liverpool Philharmonic ↓ Royal Liverpool Philharmonic Choir prepare in rehearsal for Mahler 8 at the Casa da Musica in Porto

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Engaging with Artists Liverpool Philharmonic is committed to ensuring that visiting artists to Liverpool Philharmonic’s wider programme are engaged in our Learning programme, complementing the Learning acitivity surrounding our orchestral programme.

Liverpool Young Composers A Level and AS Level music students from Archbishop Beck Catholic College visited Liverpool Philharmonic recently to hear compositions, composed by the students as part of their A Level music studies, performed by a Royal Liverpool Philharmonic Orchestra string quartet. Beth Mawdsley (Year 13) said ‘It was a fantastic experience for us because over the past year we’ve all put in a lot of hard work, time and effort into our compositions and hearing them being played live by a String Quartet made the whole experience even more special.

‘During the course of the day we heard all of our compositions. We also talked with the members of the String Quartet. As young musicians we feel that this was a very good experience. The advice the musicians gave us was very helpful.’ ↓ Students from Archbishop Beck College with Royal Liverpool Philharmonic Orchestra musicians, Clare Stranger-Ford (violin), Gethyn Jones (cello) Alexander Marks (violin) and Robert Shepley (viola)

40 Students aged 12 – 15 years and staff from North Liverpool Academy attended an Irish Sea Sessions rehearsal at Liverpool Philharmonic at the Friary and the concert at Liverpool Philharmonic Hall. The visits marked the start of a Composer and Artist in Residence programme, running through to March 2012, in which the participating young people will use Liverpool’s vast Irish heritage, and their family and community heritage as inspiration for new musical compositions.

Tindersticks at Liverpool Philharmonic Accompanying the ground-breaking British band’s collaboration with world-renowned French filmmaker Carol Denis, Dr Holly Rogers, lecturer and author in music and film at University of Liverpool gave a lecture and pre-concert talk to 1st, 2nd and 3rd year University music students on their collaboration. Students also enjoyed a tour of the Hall and an introduction to Liverpool Philharmonic before attending the Tindersticks concert in evening.

‘Liverpool Philharmonic Hall managed to host a breathtaking utopia of visual and instrumental genius’ Manchester Salon reviews Tindersticks

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What’s On...

Events to look out for at Liverpool Philharmonic Hall Lunchtime Learning Winter Series

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

Leningrad Rehearsal Visit Tuesday 17 January 1pm Music of Shostakovich Vasily Petrenko conductor –

Ballet for Brass Lunchtime Concert Thursday 2 February 12pm

Ballet music of by Tchaikovsky, Delibes and Prokofiev arranged and played by the Royal Liverpool Philharmonic Orchestra’s brass principals. –

Dream Team Rehearsal Visit Tuesday 20 March 1pm

Music of Debussy, Saint-Saëns and Berlioz Vasily Petrenko conductor Simon Trpc˘eski piano Tickets Each series is £45 per person Concessions £30 per person (Claimants, Students)

and community groups (minimum of 5 people)

Photo: Ian Stephens

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

Discover the musical, social and historical stories behind composers with commentary by Tim, animated with short musical extracts performed by a musician from the Royal Liverpool Philharmonic Orchestra.

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 II ‘Au Naturel’ Saturday 7 January

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

(linked to concert on 11/22 January)

–

Beethoven III Composer, 29, Bad sense of humour, own teeth, WLTM ... Saturday 28 January

A look at Beethoven approaching a significant birthday (30) and breaking a symphonic duck with Symphony No.1 (linked to concert on 11/22 January)

–

Scandinavia Saturday 25 February

A look at the trio of Nielsen, Grieg and Sibelius including the stories behind Grieg’s Piano Concerto. There’s Norway you can afford to miss it! (Linked to concerts on 1 & 4 March)

Photo: Tim Lihoreau

Royal Liverpool Philharmonic Orchestra Forthcoming Highlights Beethoven’s ‘Pastoral’ Wed 11 & Thurs 12 January 7.30pm

Beethoven Overture, Prometheus Beethoven Piano Concerto No.4 Beethoven Symphony No. 6 ‘Pastoral’

Petrenko’s Shostakovich Thursday 16 February 7.30pm