Chamber Music Rodewald Concert Series 2011/2012
Box Office 0151 709 3789 liverpoolphil.com
Chamber Music Rodewald Concert Series
100 Years of Chamber Music in Liverpool This season’s Rodewald Concert Series will mark the centenary of the first concert promoted by the Rodewald Concert Club, now known as the Rodewald Concert Society, on 16 October 1911. The Society was founded to perform chamber music, madrigals and lectures with the support of Sir Charles Villiers Stanford (who became its first President) 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, having established the Liverpool Orchestral Society which he conducted until his sudden death in 1903. Amongst his many friends was Sir Edward Elgar. Elgar dedicated his Pomp and Circumstance March No.1 to Rodewald and conducted its first performance by the orchestra.
« St George’s Hall Concert Room, Liverpool. Cover - Belcea Quartet © Evy Ottermans
The Rodewald Concert Series soon became famous for the high standard of the ensembles it engaged. In recent
years, the series has featured performances by quartets including the Amadeus, Juilliard, Endellion, Arditti, Belcea, Brodsky, Chilingrian, Lindsay and Borodin. Recitalists have included countertenors Andreas Scholl and James Bowman, tenor Ian Bostridge, violinist Tasmin Little, cellist Stephen Isserlis and pianists Stephen Hough, Paul Lewis, Gerald Moore and Steven Osborne. The series has featured new commissions by Hugh Wood and Judith Weir. Commissions from John McCabe, Honorary President of the Society and Emily Howard will be given their first performances during the forthcoming season. Unfortunately a financial crisis in 1991 brought concerts to an end for several years until 1999 when a revival became possible through association with Liverpool Philharmonic and the support of the Endellion Quartet. Concerts are now run and promoted by Liverpool Philharmonic and have been particularly successful since moving to the magnificent St George’s Hall Concert Room from Liverpool Philharmonic Hall, where they had been held since 1945.
3
Paul Lewis Š Jack Liebeck
4
Paul Lewis piano The Complete Schubert Cycle
Paul Lewis piano Mark Padmore tenor
Tuesday 27 September 7.30pm
Tuesday 1 November, 7.30pm
Four Impromptus D935 Moments Musicaux D780 Fantasy in C 'Wanderer' D760 – Monday 26 March 7.30pm
German Dances D783 Sonata for Piano No.14 in A minor D784 Allegretto in C minor D915 Sonata for Piano No.16 in A minor D845
‘With someone like Schubert, there are many layers, many things being said at the same time, shedding different light. The tricky thing, the point, is to get the delicate balance that conveys the message’. Paul Lewis
Die Schöne Müllerin – Tuesday 7 February 7.30pm
Winterreise
‘And the listener must wait, out of respect to this marvellous partnership of Mark Padmore and Paul Lewis, until time can be taken for it alone and uninterrupted, to accompany them on the journey through to its unearthly end.’ Gramophone Magazine
Dreamer, poet, radical, and visionary, Franz Schubert was a composer who stood between worlds. In his short life, he wrote music as epic as Beethoven and as perfect as Mozart; music that could bubble with life and joy and yet probe the darkest depths of the human soul – or distil both experiences into pure, haunting beauty. Schubert’s music defined the Romantic age and Paul Lewis’s astounding performances are coming to define the way our age hears Schubert. In barely a decade, Lewis has emerged as one of the great musical thinkers of our time, and his relationship with Schubert is at the very heart of his artistry.
resumes his acclaimed partnership with tenor Mark Padmore, in performances of two of Schubert’s great song-cycles: Die Schöne Müllerin and the devastating Winterreise. Whether you hear the whole series, or just one concert, make sure you experience what promises to be one of the artistic events of the decade. Tickets £25 per concert
Now, at the climax of a two-year exploration of Schubert’s late piano music, Lewis returns to his home city for a series of concerts that explore the full range of Schubert’s mature genius; from deceptively simple miniatures to such groundbreaking romantic masterpieces as the Wanderer Fantasy and the late piano sonatas. He also
5
Belcea Quartet Š Evy Ottermans
6
Belcea Quartet Complete Beethoven String Quartets
Tuesday 4 October 7.30pm String Quartet Op.74 in E flat major ‘ Harp’ String Quartet Op.18 No.3 in D major String Quartet Op.130 with finale in B flat major – Monday 28 November 7.30pm String Quartet Op.95 in F minor ‘Serioso’ String Quartet Op.18 No.6 in B flat major String Quartet Op.127 in E flat major – Friday 20 January 7.30pm String Quartet Op.18 No.2 in G major String Quartet Op.59 No.2 in E minor String Quartet Op.131 in C sharp minor
Tuesday 13 March 7.30pm String Quartet Op.18 No.1 in F major String Quartet Op.59 No.3 in C major String Quartet Op.132 in A minor – Tuesday 24 April 7.30pm String Quartet Op.59 No.1 in F major String Quartet Op.18 No.4 in C minor String Quartet Op.135 in F major – Tuesday 12 June 7.30pm String Quartet Op.18 No.5 in A major String Quartet Op.130 with fugue in B flat major
“What do I care for your wretched fiddle when I am speaking to my God?” Ludwig van Beethoven never compromised. Even today his string quartets are amongst the highest challenges for any ensemble. They’re also one of the greatest musical journeys any listener or performer can ever undertake. From the explosive humour of Op.18 – where Beethoven takes on Mozart and Haydn, and blows them both sky-high – through to the transcendent final vision of the late quartets, they range from mighty symphonic dramas to some of the most intimate, and heart-rending, moments in all of western music.
Since their debut in 1994, the Belcea have established themselves as one of the most accomplished and imaginative string quartets on the international scene. Now, in the wake of their award-winning recording of the complete Bartók string quartets, they tackle the summit of the string quartet repertoire, performing all seventeen of
Beethoven’s quartets over six carefullyplanned concerts. Hear one, or hear them all; each promises to offer a gripping insight into the heart and mind of music’s ultimate revolutionary. It’s a special occasion for the Belceas. And it’ll be a special occasion for anyone who loves string quartets, who loves Beethoven – or who simply loves great music, whatever its form. Tickets £25 per concert “They are pre-eminent in this repertoire – so supple in their expressivity, so magically blended and balanced, so pristine in their intonation and confident in articulation and colouration… this was sublime playing.” Independent on Sunday ‘The vastly accomplished Belcea Quartet throw every fibre of their beings into the most vivid projection of the masterpieces they undertake’. The Independent
7
Sacconi String Quartet Wednesday 12 October 7.30pm
Haydn String Quartet No. 66 in G major, Opus 77 No. 1 McCabe Quintet for Horn and String Quartet
World Premiere
Schubert String Quartet in D minor, D810, 'Death and the Maiden' – David Pyatt horn
Concert Society
Sacconi String Quartet © Venetia Van Hoorn Alkema
8
John McCabe is a Liverpool legend, and his music just gets fresher with age. Tonight, the Sacconi Quartet join forces with the celebrated principal horn of the London Symphony Orchestra to give the world premiere of McCabe’s brand new Quintet for Horn and String Quartet, commissioned by the Rodewald Concert Society for their centenary year. Expect bravura performances by this superb young British team. Tickets £22 ‘The festival sensation, the young Sacconi Quartet completely bowled over a packed audience. The chemistry between these four young players is tangible and magical’. The Scotsman
Danel String Quartet Wednesday 9 May 7.30pm
Joglaresa Saturday 3 December 7.30pm
On Yoolis Night An evening of Medieval Christmas Carols, from instrumental dances to Middle English lullabies
Ever felt that Christmas just gets more commercial every year? Then throw off the trappings of modern life, turn back the clock, and get ready to party like it’s 1399 with Joglaresa – the incredible medieval band that brings the sounds of another age back to vibrantly entertaining life. Brace yourselves for riotous dance tunes, traditional carols and old English lullabies, and swap Slade and The X Factor for the ravishing sounds of vielles, harps, voices and bells as Joglaresa get “strictly medieval” on the festive season. This is Yuletide, the really old-fashioned way!
Schubert String Quartet No. 13 in A minor, ‘Rosamunde’ Emily Howard Clarinet Quintet World Premiere
Mozart Clarinet Quintet, K. 581 – Danel String Quartet Nicholas Cox clarinet
Concert Society
Tickets £22
Tickets £22
‘Joglaresa sing and play straight from the breast-bone’. The Independent
‘They deliver readings of fabulous clarity, discipline and tonal character… The unanimity of teamwork, the individuality of the solos, suggest a quartet that knows and likes itself, and isn’t shy about personality or projection.’ Musicweb International
‘I was blown away by their charm and originality’. The Scotsman
Joglaresa
Fresh, colourful and powerfully imaginative, the music of Wirral composer Emily Howard has been one of the real discoveries of recent seasons. Don’t miss this first ever performance of her latest major work specially commissioned by the Rodewald Concert Society for the Royal Liverpool Philharmonic Orchestra’s principal clarinet Nicholas Cox and the acclaimed Danel String Quartet. Two 24-carat classics provide the setting: Schubert’s gloriously tuneful ‘Rosamunde’ quartet, and Mozart’s gorgeous Clarinet Quintet – even by his standards, some of the most ravishingly beautiful music he ever wrote.
Danel String Quartet
9
Katona Twins Tuesday 19 June 7.30pm
Works by Vivaldi, Boccherini , Paganini, Piazzolla and some Katona Twins original compositions and arrangements. – Katona Twins guitars
Twin brothers Peter and Zoltán Katona were born in Hungary ,trained in Germany and live in Liverpool. But their spectacular brand of guitar playing has made a splash around the world! From orchestral favourites in jaw-dropping arrangements to contemporary classics of the guitar repertoire, there’s no limit to what the Katonas can do with their guitars - and they deliver it all with irresistible flair. Join them in their adopted home town for an evening of Vivaldi, Boccherini, Paganini, Piazzolla (and a few surprises), and witness the phenomenon for yourself. Tickets £25 ‘Very talented twins… The Katonas play marvelously, with a glorious sound and irrepressible rhythm.’ American Record Guide
Katona Twins © Peter Goodbody
10
Booking Information By post By post or in person in advance. Box Office, Liverpool Philharmonic Hall, Hope Street, Liverpool, L1 9BP. Telephone 0151 709 3789 Online www.liverpoolphil.com
Please note that booking fees may apply
Subject to availability, tickets are available on the door at St George’s Hall for one hour prior to the start of each concert and for 15 minutes after the start. Please note that all seating in St George’s Hall is reserved. Please be aware that some of the seating has limited legroom. If you are tall, please let the box office know when booking your tickets and they will advise accordingly.
Purchase 4 or more concerts and save!
Purchase 4-6 concerts SAVE 10% Purchase 7-9 concerts SAVE 15%
Purchase 10 concerts or more SAVE 20%
Patrons who purchase 4 concerts or more can also exchange their tickets for other Royal Liverpool Philharmonic Orchestra or Rodewald concerts if they are unable to attend. Please note that discounts are not available online. To book 4 or more concerts call Box Office direct on 0151 709 3789. A £5 booking fee will apply to all subscriptions. Concessions Under 25s, Students and Claimants can purchase tickets for £7 upon production of appropriate identification, subject to availability. Wheelchair users plus one companion are entitled to 50% off all tickets. Groups of 10 or more save at least 10% – call our Group Sales Coordinator, Dawn Williams, on 0151 210 2918 for details. Please note that standby tickets are not available for these concerts.
Górecki: Polish Spirituals Tuesday 8 November 7.30pm St Georges Hall Concert Room
Programme to include: Totus Tuus / Three Lullabies / Broad Waters / Song of the Katyn Families / Come Holy Spirit / Amen – Polish Radio Choir Artur Sedzielarz conductor
Henryk Mikolaj Górecki gained international acclaim with his haunting Symphony No.3 (Symphony of Sorrowful Songs). The 1992 Elektra-Nonesuch recording selling more than a million copies and staying at the top of the US Classical Charts for 38 weeks. His choral music is filled with the same distinctively spiritual lyricism and spontaneous human warmth, celebrating his Polish roots and Catholic faith.
This landmark tour by one of Poland’s leading choirs, with whom he worked closely over many years, is a tribute to one of the late twentieth century’s great composers, a year after Górecki’s death in November 2010. Tickets £20
Henryk Mikolaj Gorecki © Gerry Hurkmans Polish Radio Choir © Nowa Huta
How to find St George’s Hall Concert Room
Car park times/prices were correct at the time of going to print. Please check opening and closing times and prices of these car parks before parking.
N DO
ST
N LO
N
TER HUN
80 A5
ST
3
LL HI
ST
1
Media Partner
L SEL
2
RUS
LIME ST STATION
S
ST GEORGE’S HALL
ER A
WAY
TUNNEL ENTRANCE
CO PP
ENS
QUE
ST R NO VE
ST
HA
RODNEY
ST
LD
T CE S
AW
BO
REN
MOUN T PLEA SANT SH
LIVERPOOL CENTRAL
L HIL LOW
WN
CLA
BRO
N RE
Cost > £2.50 after 5pm.
Higher Education Partner
A5047
ST
Queen’s Square Car Park
RD
E
2
Principal Partner
M LI
Securely manned. Enter main car park (not pay and display area), go through barrier, take ticket to park on level 1A or above. When leaving car park after concert, hand car park ticket and concert ticket stub to cashier to get £2 tariff. Cost > £2 5pm-midnight.
Thanks to the City of Liverpool for its financial support
O RT NO
St John’s Car Park
(Lord Nelson Street) Cost > £4 after 6pm.
LIME ST
1
3 Lime Street Car Park
A59
St George’s Hall Concert Room is located within St George’s Hall on William Brown Street in Liverpool City Centre, directly opposite Lime Street Station. Access to the Concert Room is via the entrance on William Brown Street at the north end of the building. By public transport Queen's Square Bus Station and Lime Street Station are both less than 5 minutes walk away. By car on entering the city follow signs for Lime Street train station. There is limited car parking for Blue Badge holders at St. Georges Hall. The postcode for navigation is L1 1JJ.
Principal Funders
ST
Royal Liverpool Philharmonic Society Founded 1840 A company limited by guarantee Registered in England number 88235 Registered charity number 230538