A LIVE PERFORMANCE FOR AGES 7 AND OVER SUNDAY 8 FEBRUARY 2015 12.00 NOON — 1.00PM SOUTHBANK CENTRE’S ROYAL FESTIVAL HALL
THE LONDON PHILHARMONIC ORCHESTRA AND MICHAEL MORPURGO PRESENT
THE PIED PIPER OF HAMELIN
VLADIMIR JUROWSKI CONDUCTOR MICHAEL MORPURGO AUTHOR/NARRATOR NATALIE WALTER NARRATOR COLIN MATTHEWS COMPOSER LONDON PHILHARMONIC ORCHESTRA
WELCOME Michael Morpurgo, author and narrator I grew up knowing The Pied Piper but I became aware quite recently that this was not a story children read or were told much about these days, probably because of its stark tale of strange strangers, corrupt officials and stealing of children. But I love this story. I have retold many folk tales and legends before including Sir Gawain and the Green Knight, Beauty and the Beast, Robin Hood (Outlaw). In all these tellings I have adapted as well as retold, to try to bring new life to these wonderful stories. So with The Pied Piper I wanted to tell the story my way, but very much keeping to the spirit of the old tale. Colin Matthews, today’s composer, seemed to like my version! We thought that since a large part of the story is about the magic of music and its power to transform lives as well, might we not try to create a concert together? And so we have, but none of it would ever have happened, of course, without the generous support and commitment of the wonderful London Philharmonic Orchestra and their great Principal Conductor, Vladimir Jurowski. And here we are at Royal Festival Hall, Natalie Walter and me telling the tale, Deansfield Primary School Choir as the rats and children, and the Orchestra playing the music – there’ll be piping in there somewhere – performing the world premiere of Colin Matthews’s glorious piece. Michael will be signing copies of his book after the performance
MEET THE COMPOSER Colin Matthews What attracted you to Michael’s telling of The Pied Piper? Many things, but particularly his wonderful reinterpretation of the story in a way that makes it relevant to today. The pacing of the narrative, and the portrayal of the main characters – the pompous Mayor and the other-worldly Piper. And of course Emma Chichester-Clark’s vivid, colourful illustrations.
What other fairy stories or legends would you like to compose for and why? This is something new for me which I’ve greatly enjoyed being part of, but until I’ve experienced it for myself I’m not sure what I might do next in this medium. (Although I have long wanted to write a miniature children’s opera based on Billy Goats Gruff!)
You chose to use Debussy’s piece Syrinx for flute as the main theme for the Pied Piper. Why was that? In the first place, Michael’s words – ‘Music was never sweeter ... everyone simply listened, entranced’. What if any melody that I could find didn’t live up to that description? Debussy’s Syrinx is a beautiful piece for solo flute – it seemed the perfect music to use instead of writing my own tune, although I had to find the right harmony to make it work for full orchestra.
Your music certainly captures the sinister side of the story! What other composers have inspired you and did you draw on other composers who create tension in their music? I hope it captures the positive side as well! I didn’t really follow any models, as there aren’t many narrative pieces on this scale. One way I approached it was to think of silent movies (on which I’ve worked in the past); they demand a continuous score, which should enhance but not get in the way of the story. I’m not sure which composers influenced the music apart from Debussy (who appears in other guises as well), but you might find traces of Stravinsky, Bartók or Sibelius. Britten’s music for children always sets an example. And I hope my own voice is audible as well.
You’ve orchestrated Debussy’s piano Preludes. Why are you so drawn to his music? I’ve known and loved Debussy’s music since I was a child: what attracts me to the Preludes is their combination of fantasy and colour, and a quality that can only be described as ‘elusive’ – as soon as you try to pin it down, you lose it.
TODAY’S PERFORMERS
© Drew Kelley
Vladimir Jurowski (conductor) was born in Moscow and studied music there as well as in Germany at music colleges in Dresden and Berlin. He has conducted orchestras at concert halls and opera houses all over the world. In 2007 he became the 12th Principal Conductor of the London Philharmonic Orchestra. As Principal Conductor he gives around 12 concerts with the Orchestra at Southbank Centre’s Royal Festival Hall every year, takes the Orchestra on tours of the UK and abroad, makes recordings and takes part in education projects.
Michael Morpurgo (narrator / author) is one of the UK’s best-loved authors and storytellers. He was appointed Children’s Laureate from 2003–05. He has written over 120 books including Kensuke’s Kingdom, Private Peaceful, Why the Whales Came, The Mozart Question, Shadow and War Horse, which was adapted for a hugely successful stage production by the National Theatre. Michael travels all over the UK and abroad talking to children, telling his stories and encouraging them to tell theirs. He and his wife Clare have also set up the charity Farms for City Children that offers children and teachers from primary schools in towns the chance to live and work in the countryside for a week. www.michaelmorpurgo.com
Natalie Walter (narrator) has recently filmed the sixth series of Horrible Histories playing a variety of characters. Other television includes Family Tree for HBO and BBC Two, Jonathan Creek for ITV and Doctor Who for BBC One. Film credits include Woody Allen’s You Will Meet A Tall Dark Stranger. She has performed in many plays including Greg Doran’s A Midsummer Night’s Dream and Loves Labours Lost (RSC), Noises Off (National Theatre), Habeus Corpus at the Donmar and 39 Steps in the West End. Radio includes Kind Hearts And Coronets with Alistair Mcgowen and she has just finished recording Seekers for BBC Radio 4. Natalie enjoyed reading Michael Morpurgo’s Listen To The Moon at the Storystock children’s festival for the Bush Theatre.
TODAY’S COMPOSER Colin Matthews studied at the universities of Nottingham and Sussex, and subsequently worked as assistant to Benjamin Britten and with Imogen Holst. His music ranges from solo piano works through three string quartets and many vocal, ensemble and orchestral works. He was Composer-inAssociation with the Hallé, for whom he completed his orchestrations of Debussy’s 24 Preludes in 2007. Recent commmissions include Traces Remain (2014) for BBC Symphony Orchestra and future commissions include works for Spira Mirabilis and Birmingham Contemporary Music Group. www.colinmatthews.net
© Maurice Foxhall
Deansfield Primary School Choir in Eltham is one of the leading schools for music in the Royal Borough of Greenwich. Music plays a fundamental part in the life of the school. All children from the age of six learn a musical instrument. There are five different choirs, four percussion ensembles and a school orchestra. Last year’s highlights for the Choir were performing at the Old Royal Naval College Chapel in Greenwich and at the International Eisteddfod in North Wales. This March the Choir will be back at the Royal Festival Hall competing in the Barnardo’s Choir of the Year Competition and in July will be returning to Wales to take part in the Eisteddfod again. Today, the Choir feel very privileged and excited to be singing for the first time with the London Philharmonic Orchestra.
WELCOME TO SOUTHBANK CENTRE We hope you enjoy your visit. We have a Duty Manager available at all times. If you have any queries please ask any member of staff for assistance. Eating, drinking and shopping? Southbank Centre shops and restaurants include Foyles, EAT, Giraffe, Strada, YO! Sushi, wagamama, Le Pain Quotidien, Las Iguanas, ping pong, Canteen, Caffè Vergnano 1882, Skylon, Concrete, Feng Sushi and Topolski, as well as cafes, restaurants and shops inside Royal Festival Hall, Queen Elizabeth Hall and Hayward Gallery. If you wish to get in touch with us following your visit please contact the Visitor Experience Team at Southbank Centre, Belvedere Road, London SE1 8XX, phone 020 7960 4250, or email customer@southbankcentre.co.uk We look forward to seeing you again soon. A few points to note for your comfort and enjoyment: PHOTOGRAPHY is not allowed in the auditorium. LATECOMERS will only be admitted to the auditorium if there is a suitable break in the performance.
Children £5–£9 Adult £10–£18 Book now 020 7840 4242 lpo.org.uk
RECORDING is not permitted in the auditorium without the prior consent of Southbank Centre. Southbank Centre reserves the right to confiscate video or sound equipment and hold it in safekeeping until the performance has ended. MOBILES, PAGERS AND WATCHES should be switched off before the performance begins.
TUNE WITH A TALE
Some more music associated with fairy tales, myths and legends to try BRITTEN The Little Sweep Subtitled ‘An Entertainment for Young People’ Britten’s opera is about the making of an opera! The second act is a rather sad story of a boy chimney sweep (think Oliver Twist) sold and bullied by his elders. It all works out well in the end. Britten wrote several works for children, most famously his Young Person’s Guide to the Orchestra.
PAUL PATTERSON Little Red Riding Hood and The Three Little Pigs Paul’s music brings to life Revolting Rhymes, Roald Dahl’s hilarious retelling of famous fairy stories. Get ready for some serious huffing and puffing! Available on the LPO label as a CD or download. Visit lpo.org.uk/recordings, LPO–0015
DEBUSSY Syrinx This is the piece that Colin Matthews quotes from in The Pied Piper of Hamelin. Written for solo flute, it is based on the myth of the god Pan (he of the pipes fame) and his unrequited love for the nymph, Syrinx.
SCHUBERT The Erlking Written for piano and voice, Schubert’s song is based on the German writer Goethe’s version of the Danish legend about the sinister Erlking, who spirits away a young boy.
JANÁČEK The Cunning Little Vixen The Czech composer’s magical opera of a rather clever fox includes dream sequences and singing caterpillars.
STEPHEN SONDHEIM Into the Woods This musical intertwines several fairy stories. Favourite characters take centre stage including Little Red Riding Hood and the Wolf, Rapunzel, Cinderella, a witch and not one but two princes!
OLIVER KNUSSEN Where the Wild Things Are and Higglety Pigglety Pop! Two short operas based on the well-known picture books by Maurice Sendak.
TCHAIKOVSKY Sleeping Beauty, The Nutcracker, Swan Lake All three of Tchaikovsky’s ballets, still undisputed favourites today, are based on fairy tales.
We are sure you know many more works about fairy tales, myths and legends. Why not tweet your favourites? @LPOrchestra
The Pied Piper of Hamelin is commissioned by the London Philharmonic Orchestra with the generous support of the PRS for Music Foundation. Illustrations © 2011 Emma Chichester-Clark From The Pied Piper Of Hamelin by Michael Morpurgo, illustrated by Emma Chichester-Clark Reproduced by permission of Walker Books Ltd, London SE11 5HJ www.walker.co.uk
WELCOME TO SOUTHBANK CENTRE
The right is reserved to substitute artists and to vary the programme if necessary. Southbank Centre is a registered charity We hope you enjoy your visit. We have a Duty No. 298909 • The London Philharmonic Orchestra is a registered Manager available at all times. If you have any charity No. 238045 • London Philharmonic Orchestra, queries please ask any member of staff for 89 Albert Embankment, London SE1 7TP • lpo.org.uk
SE1 8XX, phone 020 7960 4250, or email customer@southbankcentre.co.uk
We look forward to seeing you again soon.
assistance.
A few points to note for your comfort and enjoyment:
Eating, drinking and shopping? Southbank Centre shops and restaurants include Foyles, EAT, Giraffe, Strada, YO! Sushi, wagamama, Le Pain Quotidien, Las Iguanas, ping pong, Canteen, Caffè Vergnano 1882, Skylon, Concrete, Feng Sushi and Topolski, as well as cafes, restaurants and shops inside Royal Festival Hall, Queen Elizabeth Hall and Hayward Gallery.
PHOTOGRAPHY is not allowed in the auditorium.
If you wish to get in touch with us following your visit please contact the Visitor Experience Team at Southbank Centre, Belvedere Road, London
LATECOMERS will only be admitted to the auditorium if there is a suitable break in the performance. RECORDING is not permitted in the auditorium without the prior consent of Southbank Centre. Southbank Centre reserves the right to confiscate video or sound equipment and hold it in safekeeping until the performance has ended. MOBILES, PAGERS AND WATCHES should be switched
The right is reserved to substitute artists and to vary the programme if necessary. Southbank Centre is a registered charity No. 298909 • The London Philharmonic Orchestra is a registered charity No. 238045 • London Philharmonic Orchestra, 89 Albert Embankment, London SE1 7TP • lpo.org.uk