London Symphony Orchestra Living Music
His words come to life in music
Jan – Feb 2016 A series of concerts and events celebrating the life and work of Britain’s great playwright
lso.co.uk/shakespeare400
INTRODUCTION ‘A sublime thunderclap, illuminating the most distant depths.’ Berlioz on his first experience of Shakespeare
For over four centuries Shakespeare has commanded an influence over the arts like no other literary figure. His timeless histories, tragedies and comedies have resonated through the ages with audiences and artists alike, inspiring the creation of countless works of art in every conceivable medium. In music, Shakespeare’s influence has been profound, with his words inspiring many of history’s great composers to create their finest works. As part of the wider Shakespeare 400 cultural initiative the London Symphony Orchestra presents a special series of concerts and events celebrating the Bard’s influence on the world of music in the year marking the quatercentenary of his death. Highlights include a trio of Barbican concerts with conductors Gianandrea Noseda and Sir John Eliot Gardiner, a series of Shakespeare themed BBC Radio 3 Lunchtime Concerts at LSO St Luke’s, and LSO Discovery events exploring the influence of Shakespeare on music. lso.co.uk/shakespeare400
Shakespeare400 is a consortium of leading cultural, creative and educational organisations, coordinated by King’s College London, which will mark the 400th anniversary of Shakespeare’s death in 2016. Through a connected series of public performances, programmes, exhibitions and creative activities in the capital and beyond, partners will celebrate the legacy of Shakespeare during the quatercentenary year.
CONCERTS & EVENTS Thu 7,14, 21 & 28 Jan 1pm, LSO St Luke’s BBC RADIO 3 LUNCHTIME CONCERTS
Performances of chamber music inspired by Shakespeare’s words by artists including: Gould Piano Trio, Iestyn Davies, James Gilchrist and the BBC Singers. Sun 7 Feb 2.30pm, Barbican LSO DISCOVERY
Family Concert Play on, Shakespeare! Tue 16 Feb 7.30pm, Barbican BARBICAN CONCERT
Sir John Eliot Gardiner conducts Mendelssohn’s A Midsummer Night’s Dream Thu 25 Feb 7.30pm, Barbican BARBICAN CONCERT
Gianandrea Noseda conducts Shakespearean works by Strauss, Smetana and Tchaikovsky Fri 26 Feb 12.30pm, LSO St Luke’s LSO DISCOVERY
Free Friday lunchtime Concert. Words and music including Korngold’s Nine Shakespeare Songs Sun 28 Feb 10am–5pm, Barbican & LSO St Luke’s LSO DISCOVERY
Discovery Day: Berlioz and Shakespeare with guest speaker Julian Rushton Sun 28 Feb 7pm, Barbican BARBICAN CONCERT
Gianandrea Noseda conducts Berlioz’s Romeo and Juliet – Suite
A trio of concerts at the Barbican with conductors Sir John Eliot Gardiner and Gianandrea Noseda explore how some of history’s greatest composers have responded to the influence of Shakespeare.
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Mendelssohn composed the famous Overture to his A Midsummer Night’s Dream when he was just 17 years old, depicting Shakespeare’s characters in striking musical detail. He then revisited the iconic comedy 16 years later, on a commission from the King of Prussia, for whom he created incidental music for the whole play.
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Smetana’s Richard III is a bold symphonic portrait following the Machiavellian rise to power of the title character in Shakespeare’s play, whilst Tchaikovsky distills the heartache and tragedy of Romeo and Juliet in his iconic Fantasy Overture. Shakespeare’s iconic tragedy Macbeth inspired Strauss’ tone-poem of the same title and in his own words sent his musical language ‘on a completely new path’.
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Berlioz was a particularly ardent and committed admirer of Shakespeare describing his influence as a ‘divine thunderclap’. His Romeo and Juliet is considered by many to be his greatest masterpiece, vividly re-telling the tragic tale of two star-crossed lovers.
BARBICAN CONCERTS ‘Nothing is more suitable to my musical character. No kings, no marches, no boring old grand opera. Just love, love, love!‘ Tchaikovsky on Romeo and Juliet
Tue 16 Feb 7.30pm ‘SOUND, MUSIC!’ Mendelssohn A Midsummer Night’s Dream; Symphony No 1 Sir John Eliot Gardiner conductor Monteverdi Choir Actors from the Guildhall School Thu 25 Feb 7.30pm ‘SOUND AND FURY’ Smetana Richard III Liszt Piano Concerto No 2 Tchaikovsky Overture: Romeo & Juliet Strauss Macbeth Gianandrea Noseda conductor Simon Trpcˇeski piano Sun 28 Feb 7pm ‘MONTAGUES & CAPULETS’ Shostakovich Violin Concerto No 2 Berlioz Romeo and Juliet – Suite Gianandrea Noseda conductor Janine Jansen violin 5.30pm LSO Platforms Guildhall Artists perform songs based on Shakespearean texts
GIANANDREA NOSEDA ON SHAKESPEARE ‘Shakespeare is one of history’s greatest storytellers. The power and drama of his words couldn’t be more engaging for composers who try to express human emotions through their music. As performers, our responsibility is to create the same sense of wonder in our audience when they hear these works, as the master storyteller does when we read them.’
BBC RADIO 3 LUNCHTIME CONCERTS
Thu 7 Jan 1pm, LSO St Luke’s ‘NOTES, NOTES, FORSOOTH AND NOTHING’ Instrumental works inspired by Shakespeare’s words by Korngold, Schumann and Beethoven.
Some of the world’s most skilled chamber musicians join us at LSO St Luke’s for a series of four BBC Radio 3 Lunchtime Concerts, with performances that bring to life some of Shakespeare’s most colourful characters and inspirational words.
Thu 14 Jan 1pm, LSO St Luke’s ‘HARK, HARK!’ Songs and lute solos by Morley, Purcell, Dowland and others.
Gould Piano Trio
Iestyn Davies counter-tenor Elizabeth Kenny lute Thu 21 Jan 1pm, LSO St Luke’s ‘IN SWEET MUSIC IS SUCH ART’ A meticulously crafted recital of Shakespeare inspired works from Haydn to Tippett. James Gilchrist tenor Anna Tilbrook piano Thu 28 Jan 1pm, LSO St Luke’s ‘SOUNDS AND SWEET AIRS’ The UK’s foremost vocal ensemble explore Shakespeare’s influence on choral music in a concert that includes the world premiere performance of a new work, When Time is Broke by Cecilia McDowall. BBC Singers David Hill director
LSO DISCOVERY Find out more about Shakespeare’s influence on Berlioz at an LSO Discovery Day, or bring your family along to an LSO Family Concert at the Barbican or a free Friday Lunchtime Concert at LSO St Luke’s.
Sun 7 Feb 2.30pm, Barbican LSO FAMILY CONCERT: PLAY ON, SHAKESPEARE! Shakespeare needs the help of Puck and the Orchestra to get over his writer’s block! With music by Mendelssohn, Prokofiev Walton, Sibelius and Shostakovich. Timothy Redmond conductor Aileen Gonsalves director 10.30am–12.45pm, main foyers Pre-concert workshops 1.10pm–2.20pm, main foyers Free foyer activities Fri 26 Feb 12.30pm, LSO St Luke’s FREE FRIDAY LUNCHTIME CONCERT Words and music, including Korngold’s Nine Shakespeare Songs performed by musicians from the Guildhall School. Rachel Leach presenter Sun 28 Feb 10am–5pm, Barbican & LSO St Luke’s LSO DISCOVERY DAY: BERLIOZ & SHAKESPEARE Spend the morning at an LSO open rehearsal before spending the afternoon exploring Berlioz’s fascination with the works of Shakespeare. Julian Rushton guest speaker
TICKETS & INFORMATION HOW TO BOOK Barbican Concert Tickets £10 £16 £22 £29 £40 + booking fee per transaction of £3 online or £4 by phone Book all three concerts and save 15% BBC Radio 3 Lunchtime Concerts £12 (£10 concessions, £5 under-18s) + booking fee per transaction of £0.60 online or £0.70 by phone LSO Discovery Family Concert £5 under-18s, £10 adults + fees as Barbican Concerts Suitable for families with 7- to 12-year-olds Pre-concert Workshop £7 adults, £5 under-18s Open to Family Concert ticket holders only, advance booking essential Free Foyer Activities Free entry, no need to book LSO Platforms Free entry, no ticket required
LSO Discovery Day Full day tickets £20 (£15 concessions) £14 afternoon only (from 2.30pm) + booking fees as BBC Radio 3 Lunchtime Concerts LSO Discovery Friday Lunchtime Concert Free entry, no ticket required Friday Lunchtime Concerts are supported by the Rothschild Charities Committee and LSO Friends
HOW TO FIND US Barbican Centre Silk Street, London EC2Y 8DS LSO St Luke’s UBS and LSO Music Education Centre 161 Old Street London EC1V 9NG lso.co.uk/yourvisit Information correct at time of going to print. The LSO reserves the right to change artists or programmes if necessary. Refunds will only be given in the event of a concert being cancelled. Ticket discounts cannot be combined. LSO St Luke’s Principal Donors
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