NYO Senior Orchestra Summer Programme 2022

senior Summer Concert 2022

7pm, 29 July

Ayr Town Hall

Programme

Bennett

Sinfonietta Page 11

Trojan

Fairy Tales (for accordion and orchestra)

Mendelssohn

Symphony No.3 in A minor, Op.56 (Scottish)

Page 13

Page 14

Welcome

I am delighted to be making my debut with NYOS this summer after a twoyear delay due to the pandemic. I can’t think of a better work to perform with Scotland’s best young musicians than Mendelssohn’s beautiful Scottish Symphony! The composer made his first trip to Britain in July 1829, visiting the ruins of Holyrood Chapel. Mendelssohn wrote to his family “I think I have found there the beginning of my ‘Scottish’ symphony,” and there’s no doubt that the beautiful, haunting opening of the symphony encapsulates the mysteriousness of the chapel ruins. The rest of the symphony is full of such effortlessly beautiful Scottish-like folk music, and is always such a joy to perform.

The accordion is a rare instrument to perform as soloist with orchestra, but this opportunity to hear the incredible Scottish accordionist Ryan Corbett will be a great experience for the young musicians of NYOS. The Czech composer Václav Trojan wrote his Fairy Tales in 1959, and it’s a true showcase for the soloist, full of effervescent rhythms and melodies as well as really introspective dark moments, which show the full variety of colours and atmospheres which the accordion can produce.

I’ve absolutely loved the music of Richard Rodney Bennett, ever since I saw the film Murder on the Orient Express, the soundtrack to which is perhaps his most famous composition. I’m absolutely thrilled to be able to perform one of his less well-known works, the Sinfonietta. Richard Rodney Bennett’s immense skill in the writing of gorgeous melodies is set against his trademark edgy colourful orchestration for a really tightly composed miniature work for chamber orchestra.

Jamie Phillips Conductor

Jamie Phillips

Conductor

Jamie Phillips’s penetrating insight and innate musicality convey an infectious joy in his music-making. Praised for his “ability to pick up a familiar piece by the scruff of its neck and shake invigorating new life into it" (Bachtrack), Phillips is a natural storyteller whose clear and expressive hands deliver his ardent vision.

Jamie Phillips has developed a strong guest conducting profile across Europe, recently conducting the Philharmonia, London Philharmonic Orchestra, Royal Philharmonic Orchestra, Vienna Tonkünstler Orchestra, Antwerp Symphony Orchestra, Deutsche Radio Philharmonie, NDR Radiophilharmonie, Munich Chamber Orchestra, and the Philharmonie Zuidnederland, Het Gelders Orkest, Oslo Philharmonic, Polish National Radio Symphony Orchestra, Orchestre de Chambre de Lausanne, Opera de Lyon, Camerata Salzburg, Odense Symphony and Orchestre National d’Ile de France.

Phillips enjoys a close association with the Hallé Orchestra. Following his successful appointment as Assistant Conductor (aged twenty) the orchestra created the title of Associate Conductor for him, and he returned to conduct subscription concerts in May 2022. Elsewhere in 2022 he conducts the BBC National Orchestra of Wales, Bournemouth Symphony Orchestra, Royal Philharmonic Orchestra, the orchestra of Glyndebourne Opera and the Wuerttemburgische Philharmonie, Nordwestdeutsche Philharmonie and Deutsche Radio Philharmonie where he is a regular guest.

His recordings with the Hallé Orchestra, of works by Tarik O’Regan and Helen Grime for the NMC label were “spot-on” (Classical Music magazine). His October 2020 release of 11 commissioned works inspired by JS Bach’s Goldberg Variations with the NDR Radio Philharmonie and violinist Niklas Liepe for Sony won an Opus Klassik Award, and further recordings are planned.

Ryan Corbett

Accordion

Ryan Corbett is a classical accordionist from Milngavie who has been described as “one of Scotland’s most exciting young musicians” (The Scotsman). This year he graduated from the Royal Conservatoire of Scotland, where he will commence his postgraduate studies in October 2022. Ryan began playing accordion aged eleven and was self-taught until he started learning with Djordje Gajic at the age of fourteen.

Ryan was awarded first prize at the Royal Over-Seas League Annual Music Competition, and the Bromsgrove International Musicians competition. He is the first accordionist to be selected as a BBC New Generation Artist and a Tillet Trust Debut Scheme artist. Ryan has also won prizes at international accordion competitions in Italy, Germany, and China.

Last year Ryan recorded Bach’s fourth keyboard concerto with the Berliner Symphoniker as part of the Piazzolla centenary celebrations. He looks forward to performing as a soloist with BBC orchestras as part of the New Generation Artist Scheme.

In 2021 Ryan formed an accordion duo with Djordje Gajic; its repertoire features Ryan's arrangement of Bach’s Prelude and Fugue in Eb which was described as “musically unified and utterly compelling” (Seen and Heard International). He also arranged music by Rameau for three accordions which was performed for The Prince of Wales during his official visit to the Royal Conservatoire of Scotland.

Ryan is grateful for the support of Dewar Arts Awards, John Mather Trust, Cross Trust, Drake Calleja Trust, Help Musicians UK, RCS Scholarship Fund, and private sponsors. Ryan plays a Bayan Spectrum accordion made by Bugari in Castelfidardo, Italy.

“I’m very excited to play Vaclav Trojan’s Fairy Tales with NYOS Senior Orchestra. Trojan is known for composing the soundtrack for animated fairy tales by Jiří Trnka, and this concerto is comprised of seven movements – each describing characters and scenes from fairy tales. The vivid images and enchanting melodies make this piece a joy to play, and I hope that the members of the orchestra feel the same way.”

Richard Rodney Bennett (1936-2012) Sinfonietta

Sinfonietta, a commission by the National Federation of Music societies for their 50th anniversary, was written in the spring of 1984. Although the terms of the commission demanded that the work should meet the technical resources of amateur players, Rodney Bennett has skilfully turned these limitations to good musical effect. The idiom is witty and attractive, which coupled with the deft scoring and taut construction makes for easy listening.

DURATION 10 minutes

Sinfonietta is conceived in three interlinked movements with the threads of thematic material running through each section. Most of the themes are heard in the lively first movement - vivo – and are expanded in the remaining movements. The central movement - lento - is sedate and lyrical with extended solos for the woodwind, containing a more energetic middle section that is to become the material for the boisterous finale.

Liechtenstein becomes the last country in Europe to grant women the right to vote.

Steve Jobs launches the Apple Macintosh computer.

FURTHER LISTENING

Barber – Essay for Orchestra No.2

A tightly constructed ten-minute showcase for the orchestra.

© Wise Music Classical

Václav Trojan (1907-1983)

Fairy Tales, Concerto for Accordion

i. Let us dance into the fairy tales

ii. The Sleepy Princess

iii. The Magic Box

iv. The Enchanted Princess, the Brave Princess, and the Evil Dragon

v. The Naughty Roundabout

vi. The Sailor and the Enchanted Accordion

vii. The Acrobatic Fairy Tale

DURATION 25 minutes

YEAR OF COMPOSITION 1959

THE WORLD IN 1959...

Motown Records is founded in Detroit.

The European Court of Human Rights is established.

The first Barbie doll is sold in the United States.

FURTHER LISTENING

Prokofiev – Cinderella

A fantastical ballet based on the famous fairy tale. NYOS Symphony Orchestra perform excerpts in Aberdeen (4 August) and Dundee (5 August).

Czech composer Václav Trojan is best remembered for his film scores, many of which accompany animations. He also won an award for an opera for children. This early experience is evident in this charming work of seven short movements, which depict characters from Czech fairy tales including a sleepy princess, an evil dragon, and an enchanted accordion.

In addition to the surprising use of accordion as soloist, the orchestra is deployed with similar originality throughout, with many vibrant and appropriately magical soundscapes conjured through inventive combinations of instruments. Some of the sound effects are quite literal such as the low growling from the bass of the accordion describing the dragon and the military trumpets and drums which seem to scare it away; other movements create a magical atmosphere through lively use of themes from traditional folk music and imaginative orchestration.

By Jack Johnson (© NYOS, 2022)

Felix Mendelssohn (1809-1847)

Symphony No 3 in A Minor, Op. 56

i. Vorspiel: Allegro moderato

ii. Adagio

iii. Finale: Allegro energico

DURATION 38 minutes

YEAR OF COMPOSITION 1842

Mendelssohn was a child prodigy who wrote some of his most beloved works such as the Overture to A Midsummer Night’s Dream when he was a teenager. He was born into a privileged family and consequently was able to dedicate his time to composition and travel, visiting the United Kingdom ten times over his short life. It was on his first visit that he travelled the length and breadth of Scotland before commemorating his trip in his later orchestral works: the Hebrides Overture and this symphony.

THE WORLD IN 1842...

The Income Tax Act establishes the first peacetime income tax in the United Kingdom; 7 pence in the pound for incomes over £150.

Palaeontologist Richard Owen coins the term Dinosauria, or dinosaurs, to describe three prehistoric reptile fossil discoveries that shared similar characteristics.

The origins of this symphony began in the grounds of Holyrood Palace, Mendelssohn writing in his diary:

‘In the evening twilight we went today to the palace where Queen Mary lived and loved…The chapel close to it is now roofless, grass and ivy grow there, and at that broken altar Mary was crowned Queen of Scotland. Everything round is broken and mouldering and the bright sky shines in. I believe I have found today in that old chapel the beginning of my Scottish Symphony.’

Below that entry, he sketched sixteen bars of music that would eventually go on to form the opening of this symphony when he revisited this material thirteen years after his trip.

The dark and ominous introduction that evolved from that initial sketch is scored for woodwinds, horn and the lower strings, no violins enter for over a minute which was very unusual for a symphony written at this time. The introduction fades away quietly, giving way to a faster section marked ‘fast’ and ‘agitated’, the tension highlighted by the many quiet, scurrying passages throughout the movement before it builds to a loud, turbulent finale and concludes mournfully with a brief recap on the introduction.

Although Mendelssohn does not quote any Scottish folk music directly, knowing the genesis of the symphony it is hard not to acknowledge an unmistakeable Scottish influence in the lively theme introduced by the clarinet at the beginning of the second movement, which alongside its dancing, folksy quality uses a rhythm commonly known as the ‘scotch snap’.

The slow third movement, which alternates between sweet, sentimental melodies reminiscent of the composer’s many ‘songs without words’ and darker, more ominous passages, has often been described as a lament for Mary Queen of Scots, although there is no direct evidence for this.

The fast and furious final movement was originally marked Allegro Guerriero (fast and warlike), and much of it is written at a breathless place depicting the chaos and anxiety of warfare, until the music brightens into a major key in its final minutes, with a triumphant and majestic hymn-

like melody. This melody is probably the biggest clue as to how much the memory of Mary Queen of Scots permeates the work. Its opening two bars mirror almost exactly in time signature, key signature, and notes the opening of an ‘Ave Maria’ (Hail Mary) that Mendelssohn had written ten years earlier. It’s hard to believe that this is a coincidence.

By Jack Johnson (© NYOS, 2022)

KEY OF MUSICAL TERMS

Scotch Snap (or Lombard rhythm) - a rhythmic figure consisting of a quick note on an accented beat followed by a longer note on an unaccented one. A prominent feature of the strathspey, a traditional Scottish country dance, following Scottish immigration to Appalachia, the rhythm is now also prominent in American pop and rap music.

FURTHER LISTENING

Helen Grime – Two Eardley Pictures

Landscapes of the north-east coast of Scotland are beautifully realised in this vibrant orchestral suite, which also draws on the folk songs of the region.

James MacMillan – The Confession of Isobel Gowdie

A terrifying and ferocious orchestral portrait of a dark moment from Scottish history.

First Violin

Beth Peat, Bearsden (Leader)

Ryan Chan, Glasgow

Emma Denny, Perth

Zoe Drysdale, Glasgow

Adam Gregory, Stirling

Ailsa Janzen, Ballachulish

Erin Jenkins, Glasgow

Millie McCallum, Fife

Martyn McLennan, St. Andrews

Nikolina Partolina, Edinburgh

Bethany Woodburn, Dunfermline

Second Violin

Ava Gillan, Edinburgh

Emil Griffin, Edinburgh

Joseph Hamilton, Kirkcudbright

Jennifer Huang, Edinburgh

Tajinder Kaur, Symington

Niamh Milne, Saltcoats

Lulu O'Neill, Edinburgh

Kevin Ren, Glasgow

Christine Sang, Edinburgh

Anna Scott Brown, Aberdeen

Viola

Alexandra Archibald, Edinburgh

Florence Arbuthnott, Laurencekirk

Alistair Grant, Aberdeen

Niamh Kelly, Comrie

Ailsa Quantrill, Inverurie

Ellen MacDonald, Inverurie

Cello

Calum Campbell, Glasgow

Benjamin Clark, Cupar

Fergus Hamilton, Burntisland

Aaron Magill, Aberdeen

William Leask Maitland, Inverurie

Dòmhnall MacGriogair, Glasgow

Double Bass

Matthew Nowak, Stirling

Harriet Pybus, Dunfermline

Flute

Molly Gribbon, Stevenston

Kirsten Ross, Glasgow

Emma Phipps, Edinburgh

Oboe

Rose Jamieson, Glasgow

Patrick Ridge, Edinburgh

Clarinet

Sasha Charter, Kilmacolm

Lucy Deng, Glasgow

Anthony McKenna, Motherwell

Bassoon

Laura Hubbard-Perez, Glasgow

Aneesa Phillips, Glasgow

French Horn

Andrew Armstrong, Cupar

George Brady, Lauder

Katherine Parker, Elgin

Ellie Wilson, Helensburgh

Trumpet

Andrew Dixon, Milngavie

Leo Storey, Glasgow

Timpani and Percussion

Nikhil Bollapragada, Glasgow

Catriona Duncan, Edinburgh

Amelia Leishman, Edinburgh

Zach Mitchell, Kilwinning

Piano

Thomas Heaney, East Dunbartonshire

Celeste

Esther Ersfeld Mandujano, Glasgow

Correct at the time of going to print.

Special thanks to the Leverhulme Trust for supporting our young musicians. As Leverhulme Arts Scholarship recipients, many of the musicians listed have received bursary support thanks to funding from the Leverhulme Trust.

STATUTORY FUNDING

Creative Scotland Regular Funding

Creative Scotland Youth Music Initiative

SPONSORSHIP

John Lewis Partnership

TRUSTS & FOUNDATIONS

A M Pilkington Charitable Trust

The AMW Charitable Trust

Angus Allnatt Charitable Foundation

A Sinclair Henderson Trust

The Cruach Trust

Cruden Foundation

David and June Gordon Memorial Trust

The Dunclay Charitable Trust

Dundee Music Grants

Ecton Trust

The Educational Institute of Scotland (EIS)

The Endowment Trust of the National Youth

Orchestras of Scotland

Ernest Cook Trust

Evelyn Drysdale Charitable Trust

The Forteviot Charitable Trust

The Gannochy Trust

Gibson Graham Charitable Trust

The Gordon Fraser Charitable Trust

Hinshelwood Gibson Trust

Hugh Fraser Foundation

Jennie S Gordon Memorial Trust

Jimmie Cairncross Charitable Trust

John Mather Trust

J R Gibb Charitable Trust

The J T H Charitable Trust

The Leng Charitable Trust

Len Thomson Charitable Trust

The Leverhulme Trust

The Mackintosh Foundation

The Martin Charitable Trust

McGlashan Trust

The MEB Charitable Trust

Merchants House of Glasgow

Miss E C Hendry Trust

Misses Barrie Charitable Trust

Miss Jean R Stirrat’s Charitable Trust

Mr and Mrs J M B Charitable Trust

Nancie Massey Charitable Trust

Peter Coats’ Trust

P F Charitable Trust

Portrack Charitable Trust

Probus Club of Lomond

The Radcliffe Trust

R J Larg Family Trust

The Robertson Trust

Robertson Ness Trust

Ronald Miller Foundation

Samuel Gardner Memorial Trust

Scott Davidson Charitable Trust

Scottish Secondary Teachers’ Association

The Sheila and Denis Cohen Charitable Trust

Sir Iain Stewart Foundation

The St Katharine’s Fund

Talteg Ltd

Tay Charitable Trust

Tillyloss Charitable Trust

The Turtleton Trust

W A Cargill Fund

Walter Craig Charitable Trust

The Zich Trust

CONDUCTORS’ CIRCLE

Ms Lindsay Pell and Professor Chris Morris

Professor Marjorie and Dr David Rycroft

NYOS SYMPHONY ORCHESTRA

Principal Chair Sponsors

The Baron of Balvaird Principal Harp

Mrs A M Bennett Double Bass

Mr and Mrs Timothy Laing Piano/Celeste

Geoffrey and Jean Lord Percussion

Mr Michael J Pell Bassoon

Dr Myra Soutar French Horn

St Fillans Music Circle Viola

Chair Sponsors

Kirsty Adam Cello

Charles Arbuthnot

Lord and Lady Cameron of Lochbroom Violin

Colin E Christison Viola

Alan Davis Cello

Dr T and Mrs Y Fitzgerald Violin

Mr Andrew Hadden Violin

Mrs Iain Harrison Cello

Professor David Hamilton Lawson Oboe

Carolyn Lawson Timpani

Duncan and Sarah MacIntyre Violin

The Rt Hon Lord MacLean

Mr and Mrs Thomas McCreery

Mr Robin Pagett and Mrs Kate Longworth

Professor and Mrs Kenneth Paterson

In memory of Ian Robertson Bassoon

Mr and Mrs Mark Seymour

Maureen Simpson Cello

Dr C D and Mrs K A Sinclair

Mr A L Stewart French Horn

Lorna and Patrick Stewart Double Bass

Graham Taylor MBE Trombone

Peter Thierfeldt Double Bass

Mrs Ann Verney Cello

Mr and Mrs R M Williamson

Graeme and Ella Wilson

Dr and Mrs Paul Wilson

NYOS JAZZ ORCHESTRA

Chair Sponsors

Tim and Sally Barraclough Percussion

Theo and Noah Rossi Piano

NYOS JUNIOR ORCHESTRA

Leader Chair Sponsor

Alan and Jan Simpson

Principal Chair Sponsor

Dr Myra Soutar Second Violin

HONORARY CHAIR SPONSORS

In memory of Richard Chester MBE

Sarah Chester

We are incredibly grateful to all our sponsors and funders listed above for their continued support. NYOS also acknowledges those who wish to remain anonymous.

Professor and Mrs Andrew Bain

Sandra Bale

Mr Douglas Burke

Mr Graham Bygrave

Kevin and Linda Clarke

Dr Joseph Coleiro

Mrs R Coleman

Mr and Mrs Cooper

Mr and Mrs Morrison Dunbar

Mr and Mrs A Craig Duncan

The Countess of Elgin and Kincardine

Janey and Leslie Fleming

Mr Malcolm Fleming

Professor and Mrs Andrew Hamnett

Mr Patrick Harrison

Peter and Barbara-Ann Hawkey

Penelope Johnston

Mr Christopher Judson

Mr Andrew Keener

Mrs Mary K Lawson

Mr and Mrs Crawford Logan

Dr and Mrs Warren Luke

Professor M A Lumsden

Mr and Mrs R P Manson

Mr James McBeath

Mr George McCaig

Mr John McLeod

Mr and Mrs D McVicar

Mr and Mrs Neil G Meldrum

Mr Allan Murray

Mr David A J Noble

Mr Philip Oppenheim

Mr John B Park

Simon and Lesley Paterson

Mr and Mrs Alex Perry

Dr Stephen and Dr Alison Rawles

Alastair Rennie

Jennifer and David Rimer

Alan and Catriona Robertson

Mrs Kay Robertson

Mr and Mrs Ian M T Sandison

Angus Scott-Brown

Irene and Fred Shedden

Dr and Mrs Trust

George and Isobel Walker

The Hon Lord Weir

Mr Colin West

Elizabeth Wood

We are incredibly grateful to all our friends and supporters listed above for their continued support. NYOS also acknowledges those who wish to remain anonymous.

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NYOS Soundings

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