volume 4 - number 1 - april 2018
RCO House is taking shape The work on RCO House is progressing.
ding with special insulation and resonance
Metsustraat in Amsterdam, just a sto-
studios have now been built so that acous-
The unique project, located in Gabriël ne’s throw from The Concertgebouw, is starting to take shape, but a considerable amount of money is still needed to complete it.
RCO House continues to grow from a set of
panels. Mock-ups of the first rehearsal
ticians can ensure they are properly soundproofed. You can stay up to date on all the
latest developments at www.rcohouse.nl. Obviously, the renovation and restoration
of this beautiful building designed by Ber-
lage would not be possible without the ge-
lofty plans to actual reality. Steady head-
nerous support of many stakeholders. Nu-
will accommodate both staff and the mu-
€8.7 million to this massive undertaking.
way is being made on the building, which sic-making needs of the orchestra. RCO House will also provide the orchestra’s mu-
sicians with sufficient rehearsal space and
merous donors have contributed a total of
And the RCO’s Swiss Friends confirmed to donate three grand piano’s. However, a considerable amount – €1.3 million –
even a venue for chamber concerts. The
still needs to be raised to help us meet the
The next step involves equipping the buil-
in november. Your help is very welcome!
size of the ensemble space is now visible.
€10 million finish line before the opening
SAVE THE DATE 14 september 2018 + RCO HOUSE VISIT 15 september 2018
RCO Global Friends become RCO Patrons A brand-new name and all-new donation
established four donation programmes
the festive RCO Opening Night. Addi-
tion of donors will be known as the RCO
ternationally uniform, each with its own
donated, privileges range from attend-
programmes – from now on, the Founda-
Foundation and RCO Global Friends as RCO Patrons, followed by their country
of origin. The decision to make these
changes reflects the exciting continued internationalisation of the supporters of the Royal Concertgebouw Orchestra.
To that end, the RCO Foundation has
for current and new donors which are inprivileges. The programmes range from
RCO Patrons (€1.500 a year), RCO Fellows (€5.000 a year) and RCO Masters (€10.000 a year) to RCO Trustees (€50.000 a year). The RCO Global Friends, who will now
be known as RCO Patrons, will retain the same privileges, including two tickets to 1
tionally, and depending on the amount
ing a masterclass and spending a day
with the orchestra to a personal meeting with chief conductor Daniele Gatti and
travelling on tour with the RCO. Natu-
rally, there are tax advantages in respect of all amounts and countries. All information will become available soon.
ARTISTIC DIRECTOR JOEL ETHAN FRIED LOOKS AHEAD Joel Ethan Fried has held the post of
all four living chief conductors this sea-
gebouw Orchestra since 1999. In that
do Chailly, Mariss Jansons and, of course,
artistic director of the Royal Concertcapacity, he oversees programming. In
this short interview, he looks ahead to the unmissable concerts the orchestra
son,’ Fried says. ‘Bernard Haitink, Riccarour current chief Daniele Gatti – they’re all there.’
is giving during the rest of the season
When pressed, Fried nevertheless men-
House.
mances, including those of Gustav Mahl-
and to the advantages afforded by RCO
Fried’s enthusiasm for the Side by Side project is virtually uncontainable. He says, ‘The Side by Side project shows just
how much the countries making up the European Union have in common. Plus it’s letting us pass on our shared cultural
heritage from one generation to the next. Making music together is a great way to show that, since we obviously all speak the same musical languages. Together
with the musicians, we’re really looking forward to the concerts still to come this season and next.’
As always, Fried says it’s tough to single
out the ‘best’ of the remaining concerts this season. After all, he has been instrumental in programming all of them, so
he doesn’t exactly enjoy having to choose
one over another. ‘We’re very proud that we managed to book engagements with
tions several important upcoming perforer’s Symphony No. 1, conducted by Daniele Gatti, on 9 and 10 May. He continues, ‘The
orchestra is also performing Mahler’s Sym-
phony No. 9 under the direction of its honorary conductor Bernard Haitink (on 7, 8
and 10 June) and Bruckner’s Symphony No. 8,
led by guest conductor Jaap van Zweden (2, 3 and 6 May). Mahler and Bruckner fans
will, of course, see these concerts as the
true high points of the season. But it’s important to remember that our orchestra works hard every single week to perform
music from all periods at the highest pos-
sible level. We hope that every concert-goer will develop his or her own preferences
for a wide range of music, from Bach to contemporary works. And for those who enjoy witnessing up close the interaction between the conductor and orchestra, I
highly recommend the conducting masterclass given by Daniele Gatti on 25 and 26 June.’ Obviously, there’s still a lot to 2
look forward to at the tail end of the 2017– 18 season.
Fried is also very much involved in the campaign to raise funds for RCO House, which should be ready by november 2018. Of the value RCO House will add, he says, ‘The artistic excellence of the Royal Concertgebouw Orchestra depends on many things, one of which is the continued mu-
sical growth of each of our 120 musicians.
Just playing in an orchestra isn’t enough – musicians have to practise on their own and play a wide range of solo and chamber music repertoire. RCO House will give our
musicians and members of the Orchestra Academy the chance to rehearse individ-
ually and in groups. It will also help us continue to develop our educational ac-
tivities. Thanks to the ensemble space, which we’ll be using for things like workshops for schoolchildren, concert intro-
ductions for adults, open rehearsals and
informal concerts, we can carry out activities at RCO House which at the moment
are very challenging and, in some cases, impossible. That’s why it’s my sincere hope that we can count on contributions
from our donors to make up the remain-
ing €1.3 million needed to complete the renovation process as we’ve planned.’
Side by Side impresses donors in Madrid and Lisbon
RCO MEETS EUROPE concert schedule
The Royal Concertgebouw Orchestra’s recent visits to Madrid and Lisbon were a
15 May 2018
great success. The Side by Side donors were given the chance to experience at first hand the impact of the orchestra’s collaboration with youth orchestras.
17 May 2018
Praised in the press as memorable concerts,
for Two Pianos and Orchestra. Thanks to the sis-
bon as part of RCO meets Europe and Side
cert was a real celebration of solidarity. The
the RCO’s performances in Madrid and Lis-
by Side featured an impressive programme
including Wagner’s prelude to Die Meistersinger von Nürnberg alongside young musicians of the Madrid Youth Orchestra and the Gul-
benkian Orchestra Academy respectively, all conducted by Semyon Bychkov. Also programmed were Shostakovich’s incom-
parable Symphony No. 5 and Bruch’s Concerto
Prague, Smetana Hall Paris, Philharmonie
ters Katia and Marielle Labèque, the con-
30 June 2018
Side by Side donors present got a chance to
of Culture
experience at first hand the profound im-
pact on young European musicians which this important initiative undertaken by the orchestra has. Both projects, which will be concluding in November 2018, still
offer much to look forward to.
Sofia (Bulgaria), National Palace 1 July 2018
Sofia (Malta), National Palace of Culture
1 September 2018 Kourion (Cyprus) 6 November 2018
Wrocław (Poland), National Forum of Music
7 November 2018
Vilnius, Lithuanian National Opera 8 November 2018
Riga, Latvian National Opera 9 November 2018 Frankfurt
RCO Global Friends given royal welcome In November and February, the Royal Con-
given an elaborate reception and attended
very successful performances in Frankfurt,
cert.
certgebouw Orchestra gave a number of
Paris and Luxembourg. The concert-relat-
a rehearsal as an introduction to the con-
Talinn, Nordea Concert Hall 11 November 2018
Helsinki, Music Centre Concert Hall 12 November 2018
Gothenburg, Concert Hall 13 November 2018
Copenhagen, DR Koncerthuset 24 November 2018
Zagreb, Vatroslav Lisinski Concert Hall
ed activities organised on behalf of RCO
On 29 November 2017, a trio made up of obo-
The chamber music concert in Paris was
Wiedijk and bassoonist Simon Van Holen
embourg to perform the same programme
concert, featuring works by Mozart, Bee-
tion of Semyon Bychkov. In addition to a
Global Friends were greatly appreciated. also well received. There are wide-ranging
plans to organise a number of chamber
music house concerts in Paris and Frankfurt in the autumn of 2018. We will be
sending you more information about these in due course.
During the concert in Frankfurt on 11 November 2017, RCO Global Friends were
ist Alexei Ogrintchouk, clarinettist Hein gave a very well-received chamber music thoven and Ibert, at the Atelier Néerlanda-
is to fete current RCO Global Friends and to generate interest among new Friends.
On 19 February 2018, the entire Royal Con-
certgebouw Orchestra gave a spectacular concert with soloists Katia and Marielle
with the Labèque sisters under the direcguided tour of the Philharmonie and a re-
hearsal visit, the warm welcome given by ambassador Hans Maurits Schaapveld was a particularly pleasant surprise. Local RCO
Global Friends and Belgian Friends attended this special event.
Labèque at the Paris Philharmonie. Their
interpretation of Bruch’s Concerto for Two Pianos and Orchestra proved an exhilarating surprise. RCO Global Friends were treated to a rehearsal visit and reception.
Paris
The day before the Paris concert, the
orchestra was at the Philharmonie in Lux3
Luxembourg
CONCERTGEBOUW ORCHESTRA IMPRESSES IN NEW YORK Over the last few months, the Royal Concertgebouw
Orchestra
has
again
been giving first-rate performances outside the Netherlands. But in addition to
its intensive RCO meets Europe/Side by Side concerts, the orchestra certainly
isn’t neglecting the other continents of the globe. In the second half of November 2017, the orchestra, under the direc-
tion of Daniele Gatti, gave a number of successful concerts in South Korea and Japan. New York was on its January itinerary, too.
The orchestra took along two demanding programmes on its tour of South Korea
and Japan. The first featured Beethoven’s
Violin Concerto with soloist Frank Peter Zimmermann, juxtaposed with Brahms’s
Symphony No. 1, while the equally intriguing
the Royal Concertgebouw Orchestra was
Mahler and Bruckner tradition. The New
in C major with soloist Tatiana Vassilyeva
Carnegie Hall. And it wasn’t just the or-
which Maestro Gatti and the orchestra lav-
second consisted of Haydn’s Cello Concerto and Mahler’s Symphony No. 4 featuring so-
prano Julia Kleiter. Chief conductor Daniele Gatti conducted both concerts in Seoul
and Tokyo, in addition to performances in Nagasaki, Osaka and Kyoto.
The orchestra also met with an enthu-
siastic reception in New York just over a month later. Thanks to the much-appre-
ciated support of its RCO Global Friends,
able to give no fewer than two concerts at
chestra’s Friends who enjoyed it either.
The New York Times wrote a favourable
review of the concert featuring Mahler’s Symphony No. 1 and Bruch’s Violin Concer-
to No. 1 with soloist Janine Jansen. As on
York Times praised the ‘expressive beauty’ ished on the music, as well as their ‘majestic restraint’ which made the concluding Adagio from Bruckner’s Ninth Symphony a truly unforgettable experience.
the second concert with works including
In addition to and around these concerts,
showcased both its chief conductor Dan-
Royal Concertgebouw Orchestra’s donors.
Bruckner’s Symphony No. 9, the orchestra iele Gatti, new to New York audiences
in this capacity, and its distinguished
there was an unwavering focus on the Not only did RCO Global Friends enjoy the
rehearsal visits and extensive reception after the concert, but in September they
also enjoyed a reception and house concerts at the New York residence of Consul
General Dolph Hogewoning and at the home of the Dutch Ambassador in Wash-
ington DC, Henne Schuwer. Both also attended a reception on 18 January 2018 following the concerts given in New York. The orchestra’s heartfelt thanks are due
to its RCO Global Friends and those who represent the orchestra in the US – Consul
General Dolph Hogewoning, John Pirova-
no, Roelfien Kuijpers and Wim Kooyker in New York, and Robbert Dijkgraaf in Princeton. All the more reason to look
forward to the private chamber music
concerts in Grand Rapids, Michigan, New York and Princeton in September 2018
and, of course, to the orchestra’s US tour taking place from 9 to 15 February 2019. 4
Young conductors looking forward to ‘terrifying’ masterclass The annual masterclass given by Danie-
bouw Orchestra in June are looking forward
stage. Reinhardt describes the challenge
Orchestra is taking place from 25 to
hopes. ‘Sharing the stage with one of the
of ensuring they secure engagements
le Gatti and the Royal Concertgebouw 28 June, an event made possible in part
by our donors. The four participants hail from Portugal, Germany, China/ New Zealand and the US, and are loo-
king forward to the exciting event with high hopes.
‘Intimidating’, ‘terrifying’ and a ‘big chal-
lenge’ – the four conductors selected to participate in the masterclass hosted by Daniele Gatti and the Royal Concertge-
to the event with a mix of nerves and high
best conductors and orchestras in the world isn’t exactly what we do every day,’ explains
the Portuguese conductor Nuno Coelho. Nevertheless, these four conductors are
facing young, talented conductors as one
with orchestras that really matter. ‘That’s why a masterclass of this calibre is of the utmost importance,’ she says.
hardly inexperienced. Coelho has served
as assistant conductor of the Netherlands Philharmonic Orchestra, while his colle-
agues, the American Roderick Cox, the Chi-
nese/New Zealander Tianyi Lu and the German Ruth Reinhardt already have a proven
track record on the international concert
CALENDAR OF RCO GLOBAL FRIENDS ACTIVITIES 4 May 2018 Philharmonie, Essen
15 September 2018
12 February 2019
Daniele Gatti conductor
Orchestra Hall, Chicago
Jaap van Zweden conductor
RCO House visit
Bruckner – Symphony No. 8
Save the date
4 September 2018 Philharmonie, Berlin
25 November 2018
Annett Fritsch soprano
Philippe Herreweghe conductor
13 February 2019
Alban Berg – Altenberg Lieder
Franz Schubert – Deutsche Tänze
Daniele Gatti conductor
Robert Schumann – Symphony No. 2
Ludwig van Beethoven – Piano Concerto No. 5
Johannes Brahms – Symphony No. 4 Richard Strauss – Ein Heldenleben
Daniele Gatti conductor
Philharmonie, Luxembourg
Anton Webern – Fünf Sätze
Isabelle Faust violin
Kennedy Center, Washington DC
Anton Bruckner – Symphony No. 3
Ludwig van Beethoven – Violin Concerto
Pierre-Laurent Aimard piano
5 September 2018 Kultur- und
Richard Strauss – Ein Heldenleben
Kongresszentrum, Luzern
8 December 2018 BOZAR, Brussels
Annett Fritsch soprano
Pierre-Laurent Aimard piano
Daniele Gatti conductor
von Nürnberg
Antonin Dvorák – Piano Concerto
Orchestra of the USA
Daniele Gatti conductor
Daniel Harding conductor
14 February 2019 Carnegie Hall, New York
Richard Wagner – Die Meistersinger
Elena Zhidkova mezzo-soprano
Side by Side with National Youth
Alban Berg – Altenberg Lieder
Béla Bartók – Bluebeard’s Castle
Carl Maria von Weber – Ouverture to Oberon
Anton bruckner – Symphony No. 3
11 January 2019 BOZAR, Brussels
Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart – Symphony No. 40, K 550
6 September 2018 Kultur- und Kon-
Herbert Blomstedt conductor
Daniele Gatti conductor
(‘Scottish’)
15 February 2019 Carnegie Hall, New York
J.S. Bach – Fuga (Ricercata) a 6 voci
from Sången
Pierre-Laurent Aimard piano
Johannes Brahms – Symphony No. 4
gresszentrum, Luzern
Felix Mendelssohn – Symphony No. 3
Anton Webern – Langzamer Satz
Wilhelm Stenhammar – Intermezzo
Daniele Gatti conductor
Gustav Mahler – Symphony No.7
Johannes Brahms – Symphony No. 1
Ludwig van Beethoven – Piano Concerto No. 5
14 September 2018
US tour
Concertgebouw, Amsterdam
9 February 2019, Artis-Naples, Naples
Evgeny Kissin piano
Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart –
Romain’
Johannes Brahms – Symphony No. 4
RCO Opening Night
To reserve your tickets, please
Daniele Gatti conductor
Daniele Gatti conductor
Hector Berlioz – Ouverture ‘Le Carnaval
Symphony No. 40, K 550
Franz Liszt – Pianoconcerto No. 1
Gioachino Rossini – Ouverture from ‘Il barbiere di Siviglia’
Felix Mendelssohn – Symphony No. 4 ‘Italiaanse’
Giuseppe Verdi – Balletmusic from ‘Otello’
Richard Strauss – Ein Heldenleben
10 February 2019 Artis-Naples, Naples Daniele Gatti conductor
Pierre-Laurent Aimard piano
Ludwig van Beethoven – Piano Concerto No. 5 Richard Strauss – Ein Heldenleben
5
contact Henriette Henny at
h.henny@concertgebouworkest.nl.
Acknowledgements Global Friends News is published by the Royal Concertgebouw Orchestra. RCO Global Friends designated contact: Henriette Henny / +31 (0)20 305 1010 rcofriends@concertgebouworkest.nl
Text and editing Paul Janssen, Translation Josh Dillon Photos p.1 left Renske Vrolijk, right Team V Architectuur p.2 Renske Vrolijk, p.3 top Peter Tollenaar, left Henriette Henny, right Anne Christin Erbe, p.4 top Henriette Henny; under Peter Tollenaar, p.5 Mladen Pikulic Graphic design Atelier Rene Knip & Rens Martens