Sco 2015 16 aberdeen concert series

Tickets: 01224 641122

www.aberdeenperformingarts.com

Subscribing to the Aberdeen Concert Series is easy and offers great savings over standard ticket prices. Simply book in advance for four or more concerts and start saving!

You can build your own series of concerts to suit your tastes – no set menus of music!

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A special event – you’ll be invited to a subscriber only recital and reception in the new year.

And, of course, you can save as much as 35% on our standard seating prices

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So what are you waiting for?

Subscribe today using the form on page 14.

Two great orchestras– One great season of music at the Aberdeen Music Hall

As ever, we are joined by some old friends including Alexander Janiczek and Llŷr Williams who perform Beethoven Piano Concerto No 3. Nicola Benedetti joins the RSNO to perform Szymanowski’s shimmering Second Violin Concerto and Alina Ibragimova joins SCO Principal Conductor Robin Ticciati for Schumann’s majestic Violin Concerto.

The RSNO Christmas Concert is back to delight concert-goers of all ages with its seasonal cheer.

Peter Oundjian: Mark Hamilton

Welcome to the Aberdeen Concert Series 2015/16. Our orchestras love bringing the best music to the city of Aberdeen and have once again joined forces for another wonderful Series of concerts for you to enjoy throughout the forthcoming year.

Peter Oundjian Music Director Royal Scottish National Orchestra

We hope that you will join us for another magnificent Season of music at the Aberdeen Music Hall with the RSNO and SCO.

Robin Ticciati: Marco Borggreve

There are faces new to the Concert Series too: RSNO Principal Guest Conductor Thomas Søndergård makes his Aberdeen debut conducting Pictures at an Exhibition, pianists Lars Vogt and Dejan Lazić perform concertos by Schoenberg and Chopin respectively and soprano Regula Mühlemann joins the SCO to sing a selection of Mozart’s concert arias in a programme featuring Beethoven’s energetic Seventh Symphony.

Robin Ticciati Principal Conductor Scottish Chamber Orchestra 3

Aberdeen Music Hall “Nowhere is there a hall which has perfect acoustics such as this…

This is a beautiful place… a place built in which to make music” Sir John Barbirolli Aberdeen’s category ‘A’ listed Aberdeen Music Hall is a national treasure, one of Scotland’s oldest and most historic concert halls. It’s been at the heart of cultural, civic and community life in the city for nearly two centuries.

It’s about to undergo a £7m transformation to ensure that it will continue to enthrall and inspire audiences, artists, communities and visitors for many more years to come.

Following an architectural competition, architects Building Design Partnership (BDP) have been appointed to:• Transform public access • Restore and upgrade the concert hall auditorium • Create a new, flexible performance space for more intimate concerts • Create dedicated education and community space • Undertake a programme of essential upgrades and equipment replacement • Introduce a new dynamic lighting scheme throughout The project will be on site in April 2016 and the Music Hall will re-open at the end of 2017.

During closure APA will be taking the Music Hall programme out and about in the city.

If you are interested in finding out more or would like to donate to the project please contact redevelopment@aberdeenperformingarts.com 4

Robin Ticciati conducts Brahms Symphony No 1 Saturday 17 October 2015 7.30pm Scottish Chamber Orchestra

Schumann Manfred Overture Schoenberg Piano Concerto Brahms Symphony No 1 Robin Ticciati Conductor Lars Vogt Piano When Johannes Brahms was working on his second symphony, he wrote contentedly to a friend, “The melodies flow so freely that one must be careful not to tread on them.”

Opening the concert is the supreme and energetic Manfred Overture by Brahms’ friend Schumann.

Arnold Schoenberg was a great admirer of Brahms, but his music is often not given the chance to shine. Lars Vogt and Robin Ticciati will passionately argue the Piano Concerto as a work of tremendous rhythmic and textural variety.

Pre-concert Talk 6.45pm

Lars Vogt: Neda Navaee

Proudly Sponsored by

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Pictures at an Exhibition Thursday 22 October 2015 7.30pm Royal Scottish National Orchestra

Dejan Lazić Overture from Piano Concerto in Istrian Style Chopin Piano Concerto No 2 Mussorgsky/Ravel Pictures at an Exhibition Thomas Søndergård Conductor Dejan Lazić Piano It’s all about colour. Mussorgsky painted musical pictures of witches, gnomes and chickens dancing in their shells: Ravel drenched them in sparkling colours to create one of the best-loved of all orchestral showpieces. Under RSNO Principal Guest Conductor Thomas Søndergård, Pictures at an Exhibition will leave your ears tingling – and “powerhouse performer” Dejan Lazić will get your feet tapping with his own folk-inspired opener before lavishing heart and soul on the moonlit romance of Chopin’s teenage Concerto.

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Dejan Lazić: Susie Knoll

Pre-concert Talk 6.45pm William Chandler (RSNO Associate Leader) in conversation with Dejan Lazić

The RSNO Christmas Concert Thursday 17 December 2015 7.30pm Royal Scottish National Orchestra

Christmas Concert featuring Howard Blake The Snowman Christopher Bell Conductor RSNO Chorus

The Snowman: ©2012 Snowman Enterprises Ltd

We’re walking in the air… it isn’t Christmas until The Snowman has taken you on his magical journey through the winter sky.

Enjoy this special showing of the festive classic on the large screen, accompanied by the RSNO and narrated by a special guest star. Hosted by the irrepressible Christopher Bell, this Christmas party for the whole family is filled with seasonal favourites, carols old and new – and of course, a chance for everyone to sing along!

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Llŷr Williams Plays Beethoven Piano Concerto No 3 Saturday 19 December 2015, 7.30pm Scottish Chamber Orchestra

C P E Bach Symphony in E-flat, Wq 183/2 Mozart Violin Concerto No 1 in B-flat, K207 Mozart Rondo Concertante in B-flat, K269 Beethoven Piano Concerto No 3 Alexander Janiczek Director / Violin Llŷr Williams Piano Directing the Orchestra from the violin, SCO Associate Artist Alexander Janiczek continues his survey of concertos by Mozart and Beethoven. Mozart’s youthful First Violin Concerto is full of joyous high spirits, and his brief Rondo Concertante gives the violin soloist plenty of memorable melodies.

Llŷr Williams joins Janiczek and the Orchestra for the startling drama of Beethoven’s turbulent Third Piano Concerto, and the concert opens with CPE Bach’s equally stormy, exhilarating E-flat Symphony.

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Llŷr Williams: Benjamin Ealovega

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Antonio Méndez Conducts Beethoven Symphony No 7 Saturday 23 January 2016, 7.30pm Scottish Chamber Orchestra

Haydn Symphony No 99 in E-flat Mozart Basta, vincesti… Ah non lasciarmi, K486a/295a Mozart Vorrei spiegarvi, oh Dio! K418 Mozart Voi avete un cor fedele, K217 Beethoven Symphony No 7 Antonio Méndez Conductor Regula Mühlemann Soprano Young Spanish conductor Antonio Méndez is one of the classical world’s fastest-rising stars, in demand across Europe and the US by some of the world’s leading orchestras.

He makes his SCO Season debut with two powerful symphonies: Haydn’s delightful and entertaining 99th and Beethoven’s bracingly energetic Seventh, described by Wagner as “the apotheosis of the dance”.

Regula Mühlemann: Shirley Suarez

Highly regarded Swiss-born opera soprano Regula Mühlemann joins the Orchestra for a collection of vivid concert arias by Mozart.

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Robin Ticciati conducts BRAHMS SYMPHONY NO 4 Saturday 12 March 2016 7.30pm Scottish Chamber Orchestra

Widmann Ikarische Klage Scottish Premiere Schumann Violin Concerto Brahms Symphony No 4 Robin Ticciati Conductor Alina Ibragimova Violin Brahms was an utterly romantic, secretive, self-critical and revolutionary composer, who inspired many including Schoenberg and Stravinsky. He was, however, fundamentally conservative, drawing inspiration from Bach and Beethoven. Symphony No 4 closes with a passacaglia modelled directly on Bach.

The back-story of criticism and suppression of Schumann’s majestic Violin Concerto is at last fading in the face of genuine fascination.

Russian-born Alina Ibragimova is a persuasive advocate of the work.

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Alina Ibragimova: Eva Vermandel

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Oundjian and Benedetti Saturday 19 March 2016 7.30pm Royal Scottish National Orchestra

Borodin Overture to ‘Prince Igor’ Szymanowski Violin Concerto No 2 Berlioz Symphonie fantastique Peter Oundjian Conductor Nicola Benedetti Violin There’s a reason why Nicola Benedetti is the nation’s favourite violinist. She brings an unmatched charisma to everything she touches – and any chance to hear her immerse herself in the sensuous, shimmering sound-world of Karol Szymanowski is certain to be a treat. There’s only one way to follow that – so Peter Oundjian and the RSNO go for broke, in Berlioz’s fabulous, opium-fuelled blockbuster of a symphony. Witchcraft?

Heartbreak? Guillotines? Hearing is believing: it’s simply… well, fantastic!

Pre-concert Talk 6.45pm with William Chandler (RSNO Associate Leader) Nicola Benedetti: Decca/Simon Fowler

Sponsored by

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Aberdeen Box Office Aberdeen Box Office, Union Street, Aberdeen AB10 1QS Telephone: 01224 641122 Web: www.aberdeenperformingarts.com Opening Times 9.30am – 6.00pm Monday to Saturday.

On performance evenings, the Box Office is also open one hour before the concert. Mastercard, Visa and debit cards are accepted.

On Sale Dates Subscription renewals are available from 23 March 2015. Bookings for new Subscriptions open on 13 April 2015. Single-tickets are on sale from 11 May 2015.

Prices are inclusive of all booking fees but a postage charge of £1.00 per transaction will be incurred where applicable.

Price Area I

II

III

IV

£23.00

£20.00

£15.50

£11.50 Stalls

II

IV

II Band I Band II

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IV

IV II

II Band III Band IV

Under 26s, Students and the Unemployed £6 tickets are available in the stalls area of the Music Hall for patrons aged under 26, mature students and patrons in receipt of unemployment benefit. Excludes the RSNO Christmas Concert – 50% off standard price tickets.

People with a Disability Patrons with disabilities and their carer are entitled to 50% off standard price tickets.

School Groups School and youth groups are most welcome at the Aberdeen Concert Series. Tickets for schools and school-age youth groups are £6 (excluding the RSNO Christmas Concert) and accompanying adults go free.

Please note: All discounts are subject to availability.

We regret that tickets are non-refundable.

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I

Free Tickets for Under 16s Under 16s go free to the Aberdeen Concert Series.

Under 16s must be accompanied by a paying adult with a maximum of two free child tickets per adult ticket. Additional children are charged at £6 each.

Excludes the RSNO Christmas Concert – under 16s 50% off standard price tickets.

Group Discounts Groups of 6 or more save 20% off standard price tickets. Groups of 11+ save 30% off standard price tickets.

Ticket Prices

Balcony

Ticket Discounts

Access

Full access for wheelchair users.

Guide dogs are welcome.

An infra-red sound enhancement system is fitted for people with hearing difficulties.

Please notify the Box Office when booking if you have any specific access requirements that we can assist you with.

How to Subscribe If you book for 4 or more of the concerts listed in this brochure you can take advantage of great discounts over our standard ticket prices. The more concerts you book the more you can save – up to 35% for all 7 concerts.

To Book by Post • Tick the concerts you wish to attend on the booking form

• Tell us how you would like to pay and enclose your cheque or payment details • Return the booking form (no stamp required) to: Aberdeen Concert Series Subscription FREEPOST RRJE-RXAK-RGUB Aberdeen Box Office Union Street Aberdeen AB10 1QS

To Book by Phone

• Count the number of concerts and tell us how many people will be attending • Check the seating plans and tell us in which price band (I – IV) you would like to sit

• Simply call the Aberdeen Box Office on 01224 641122 (open from 9.30am – 6.00pm) and let them know which concerts you would like to attend. Have your credit or debit card ready to make your payment.

• Using the pricing table calculate the cost of your subscription and enter the total onto the booking form

Subscription Prices Price Area No of Concerts

I

II

III

IV

Discount

4

£69.00

£60.00

£46.50

£34.50

25%

5

£86.25

£75.00

£58.13

£43.13

25%

6

£96.60

£84.00

£65.10

£48.30

30%

7

£104.65

£91.00

£70.53

£52.33

35%

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Subscription Booking Form 1. Let us know your details Title

Forename

Surname

Address

Postcode

Telephone (day)

Telephone (eve)

Email

2. Please tick the boxes below to indicate your choice of concerts: Saturday 17 October 2015 Robin Ticciati conducts Brahms Symphony No 1

Saturday 23 January 2016 Antonio Méndez Conducts Beethoven Symphony No 7

Thursday 22 October 2015 Pictures at an Exhibition

Saturday 12 March 2016 Robin Ticciati conducts Brahms Symphony No 4

Thursday 17 December 2015 The RSNO Christmas Concert Saturday 19 December 2015 Llŷr Williams Plays Beethoven Piano Concerto No 3

Saturday 19 March 2016 Oundjian and Benedetti

Important – please complete: We would like to keep you informed of our news, concerts and developments.

Please tick here if you would like to join the SCO and RSNO’s e-news lists to receive updates and offers by email.

Please tick here to give us permission for us to add your details to the SCO and RSNO’s postal mailing lists.

3. Count the number of concerts and attendees, tell us where you sit and total the price: No of Concerts

No of People

Price Band

Seating Area

Postage Charge

Total Price

(e.g. stalls, balcony)

£1.00 4. Please tell us how you wish to pay I enclose a cheque payable to ‘Aberdeen Performing Arts’

Please debit my Mastercard / Visa / debit card (delete as appropriate)

5. If paying by card please complete your details Card Number Expiry Date

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Issue Number

Start Date

Security Code (last three digits on signature strip)

Signature

6. Please return this form to: Aberdeen Concert Series Subscriptions FREEPOST RRJE-RXAK-RGUB, Aberdeen Box Office, Union Street ABERDEEN AB10 1QS (no stamp required)

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The RSNO and SCO are supported by: The RSNO gratefully acknowledges support from:

The SCO gratefully acknowledges support from:

Principal Sponsors & Corporate Donors Arthur J. Gallagher and Co. Brewin Dolphin La Bonne Auberge Cameron House on Loch Lomond Capital Document Solutions Glasgow Airport Miller Homes Prestonfield Total E&P UK Limited The Weir Group Valvona & Crolla

Principal Sponsor Virgin Money

Transport Partners Douglas Park BMW Park’s Motor Group Principal Media Partner Classic FM Broadcast Partner BBC Radio 3 Corporate Partners First Rule Investment Consultancy Ltd Glasgow Chamber of Commerce Institute of Directors Scots Magazine Scottish Council for Development & Industry Smart Graphics Corporate Chair Sponsors Cadenhead’s Mitchell’s Glengyle Springbank Distillers Ltd

Benefactor Dunard Fund Corporate Sponsors Baillie Gifford First State Investments Quilter Cheviot Turcan Connell Corporate Friends Aberdeen Asset Management Key Player Corporate Supporters Balmoral Hotel Capital Solutions The Co-operative Membership Corney & Barrow David Macdonald Limited John Lewis Partnership Kinloch Anderson Linn Records The Miller Group Pulsant Radio Forth Sheraton Grand Hotel & Spa, Edinburgh Stac Polly Restaurants Thom Micro Systems Waldorf Astoria Edinburgh – The Caledonian

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Robin Ticciati conducts Brahms Symphony No 1

Schumann Manfred Overture Schoenberg Piano Concerto Brahms Symphony No 1

Thursday 22 October 2015 7.30pm

Pictures at an Exhibition

Dejan Lazić Overture from Piano Thomas Søndergård Conductor Concerto in Istrian Style Dejan Lazić Piano Chopin Piano Concerto No 2 Mussorgsky/Ravel Pictures at an Exhibition

Thursday 17 December 2015 7.30pm

The RSNO Christmas Concert

Christmas Concert featuring Howard Blake The Snowman

Christopher Bell Conductor RSNO Chorus

Saturday 19 December 2015 7.30pm

Llŷr Williams Plays Beethoven Piano Concerto No 3

C P E Bach Symphony in E-flat, Wq 183/2 Mozart Violin Concerto No 1 in B-flat, K207 Mozart Rondo Concertante in B-flat, K269 Beethoven Piano Concerto No 3

Alexander Janiczek Director / Violin Llŷr Williams Piano

Saturday 17 October 2015 7.30pm

Robin Ticciati Conductor Lars Vogt Piano

SCO

RSNO

RSNO

SCO Saturday 23 January 2016 7.30pm

Saturday 12 March 2016 7.30pm

Haydn Symphony No 99 in E-flat Antonio Méndez Conducts Beethoven Mozart Basta, vincesti… Ah non lasciarmi, K 486a/295a Symphony No 7

Antonio Méndez Conductor Regula Mühlemann Soprano

SCO

Mozart Vorrei spiegarvi, oh Dio! K418 Mozart Voi avete un cor fedele, K217 Beethoven Symphony No 7

Robin Ticciati conducts Brahms Symphony No 4

Widmann Ikarische Klage Scottish Premiere Robin Ticciati Conductor Schumann Violin Concerto Alina Ibragimova Violin Brahms Symphony No 4

Oundjian and Benedetti

Borodin Overture to ‘Prince Igor’ Szymanowski Violin Concerto No 2 Berlioz Symphonie fantastique

SCO Saturday 19 March 2016 7.30pm

RSNO

Peter Oundjian Conductor Nicola Benedetti Violin

All details are correct at time of publication. The SCO and RSNO reserve the right to change performance details in exceptional circumstances without prior notification.

Scottish Chamber Orchestra

Royal Scottish National Orchestra

HRH The Prince Charles, Duke of Rothesay Patron Robin Ticciati Principal Conductor

HM The Queen Patron Peter Oundjian Music Director

4 Royal Terrace, Edinburgh EH7 5AB Tel: 0131 557 6800 / Fax: 0131 557 6933 Email: info@sco.org.uk

www.sco.org.uk www.twitter.com/SCOmusic www.facebook.com/scottishchamberorchestra A charity registered in Scotland No SC015039 Company registration No SC75079

73 Claremont Street, Glasgow G3 7JB Tel: 0141 226 3868 / Fax: 0141 221 4317 Email: info@rsno.org.uk

www.rsno.org.uk www.twitter.com/rsno www.facebook.com/royalscottishnationalorchestra A charity registered in Scotland No SC010702 Company registration No 27809

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CONCERT DIARY