2O17/18 ST ANDREVVS CONCERT SEASON sco.org.uk
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2O17/18 ST ANDREVVS CONCERT SEASON VVE VVOULD LOVE YOU TO JOIN US FOR EACH AND EVERY ONE OF OUR CONCERTS...
Cover image: Vasks’ Violin Concerto see page 4 for concert details. – Each piece of music we perform, each programme we sculpt and create, has a story to tell and we hope that the music paints pictures in your mind. The images chosen for this brochure aim to conjure up an emotion, a feeling for each concert. If an image comes to mind when you hear a piece of music, please let us know. Get in touch by social media, email, post or in person.
Robin Ticciati Principal Conductor – This Season’s programmes grow from a decade of shared experiences with the Scottish Chamber Orchestra.
September 2017 to April 2018
It is always exciting to introduce a new Season, but this year is particularly significant as it is the final one with the wonderful Robin Ticciati as our Principal Conductor. Although Robin took up his position long before I joined the SCO, I clearly remember his first concerts with the VASKS Orchestra and the excitement, energy and extraordinary VIOLIN CONCERTO 4 musical qualities that he brought to each performance. I would like to take this opportunity to thank Robin for COPLAND the remarkable musical journey on which he has taken APPALACHIAN so many of us. It has been exhilarating, fascinating, SPRING 5 insightful and hugely rewarding. BEETHOVEN Once again we welcome to St Andrews some of the ‘EMPEROR’ greatest musicians performing in the world today, CONCERTO 6 presenting works from many of the most extraordinary musical minds of the past and present. We journey DVOŘÁK VIOLIN CONCERTO 7 from the Classical of CPE Bach and Beethoven, through the Romance of Dvořák and Schubert, to the present day of Rautavaara and Latvian Pēteris Vasks, CPE BACH pausing to reflect on two of his string concertos, both CELLO CONCERTO with flavours of folkmusic and birdsong which result in A MINOR 8 in music of heart-rending beauty. -
LUNCHTIME We welcome many friends throughout the year. CONCERTS 9 Richard Egarr, Olari Elts, Anthony Marwood and Clemens Schuldt all make return visits. Our soloists are ––––– no less formidable, including the astounding pianist BOOKING Elisabeth Leonskaja, the incredible violist Maxim SECTION 10 Rysanov and the stunning violinist Christian Tetzlaff. No SCO Season is complete without concerts featuring our own virtuoso soloists. Look out for Philip Higham playing CPE Bach. We would of course love you to join us for each and every one of our concerts. However many you attend, I sincerely hope you have a rewarding and very enjoyable time in the company of the Scottish Chamber Orchestra. Gavin Reid Chief Executive
Thursday 14 September 2017 Younger Hall – 7.30pm
Wednesday 1 November 2017 Younger Hall – 7.30pm
VASKS
COPLAND
VIOLIN CONCERTO
APPALACHIAN SPRING
PLAYED BY ANTHONY MARWOOD
CONDUCTED BY OLARI ELTS
ANTHONY MARWOOD’S PERFORMANCE OF VASKS’ VIOLIN CONCERTO DISTANT LIGHT WAS OUTSTANDING… THE RADIANT INTENSITY OF MARWOOD’S PLAYING HAD EXTRAORDINARY EMOTIONAL POWER. The Guardian
ˇ DVORÁK Romance for Violin and Orchestra (13’) BEETHOVEN Symphony No 1 in C (26’) BEETHOVEN Romance in F (10’) VASKS Violin Concerto ‘Distant Light’ (30’) ––––– ANTHONY MARWOOD – Director/Violin Loved by audiences and unanimously praised by the press, Marwood is a virtuoso whose musical integrity and commitment reach the same Olympian heights as his formidable technique. His sweetly sonorous but muscular playing commands attention, none more so than in Vasks' thoroughly mesmerising ‘Distant Light’ Concerto. Dvořák’s Romance is glorious, Beethoven’s is charmingly songlike. Also in the programme is Beethoven’s Haydn-inspired First Symphony.
UKRANIANBRITISH, GRAMMYNOMINATED VIOLIST MAXIM RYSANOV HAS WON THE CLASSIC FM GRAMOPHONE YOUNG ARTIST OF THE YEAR AWARD AND THE BBC RADIO 3 NEW GENERATION AWARD.
Under 18s – Free
RAUTAVAARA Cantus Arcticus (17’) VASKS Viola Concerto Scottish Premiere (35’) RESPIGHI Gli Uccelli (19’) COPLAND Appalachian Spring (23’) ––––– OLARI ELTS – Conductor MAXIM RYSANOV – Viola Birdsong is rife in the natural world of this delightful programme. Finn Einojuhani Rautavaara matches recordings of the Arctic’s avian inhabitants with orchestral imitations; Respighi’s birds are adapted from pretty numbers by 17th and 18th century composers. The well-known tune in Copland’s sweet and earthy Appalachian ballet is a Shaker spiritual, Simple Gifts – exemplified by the American composer in this work. One of the world’s most original soloists, Maxim Rysanov, joins the SCO and Estonian Olari Elts in the Viola Concerto by the conductor’s Latvian neighbour Pēteris Vasks.
––––– CONNECT INSIGHTS: 6.30pm
Songs of the Arctic – with SCO Principal Flute Alison Mitchell and the Scottish Storytelling Centre. Especially designed for 11-13 year olds, all welcome!
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Wednesday 31 January 2018 Younger Hall – 7.30pm
Wednesday 14 March 2018 Younger Hall – 7.30pm
––––– Kindly supported by
––––– Proudly sponsored by
DUNARD FUND
BEETHOVEN
ˇ DVORÁK
‘EMPEROR’ CONCERTO
VIOLIN CONCERTO
PLAYED BY ELISABETH LEONSKAJA
ROBIN TICCIATI FAREWELL CONCERT
THE NAME ‘EMPEROR’ WAS A DEDICATION TO ARCHDUKE RUDOLF OF AUSTRIA (1788– 1831), A PUPIL OF BEETHOVEN, WHO ALSO BECAME HIS FRIEND, SUPPORTER AND PATRON.
PROKOFIEV Symphony No 1 ‘Classical’ (15’) SHOSTAKOVICH arr BARSHAI Chamber Symphony, Op 110a (24’) BEETHOVEN Piano Concerto No 5 ‘Emperor’ (38’) ––––– CLEMENS SCHULDT – Conductor ELISABETH LEONSKAJA – Piano Few pianists truly deserve the epithet ‘great’ but Elisabeth Leonskaja is surely one of them. Now in her seventies, she continues to cast a spell over audiences, especially in her interpretations of Beethoven. The experience and insight of decades living with this music gives a special nobility and profundity to her playing; and its sheer beauty makes her an ideal interpreter for the sublime ‘Emperor’ concerto.
GRAMMYNOMINATED CHRISTIAN TETZLAFF “DRAWS ON AN EXCEPTIONALLY WIDE RANGE OF COLOURS AND NUANCES, FROM FRAGILITY TO FULL-ON PASSION”. Gramophone Magazine
In the first half Clemens Schuldt acknowledges Leonskaja’s heritage with two hugely popular symphonies by the greatest Soviet composers. The shenanigans and wit of Prokofiev’s ‘Classical’ contrast starkly with the intense tragedy unleashed by Shostakovich: powerful, moving stuff.
ˇ DVORÁK Violin Concerto (32’) SCHUBERT Symphony No 9 ‘The Great’ (48’) ––––– ROBIN TICCIATI – Conductor CHRISTIAN TETZLAFF – Violin Schubert’s ‘Great’ C major Symphony, completed shortly before the composer’s untimely death, was his final contribution to the genre. Conceived on the broadest scale – Schumann praised its “heavenly lengths” – the Symphony combines the monumental with the intensely lyrical – a reflection perhaps of the main strands in mature Schubert. Dvořák’s Violin Concerto was written for the greatest nineteenth-century violinist, Joseph Joachim. For some reason Joachim never performed it publicly. However, the work is an appealing amalgam of traditional concerto style and Czech colouring and, as performed by the award-winning Christian Tetzlaff, it should persuade all of its place in the repertoire.
Under 26s – £6
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CPE BACH CELLO CONCERTO in A MINOR PLAYED BY PHILIP HIGHAM – CONDUCTED BY RICHARD EGARR ––––– Proudly sponsored by
––––– Wednesday 18 April 2018 Younger Hall – 7.30pm
LUNCHTIME CONCERTS SCO MUSICIANS IN RECITAL AS PART OF THE UNIVERSITY MUSIC CENTRE’S CONCERT PROGRAMME. ––––– Wednesday 15 November 2017 Byre Theatre – 1.10pm
THE CHARACTER PHILIP FINDS THROUGHOUT THIS MUSIC IS CONSISTENTLY REVEALING… UNPRETENTIOUS DEPTHS AND ORGANIC, NATURALISTIC FLOW: THE HIGHEST POSSIBLE. The Herald
HAYDN Symphony No 93 (22’) CPE BACH ˇ Cello Concerto in A minor (25’) MENDELSSOHN Symphony No 3 ‘Scottish’ (40’) ––––– RICHARD EGARR – Conductor PHILIP HIGHAM – Cello Mozart wrote “He is the father, we are the children…” Haydn, Beethoven and Mendelssohn also venerated and learned from Bach. Not JS Bach: his son Carl Philipp Emanuel. CPE’s cello concerto shows why: it takes off thrillingly, like a rocket, but the storm yields to a truly lovely slow movement. Egarr opens and closes with wonderful symphonies. Mendelssohn’s ‘Scottish’ needs little introduction and while Haydn’s 93rd has no catchy name, a critic at the premiere wrote that it “inspired all of the performers [and] audience with enthusiastic ardour… it gave additional consequence to the soul and feelings of every individual present.”
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RESPONSES Musicians from the SCO join forces with students and staff from the University of St Andrews to perform 20th and 21st century music for mixed ensemble, including Stravinsky’s Septet and the winning entry from an international call for scores.
––––– Wednesday 4 April 2018 Byre Theatre – 1.10pm Richard Egarr Conductor – Richard Egarr has developed a reputation to make familiar things fresh and exciting, informed by scholarship and thoughtful musical analysis.
STRING DUOS
––––– AISLING O’DEA – Violin JANE ATKINS – Viola SCO musicians Aisling O’Dea and Jane Atkins perform String Duos from around the globe, including works by Bartók, Martinů, Mozart, Sibelius and Villa Lobos.
Ticket prices – £3 (Available on the door) / free for members of the University of St Andrews Music Centre.
– Philip Higham was appointed Principal Cello of the Scottish Chamber Orchestra in August 2016.
Jane Atkins SCO Principal Viola – “Jane Atkins is a player of tremendous muscle and charisma… her energy was ferocious.” – The Guardian
Aisling O’Dea SCO First Violin – As well as her work on the concert platform, Aisling shares and creates music on many levels, including with children and young adults from underprivileged backgrounds through creative space workshops.
Younger Hall, St Andrews
Wednesday evenings during term time 7.15pm - 9.30pm The St Andrews and Fife Community Orchestra (StAFCO) meets weekly to make and perform music. There are no auditions and all players are welcome, from adult learners to advanced musicians and those who have not played for years. Members have the rare opportunity to play alongside and receive coaching from SCO musicians in a relaxed, low-pressure environment.
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Philip Higham
THE ST ANDREWS & FIFE COMMUNITY ORCHESTRA
The music includes works performed by the SCO in its concert visits to the Younger Hall and there are informal concerts to show off everyone’s hard work, but the main idea is to meet up, play and have fun.
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For further details on how to take part, visit www.st-andrews.ac.uk/music, phone 01334 462226 or call in to the University Music Centre.
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ORCHESTRA IN RESIDENCE PROGRAMME The SCO’s unique Orchestra in Residence programme at the University of St Andrews offers a number of initiatives to nurture talent and inspire people of all ages. This includes chamber concerts, masterclasses, creative projects, and an opportunity for a graduate from the University of St Andrews to work across both organisations developing their skills in arts management. The SCO is proud to support the newly formed Children’s Orchestra and the community orchestra (StAFCO) with regular coaching and concerto performances by SCO musicians. For further details please visit www.sco.org.uk
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SUBSCRIPTION PRICES For all five concerts and saving off full price ticket.
I
II
III
IV
STANDARD DISCOUNTS
£96.00
£84.00
£66.00
£58.00
SENIOR DISCOUNTS
£90.00
£78.75
£61.90
£54.40
Please note: people with a disability and those under 26 can also take advantage of the subscription benefits when they purchase tickets for all five concerts.
SUBSCRIPTION BOOKING FORM – OR BOOK ONLINE Title:
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All single tickets, including discounts, are on sale from 1 June 2017. Multibuy (Subscription) packages are available from 21 March 2017.
1. Book your Multibuy (Subscription) online at www.sco.org.uk.
I £24.00
II £21.00
III £16.50
IV £14.50
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LUNCHTIME CONCERTS Tickets: £3 / Free for members of the University of St Andrews Music Centre (Available on the door).
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TICKET DISCOUNTS
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UNDER 26s, STUDENTS AND UNEMPLOYED PEOPLE
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I
II
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GROUP DISCOUNTS Groups of 6 or more save 20% off full price tickets.
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WHY TAKE A SUBSCRIPTION?
Save when you book for all five concerts! Booking an SCO subscription entitles you to a range of great benefits: Save money Save 20% (25% for seniors) on single ticket prices. Best seats Priority booking and the best available seats in the area of your choice and, wherever possible, you can keep your seats from year to year.
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The Byre Theatre Box Office sells tickets for all SCO concerts in St Andrews. Subscriptions can be bought directly from the SCO.
Spread the cost Pay by Direct Debit in four instalments (up to 16 June 2017 only).
6. How do you wish to pay?
10am to 4.30pm Monday to Saturday. All major credit cards, except American Express, are accepted. Postage charge of £1 where applicable.
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50% off full price tickets for people with a disability and, where one is required, 50% off for their carer.
Balcony (Bands I & II only)
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01334 475 000 www.byretheatre.com
Free. (Please note under 16s must be accompanied by a paying adult.)
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2. Tickets for individual concerts are available from Byre Theatre.
Please tick this box if you do not wish to join the SCO’s e-news list to receive updates about concerts, events, offers and news by email. (We will not give your details to any third parties.)
Full access to stalls for wheelchair users. Guide dogs are welcome.
Please note: all discounts are subject to availability. We regret that tickets are non-refundable. Every effort is made to ensure that all information is correct at time of going to press. The SCO does, however, reserve the right to change dates, artists or programmes if necessary.
An induction loop is fitted for people with hearing difficulties.
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KEEP IN TOUCH sco.org.uk/keep-me-informed
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LARGE PRINT, BRAILLE AND TALKING NOTES VERSIONS OF THIS BROCHURE ARE AVAILABLE. CALL 0131 557 6802 Please note that all timings (shown in brackets) are approximate and do not include intervals or platform changes.
SCOTTISH CHAMBER ORCHESTRA HRH The Prince Charles, Duke of Rothesay Patron Donald MacDonald CBE Life President Colin Buchan Chairman Gavin Reid Chief Executive Robin Ticciati Principal Conductor Emmanuel Krivine Principal Guest Conductor Joseph Swensen Conductor Emeritus Martin Suckling Associate Composer Gregory Batsleer Chorus Director
––––– Our Orchestra in Residence programme is kindly supported by The Cookie Matheson Charitable Trust, Kinburn (St Andrews) Charitable Trust, Mrs M A Lascelles Charitable Trust, The R J Larg Family Trust and St Catherine Trust.
––––– Core funded by
4 Royal Terrace Edinburgh EH7 5AB telephone: 0131 557 6800 email: info@sco.org.uk www.sco.org.uk
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The Scottish Chamber Orchestra is a charity registered in Scotland No. SC015039 Company registration No. SC75079