Concert Series 2011/12 by Warwick Arts Centre

Concert Series 2011/12

box office 024 7652 4524 www.warwickartscentre.co.uk

Anna Bolena

Met Opera Live in HD On Sale From 20 May 2011:

On Sale From September 2011:

Sat 15 Oct 6pm

Sat 21 Jan 6pm

Met Premiere Production Director: David McVicar

Handel, Rameau, Vivaldi & others

THE ENCHANTED ISLAND

ANNA BOLENA Donizetti With Marco Armiliato, Anna Netrebko, Elina Garanca, Tamara Mumford, Stephen Costello, Ildar Abdrazakov

Sat 29 Oct 6pm

DON GIOVANNI Mozart New Production Conductor: James Levine Director: Michael Grandage

World Premiere Production Original English language libretto by Jeremy Sams Director Phelim McDermott With William Christie, Danielle de Niese, Lisette Oropesa, Joyce DiDonato, David Daniels, Anthony Roth Costanzom, Plácido Domingo, Luca Pisaroni

Sat 11 Feb 5pm

GÖTTERDÄMMERUNG Wagner

With Marina Rebeka, Barbara Frittoli, Mojca Erdmann, Ramón Vargas, Mariusz Kwiecien, Luca Pisaroni, Joshua Bloom, Štefan Kocán

Sat 5 Nov 4pm

SIEGFRIED Wagner

New Production Conductor: James Levine. Director: Robert Lepage

With Deborah Voigt, Wendy Bryn Harmer Waltraud Meier, Gary Lehman, Iain Paterson, Eric Owens, Hans-Peter König

Sat 25 Feb 6pm

New Production Conductor: James Levine Director: Robert Lepage

ERNANI Verdi

With Deborah Voigt, Patricia Bardon, Gary Lehman, Gerhard Siegel, Bryn Terfel, Eric Owens

Sat 19 Nov 6pm

Conductor: Marco Armiliato Director: Pier Luigi Samaritani With Angela Meade, Salvatore Licitra, Dmitri Hvorostovsky, Ferruccio Furlanetto

Sat 7 Apr 5pm

SATYAGRAHA Philip Glass

MANON Massenet

Director: Phelim McDermott With Dante Anzolini, Rachelle Durkin, Richard Croft, Kim Josephson, Alfred Walker

New Production Conductor: Fabio Luisi

With Anna Netrebko, Piotr Beczala, Paulo Szot, David Pittsinger

Sat 3 Dec 5.30pm

RODELINDA Handel

Sat 14 Apr 6pm

Director: Stephen Wadsworth

LA TRAVIATA Verdi

With Harry Bicket, Renée Fleming, Stephanie Blythe, Andreas Scholl, Iestyn Davies, Kobie van Rensburg, Shenyang

Conductor: Fabio Luisi Director: Willy Decker With Natalie Dessay, Matthew Polenzani, Dmitri Hvorostovsky

Sat 10 Dec 6pm

FAUST Gounod

New Production Director: Des McAnuff With Yannick Nézet-Séguin, Angela Gheorghiu, Michèle Losier, Jonas Kaufmann, Russell Braun, René Pape

Tickets £25.50 (£20.50) More information www.warwickartscentre.co.uk

Thanks to the University of Warwick for the continued support of Warwick Arts Centre.

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Welcome to Warwick Arts Centre’s 2011/2012 Concert Series

Once again Warwick Arts Centre is bringing you an exceptional selection of the best in orchestral music. It has been a genuine thrill putting our 2011/2012 programme together. Visiting orchestras, listening to a great range of concerts, negotiating repertoire, and spotting the best we can afford to bring to you, our devoted and knowledgeable audience. I have listened closely to audience recommendations and requests and fought hard to make sure these are included in the programme. Where this has not been possible, I apologise, it is sometimes not possible to please everyone, but please do keep up the dialogue! I’m keen that the programme covers as wide a range of tastes as possible and also comprises some challenges where we introduce new or seldom performed works as a moment of introduction for the fearless and curious.

In challenging economic times we are also aware of the need to both keep orchestral music affordable to a broad range of people and to make sure the next generation of audiences are able to experience the thrill of an orchestra in ‘full flight’. Subscription is a good way of both saving money and, importantly, committing your support to our endeavours. There is also a new accessible ticket price for Under 26s – do pass the word on, ensuring the continuation of audiences for classical music for years to come. Please do join me for as many concerts as you can pack in over the next year. I can absolutely promise you a series of delightful, lyrical and sometimes exhilarating music! Finally, we would like to thank Simon Yates for generously supporting this year’s Concert Series.

Alan Rivett Director Warwick Arts Centre

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Concert Series Subscription Booking opens Thu 19 May 2011 Become a Subscriber! – Early choice on all the best seats – Save up to 20% on ticket prices – Spread the cost of your tickets – Free ticket exchange* – No booking fees

*with 24 hours notice and from within the Series

car parking: Please always allow plenty of time for parking when you visit us, we have plenty of parking on campus, but to ensure you get into one of the closer car-parks we advise arriving at least 30 minutes before the start of the performance. After 6pm parking is FREE of charge across campus.

advantages of arriving early!

• Ensure your car parking place • Visit the Mead Gallery – free of charge and open until

9pm Mon – Sat • Enjoy a drink or snack in the Cafe Bar or the Theatre Bar • Attend a pre-concert talk – a fantastic introduction to the evening ahead car parks 7 and 4/4a

To book you must complete the booking form (centre of this brochure) or contact Box Office on 024 7652 4524 for assistance.

These are the nearest car parks to the Arts Centre and they use an environmentally friendly token machine at all times, although parking is FREE after 6pm. Please be prepared that at the end of a busy night it can take some time to exit from the upper floors of Car Park 7.

Forms are also available to download from www.warwickartscentre.co.uk

using tokens

Individual Ticket Prices by Seating Area

A: £36 (£34), B: £33 (£31), C: £29 (£28), D: £24.50 (£23.50), E: £18.50 (£17.50), F (Choir): £11.50 concessions in brackets

Young Subscribers Best available seats £12 each for 18 - 26 year olds for 3+ concerts. You can purchase these tickets in advance with the subscription form in the centre of this brochure.

Booking opens for individuals on Mon 8 August 2011 (per ticket booking fee applies)

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• • • •

As you enter Car Parks 7 or 4/4a you will receive a token which you will need to validate at the pay station (located on the ground floor entrance on Car Park 7 and next the barrier in 4/4a) You can validate your token anytime in the evening - on your way in, in the interval, or at the end of the performance (N.B. if you validate it on your way in you will save yourself the potential queue at the end of the night) To validate your token, simply put it into the pay machine, and the screen will display £0.00, press the button and your token will be returned to you. Keep it with you. Insert your token on exiting from the car park and the barrier will raise (if you find the barriers are already up, hand your token to a parking attendant)

car parks 8 and 15 Car Park 8 is approx 7 minutes walk from the Arts Centre and Car Park 15 approx 10 minutes walk. Car Parks 8 and 15 do not use a token machine and have no exit barrier. If you don’t mind a slightly longer walk, they can be quicker to exit at the end of the night.

Warwick Arts Centre’s Concert Series 2011/2012 06

Moscow Philharmonic Orchestra

Tue 28 February

Yuri Botnari, Nikita Boriso-Glebsky Glazunov, Tchaikovsky, Mussorgsky

Hans-Peter Hofmann, Julian Lloyd Webber Handel, Elgar, Haydn, Sibelius, Mozart

Czech National Symphony Orchestra

Wed 19 October

Warsaw Philharmonic Orchestra

City of Birmingham Symphony Orchestra Thu 8 March

Libor Pesek, Nicola Benedetti ˇ Dvorák, Vaughan Williams, Mozart

European Union Chamber Orchestra

Sat 1 October

Andris Nelsons, Rudolf Buchbinder Ravel, Beethoven, Sibelius 14

Philharmonia Orchestra

Thu 24 November

Fri 4 May

Antoni Wit, Kuba Jakowicz Panufnik, Bruch, Tchaikovsky

ˇ Philippe Jordan, Simon Trpcéski Beethoven, Liszt, Brahms

Philharmonia Orchestra

Berlin Symphony Orchestra

Wed 7 December

Thu 17 May

Vladimir Ashkenazy, Valery Sokolov Beethoven, Berlioz

Mario Venzago, Kit Armstrong Weber, Mozart, Beethoven

London Symphony Orchestra

Coull Quartet Concerts

Mon 9 January

Throughout the season

Antonio Pappano, Antoine Tamestit Adès, Walton, Elgar

ˇ Beethoven, Shostakovich, Schubert, Dvorák, ˇ Seabourne, Janácek, Haydn, Cutler

English Chamber Orchestra Sat 4 February Stephanie Gonley, Derek Han Bach, Glass

All intervals: 20 minutes

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Moscow Philharmonic Orchestra Nikita Boriso-Glebsky

Conductor – Yuri Botnari Violin – Nikita Boriso-Glebsky Saturday 1 October 8pm

Maybe it’s the unique sound of their instruments; maybe it’s the raw passion that pumps through everything they play. But everyone agrees: when a real Russian orchestra plays Russian music, something very special happens. Hear for yourself, as the Moscow Philharmonic under regular conductor Yuri Botnari pour their all into two of the supreme Russian showpieces. Mussorgsky’s Pictures at an Exhibition isn’t just a dazzlingly colourful gallery of unforgettable musical pictures – though with its dancing chickens and glowing skulls, it’s certainly that! Played with soul, it’s a roof-raising tribute to the unbreakable Russian spirit. Expect the hairs on the back of your neck to stand on end tonight – and after his sensational performance at the Tchaikovsky International Violin competition, expect the young Russian virtuoso Nikita Boriso-Glebsky to get right to the heart of Tchaikovsky’s gloriously tuneful Violin Concerto. Glazunov’s sumptuous ballet-suite from Raymonda launches proceedings in truly Imperial style.

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Moscow Philharmonia Orchestra

Glazunov Suite from ballet Raymonda Tchaikovsky Violin Concerto Interval Mussorgsky Pictures at an Exhibition

Ticket prices by Seating Area A: £36 (£34), B: £33 (£31), C: £29 (£28), D: £24.50 (£23.50), E: £18.50 (£17.50), F (Choir): £11.50 Save up to 20% by becoming a Subscriber. See p4 for details. Pre-concert Talk Conference Room 6.45pm Tickets £2, Subscribers £1 Brian Midgley, lecturer in Music at the University of Warwick talks about the works in tonight’s programme.

Conductor – Libor Pesek Violin – Nicola Benedetti Wednesday 19 October 8pm ˇ Dvorák Vaughan Williams Mozart Interval ˇ Dvorák

Two Slavonic Dances The Lark Ascending Violin Concerto No.5 K219 Symphony No.8

ˇ Love Dvorák’s Symphony from the New World? Then prepare ˇ to be delighted by his Symphony from the Old World! Dvorák wasn’t just about grand emotions and powerful drama. He loved birdsong, folk dances and the village bands of his native Bohemia – and he poured them all into his sunlit Eighth Symphony. It might – just might – be the happiest symphony ever written, but one thing’s for certain: you’ll never hear a more authentic performance than in the hands of the Czech National Symphony Orchestra under veteran conductor Libor Pešék.

Czeck National Symphony Orchestra

Czech National Symphony Orchestra Ticket prices by Seating Area A: £36 (£34), B: £33 (£31), C: £29 (£28), D: £24.50 (£23.50), E: £18.50 (£17.50), F (Choir): £11.50 Save up to 20% by becoming a Subscriber. See p4 for details. Pre-concert Talk Conference Room 6.45pm Tickets £2, Subscribers £1 Brian Midgley, lecturer in Music at the University of Warwick talks about the works in tonight’s programme.

That’s just the climax of a mouthwatering programme; first though, the nation’s favourite violinist Nicola Benedetti plays Vaughan Williams’ haunting English idyll, and then puts her tongue firmly in her cheek for Mozart’s most entertaining violin concerto, the “Turkish”. Graceful, witty and distinctly surprising, it’s the ultimate proof that Mozart knew how to crack a joke. And no violinist could carry it off with more spirit and flair than Benedetti. Nicola Benedetti

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Warsaw Philharmonic Orchestra Conductor – Antoni Wit Violin – Kuba Jakowicz Thursday 24 November 8pm Panufnik Sinfonia Rustica Bruch Violin Concerto No.1 Interval Tchaikovsky Symphony No.2 (Little Russian)

Kuba Jakowicz

There’s a good reason why Bruch’s First Violin Concerto has never been out of the top ten of the Classic FM Hall of Fame. And it’s not just its brooding romantic opening, its nostalgic slow movement or the show-stopping fireworks of its finale.

Warsaw Philharmonia Orchestra

It has some of the best tunes ever written – and delivered by a virtuoso of the calibre of the young Polish violinist Kuba Jakowicz it all adds up to one of classical music’s most entertaining half-hours. That’s the deeply romantic heart of this exuberant concert from Poland’s most famous orchestra under its artistic director Antoni Wit, one of the few conductors whose recordings have sold over 3 million copies worldwide. First though, there’s a rare treat from the Anglo-Polish composer Andrzej Panufnik – his spirited Rustic Symphony – and then Tchaikovsky brings the house down with his Little Russian symphony. Hint: there’s nothing “little” about the inspiration – or the excitement.

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Philharmonia Orchestra Conductor – Vladimir Ashkenazy Violin – Valery Sokolov Wednesday 7 December 8pm Berlioz Beethoven Interval Berlioz Valery Sokolov

Overture, Beátrice et Bénédict Violin Concerto

Symphonie Fantastique

Imagine a severed head, a glittering waltz and a satanic orgy – all set to music, scored in Technicolor and played by a supersized orchestra with the volume turned up to eleven. Sounds... fantastic? Welcome to Berlioz’ Symphonie Fantastique, a delirious psychedelic extravaganza composed by an obsessive young genius in opium-fuelled overdrive. Now imagine it performed by London’s crack Philharmonia Orchestra, whipped to a frenzy by a conductor who’s been described as “an undisputed legend” – the incomparable Vladimir Ashkenazy. That’s the mindblowing climax to this spectacular concert, and it’s a heck of a ride, especially coming after Beethoven’s serene Violin Concerto. Luminous, songful and deeply beautiful, it’s been called the greatest violin concerto ever written, and it’s the perfect foil for Berlioz’ extraordinary symphony. Though, played by the superb young Ukrainian star (and “natural born fiddler”) Valeriy Sokolov, it’ll be every bit as compelling. Berlioz’ Béatrice et Bénédict overture lights the touchpaper with a shower of sparks.

Image © Stephane Oliver

Vladimir Ashkenazy Image © Keith Saunders

Ticket prices by Seating Area A: £36 (£34), B: £33 (£31), C: £29 (£28), D: £24.50 (£23.50), E: £18.50 (£17.50), F (Choir): £11.50 Save up to 20% by becoming a Subscriber. See p4 for details. Pre-concert Talk Conference Room 6.45pm Tickets £2, Subscribers £1 Conductor Vladimir Ashkenazy in conversation with Paul McGrath, Director of Music, University of Warwick. per ticket booking fee applies

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London Symphony Orchestra

London Symphony Orchestra Conductor – Antonio Pappano Viola – Antoine Tamestit

“I never heard such frantic applause or such shouting... people stood up on their seats!” When Elgar’s First Symphony was premiered in 1909, it sent shockwaves through British music. Everyone knew that Elgar could write a great tune – and he begins the symphony with one of the greatest he ever wrote. But they didn’t realise that a British composer could write music of such blazing drama and heartfelt emotion.

Monday 9 January 7pm (N.B. early start) Adès Walton Interval Elgar

Dances from Powder Her Face Viola Concerto Symphony No.1

Antonio Pappano

It’s still the greatest of all British symphonies, so who better to play it than the Rolls Royce of British orchestras, the mighty London Symphony, and a conductor who knows better than anyone that being British doesn’t mean being buttoned-up – Antonio Pappano, the hugely popular Music Director of the Royal Opera House. We’re thrilled to welcome him to Warwick Arts Centre. Add Walton’s brooding Viola Concerto and the fabulously sleazy Dances from Thomas Adès’ breakthrough opera Powder Her Face, and there won’t be a stiff upper lip in the house.

Ticket prices by Seating Area A: £36 (£34), B: £33 (£31), C: £29 (£28), D: £24.50 (£23.50), E: £18.50 (£17.50), F (Choir): £11.50 Save up to 20% by becoming a Subscriber. See p4 for details. Pre-concert Talk Conference Room 5.45pm (N.B. early start) Tickets £2, Subscribers £1 Antonio Pappano in discussion with LSO principal flautist Gareth Davies.

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English Chamber Orchestra

Director/Violin – Stephanie Gonley Piano – Derek Han Saturday 4 February 8pm Bach Glass Bach Interval Glass Bach Glass

Brandenburg Concerto No.3 Company Piano Concerto in G minor, BWV1058 Symphony No.3 (3rd movement) Violin Concerto in A minor Suite from The Hours

English Chamber Orchestra

He’s influenced Brian Eno and William Orbit. He’s written cult film-scores and ice-cool operas. His music features in Battlestar Galactica and Grand Theft Auto IV. He’s even been lampooned on South Park. He’s Philip Glass; he’s probably the most influential classical composer in the world today - and until you’ve heard his music live, you haven’t really heard it at all. Experience the phenomenon tonight, as the virtuoso English Chamber Orchestra tackles three of Glass’s most influential masterpieces. From 1983’s seminal Company to Glass’s Oscar-nominated score for 2003’s The Hours, there’s nothing minimalist about the power of this music. ECO Director Stephanie Gonley gives it the ultimate personal touch by leading from the violin, and she puts Glass in the perfect frame: three of Johann Sebastian Bach’s most timeless orchestral works. Vibrant, supremely beautiful music from two very different centuries: a massage for the mind and a tonic for the spirit.

Ticket prices by Seating Area A: £36 (£34), B: £33 (£31), C: £29 (£28), D: £24.50 (£23.50), E: £18.50 (£17.50), F (Choir): £11.50 Save up to 20% by becoming a Subscriber. See p4 for details. Pre-concert Talk Conference Room 6.45pm Tickets £2, Subscribers £1 Derek Han in conversation with Paul McGrath, Director of Music, University of Warwick.

Derek Han

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European Union Chamber Orchestra Director – Hans-Peter Hofmann Cello – Julian Lloyd Webber Tuesday 28 February 8pm Handel Elgar Haydn Interval Sibelius Mozart

Arrival of the Queen of Sheba String Serenade Cello Concerto in C Romance Symphony No.29 in A major K.201

Julian Lloyd Webber

Good things come in small packages. The European Union Chamber Orchestra draws its members from Europe’s very finest young professional orchestras, and the result is a chamber orchestra that plays with the panache of a virtuoso soloist and the commitment of a top string quartet. Tonight, Spring comes early as EUCO teams up with one of Britain’s bestloved cellists for a concert that positively sparkles with freshness. Handel’s Arrival of the Queen of Sheba pops the champagne cork, before Julian Lloyd Webber whizzes through Haydn’s brilliant C major concerto. There’s a lush northern love-song from Jean Sibelius, and it’s springtime in England as the superb string players of EUCO make Elgar’s enchanting Serenade sing like never before. And to round it all off, the teenage Mozart throws off his periwig and goes gloriously for broke in his exuberant 29th Symphony. Boyish wit, galloping strings and whooping horns: we’re talking serious fun, stunningly played.

Hans-Peter Hofmann

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Pre-concert Talk Conference Room 6.45pm Tickets £2, Subscribers £1 Cellist Julian Lloyd Webber in conversation with Paul McGrath, Director of Music, University of Warwick.

City of Birmingham Symphony Orchestra Conductor – Andris Nelsons Piano – Rudolf Buchbinder

City of Birmingham Symphony Orchestra

Thursday 8 March 8pm Ravel Beethoven Interval Sibelius

Suite No.2 from Daphnis and Chloe Piano Concerto No.4 Symphony No.2

They’re calling it the most exciting conductor / orchestra partnership in Britain today - and if you’ve been to Birmingham’s Symphony Hall lately you’ll already know that Andris Nelsons and the City of Birmingham Symphony Orchestra are generating the kind of electricity last experienced when Simon Rattle held the Birmingham baton. So expect tingles to run down spines in this shamelessly romantic programme, devised specially for Warwick Arts Centre.

Andris Nelsons

Ravel’s Daphnis and Chloé suite opens with a radiant sunrise and finishes with a riot. Sibelius’ Second Symphony begins deep in the forests of Finland and ends with a soaring hymn of triumph. Both make the perfect showcase for a conductor who lives and breathes emotion, and an orchestra that gives itself to him, heart and soul. In between, the sly wit of Beethoven’s most personal piano concerto might seem understated. But with Viennese pianist Rudolf Buchbinder at the keyboard, we might just be in for a surprise or two.

Pre-concert Talk Conference Room 6.45pm Tickets £2, Subscribers £1 Talk with members of CBSO. Details to follow.

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Philharmonia Orchestra

Conductor – Philippe Jordan Piano – Simon Trpceski ˇ Friday 4 May 8pm

Simon Trpceski ˇ

Beethoven Liszt Interval Brahms

Overture to Leonore No.3 Piano Concerto No.2 Symphony No.1

Image © Jillian Edelstein, EMI Classics

It took Johannes Brahms ten years and a shattered heart to write his First Symphony, and when it was finally complete, the papers dubbed it ‘Beethoven’s Tenth’. Yet when audiences heard the anguished heartbeats of its opening, they suspected they were in the presence of a genius on the Shakespeare scale – and when they heard the magnificent tune with which it finishes, they knew it. Tonight, the Philharmonia and the acclaimed young Swiss conductor Philippe Jordan re-live that incredible adventure. Beethoven’s stirring Leonore overture gives the call to ˇ action, and then Simon Trpceski takes centre stage in Liszt’s Second Piano Concerto – an outrageously difficult showpiece written by and for the greatest piano virtuoso of all time. ˇ That won’t worry Trpceski. If you’ve been following the career of this astonishing young Macedonian pianist, you’ll know to expect some truly breathtaking keyboard fireworks. If you haven’t... well, you might just think that Liszt himself is back in town!

Philippe Jordan

Ticket prices by Seating Area A: £36 (£34), B: £33 (£31), C: £29 (£28), D: £24.50 (£23.50), E: £18.50 (£17.50), F (Choir): £11.50 Save up to 20% by becoming a Subscriber. See p4 for details. Pre-concert Talk Conference Room 6.45pm Tickets £2, Subscribers £1 Pianist Simon Tpceski in conversation with Paul McGrath, ˇ Director of Music, University of Warwick.

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Berlin Symphony Orchestra

Conductor – Mario Venzago Piano – Kit Armstrong Thursday 17 May 8pm Weber Mozart Interval Beethoven

Der Freischutz Overture Piano Concerto No.21 (Elvia Madegan) Symphony No.3

Berlin Symphony Orchestra

“If I could wage war like I can write music, I would destroy him!” Ludwig van Beethoven was the ultimate musical revolutionary, and he wrote his Third Symphony as a tribute to the ultimate revolutionary warrior – Napoleon Bonaparte. So when Napoleon betrayed his radical ideals, Beethoven tore up the score in an explosion of rage. There’s never been a symphony like the Eroica; two centuries later, music is still reeling from the shockwaves. With the right conductor and orchestra, it’s one of music’s most electrifying experiences, so we’re in luck tonight: the veteran Swiss conductor Mario Venzago has this music in his blood, and no orchestra is more drenched in the German tradition than the Berlin Symphony. That should make for some suitably demonic thrills in Weber’s spooktastic Freischutz overture, too. First though, youth meets tradition as the remarkable 20 year old piano virtuoso Kit Armstrong brings all his freshness and imagination to Mozart’s best-loved piano concerto.

Pre-concert Talk Conference Room 6.45pm Tickets £2, Subscribers £1 Brian Midgley, lecturer in Music at the University of Warwick talks about the works in tonight’s programme.

Kit Armstrong

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Coull Quartet Concerts 2011-2012 Roger Coull – Violin Philip Gallaway – Violin Rose Redgrave – Viola Nicholas Roberts – Cello Some emotions run too deep for words. For four centuries, the greatest composers have turned aside from the public arena of the orchestra and whispered their most secret emotions to just four utterly dedicated musicians. And for four decades as Quartet-inResidence at the University of Warwick, the Coull Quartet have been putting chamber music – intimate, passionate, and pulsing with emotion – at the very heart of Warwick Arts Centre’s life. So join them this season, in their new resident home of the Helen Martin Studio, as they lay bare the haunted dreams of Dmitri Shostakovich, revel in the life-affirming power of Beethoven, and eavesdrop on the X-rated fantasies of the 73 year old Leoš ˇ Janácek. Along the way there’s humour from Haydn, coded messages from Schubert, and both pure, uninhibited fun and ˇ heartfelt nostalgia in three of Antonín Dvorák’s glorious chamber works: surely romantic music’s best-kept secret. Experience sounds and feelings you’ve never felt in a larger concert hall: music just doesn’t get any more personal than this.

Ticket price per concert £15.50 (£12.50) Subscribers can save up to 25% on Coull Quartet concerts if they book in advance. See booking form or ask at Box Office.

East Meets West Thu 3 Nov 7.30pm Helen Martin Studio Beethoven Quartet in F Op.18 No.1 Shostakovich Quartet no 13 in B flat minor Op.138 Schubert Quartetssatz in C minor D.703 Dvorák Quartet in F Op.96 ‘The American’ ˇ Beethoven’s first string quartet was inspired by Romeo and Juliet. Antonín Dvorák, wrote his ‘American’ quartet amidst ˇ the spirituals and birdsong of the American mid-west. Both let their imagination soar, and the result was two of the most joyously tuneful string quartets ever written. The Coull Quartet brings both works to vibrant life – but where there’s light, there has to be darkness too, and Shostakovich’s Thirteenth Quartet stares mortality straight in the face. As for Schubert’s one-off Quartetssatz, we don’t know why he wrote it. We just know that it’s one of the most poignant mini-masterpieces ever created. One concert; a lifetime of emotion.

Pre-concert talk: Shostakovich and Stalin I Helen Martin Studio 6.30pm. Tickets £1

Intimate Letters Thu 1 Dec 7.30pm Helen Martin Studio Seabourne Janácek ˇ Dvorák ˇ

Accept these Few Roses Quartet No.2 ‘Intimate Letters’ Quartet in E flat Op.51

“It’s a work carved out of living flesh. I’ll never write a truer one”. He was 73; she was 35. Both were married. But Leoš ˇ wasn’t going to let that stop him expressing his Janácek love – and the energy, the freshness and the raw, hotblooded passion of his Intimate Letters quartet has been leaving audiences gasping for breath ever since. That’s the pounding heart of this adults-only concert which opens with a “full-blooded” homage to Janácek, specially written for the ˇ Coull by the English romantic Peter Seabourne, and ends ˇ in the glowing Czech countryside of Dvorák’s very loveliest string quartet. Bring someone special.

Pre-concert talk: Helen Martin Studio 6.30pm. Tickets £1

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The Coull Quartet

The Russian Connection

PING!

Spring Serenade

Fri 13 Jan 7.30pm Helen Martin Studio

Sat 3 Mar

Fri 27 Apr 7.30pm Helen Martin Studio

Haydn Quartet in G major Op.33 No.5 Shostakovich Quartet No.14 in F sharp major Op.142 Beethoven Quartet in E minor Op.59 No.2 Razumovsky ‘Papa’ Joseph Haydn didn’t just invent string quartets, he wrote them with more imagination, wit and zest for life than any composer before or since. And as his quartet Op.33 No.5 proves, just because he’s shaking your hand, it doesn’t mean he isn’t about to pull the rug from under your feet. The humour of Shostakovich’s penultimate quartet surprised some listeners too – though there are some very sinister figures lurking in the shadows. But with Beethoven’s second Razumovsky Quartet, the joke is on a cosmic scale. This is Beethoven at his torrential best, performed by artists who’ve devoted their lives to his music.

Pre-concert talk: Shostakovich and Stalin II Helen Martin Studio 6.30pm. Tickets £1

The Coull Quartet and composer Joe Cutler are thrilled to have been awarded one of the prestigious New Music 20x12 commissions to celebrate the Cultural Olympiad. This exciting and unusual event will include the world premiere of Ping!, a new work for string quartet and table tennis players by Joe Cutler in collaboration with internationally recognised artist Tom Dale and Fusion, one of the UK’s leading table tennis clubs.

TICKETS FREE On sale from August 2011.

Shostakovich Quartet No.1 in C major Op.49 Schubert Quartet in A minor D.804 Rosamunde Dvorák Double Bass Quintet ˇ in G major Op.77 Details of guest artist to follow. They say that string quartets are ‘the music of friends’ – so why not share the joy? Antonín ˇ did exactly that when he invited a Dvorák double bass to join in his Quintet Op.77, and the result is thirty minutes of Bohemian sunshine, pounding dance-tunes and melodies that you just can’t get out of your head. Earlier on, it’s as if the happiness rubbed off on Dmitri Shostakovich; certainly, he never wrote a more optimistic string quartet than his brilliant First. Schubert’s darkly romantic Rosamunde quartet, meanwhile, distils pain into ravishing poetry. Well, what did you expect from the greatest songwriter of all time?

Pre-concert talk: Helen Martin Studio 6.30pm. Tickets £1 per ticket booking fee applies

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butterworth hall seating plan

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visit us Warwick Arts Centre The University of Warwick Coventry CV4 7AL

box office opening hours

mon-sat: 9.30am-9pm sun: 2pm - 8pm (per ticket booking fee applies)

this brochure is available in large print. Call 024 7652 4524 how to find us by car: On approaches to Coventry, simply follow the brown signs for Warwick Arts Centre. We are situated in the centre of the main campus of the University of Warwick. Once on the University of Warwick campus, head for car parks 6, 7 or 8.

by bus: Regular bus services from Coventry, Leamington Spa and Kenilworth stop outside the Arts Centre. Centro Hotline: 024 7655 9559

by train: Services run regularly from Birmingham, Leicester and London to Coventry, a short taxi or bus ride away.

box office 024 7652 4524

per ticket booking fee applies

CP = Car Park For Sat Nav our postcode is CV4 7AL

access

booking information

Over recent months we have been working on improving our access services:

Visa, Mastercard, Delta, Maestro, Amex:

groups of 9 or more:

There is a per ticket booking fee added to all tickets sold at Warwick Arts Centre.

Discount rate (price shown in brackets) plus every 10th ticket FREE. No booking fee. N.B: Valid for selected events only check with the Box Office.

• Increased number of blue badge holder spaces on campus. Please consider fellow visitors - any non blue badge holders parking in a disabled bay may be clamped or fined • Parking stewards positioned at key drop off points; our stewards will either wait with you whilst your driver parks the car, or will accompany you to the venue and wait inside with you

Spaces reserved in Car Park 7.

reservations: Wheelchair access at ground level to Hall, Studio Theatre, Café Bar, Box Office, Cinema, Conference Room, Music Centre, Bookshop and Rise.

Lift access to Theatre, Theatre Bar, National Grid Room and Mead Gallery.

• If you have mobility issues and require any assistance simply call Box Office in advance. We will arrange for our one of our Stewards to bring a wheelchair to the car park and assist you to the Arts Centre

Guide dogs are welcomed and can be cared for during performances, by arrangement.

For full access information visit our website or ask for a leaflet at Box Office. Though it is not essential, you are advised to book in advance so we can readily provide any assistance.

Receivers for our Sennheiser infra-red facility are freely available from Box Office.

Disabled patrons may also bring a companion free of charge. Contact Box Office for details.

Toilet facilities accessible on all levels.

Pay within 4 days or 30 minutes before performance, whichever is sooner.

exchanging tickets: Tickets can be exchanged for another performance or for a credit voucher valid for 180 days. If you would like to take advantage of this service you must return your original tickets to the Box Office at least 24 hours before the performance (14 days for group bookings). Schools tickets may not be exchanged. There is an administration fee of £2 per ticket. Tickets purchased as part of a subscription or multi-buy package cannot be exchanged for credit vouchers. Any credit not used after six months have elapsed will go to the Butterworth Hall Development Fund.

booking by post: Include name, address, phone number, performance details and tickets required, plus cheque/postal order payable to The University of Warwick (add 75p for postage or can be collected free). There is a per ticket booking fee added to all tickets sold at Warwick Arts Centre.

booking online: www.warwickartscentre.co.uk There is a per ticket booking fee added to all tickets sold at Warwick Arts Centre.

student deals: Visit the student pages of our website at www.warwickartscentre.co.uk/students for further information.

new arts centre restaurant & bar

Shown in brackets for: 60+ in full time retirement, registered unemployed people, full time students (NUS or Uni ID cards), Coventry Passport to Leisure Holders, Rugby Leisure Pass holders.

schools allocation: For selected events, tickets can be purchased at reduced rates for teacherled school/college parties. No booking fee. Call the Box Office for details.

University of Warwick employees: Ask at the Box Office for staff ticket offers. ID required.

Terms and Conditions: All tickets are sold according to our terms and conditions. Full terms and conditions and privacy policy can be found at www.warwickartscentre.co.uk or ask for a copy at Box Office. All tickets, discounts and offers subject to availability. Unless otherwise stated, discounts and concessions cannot be combined or used in conjunction with other offers. All information correct at time of going to press. Warwick Arts Centre reserves the right to make occasional special ticket offers in addition to those listed. Warwick Arts Centre reserves the right to change programmes and artists without notice. Please contact the Box Office or check website for updated information, especially if travelling some distance. Warwick Arts Centre is committed to upholding the Data Protection principles of good practice. When processing your booking, the Box Office staff will ask you for your name, address, email and telephone number. This is essential for all non-cash bookings. We will also ask you if you would like to be kept informed about forthcoming events and campaigns at Warwick Arts Centre or at other arts organisations. You can also manage your own account online at www.warwickartscentre.co.uk

supporters

feedback

Warwick Arts Centre is part of the University of Warwick. We gratefully acknowledge the following supporters:

Your observations are essential to us, so please feel free to contact us should you have any questions about your evening, or have feedback about your experience.

An exciting new restaurant and bar is coming soon to the Arts Centre, offering a perfect setting to escape and indulge with wood fired food in a great atmosphere. You will find a menu bursting full of flavours to stimulate your senses, making it a dining experience not to be missed. Further information will be available shortly. Please refer to www.warwickretail.com to keep up to date with the latest developments. More information will also be sent to Concert Series Subscribers this summer with tickets.

discounts:

Simon Yates

for the Concert Series

Cover illustration: Parenthesis. Words: Richard Bratby

per ticket booking fee applies

www.warwickartscentre.co.uk

Concert Series 2011/12 Moscow Philharmonic Orchestra Czech National Symphony Orchestra Warsaw Philharmonic Orchestra Philharmonia Orchestra London Symphony Orchestra English Chamber Orchestra European Union Chamber Orchestra City of Birmingham Symphony Orchestra Berlin Symphony Orchestra Coull Quartet Concerts

box office 024 7652 4524 www.warwickartscentre.co.uk