Rté National Symphony Orchestra 2013–2014 Season

cover design 01:Layout 1 25/04/2013 14:19 Page 1 RTÉ NATIONAL SYMPHONY ORCHESTRA 2013–2014 SEASON

RTÉ NATIONAL SYMPHONY ORCHESTRA 2013–2014 SEASON

www.rte.ie/nso /rtenso /rte_nso Inside cover design:Layout 1 25/04/2013 14:15 Page 1

YELLOW BALCONY 11 12 13 14 15 16 17 18 19 20 21 22 9 10 23 8 24 7 11 12 13 14 15 16 17 18 19 20 21 22 25 6 10 23 26 27 4 5 8 9 24 28 7 11 12 13 14 15 16 17 18 19 20 21 22 25 K K 6 10 23 26 27 4 5 8 9 24 28 3 7 11 12 13 14 15 16 17 18 19 20 21 22 25 26 29 J 6 9 10 23 27 J 4 5 8 24 25 28 3 7 11 12 13 14 15 16 17 18 19 20 21 22 26 29 30 2 6 9 10 23 27 31 1 4 5 8 24 25 28 H H 3 7 11 12 13 14 15 16 17 18 19 20 21 22 26 29 30 2 5 6 9 10 23 27 31 1 4 8 24 25 28 29 G G 3 6 7 11 12 13 14 15 16 17 18 19 20 21 22 26 30 NATIONAL 1 2 5 9 10 23 24 27 31 H 8 12 13 14 15 16 17 18 19 20 21 25 28 29 F F H H 6 7 10 11 22 23 26 30 H 5 9 24 27 H 31 H 7 8 12 13 14 15 16 17 18 19 20 21 25 H E E H H 6 10 11 22 23 26 H H 5 9 24 27 H H 4 7 8 12 13 14 15 16 17 18 19 20 21 25 H D D H H 6 10 11 22 23 26 27 H CONCERT HALL H 5 8 9 24 H H H 25 H C C H H 6 7 26 H H 5 27 28 H B 3 4 29 B CONTENTS SEATING PLAN A A PAGE 39 38 21 37 10 22 23 8 9 24 7 11 21 22 25 6 10 23 26 27 BAND A 5 8 9 24 7 12 13 14 15 16 17 18 19 20 21 25 6 10 11 22 23 26 27 5 40 4 9 24 28 Y 36 Y 3 7 8 1 12 13 14 15 16 17 18 19 20 21 25 29 36 2 0 1 22 26 30 03 WHAT’S THE STORY? 6 41 1 23 27 31 35 STALLS ROWS L–U 1 4 5 8 9 24 28 41 25 X 35 X 7 12 13 14 15 16 17 18 19 20 21 29 RED SIDE BALCONY 3 11 22 26 42 6 0 30 34 1 2 5 9 1 23 24 27 31 42 28 34 4 8 W 25 29 43 W 3 7 11 12 13 14 15 16 17 18 19 20 21 33 BALCONY ROWS A–F 2 6 10 22 23 26 27 30 31 43 9 33 1 5 24 28 4 8 44 25 29 V 32 V 3 6 7 11 12 13 14 15 16 17 18 19 20 21 22 26 30 44 2 10 04 A MESSAGE FROM HELENA WOOD 32 9 23 27 31 1 5 45 8 24 28 31 U 3 4 7 12 13 14 15 16 17 18 19 20 21 25 29 U 45 11 22 31 2 6 26 30 10 23 46 27 31 30 1 4 5 8 9 24 28 T 46 T 25 29 30 3 7 11 12 13 14 15 16 17 18 19 20 21 22 26 30 47 2 6 10 23 29 1 5 9 24 27 28 31 47 8 29 4 25 S S 7 12 13 14 15 16 17 18 19 20 21 29 48 BAND B 3 6 11 22 26 30 28 2 5 9 10 23 27 31 05 A MESSAGE FROM ALAN BURIBAYEV 48 1 28 4 8 24 25 28 29 R R 3 6 7 10 11 12 13 14 15 16 17 18 19 20 21 22 26 30 1 2 5 9 23 27 31

24 27 28 49 Q 4 7 8 12 13 14 15 16 17 18 19 20 21 25 29 Q STALLS ROWS J–K & V-Y 2 3 6 10 11 22 23 26 30

9 27 31 26 5 50 1 4 8 24 25 28 P 3 7 11 12 13 14 15 16 17 18 19 20 21 22 26 29 30 P

2 6 10 25 06 AT A GLANCE 1 5 9 23 24 27 28 31 51 BALCONY ROWS G–K N 4 7 8 25 29 N

3 1 12 13 14 15 16 17 18 19 20 21 24 2 6 10 1 22 23 26 27 30 31 52 1 4 5 8 9 24 28 M

25 29 23 M 2 3 6 7 11 12 13 14 15 16 17 18 19 20 21 22 26 30 53 1 5 9 10 23 24 27 28 31

8 22 L 3 4 7 12 13 14 15 16 17 18 19 20 21 25 29 L 54 2 6 10 11 22 23 26 27 30 31

9 21 1 5 55 10 THE CONCERTS 4 8 24 25 28 K K 3 7 0 11 12 13 14 15 16 17 18 19 20 21 22 26 29 30

2 6 1 23 20 1 5 9 24 27 28 31 56 BAND C JJ 4 7 8 11 12 13 14 15 16 17 18 19 20 21 25 29 J

3 22 26 19 30 57 2 5 6 9 10 23 27 31

GREEN SIDE BALCONY 1 8 24 28 57 4 25 H H 3 7 11 12 13 14 15 16 17 18 19 20 21 22 26 29 30 2 5 6 9 10 23 27 31 54 CONCERT PACKAGE OPTIONS STALLS ROWS G–H 1 4 8 24 25 28 29 G G 3 6 7 11 12 13 14 15 16 17 18 19 20 21 22 26 30 1 2 5 9 10 23 27 31 4 8 24 28 18 F 3 7 11 12 13 14 15 16 17 18 19 20 21 22 25 26 29 30 F 18 2 6 10 23 SIDE BALCONY 5 9 27 31 17 1 4 8 24 25 28 17 E 3 7 11 12 13 14 15 16 17 18 19 20 21 22 26 29 30 E 2 6 9 10 23 27 31 16 1 4 5 8 24 28 55 SUBSCRIBER REWARDS & DISCOUNTS 16 7 25 29 D SEATS 19–57 D 3 6 26 30 15 1 2 5 27 31 15 4 28 29 C 14 C 2 3 30 14 B B 13

56 CONCERT PACKAGE PRICES 12

11 11

BAND D 10 58 SUBSCRIBER CARD STALLS ROWS E–F 10

9 9

SIDE BALCONY 8

7 7 STAGE

59 HOW & WHEN TO BOOK SEATS 1–18 6

4 4

3 3

60 RTÉ NSO MANAGEMENT & ADMINISTRATION 2 2

BAND E 1 STALLS ROW B–D CHOIR BALCONY SEATS

CHOIR BALCONY 136 SEATS UNRESERVED RTÉ NATIONAL SYMPHONY ORCHESTRA 2013–2014 SEASON Patron: Michael D. Higgins, President of Ireland Principal Conductor: Alan Buribayev

A season of Orchestral Tales and Legends

DUBLIN NATIONAL CONCERT HALL THE ABBEY THEATRE CASTLEBAR CORK KILKENNY LIMERICK NAVAN TULLAMORE WATERFORD

RTÉ National Symphony Orchestra Main Season concerts, Horizons and other selected concerts are broadcast on RTÉ lyric fm RTÉ NATIONAL SYMPHONY ORCHESTRA 2 WELCOME WHAT’S THE STORY? AN OVERVIEW OF THE SEASON BY DECLAN McGOVERN, GENERAL MANAGER, RTÉ NATIONAL SYMPHONY ORCHESTRA

Welcome to the RTÉ National Symphony Orchestra’s Horizons lunchtime concerts in January/February. In March, thanks 2013–2014 season of concerts. Orchestral tales and legends to a new collaboration with the Music Composition Centre at are featured throughout this season including the Symphonie Trinity College Dublin, the orchestra looks forward to welcoming Fantastique by Berlioz, Tchaikovsky’s enchanting Sleeping Beauty, the iconic composer Harrison Birtwistle (7 March) to work with Prokofiev’s vivid portrayal of Lieutenant Kijé, and Stravinsky’s the RTÉ NSO for the first time, as part of New Music Dublin. colourful ballet Petrushka which opens our season (13 September). As a further reflection of the storytelling theme, we are particularly Some fifteen nationalities from around the world are represented delighted to collaborate with Ireland’s national theatre to celebrate in the orchestra and many of our musicians work in developing Shakespeare in Music (15 December) at the Abbey Theatre. the musicians of the future. One such example is the mentoring scheme for advanced music students which culminates with their A number of anniversaries are marked throughout this season: participation in the Russian Tales concert (22 November). Benjamin Britten’s centenary is celebrated in October and November; Verdi’s bicentenary is marked with a performance of If you are coming to our concerts for the first time don’t miss our his Requiem (27 September) with the RTÉ Philharmonic Choir; Taster Concert (6 September), and for families there’s our film and the 150th anniversary of the birth of Richard Strauss provides concert (24 May) with Paul Rissmann. Finally, we look forward to a perfect opportunity to hear Irish soprano Celine Byrne perform meeting our audiences outside Dublin as we go ‘out and about’ with his Four Last Songs (30 May) in our closing concert. two outstanding international soloists: violinist Nicola Benedetti in December and trumpeter Håkan Hardenberger in March. Five new Irish works will be premiered this season: a new commission on opening night, and a new work in each of the Enjoy the season!

WELCOME 3 A MESSAGE FROM HELENA WOOD LEADER, RTÉ NATIONAL SYMPHONY ORCHESTRA

I’m delighted to be joining the RTÉ National Symphony Orchestra for my first season as Leader. I’m looking forward to performing Saint-Saëns’ Danse Macabre (28 February) – always great fun to play – and to welcoming some truly outstanding international soloists to our season including the amazing Dutch cellist Pieter Wispelwey (29 November), the fabulous young Norwegian violinist Henning Kraggerud (7 February), Swedish trumpet supremo Håkan Hardenberger (12–14 March) and the ever popular pianist and conductor Barry Douglas (4 October and 11 April). I look forward to seeing you at our concerts!

4 WELCOME A MESSAGE FROM ALAN BURIBAYEV PRINCIPAL CONDUCTOR, RTÉ NATIONAL SYMPHONY ORCHESTRA

I look forward to celebrating with you some of the greatest stories ever told in classical music this season: Mussorgsky’s A Night on the Bare Mountain (7 February) Bartok’s vivid score for The Miraculous Mandarin (2 May), Stravinsky’s magnificent ballet fantasy Petrushka (13 September), and Barber’s beautifully evocative Knoxville: Summer of 1915 (4 April). I’ll also be continuing my Prokofiev symphony cycle (7 February), and conducting symphonies by Dvorákv (4 April), Brahms (30 May) and Beethoven, getting ‘inside the score’ of his Symphony No. 5 (3 November). I look forward to conducting music which will excite the imagination and stir the heart!

WELCOME 5 AT A GLANCE SEPTEMBER 2013 – JANUARY 2014 DATE TIME VENUE TITLE COMPOSER(S)/PROGRAMME FRI 6 SEP 8pm NCH The Story Begins! Taster Concert: 2013–2014 Season Highlights FRI 13 SEP 8pm NCH New Beginnings Ed Bennett, Rachmaninov, Stravinsky TUE 17 SEP 8pm NCH The Alma Fetish A new opera by Raymond Deane FRI 20 SEP 8pm NCH Eroica Dawn Beethoven, Schumann FRI 27 SEP 8pm NCH Soul Music Verdi FRI 4 OCT 8pm NCH Heavenly Life Britten, Mahler FRI 18 OCT 8pm NCH Britten & America Bernstein, Britten, Copland FRI 25 OCT 8pm NCH Mozart's Violin Mozart SUN 3 NOV 3pm NCH Inside the Music Beethoven, Hindemith FRI 8 NOV 8pm NCH Carnival Dance Dvorák,v Falla, Brahms FRI 22 NOV 8pm NCH Russian Tales Rimsky-Korsakov, Tchaikovsky, Khachaturian FRI 29 NOV 8pm NCH Saint Nicolas Britten WED 4 DEC 8pm Tullamore Nicola Benedetti on Tour J. Adams, Bruch, Marquez, Stravinsky THUR 5 DEC 8pm Castlebar Nicola Benedetti on Tour J. Adams, Bruch, Marquez, Stravinsky FRI 6 DEC 8pm Kilkenny Nicola Benedetti on Tour J. Adams, Bruch, Marquez, Stravinsky SAT 7 DEC 8pm Navan Nicola Benedetti on Tour J. Adams, Bruch, Marquez, Stravinsky TUE 10 DEC 1.05pm NCH Unwrapping Christmas Tchaikovsky, Lehár, Delius, Prokofiev SUN 15 DEC 3 & 5pm Abbey Theatre Shakespeare in Music Celebrating the works of Shakespeare with words & music TUE 17 DEC 1.05pm NCH Christmas Favourites Leroy Anderson and more THUR 19 DEC 3.15 & 8pm NCH Three Sopranos Christmas Gala Operatic and Christmas favourites WED 1 JAN 2.30 & 6pm NCH Strauss & Co.: New Year Gala Strauss family & operatic favourites FRI 3 JAN 8pm Cork Strauss & Co.: New Year Gala Strauss family & operatic favourites FRI 10 JAN 8pm NCH Gershwin’s Genius Adams, Gershwin, Sibelius TUE 14 JAN 1.05pm NCH Horizons: Catching Fire Rhona Clarke, Gerald Barry, Pascal Dusapin

6 FUND YOUR EVENT CONDUCTOR SOLOISTS ADDITIONAL CONCERT INFORMATION PAGE Robert Houlihan - BEYOND THE SEASON 10 Alan Buribayev Freddy Kempf MAIN SEASON SOUNDINGS 11 Fergus Sheil M. Cullagh, B. Polegato, G. Dandy BEYOND THE SEASON 12 Gerhard Markson Torléif Thedeen MAIN SEASON EARLY EVENING CONCERTS 13 Kenneth Montgomery RTÉ Philharmonic Choir, M. Murphy, I. Drumm, M. Best MAIN SEASON SOUNDINGS 14 Christian Arming Barry Douglas, Mary Nelson MAIN SEASON SOUNDINGS LATE NIGHT CONCERT 15 Garry Walker Marie-Luise Neunecker, Andrew Staples MAIN SEASON SOUNDINGS 16 Baibe Skride Baibe Skride MAIN SEASON SOUNDINGS 17 Alan Buribayev Alan Smale, Stephen Johnson (presenter) BEYOND THE SEASON FORTE! 18 Jonathan Schiffman Antti Siirala MAIN SEASON SOUNDINGS 19 Alan Buribayev Artur Pizarro MAIN SEASON SOUNDINGS FORTE! 20 Matthew Halls Pieter Wispelwey, John Mark Ainsley, RTÉ Choirs MAIN SEASON SOUNDINGS LATE NIGHT CONCERT 21 Fergus Sheil Nicola Benedetti BEYOND THE SEASON 22 Fergus Sheil Nicola Benedetti BEYOND THE SEASON 22 Fergus Sheil Nicola Benedetti BEYOND THE SEASON 22 Fergus Sheil Nicola Benedetti BEYOND THE SEASON 22 Malcolm Yuen - BEYOND THE SEASON 23 Gavin Maloney Actors from the Abbey Theatre BEYOND THE SEASON 24 Christopher Bell Christopher Bell (presenter) BEYOND THE SEASON 25 John Finucane Claudia Boyle, Regina Nathan, Cara O'Sullivan BEYOND THE SEASON 26 Robert Houlihan Cara O'Sullivan MAIN SEASON 27 Robert Houlihan Cara O'Sullivan 27 Jayce Ogren Michael McHale MAIN SEASON EARLY EVENING CONCERT 28 Gavin Maloney Bernard Clarke (presenter) BEYOND THE SEASON COMPOSERS IN CONVERSATION WORLD PREMIERE 29

FIND YOUR EVENTS 7 AT A GLANCE JANUARY – MAY 2014 DATE TIME VENUE TITLE COMPOSER(S)/PROGRAMME FRI 17 JAN 8pm NCH London Calling Walton, Vaughan Williams TUE 21 JAN 1.05pm NCH Horizons: Coloured Time Marion Ingoldsby, Webern, Takemitsu FRI 24 JAN 8pm NCH Rhapsodies & Fairytales Copland, Gershwin, Tchaikovsky, Ravel TUE 28 JAN 1.05pm NCH Horizons: Six Objects in a Concert Hall Seán Clancy, J. Cutler, Mic. Walton, E. Bennett, H. Skempton FRI 31 JAN 8pm NCH Scottish Fantasy Arnold, Bruch, Beethoven TUE 4 FEB 1.05pm NCH Horizons: Mavericks and Unicorns Brian Irvine, Ives, Frank Zappa FRI 7 FEB 8pm NCH Bare Mountain Mussorgsky, Sibelius, Prokofiev THUR 13 FEB 8pm NCH Hamlet’s Fantasy Tchaikovsky, Shostakovich, Rachmaninov FRI 21 FEB 8pm NCH Hollywood Heroes Music from James Bond, Lawrence of Arabia, Schindler's List… TUES 25 FEB 10.30am & 12.15pm NCH Leaving Cert: Symphonie Fantastique Berlioz FRI 28 FEB 8pm NCH Fantastique! Saint-Saëns, Liszt, Berlioz FRI 7 MAR 1.05pm NCH Birtwistle in Dublin Birtwistle: Earth Dances WED 12 MAR 8pm Limerick Trumpet on Tour! Haydn, Prokofiev, Planel, Ravel THU 13 MAR 8pm Waterford Trumpet on Tour! Haydn, Prokofiev, Planel, Ravel FRI 14 MAR 8pm NCH Trumpet on Tour! Haydn, Prokofiev, Planel, Ravel MON 17 MAR 8pm NCH The Music of Shaun Davey The Brendan Voyage, Granuaile FRI 4 APR 8pm NCH Lieutenant Kijé Prokofiev, Barber, Dvořák FRI 11 APR 8pm NCH The Emperor Mozart, Beethoven FRI 18 APR 3.30pm NCH Easter Glory Bach FRI 2 MAY 8pm NCH Hungarian Stories Brahms, Liszt, Kodály, Bartók FRI 16 MAY 8pm NCH Hiawatha's Wedding Stanford, Elgar, Coleridge-Taylor FRI 23 MAY 8pm NCH The Sea Berlioz, Beethoven, Mendelssohn, Debussy SAT 24 MAY 3pm NCH Family Film Favourites Music from Fantasia, Star Wars, Harry Potter… FRI 30 MAY 8pm NCH Idyllic Leavetakings Wagner, R. Strauss, Brahms

8 FUND YOUR EVENT CONDUCTOR SOLOISTS ADDITIONAL CONCERT INFORMATION PAGE John Wilson Guy Johnston MAIN SEASON SOUNDINGS 30 Gavin Maloney Bernard Clarke (presenter) BEYOND THE SEASON COMPOSERS IN CONVERSATION WORLD PREMIERE 31 Andrew Gourlay Joanna MacGregor MAIN SEASON SOUNDINGS LATE NIGHT CONCERT 32 Gavin Maloney Bernard Clarke (presenter) BEYOND THE SEASON COMPOSERS IN CONVERSATION WORLD PREMIERE 33 Eugene Tzigane Stefan Jackiw MAIN SEASON SOUNDINGS 34 Gavin Maloney Bernard Clarke (presenter) BEYOND THE SEASON COMPOSERS IN CONVERSATION WORLD PREMIERE 35 Alan Buribayev Henning Kraggerud MAIN SEASON SOUNDINGS 36 Alan Buribayev Ivan Monighetti MAIN SEASON SOUNDINGS 37 David Arnold Dave Fanning (presenter) BEYOND THE SEASON 38 - Paul Rissmann (presenter) BEYOND THE SEASON FORTE! 39 Patrik Ringborg Nareh Arghamanyan MAIN SEASON EARLY EVENING CONCERT 40 David Atherton - BEYOND THE SEASON 41 Håkan Hardenberger Håkan Hardenberger 42 Håkan Hardenberger Håkan Hardenberger 42 Håkan Hardenberger Håkan Hardenberger MAIN SEASON SOUNDINGS 42 Gavin Maloney Rita Connolly, Liam O'Flynn BEYOND THE SEASON 43 Alan Buribayev Anna Devin MAIN SEASON EARLY EVENING CONCERT 44 Barry Douglas Barry Douglas MAIN SEASON SOUNDINGS 45 Roy Goodman S. Power, P. Murrihy, J. Gilchrist, M. George & choir BEYOND THE SEASON 46 Alan Buribayev Nikolai Demidenko MAIN SEASON SOUNDINGS LATE NIGHT CONCERT 47 David Hill Kim Begley, RTÉ Philharmonic Choir MAIN SEASON SOUNDINGS 48 Olari Elts Boris Giltburg MAIN SEASON SOUNDINGS 49 Stephen Bell Paul Rissmann (presenter) BEYOND THE SEASON FORTE! 50 Alan Buribayev Celine Byrne MAIN SEASON EARLY EVENING CONCERT 51

FIND YOUR EVENTS 9 NATIONAL FRIDAY 6 SEPTEMBER CONCERT HALL

2013–2014 THE STORY BEGINS! TASTER CONCERT

With so much on offer in our new season, here’s the perfect opportunity to sample the treats that lie ahead as we celebrate the art of storytelling through the world’s greatest music.

We’ve put together for you a packed programme of highlights including magical moments from Mussorgsky’s fantastical A Night on the Bare Mountain, Tchaikovsky’s enchanting Sleeping Beauty, the spectacle of Prokofiev’s Lieutenant Kijé, the vitality of Mendelssohn’s A Midsummer Night’s Dream and the gripping drama of Britten’s Peter Grimes.

ROBERT HOULIHAN conductor 8pm ends approx. 9.50pm

TICKETS: €10, €15 BOOKING (no fees): 01 417 0000 www.nch.ie | www.rte.ie/nso 10 BEYOND THE SEASON SAVE 5–30% with a package, see p.54. NATIONAL FRIDAY 13 SEPTEMBER CONCERT HALL NEW BEGINNINGS

Our season begins with a new ED BENNETT 8pm piece by one of Ireland’s most New Work RTÉ commission [10’] WORLD PREMIERE talented young composers, Ed RACHMANINOV Bennett, and two masterpieces Piano Concerto No. 2 in C minor [33’] exalting the adventure and STRAVINSKY opportunity of new beginnings. Petrushka (1947) [35’] ends approx. 9.50pm Rachmaninov’s optimistic Second Piano Concerto boasts FREDDY KEMPF piano one soaringly beautiful melody ALAN BURIBAYEV conductor after another, Stravinsky’s Petrushka is a bright, brash, SOUNDINGS 7pm bold portrait of a puppet In Conversation: Freddy Kempf & Ed Bennett FREDDY KEMPF suddenly brought to life.

TICKETS: €10, €18, €24, €30, €35 (Conc. €9, €16, €22, €27, €32) BOOKING (no fees): 01 417 0000 www.nch.ie | www.rte.ie/nso SAVE 5–30% with a package, see p.54. MAIN SEASON 11 NATIONAL TUESDAY 17 SEPTEMBER CONCERT HALL

PRESENTED BY WIDE OPEN OPERA IN ASSOCIATION WITH THE TheRTÉ NATIONAL SYMPHONY Alma ORCHESTRA AND THEFetishNATIONAL CONCERT HALL A NEW OPERA BY RAYMOND DEANE (MUSIC) AND GAVIN KOSTICK (TEXT) (CONCERT PERFORMANCE)

Following the breakup of his relationship with Alma Mahler, artist Oskar Kokoschka’s only path from spiralling despair is to commission a life-size doll of Alma to be made by the finest Parisian makers. He lives with the doll; eating meals, going to the opera, taking a ride in the park, until one day he ‘murders’ her, discarding the ‘body’ in the street. Concert performance of a new opera based on a true story, by Raymond Deane and Gavin Kostick.

MAJELLA CULLAGH (Alma) 8pm BRETT POLEGATO (Kokoschka) GRAEME DANBY (Russian Soldier) CHORUS OF WIDE OPEN OPERA

FERGUS SHEIL conductor ends approx. 10.10pm Self portrait with Alma by Oskar Kokoschka

TICKETS: €25 (full), €20 (OAPs), €15 (Student) 12 BEYOND THE SEASON BOOKING (no fees): 01 4170000 | www.nch.ie NATIONAL CULTURE NIGHT 100 FREE TICKETS FRIDAY 20 SEPTEMBER CONCERT HALL Available from August. See www.rte.ie/nso

CULTURE NIGHT EROICA DAWN

The cathedral-like dimensions of 8pm BEETHOVEN Beethoven’s mighty and majestic Prometheus Overture [5’] Third Symphony announced the SCHUMANN dawn of Romanticism and put Cello Concerto in A minor [25’] 19th-century audiences through BEETHOVEN the emotional wringer. Its potency and power remains Symphony No. 3 in E flat ‘Eroica’ [47’] undiminished in a journey +surprise extra! ends approx. 9.55pm of compelling energy and excitement. No less fiery is his TORLÉIF THEDEEN cello Prometheus Overture while GERHARD MARKSON conductor Schumann’s concerto exults in the poetic and the sublime. FREE CONCERT 6.10pm TORLÉIF THEDEEN Pipeworks Organ Recital: David Adams. See p.52.

FREE CONCERT 7pm RTÉ Cór na nÓg in the John Field Room TICKETS: €10, €18, €24, €30, €35 (Conc. €9, €16, €22, €27, €32) BOOKING (no fees): 01 417 0000 www.nch.ie | www.rte.ie/nso SAVE 5–30% with a package, see p.54. MAIN SEASON 13 NATIONAL FRIDAY 27 SEPTEMBER CONCERT HALL

VERDI ANNIVERSARY SOUL MUSIC

Every bit as intense, fervent, 8pm VERDI vital and dramatic as his Requiem [84’] ends approx. 9.35pm operas, Verdi’s Requiem shouts out from pulpit and MIRIAM MURPHY soprano pew with a passion guaranteed IMELDA DRUMM mezzo soprano to stir head, heart and soul. BRUCE SLEDGE tenor A thrilling, terrifying, tumultuous MATTHEW BEST bass blend of orchestra, chorus and RTÉ PHILHARMONIC CHOIR soloists, it offers the perfect chorus master Mark Hindley tribute in the bicentenary year KENNETH MONTGOMERY conductor of the composer’s birth.

SOUNDINGS In Conversation: 7pm Mark Hindley & Kenneth Montgomery RTÉ PHILHARMONIC CHOIR

TICKETS: €10, €18, €24, €30, €35 (Conc. €9, €16, €22, €27, €32) BOOKING (no fees): 01 417 0000 www.nch.ie | www.rte.ie/nso 14 MAIN SEASON SAVE 5–30% with a package, see p.54. NATIONAL FRIDAY 4 OCTOBER CONCERT HALL

BIG ON BRITTEN HEAVENLY LIFE

Britten’s only Piano Concerto 8pm BRITTEN boils with anguish, torment and Piano Concerto [34’] poignancy in a bravura display MAHLER of youthful passions while the Symphony No.4 in G [54’] sunniest of Mahler’s symphonies ends approx. 10pm teems over with smiling good humour and effervescent joy BARRY DOUGLAS piano before culminating in a glorious, MARY NELSON soprano resounding finale that revels CHRISTIAN ARMING conductor in a child’s irresistibly blissful SOUNDINGS SPECIAL 7pm vision of Heaven. Barry Douglas explores the score of Britten’s Piano Concerto on the main stage.

THE LATE NIGHT 10.15pm BARRY DOUGLAS Barry Douglas performs music by Brahms TICKETS: €10, €18, €24, €30, €35 (Conc. €9, €16, €22, €27, €32) LATE NIGHT FREE with 8pm ticket or €5 for Late Night only BOOKING (no fees): 01 417 0000 www.nch.ie | www.rte.ie/nso SAVE 5–30% with a package, see p.54. MAIN SEASON 15 NATIONAL FRIDAY 18 OCTOBER CONCERT HALL

BIG ON BRITTEN BRITTEN & AMERICA

Bursting with pizzazz and 8pm BERNSTEIN showmanship, Bernstein’s On the Town: Three Dance Episodes [11’] On the Town celebrates New BRITTEN York in irresistible style while Serenade for Tenor, Horn and Strings [25’] Copland’s gorgeous, melody-filled BRITTEN ballet score is as ripe, romantic and ravishing as the American Four Sea Interludes from Peter Grimes [16’] dream that captivated Benjamin COPLAND Britten, whose shadow-lit, Appalachian Spring [24’] spiritual song cycle and ends approx. 9.50pm operatically vivid invocations of the sea are high-water horn MARIE-LUISE NEUNECKER marks of 20th century music. ANDREW STAPLES tenor GARRY WALKER GARRY WALKER conductor

SOUNDINGS In Conversation: 7pm Marie-Luise Neunecker, Andrew Staples & Garry Walker TICKETS: €10, €18, €24, €30, €35 (Conc. €9, €16, €22, €27, €32) BOOKING (no fees): 01 417 0000 www.nch.ie | www.rte.ie/nso 16 MAIN SEASON SAVE 5–30% with a package, see p.54. NATIONAL FRIDAY 25 OCTOBER CONCERT HALL

SOLOIST DIRECTS MOZART’S VIOLIN

Mozart’s violin concertos are 8pm MOZART wonders of youthful invention Violin Concerto No. 1 in B flat [21’] with the First boasting a Violin Concerto No. 2 in D [21’] brilliantly witty finale, the Symphony No. 31 in D ‘Paris’ [17’] Second exuberantly extrovert and virtuosic, and the fleet-footed Third Violin Concerto No. 3 in G ‘Strasbourg’ [24’] (popularised in the Russell Crowe ends approx. 9.55pm film Master and Commander) memorably borrowing a French violin/director BAIBA SKRIDE folk tune. The athletic, adrenalin- packed Paris Symphony delivers SOUNDINGS 7pm In Conversation: Baiba Skride entertainment at full throttle.

BAIBA SKRIDE

TICKETS: €10, €18, €24, €30, €35 (Conc. €9, €16, €22, €27, €32) BOOKING (no fees): 01 417 0000 www.nch.ie | www.rte.ie/nso SAVE 5–30% with a package, see p.54. MAIN SEASON 17 NATIONAL SUNDAY 3 NOVEMBER, 3PM CONCERT HALL THE RTÉ NSO’S MUSICAL DISCOVERY PROGRAMME

FORTE! CONCERT INSIDE THE MUSIC

Music presenter and writer 3pm BEETHOVEN Stephen Johnson explores the Symphony No. 5 in C minor [31’] scores of two contrasting works HINDEMITH by two German-born composers Violin Concerto (1939) [30’] from different eras: Beethoven’s ends approx. 5pm ever popular Symphony No. 5, dating from the first decade of the ALAN SMALE violin nineteenth century and Hindemith’s STEPHEN JOHNSON presenter Violin Concerto, composed in the ALAN BURIBAYEV conductor late 1930s. Illustrative excerpts from each work will be presented prior to a complete performance by the RTÉ National Symphony Orchestra, Leader Emeritus and soloist Alan Smale and Principal Conductor Alan Buribayev. ALAN SMALE

TICKETS: €10, €15, €20 (Conc. €9, €13.50, €18) BOOKING (no fees): 01 417 0000 18 BEYOND THE SEASON www.nch.ie | www.rte.ie/nso NATIONAL FRIDAY 8 NOVEMBER CONCERT HALL CARNIVAL DANCE

V Dvorák’s feistyCarnival Overture 8pm DVORÁK heralds a programme of fun, Carnival Overture [10’] frolics and vivacious music with FALLA Falla’s ballet suites from The The Three Cornered Hat Suites 1 & 2 [24’] Three-Cornered Hat deliciously BRAHMS witty and surging with rhythmic energy and Brahms’ Second Piano Concerto No. 2 in B flat [44’] Piano Concerto by turns ends approx. 9.40pm infectiously rhapsodic, hauntingly beautiful and hugely ANTTI SIIRALA piano entertaining. JONATHAN SCHIFFMAN conductor

SOUNDINGS 7pm In Conversation: Jonathan Schiffman JONATHAN SCHIFFMAN

TICKETS: €10, €18, €24, €30, €35 (Conc. €9, €16, €22, €27, €32) BOOKING (no fees): 01 417 0000 www.nch.ie | www.rte.ie/nso SAVE 5–30% with a package, see p.54. MAIN SEASON 19 NATIONAL FRIDAY 22 NOVEMBER CONCERT HALL THE RTÉ NSO’S MUSICAL DISCOVERY PROGRAMME

MENTORING SCHEME RUSSIAN TALES

Three magnificent examples of RIMSKY-KORSAKOV 8pm Russian music at its lyrical best: The Tsar’s Bride Overture [7’] Rimsky-Korsakov’s sparkling TCHAIKOVSKY Overture and Khachaturian’s Piano Concerto No. 2 in G [37’] dramatic Gayane Ballet KHACHATURIAN (selection) gleefully plundering Gayane Ballet (selection) [38’] folk melodies with virtuosic + surprise extra! ends approx. 10.05pm flourishes that deliver time and again where it matters, with ARTUR PIZARRO piano pulse-quickening drama and ALAN BURIBAYEV conductor lush melodies aplenty while with 2013 Mentoring Scheme Participants Tchaikovsky’s Second Piano

SOUNDINGS 7pm Concerto is no less inventive, ARTUR PIZARRO In Conversation: Deborah Kelleher with involving and brilliant. 2013 Mentoring Scheme Participants

TICKETS: €10, €18, €24, €30, €35 (Conc. €9, €16, €22, €27, €32) BOOKING (no fees): 01 417 0000 www.nch.ie | www.rte.ie/nso 20 MAIN SEASON SAVE 5–30% with a package, see p.54. NATIONAL FRIDAY 29 NOVEMBER CONCERT HALL

BIG ON BRITTEN SAINT NICOLAS

Few British composers of the 8pm BRITTEN last century were as articulate, Soirées Musicales (after Rossini) [10’] eloquent or intoxicating as Britten. Evidence of such can be Symphony for cello and orchestra [34’] found in his youthfully joyous Saint Nicolas [50’] ends approx. 10.10pm re-working of themes by Rossini, the mature and masterful PIETER WISPELWEY cello blending of cello and orchestra, JOHN MARK AINSLEY tenor and the enchanting, deliciously RTÉ CÓR NA nÓG eclectic portrait of the patron choral director Mary Amond O’Brien saint of Christmas. RTÉ PHILHARMONIC CHOIR chorus master Mark Hindley MATTHEW HALLS conductor PIETER WISPELWEY

SOUNDINGS 7pm TICKETS: €10, €18, €24, €30, €35 In Conversation: Matthew Halls (Conc. €9, €16, €22, €27, €32) LATE NIGHT FREE with 8pm ticket THE LATE NIGHT 10.20pm or €5 for Late Night only Britten Cello Suite No. 3 with Pieter Wispelwey BOOKING (no fees): 01 417 0000 www.nch.ie | www.rte.ie/nso SAVE 5–30% with a package, see p.54. MAIN SEASON 21 WEDNESDAY 4 – SATURDAY 7 DECEMBER CASTLEBAR • KILKENNY • NAVAN • TULLAMORE

WIDE OPEN MUSIC AND THE RTÉ NATIONAL SYMPHONY ORCHESTRA PRESENT NICOLA VIOLINBENEDETTI

Four high-octane concerts with virtuosic and ON TOUR JOHN ADAMS 8pm colourful symphonic repertoire. Max Bruch’s The Chairman Dances [12’] Scottish Fantasy, a rhythmic and colourful BRUCH classical interpretation of Scotland’s sights and Scottish Fantasy [30’] sounds and Stravinsky’s ballet suite The Firebird MÁRQUEZ deploying the full orchestral resources to depict Danzón No. 2 [10’] a celebrated Russian fairytale. Coupled with STRAVINSKY L’oiseau de feu (The Firebird) Suite (1919) [21’] these, two more recent works, Danzón No. 2, ends approx. 9.45pm an infectiously joyous Latin American dance by Mexican composer Arturo Márquez and WED 4 DEC TULLAMORE Tullamore Court Hotel the improbable dance of Chairman Mao from 057 934 6666 John Adams’ opera Nixon in China. THU 5 DEC CASTLEBAR Theatre Royal 0818 300 000 or 094 902 3111 • www.theroyal.ie NICOLA BENEDETTI Conducted by Fergus Sheil. FRI 6 DEC KILKENNY St Canice’s Cathedral 056 776 1674 • www.watergatetheatre.com SAT 7 DEC NAVAN Solstice Arts Centre 046 909 2300 • www.solsticeartscentre.com

22 BEYOND THE SEASON TICKETS: €16 (€14 conc.) Booking fees may apply. NATIONAL LUNCHTIME TUESDAY 10 DECEMBER CONCERT HALL CONCERT UNWRAPPINGBIG ON CHRISTMAS

Can’t wait for Christmas? You PROGRAMME INCLUDES 1.05pm don’t have to! Indulge in the TCHAIKOVSKY festive delights of a Sleigh Ride The Nutcracker: with Delius, climb aboard Petite Overture; March and Prokofiev’s sleighbell-adorned Dance of the Sugar Plum Fairy ‘Troika’, treat yourself to an LEHÁR elegant Gold and Silver Waltz Gold and Silver Waltz with Lehár and wallow in the warmth, wonder and charm of DELIUS Tchaikovsky’s Nutcracker in the Sleigh Ride enchanting company of the PROKOFIEV Sugar Plum Fairy. Lieutenant Kijé, ‘Troika’ ends 2pm

MALCOLM YUEN conductor

TICKETS: All seats €10 BOOKING (no fees): 01 417 0000 www.nch.ie | www.rte.ie/nso BEYOND THE SEASON 23 THE ABBEY SUNDAY 15 DECEMBER THEATRE

RTÉ NATIONAL SYMPHONY ORCHESTRA AND THE ABBEY THEATRE PRESENT Shakespeare in Music

Ireland’s national theatre and national orchestra join forces for two performances at the Abbey Theatre celebrating the works of William Shakespeare with words and music. The RTÉ National Symphony Orchestra, conducted by Gavin Maloney, performs excerpts from orchestral works by Sibelius, Prokofiev, Berlioz and Mendelssohn and will join Abbey actors reciting some well-known monologues from plays that inspired this music including Romeo and Juliet, King Lear, The Tempest and A Midsummer Night’s Dream.

ACTORS FROM THE ABBEY THEATRE 3pm & 5pm GAVIN MALONEY conductor Duration: 1 hour approx

TICKETS: From €20 (conc. from €15) BOOKING: 01 87 87 222 24 BEYOND THE SEASON www.abbeytheatre.ie | www.rte.ie/nso NATIONAL LUNCHTIME TUESDAY 17 DECEMBER CONCERT HALL CONCERT CHRISTMAS FAVOURITES

Treat yourself to an early 1.05pm PROGRAMME INCLUDES Christmas present with this ANDERSON bumper selection of sparkling A Christmas Festival and Sleigh Ride seasonal delights including the charming Sleighbell Serenade, TCHAIKOVSKY exquisite Christmas Festival Dance of the Cygnets (Swan Lake) and effervescent Sleigh Ride. LANE Time also to count down Sleighbell Serenade The Twelve Days of Christmas and to sing along to your TRAD (arr Willcocks) Good King Wenceslas favourite traditional carols. TRAD (arr Doughty)

The Twelve Days of Christmas ends 2pm

CHRISTOPHER BELL conductor & presenter

TICKETS: All seats €10 BOOKING (no fees): 01 417 0000 www.nch.ie | www.rte.ie/nso BEYOND THE SEASON 25 NATIONAL THURSDAY 19 DECEMBER CONCERT HALL

RTÉ NATIONAL SYMPHONY ORCHESTRA AND THE JOHN MURRAY SHOW, RTÉ RADIO 1 PRESENT

Back by popular THE demand, the Three THREE SOPRANOS Sopranos Christmas Gala, with its festive and CHRISTMAS GALA winning mix of operatic CLAUDIA BOYLE REGINA NATHAN CARA O’SULLIVAN favourites, seasonal carols, Christmas songs JOHN FINUCANE conductor • Presented by JOHN MURRAY RTÉ Radio 1 3.15pm & 8pm and orchestral music.

Rising star Claudia Boyle, whose international career sees her working with artists including Joseph Calleja, Ricardo Muti and James Conlon, joins firm favourites Regina Nathan and Cara O’Sullivan, the full forces of the RTÉ NSO under conductor John Finucane and RTÉ Radio 1 presenter John Murray for another fun-filled run up to Christmas including Silent Night, O Holy Night, favourite CLAUDIA BOYLE REGINA NATHAN CARA O’SULLIVAN operatic arias and Christmas-inspired orchestral treats.

TICKETS: €15, €29, €38, €45 (Conc. €13.50, €26, €34, €40.50) BOOKING (no fees): 01 417 0000 26 BEYOND THE SEASON www.nch.ie | www.rte.ie/nso 2.30pm & NATIONAL FRIDAY 3 JANUARY WEDNESDAY 1 JANUARY 6.30pm CONCERT HALL CORK

BIG ON STRAUSSBRITTEN & CO. NEW YEAR GALA CELEBRATION

Greet the New Year in style with Viennese elegance and glamour and sparkling vocal gems from the worlds of opera and operetta.

Polkas, marches and waltzes from the Strauss family include the evergreen Blue Danube, the intoxicating Champagne Polka and the rousing Vienna Blood alongside ravishing arias by Gounod, Offenbach and Lehár with the sensational Cork soprano Cara O’Sullivan.

An unforgettable celebration of glamour, glitter and gaiety to start your new year with a smile. CARA O’SULLIVAN

CARA O’SULLIVAN soprano ROBERT HOULIHAN conductor

NCH TICKETS: €12, €21, €27, €33, €38 (Conc. €11, €19, €24, €30, €34) CORK TICKETS: See www.rte.ie/nso BOOKING (no fees): 01 417 0000 www.nch.ie | www.rte.ie/nso SAVE 5–30% with a package, see p.54. MAIN SEASON 27 NATIONAL FRIDAY 10 JANUARY CONCERT HALL GERSHWIN’S GENIUS

Gershwin’s pulsating piano JOHN ADAMS 8pm concerto thrillingly celebrates The Chairman Dances [12’] American pluralism with a GERSHWIN rollercoaster ride blending Piano Concerto in F [31’] Dixieland rhythms, Blues SIBELIUS melancholy and popular Yiddish Symphony No. 2 in D [43’] ends approx. 10pm themes. Its energy and colour is echoed in John Adams’ feisty MICHAEL McHALE piano foxtrot fantasy and the epic and JAYCE OGREN conductor elemental Second Symphony by Sibelius. FREE CONCERT 6.45pm Pipeworks Organ Recital: David Leigh. See p.52.

MICHAEL McHALE

TICKETS: €10, €18, €24, €30, €35 (Conc. €9, €16, €22, €27, €32) BOOKING (no fees): 01 417 0000 www.nch.ie | www.rte.ie/nso 28 MAIN SEASON SAVE 5–30% with a package, see p.54. NATIONAL FREE TUESDAY 14 JANUARY CONCERT HALL CONCERT

FEATURED COMPOSER RHONA CLARKE CATCHING FIRE CONTEMPORARY MUSIC SERIES Catching Fire refers to the way one creative idea ignites another. This 1.05pm programme features the glorious RHONA CLARKE orchestral sonorities and contained Where the clouds go (1995) [9’] energies in Go by contemporary GERALD BARRY French composer Pascal Dusapin, La Jalousie Taciturne for string orchestra (1996) [12’] and Gerald Barry’s La Jalousie Taciturne, a provocative and PASCAL DUSAPIN Go, Solo No. 1 for orchestra (1992) [8’] forceful piece for strings. These are combined with two of my RHONA CLARKE* orchestral works, including a New Work (2014) (RTÉ commission) [15’] WORLD PREMIERE new piece commissioned by RTÉ. ends 2pm RHONA CLARKE Rhona Clarke GAVIN MALONEY conductor COMPOSER IN CONVERSATION 12.30pm Presented by BERNARD CLARKE RTÉ lyric fm in association with Contemporary Music Centre CMC Director Evonne Ferguson with composer Rhona Clarke. Concert will be broadcast on Nova on RTÉ lyric fm (Sunday 19 January, 8–10pm) *Rhona Clarke talks through selected excerpts on stage prior to the premiere

TICKETS: FREE TICKETED EVENT BOOKING: 01 417 0000 www.nch.ie | www.rte.ie/nso BEYOND THE SEASON 29 NATIONAL FRIDAY 17 JANUARY CONCERT HALL LONDON CALLING

Three richly expressive 8pm VAUGHAN WILLIAMS composers come together to The Wasps Overture [9’] showcase English music at its WALTON most elegant, eloquent and Cello Concerto [30’] exuberant. Walton’s Cello Concerto boasts a passionate VAUGHAN WILLIAMS heart wrapped in wistfully Symphony No. 2 in G ‘A London Symphony’ [44’] moving melodies, Vaughan ends approx. 9.55pm Williams’ tuneful Wasps Overture is hugely entertaining GUY JOHNSTON cello and his evocative symphony – JOHN WILSON conductor premiered a century ago – pays tribute to the people and places SOUNDINGS 7pm of an historic city. In Conversation: John Wilson

TICKETS: €10, €18, €24, €30, €35 GUY JOHNSTON (Conc. €9, €16, €22, €27, €32) BOOKING (no fees): 01 417 0000 www.nch.ie | www.rte.ie/nso 30 MAIN SEASON SAVE 5–30% with a package, see p.54. NATIONAL FREE TUESDAY 21 JANUARY CONCERT HALL CONCERT

FEATURED COMPOSER MARIAN INGOLDSBY COLOURED TIME CONTEMPORARY MUSIC SERIES My music for orchestra is visual, with an emphasis on colour. Having 1.05pm a lifelong interest in art, I think of MARIAN INGOLDSBY Overture (1994) [10’] music in terms of ‘coloured time’, and this is an apt title for my WEBERN exploration of the rich palette Variations for Orchestra (1941) [8’] of orchestral sound, in this ever- MARIAN INGOLDSBY fascinating medium, exemplified The Heron by the Weir (2008) [7’] by works by Takemitsu and TAKEMITSU Webern as well as three of How slow The Wind (1991) [11’] my own works, new and old. MARIAN INGOLDSBY* Marian Ingoldsby MARIAN INGOLDSBY New Work (2014) [6’] WORLD PREMIERE ends 2pm

GAVIN MALONEY conductor COMPOSER IN CONVERSATION 12.30pm Presented by RTÉ lyric fm in association with Contemporary Music Centre BERNARD CLARKE CMC Director Evonne Ferguson with composer Marian Ingoldsby. Concert will be broadcast on Nova on RTÉ lyric fm *Marian Ingoldsby talks through selected excerpts on stage prior to the premiere (Sunday 26 January, 8–10pm)

TICKETS: FREE TICKETED EVENT BOOKING: 01 417 0000 www.nch.ie | www.rte.ie/nso BEYOND THE SEASON 31 NATIONAL FRIDAY 24 JANUARY CONCERT HALL RHAPSODIESBIG ON & FAIRYTALES

The romance of America’s Wild COPLAND 8pm West and tamed cityscapes is Billy the Kid Suite [21’] brilliantly captured in Copland’s GERSHWIN gloriously colourful Billy the Kid Rhapsody in Blue [16’] and the jazzy excitement and TCHAIKOVSKY energy of Gershwin’s ravishing Sleeping Beauty Suite [23’] Rhapsody. Tchaikovsky’s ballet RAVEL score is a deliciously sweet, Mother Goose (Ma mère l’oye): sugary concoction full of fantasy 5 pièces enfantines [16’] and wonderment, Ravel’s ends approx. 10pm exquisitely glittering Mother JOANNA MacGREGOR piano Goose full of feathery fun. ANDREW GOURLAY conductor

SOUNDINGS 7pm JOANNA MacGREGOR In Conversation: Andrew Gourlay TICKETS: €10, €18, €24, €30, €35 (Conc. €9, €16, €22, €27, €32) THE LATE NIGHT Joanna MacGregor 10.15pm LATE NIGHT FREE with 8pm ticket performs American-inspired piano works or €5 for Late Night only BOOKING (no fees): 01 417 0000 www.nch.ie | www.rte.ie/nso 32 MAIN SEASON SAVE 5–30% with a package, see p.54. NATIONAL FREE TUESDAY 28 JANUARY CONCERT HALL CONCERT

FEATURED COMPOSER BRIAN IRVINE MAVERICKS AND UNICORNS CONTEMPORARY MUSIC SERIES

A collection of musical enigmas BRIAN IRVINE 1.05pm in which a bunch of urban misfits Big Daddy, Motorhead (2009) [10’] discuss life at a 6am downtown jam session, a lady and a unicorn embark IVES on a medieval exploration of the Unanswered Question (1946) [5’] senses, a cosmic landscape asks BRIAN IRVINE* a curious question and Big Daddy, À mon seul désir (2014) Lemmy and the Dali Lama learn (RTÉ commission) [20’] WORLD PREMIERE to dance with horses and sing like FRANK ZAPPA Ruby Murray. Brian Irvine Dupree’s Paradise (1979) [7’] BRIAN IRVINE ends 2pm

GAVIN MALONEY conductor COMPOSER IN CONVERSATION 12.30pm Presented by BERNARD CLARKE RTÉ lyric fm in association with Contemporary Music Centre CMC Director Evonne Ferguson with composer Brian Irvine. Concert will be broadcast on Nova on RTÉ lyric fm (Sunday 2 February, 8–10pm) *Brian Irvine talks through selected excerpts on stage prior to the premiere

TICKETS: FREE TICKETED EVENT BOOKING: 01 417 0000 www.nch.ie | www.rte.ie/nso BEYOND THE SEASON 33 NATIONAL FRIDAY 31 JANUARY CONCERT HALL SCOTTISHBIG ON FANTASY

The romance of Scotland’s wild 8pm ARNOLD landscape and fantastical folk Tom O’Shanter Overture [8’] legends rings out with tartan- BRUCH Technicolor brilliance in Malcolm Scottish Fantasy [30’] Arnold’s setting of Robbie Burns’ BEETHOVEN tall tale and Bruch’s richly atmospheric Fantasy. Symphony No. 7 in A [36’] ends approx. 9.50pm Beethoven’s Seventh Symphony is no less dramatic: a sweeping, STEFAN JACKIW violin searing, overwhelming EUGENE TZIGANE conductor experience fully deserving of Wagner’s description of it as SOUNDINGS 7pm In Conversation: Stefan Jackiw and Eugene Tzigane the ‘apotheosis of the dance’. EUGENE TZIGANE

TICKETS: €10, €18, €24, €30, €35 (Conc. €9, €16, €22, €27, €32) BOOKING (no fees): 01 417 0000 www.nch.ie | www.rte.ie/nso 34 MAIN SEASON SAVE 5–30% with a package, see p.54. NATIONAL FREE TUESDAY 4 FEBRUARY CONCERT HALL CONCERT

FEATURED COMPOSER SEÁN CLANCY SIX OBJECTS IN A CONCERT HALL CONTEMPORARY MUSIC SERIES

The majority of my compositional 1.05pm JOE CUTLER Ulf (2006) [5’] output for the past number of years has dealt with the concept of SEÁN CLANCY artistic intervention, or reimagining Changing Rates of Change (2012) [8’] pre-existing art/materials in new MICHAEL WALTON contexts. This concert presents two Spring Symphony [16”] works of my own alongside those of the composers who have been most ED BENNETT New Work (2013) (RTÉ commission) [10’] fundamental to my artistic thought, not only as teachers and colleagues HOWARD SKEMPTON Lento (1991) [13’] at Birmingham Conservatoire, but SEÁN CLANCY SEÁN CLANCY* New Work (2014) [10’] WORLD PREMIERE also as friends. Seán Clancy ends 2pm

COMPOSER IN CONVERSATION 12.30pm GAVIN MALONEY conductor in association with Contemporary Music Centre Presented by BERNARD CLARKE RTÉ lyric fm CMC Director Evonne Ferguson with composer Séan Clancy Concert will be broadcast on Nova on RTÉ lyric fm *Seán Clancy talks through selected excerpts on stage prior to the premiere (Sunday 9 February, 8–10pm)

TICKETS: FREE TICKETED EVENT BOOKING: 01 417 0000 www.nch.ie | www.rte.ie/nso BEYOND THE SEASON 35 NATIONAL FRIDAY 7 FEBRUARY CONCERT HALL BARE MOUNTAIN

Menace, magic, mystery and 8pm MUSSORGSKY melancholy irresistibly combine A Night on the Bare Mountain [10’] with Mussorgsky’s riotously SIBELIUS sinister depiction of witches in Violin Concerto [31’] wild mountainside revels, the PROKOFIEV hauntingly beautiful and yearning Violin Concerto by Sibelius shot Symphony No. 6 in E flat minor [45’] through by dark, dangerous ends approx. 9.55pm undercurrents and Prokofiev’s heartfelt Sixth Symphony, HENNING KRAGGERUD violin ALAN BURIBAYEV conductor a grief-stricken elegy for the victims of war. SOUNDINGS 7pm In Conversation: Henning Kraggerud HENNING KRAGGERUD

TICKETS: €10, €18, €24, €30, €35 (Conc. €9, €16, €22, €27, €32) BOOKING (no fees): 01 417 0000 www.nch.ie | www.rte.ie/nso 36 MAIN SEASON SAVE 5–30% with a package, see p.54. NATIONAL THURSDAY 13 FEBRUARY CONCERT HALL

BIG ON HAMLET’SBRITTEN FANTASY

Three master composers revel 8pm TCHAIKOVSKY in the tumultuous emotional Hamlet Fantasy Overture intensity of the Russian heart after Shakespeare [18’] and soul: Tchaikovsky’s setting SHOSTAKOVICH of Shakespeare a compelling drama in miniature; Shostakovich’s Cello Concerto No. 1 in E flat [30’] concerto an urgent and powerful RACHMANINOV working out of a profound internal Symphony No. 1 in D minor [42’] struggle; Rachmaninov’s First ends approx. 10.05pm Symphony overflowing with youthful passions anchored to IVAN MONIGHETTI cello a dangerously dark undertow. ALAN BURIBAYEV conductor

SOUNDINGS In Conversation: 7pm ALAN BURIBAYEV Alan Buribayev & Ivan Monighetti

TICKETS: €10, €18, €24, €30, €35 (Conc. €9, €16, €22, €27, €32) BOOKING (no fees): 01 417 0000 www.nch.ie | www.rte.ie/nso SAVE 5–30% with a package, see p.54. MAIN SEASON 37 NATIONAL FRIDAY 21 FEBRUARY CONCERT HALL

Hooray for the romance, thrills, spills, menace and magnificence of Hollywood as we celebrate cinema’s greatest heroes – real and fictional – with some of the most evocative, emotional and exciting music from Lawrence of Arabia, Spartacus, Robin Hood, Gladiator, Schindler’s List and majestic themes from the James Bond, Rocky Balboa and Batman blockbusters.

DAVID ARNOLD conductor 8pm DAVE FANNING Presented by DAVE FANNING RTÉ 2FM

TICKETS: €15, €25, €32, €40 (Conc. €13.50, €22.50, €29, €36) BOOKING (no fees): 01 417 0000 38 BEYOND THE SEASON www.nch.ie | www.rte.ie/nso NATIONAL TUESDAY 25 FEBRUARY CONCERT HALL THE RTÉ NSO’S MUSICAL DISCOVERY PROGRAMME

RTÉ NATIONAL SYMPHONY ORCHESTRA AND THE NATIONAL CONCERT HALL PRESENT A LEAVING CERTIFICATE GUIDE TO FORTE! CONCERT BERLIOZ’S SYMPHONIE FANTASTIQUE WITH FULL ORCHESTRA, COMPUTER TECHNOLOGY AND VISUALS Students 10.30am & 12.15pm Duration:1 hour

Presented by PAUL RISSMANN

Following last year’s Leaving Certificate Guide to Tchaikovsky’s Romeo and Juliet with the RTÉ NSO, we turn to Berlioz’s Symphonie Fantastique in this tailor-made concert presentation for Leaving Certificate music students. Working with the full forces of the orchestra and using computer technology to provide a visual guide to the music, Rissmann will pull Berlioz’s Symphonie Fantastique apart to uncover the curriculum concepts and provide clear listening posts for the students. This hour-long visual HECTOR BERLIOZ presentation will give students a deeper understanding of the piece and will end with a concert performance of three movements from this epic work.

Hear the full work in Friday’s Main Season concert. See p.40.

TICKETS: €10 per student. Complimentary for teachers. BOOKING (no fees): 01 417 0000 | www.nch.ie | www.rte.ie/nso BEYOND THE SEASON 39 NATIONAL FRIDAY 28 FEBRUARY CONCERT HALL FANTASTIQUE!BIG ON

Proof that the Devil may well 8pm SAINT-SAËNS have the best tunes comes in Danse Macabre [8’] three demonically delirious LISZT works that showcase Death’s Piano Concerto No. 2 in A [21’] talents on the violin and dancing BERLIOZ skeletons (Saint-Saëns’ wickedly wonderful Danse Macabre), Symphonie fantastique [49’] a dazzling series of fiery ends approx. 10pm transformations of mood in NAREH ARGHAMANYAN piano Liszt’s Second Piano Concerto, PATRIK RINGBORG conductor and a witches’ sabbath in the blistering Symphonie FREE CONCERT 6.45pm fantastique by Berlioz. NAREH ARGHAMANYAN Pipeworks Organ Recital: Mark Duley. See p.53.

TICKETS: €10, €18, €24, €30, €35 (Conc. €9, €16, €22, €27, €32) BOOKING (no fees): 01 417 0000 www.nch.ie | www.rte.ie/nso 40 MAIN SEASON SAVE 5–30% with a package, see p.54. NATIONAL FRIDAY 7 MARCH CONCERT HALL BIRTWISTLE IN DUBLIN IN ASSOCIATION WITH THE MUSIC COMPOSITION CENTRE, TRINITY COLLEGE DUBLIN

In this, his 80th birthday year, the distinctive, radical and uncompromising internationally acclaimed composer HARRISON BIRTWISTLE Harrison Birtwistle pays a rare visit to Dublin to celebrate one of his most iconic works. Earth Dances (1985/6) is 1.05pm Earth Dances [40’] a study of orchestral texture – it is conceived in strata, ends 2.15pm like layers of rock. HARRISON BIRTWISTLE DAVID ATHERTON ‘Through seismic shifts in sound, the layers have been fractured conductor but they are still identifiable, rather like a sandwich where the tomatoes and cucumber have got above the bread, but they are still clearly AS PART OF NEW MUSIC DUBLIN maintaining their identity, their colour, flavour and texture’. Harrison Birtwistle

The composer will talk through a live analysis of his work on stage with the RTÉ National Symphony Orchestra before a full performance of the 40 minute work is given.

TICKETS: All seats €10 BOOKING (no fees): 01 417 0000 www.nch.ie | www.rte.ie/nso BEYOND THE SEASON 41 NATIONAL ON WEDNESDAY 12 MARCH LIMERICK FRIDAY 14 MARCH CONCERT HALL TOUR THURSDAY 13 MARCH WATERFORD

SOLOIST DIRECTS TRUMPET ON TOUR!

Trumpet virtuoso Håkan 8pm HAYDN Hardenberger looks to the past in Concerto for Trumpet in E flat [13’] style – Haydn’s lyrical, exuberant PROKOFIEV concerto, Prokofiev’s exhilarating Symphony No. 1 in D (‘Classical’) [15’] homage to Haydn and Mozart, PLANEL Ravel’s elegant and elegiac Concerto for Trumpet and String Orchestra [16’] borrowing of Classical dance rhythms paying tribute to friends RAVEL killed in battle – and showcases Le tombeau de Couperin [17’] a modern marvel in Robert +surprise extra! ends approx. 9.40pm Planel’s exhilaratingly tuneful and atmospheric concerto. HÅKAN HARDENBERGER trumpet/director HÅKAN HARDENBERGER SOUNDINGS 7pm In Conversation: Håkan Hardenberger

NCH TICKETS: €10, €18, €24, €30, €35 (Conc. €9, €16, €22, €27, €32) TOUR TICKETS: See www.rte.ie/nso BOOKING (no fees): 01 417 0000 www.nch.ie | www.rte.ie/nso 42 MAIN SEASON SAVE 5–30% with a package, see p.54. NATIONAL 8pm MONDAY 17 MARCH CONCERT HALL

IN CELEBRATION OF ST PATRICK’S DAY

with RITA CONNOLLY singer & LIAM O’FLYNN uilleann pipes

Back by popular demand following the 2013 sell-out with the RTÉ National Symphony Orchestra, The Brendan Voyage makes a welcome return to the National Concert Hall. Shaun Davey’s powerful music drama, vividly depicting St Brendan’s journey from Ireland to the New World in a tiny leather boat, will be performed once again by master uilleann piper Liam O’Flynn.

The powerful double bill also features the incomparable singing of Rita Connolly in Granuaile, Davey’s ‘wild and magnificent’ (The Observer) song cycle based on the life of Grace O'Malley, the 16th century Irish woman chieftain, and includes the classic ‘Ripples in the Rockpools’.

GAVIN MALONEY conductor ends approx. 9.45pm

TICKETS: €15, €27, €35, €42.50 (conc. €13.50, €24, €31.50, €38) BOOKING (no fees): 01 417 0000 www.nch.ie | www.rte.ie/nso BEYOND THE SEASON 43 NATIONAL FRIDAY 4 APRIL CONCERT HALL LIEUTENANT KIJÉ

Prokofiev’s glorious satire on 8pm PROKOFIEV a soldier’s fictional life and Lieutenant Kijé Suite [20’] death boasts colour-saturated BARBER orchestrations and melodies Knoxville: Summer of 1915 [15’] and rhythms that ring out

V DVORÁK with brilliance and bite. Barber’s nostalgic reminiscence Symphony No. 7 in D minor [35’] of a small-town childhood is ends approx. 9.40pm a soul-stirring masterpiece in

V ANNA DEVIN soprano miniature, while Dvorák’s serene ALAN BURIBAYEV conductor and stirring Seventh Symphony is a hymnal to lost loved ones FREE CONCERT 6.45pm and homeland. ANNA DEVIN Pipeworks Organ Recital: David Leigh. See p.53.

TICKETS: €10, €18, €24, €30, €35 (Conc. €9, €16, €22, €27, €32) BOOKING (no fees): 01 417 0000 www.nch.ie | www.rte.ie/nso 44 MAIN SEASON SAVE 5–30% with a package, see p.54. NATIONAL FRIDAY 11 APRIL CONCERT HALL

SOLOIST DIRECTS THE EMPEROR

Emotions will run high with 8pm MOZART two mighty masterpieces in the Symphony No. 41 in C, ‘Jupiter’ [31’] shape of Mozart’s final symphony BEETHOVEN and Beethoven’s last piano Piano Concerto No. 5 in E flat, concerto. With music of pulse- ‘Emperor’ [38’] quickening energy and a cascade of memorable themes framing +surprise extra! ends approx. 9.50pm its supremely elegant middle movement, the Jupiter’s majesty BARRY DOUGLAS piano/director is matched by the heroic muscularity and robust poetry SOUNDINGS 7pm In Conversation: Barry Douglas of the Emperor.

BARRY DOUGLAS

TICKETS: €10, €18, €24, €30, €35 (Conc. €9, €16, €22, €27, €32) BOOKING (no fees): 01 417 0000 www.nch.ie | www.rte.ie/nso SAVE 5–30% with a package, see p.54. MAIN SEASON 45 NATIONAL GOOD FRIDAY 18 APRIL CONCERT HALL

J.S. BACH 3.30pm

Easter Oratorio [38’]

Brandenburg Concerto No. 3 in G [10’] Cantata No. 11: Lobet Gott in seinen Reichen,‘Ascension Oratorio’ [28’]

SARAH POWER soprano PAULA MURRIHY mezzo soprano Bach’s deep-rooted faith gives his music a depth of feeling that JAMES GILCHRIST tenor overwhelms the senses with its richness of expression and sublime MICHAEL GEORGE bass sincerity, the Easter festival drawing from him two of his most RTÉ PHILHARMONIC CHOIR moving creations: the exquisite Easter and joyous Ascension chorus master Mark Hindley oratorios. The delectable Third Brandenburg Concerto is a spry, ROY GOODMAN conductor bubbling orchestral tour de force. ends approx. 5.30pm

TICKETS: €10, €20, €30, €35 (Conc. €9, €18, €27, €31.50) BOOKING (no fees): 01 417 0000 46 BEYOND THE SEASON www.nch.ie | www.rte.ie/nso NATIONAL FRIDAY 2 MAY CONCERT HALL HUNGARIANBIG ON STORIES

A selection of vivacious 8pm BRAHMS Hungarian Dances by Brahms Hungarian Dances (selection) [15’] ushers in an evening lit by LISZT the glow of gypsy campfires. Piano Concerto No. 1 in E flat [21] Kodály’s Dances of Galánta KODÁLY pays atmospheric homage to Dances of Galánta [15’] childhood folk songs, while Liszt’s BARTÓK powerful concerto and Bartók’s The Miraculous Mandarin Suite [19’] punchy Miraculous Mandarin ends approx. 9.40pm surge with restless energy, high drama and the promise NIKOLAI DEMIDENKO piano of sensual abandon. ALAN BURIBAYEV conductor NIKOLAI DEMIDENKO

SOUNDINGS 7pm In Conversation: Nikolai Demidenko TICKETS: €10, €18, €24, €30, €35 € € € € € THE LATE NIGHT Nikolai Demidenko 10pm (Conc. 9, 16, 22, 27, 32) performs a series of Russian Nocturnes LATE NIGHT FREE with 8pm ticket or €5 for Late Night only BOOKING (no fees): 01 417 0000 www.nch.ie | www.rte.ie/nso SAVE 5–30% with a package, see p.54. MAIN SEASON 47 NATIONAL FRIDAY 16 MAY CONCERT HALL HIAWATHA’SBIG ON WEDDING

A choral rarity, Stanford’s vivid 8pm STANFORD and vital Song of the Soul, Song of the Soul [18’] EUROPEAN PREMIERE rediscovered and receiving its ELGAR European premiere almost a Enigma Variations [30’] century after it was composed. Elgar’s cryptic but endlessly COLERIDGE-TAYLOR compelling Enigma Variations, a The Song of Hiawatha [30’] musical gallery of anonymous ends approx. 9.45pm portraits gloriously inked in with KIM BEGLEY tenor one memorable melody after RTÉ PHILHARMONIC CHOIR another – usher in the neglected chorus master Mark Hindley gem of Coleridge-Taylor’s exotic, DAVID HILL conductor dramatic and richly colourful KIM BEGLEY Song of Hiawatha. SOUNDINGS 7pm In Conversation: David Hill & Prof. Jeremy Dibble (Stanford’s biographer) TICKETS: €10, €18, €24, €30, €35 (Conc. €9, €16, €22, €27, €32) BOOKING (no fees): 01 417 0000 www.nch.ie | www.rte.ie/nso 48 MAIN SEASON SAVE 5–30% with a package, see p.54. NATIONAL FRIDAY 23 MAY CONCERT HALL THEBIG ON SEA

The unpredictable power and 8pm BERLIOZ liquid poetry of the sea is Le corsaire [8’] brilliantly conjured in Berlioz’s BEETHOVEN atmospheric postcard from the Piano Concerto No. 4 [34’] Bay of Nice, the swelling drama MENDELSSOHN of Mendelssohn’s journey from becalmed threat to buoyant Calm Sea and Prosperous Voyage [12’] safety, and Debussy’s evocative DEBUSSY images of wind and sea while La mer [23’] ends approx. 9.50pm high emotion flows through Beethoven’s powerful concerto BORIS GILTBURG piano with compelling tidal force. OLARI ELTS conductor BORIS GILTBURG SOUNDINGS 7pm In Conversation: Boris Giltburg & Olari Elts

TICKETS: €10, €18, €24, €30, €35 (Conc. €9, €16, €22, €27, €32) BOOKING (no fees): 01 417 0000 www.nch.ie | www.rte.ie/nso SAVE 5–30% with a package, see p.54. MAIN SEASON 49 NATIONAL SATURDAY 24 MAY CONCERT HALL THE RTÉ NSO’S MUSICAL DISCOVERY PROGRAMME

FORTE! CONCERT FAMILY FILM FAVOURITES Presented by PAUL RISSMANN • STEPHEN BELL conductor 3pm WITH BIG SCREEN ANIMATION

Join the RTÉ National Symphony Orchestra for an action packed family concert featuring MUSIC FROM STAR WARS, some of the greatest music from the big screen. Explore a galaxy far, far, away, discover HARRY POTTER, JAMES BOND, the art of witchcraft and wizardry but beware of shark infested waters. Movie classics old and new will be performed with images projected above the orchestra and lots of JAWS, WALLACE & GROMIT, opportunities to join in with the action on stage. FANTASIA AND KING KONG! ends approx. 5pm

TICKETS: €10 child | €15 adult | €40 for family of 4 (to include 1 adult) 50 BEYOND THE SEASON BOOKING (no fees): 01 417 0000 | www.nch.ie NATIONAL FRIDAY 30 MAY CONCERT HALL IDYLLICBIG ON LEAVETAKINGS

Depicting love soft, sensuous 8pm WAGNER and seductive, Wagner’s hypnotic Tannhäuser Overture [13’] Tannhäuser Overture ushers in RICHARD STRAUSS the heart-aching Four Last Songs Vier letzte Lieder (Four Last Songs) [24’] by Richard Strauss, his rapturous BRAHMS and deeply moving leave-taking of life, love and music. Brahms’ Symphony No. 2 [40’] ends approx. 9.45pm Second Symphony is an idyllic pastoral poem glowing with CELINE BYRNE soprano summer warmth and radiant ALAN BURIBAYEV conductor good spirits.

FREE CONCERT 6.45pm Pipeworks Organ Recital: David Adams. See p.53. CELINE BYRNE

TICKETS: €10, €18, €24, €30, €35 (Conc. €9, €16, €22, €27, €32) BOOKING (no fees): 01 417 0000 www.nch.ie | www.rte.ie/nso SAVE 5–30% with a package, see p.56. MAIN SEASON 51 RTÉ NATIONAL SYMPHONY ORCHESTRA AND THE NATIONAL CONCERT HALL PRESENT PIPEWORKS FREE PRE-CONCERT ORGAN RECITALS LINKED TO MAIN SEASON PROGRAMMES

FRIDAY 20 SEPTEMBER, 6.10pm FRIDAY 10 JANUARY, 6.45pm

DAVID ADAMS ORGAN DAVID LEIGH ORGAN

LISZT Orpheus [8’] GILES SWAYNE SCHUMANN Riff Raff [18’] Studien & Skizzen für den Pedal-Flügel: JOSEPH JONGEN Nicht schnell & sehr markiert Sonata Eroica [16’] Innig Lebhaft [12’] Like many of the Pipeworks recitals, LISZT (arr. Guillou) tonight’s programme includes an organ Prometheus [14’] work of symphonic scale in the form of Jongen’s magnum opus for the instrument, The ‘heroic’ theme of the evening’s main mirroring the Sibelius symphony later in concert (see p.13) is heralded in this the evening’s main concert (see p.28). preceding event through the presence Swayne’s jazz-inspired set of variations of two great figures from Greek myth. also links with Sibelius in its organic Schumann is not known as an organist, development of small motifs. but like Brahms owned a piano with pedalboard attachment; it was for this instrument he wrote tonight’s works.

Duration: 35 min approx Duration: 35 min approx

52 BEYOND THE SEASON FRIDAY 28 FEBRUARY, 6.45pm FRIDAY 4 APRIL, 6.45pm FRIDAY 30 MAY, 6.45pm

MARK DULEY ORGAN DAVID LEIGH ORGAN DAVID ADAMS ORGAN

GUY BOVET REGER Symphonic Fantasia and Fugue WAGNER (arr. A W Gottschalg) Hamburger Totentanz No. 3 [5’] ‘The Inferno’ [20’] Prelude (Tristan und Isolde) [8’] BRAHMS Three preludes FRANCK DAN LOCKLAIR (Elf Choralvorspiele) [6’] Grand Pièce Symphonique [27’] Rubrics – A Liturgical Suite for Organ [15’] I: ["The ancient praise-shout,] 'Hallelujah,' STRAUSS (arr. David Adams) Morgen No. 4 [5’] The organ lends itself to gothic has been restored..." BRAHMS Two preludes phantasmagoria: Bovet’s skeletal rattlings II: "Silence may be kept" (Elf Choralvorspiele) [4’] III: "...and thanksgivings may follow." are every bit as convincing as those WAGNER (arr. Edwin Lemare) IV: The Peace may be exchanged" Die Meistersinger von Nürnberg Overture [12’] in Saint Saëns’ Danse Macabre, heard V: The people respond - Amen!" later in the evening’s main concert (see Brahms’ eleven chorale preludes for p.40). The contribution to symphonic Barber’s Knoxville (heard later in the organ are a kind of swansong, looking form made by Berlioz in his Symphonie evening’s main concert – see p.44) owes towards the composer’s death and sharing fantastique, heard later in the evening’s its inspiration to literature, and the two sentiments with Strauss’ Four Last Songs, main concert (see p.40) is mirrored in works presented here by Pipeworks are heard later in the evening’s main concert Franck’s seminal work which paved similarly inspired by the printed word: (see p.51). Framing them are Wagner and the way for the great symphonies Dante’s Inferno and the American Book Strauss transcriptions which demonstrate the of Widor and Vierne. of Common Prayer, respectively. organ’s ability to create the soundscape of lush orchestral writing. Duration: 35 min approx Duration: 35 min approx Duration: 35 min approx

BEYOND THE SEASON 53 RTÉ NATIONAL SYMPHONY ORCHESTRA 2013–2014 SEASON MAIN SEASON CONCERT PACKAGE OPTIONS

BUY AS Concerts from €10. Top price still €35. Late Nights free with 8pm ticket. YOU GO

GET BUY A MAIN SEASON (3-12 CONCERT) PACKAGE BETTER Savings up to €63 | Packages from €28.50 | Discounts from 5–15% VALUE PLUS a priority booking period ahead of public booking for the 2014–2015 Season.

GET UPGRADE TO THE FULL MAIN SEASON (24 CONCERT) PACKAGE THE BEST 30% discount | 24 concerts for the price of 16 | Save up to €252.90 VALUE PLUS an exclusive early booking period for the 2014–2015 Season.

When you buy a Main Season concert package, you become an RTÉ NSO Subscriber REMEMBER giving you exclusive benefits & discounts. See page opposite for details.

54 PACKAGE OPTIONS MAIN SEASON SUBSCRIBER REWARDS & DISCOUNTS WHEN YOU SHOW YOUR RTÉ NSO SUBSCRIBER CARD*

WHAT WITH A FULL MAIN SEASON (24 CONCERT) PACKAGE YOU GET ✔ Exclusive early booking period for RTÉ NSO 2014–2015 Season ✔ Keep the same seat from one season to the next We will hold your current seat during the exclusive early booking period ✔ Invitations to free selected open rehearsals for you and a friend

WITH A MAIN SEASON (3–12 CONCERT) PACKAGE ✔ Priority booking period for RTÉ NSO 2014–2015 before public booking opens ✔ Invitations to free selected open rehearsals for you and a friend

EXCLUSIVE DISCOUNTS WITH ALL MAIN SEASON CONCERT PACKAGES ✔ RTÉ NSO season concert programmes: €1 off regular price ✔ 10% discount at: The Terrace Café (NCH) • Alex Restaurant (The Conrad Hotel) • The Music Box (NCH) ✔ 5% discount on tickets: Selected evening concerts presented by the RTÉ NSO How to receive your & the RTÉ CO June 2013–May 2014 at the National Concert Hall. RTE NSO Subscriber Offer excludes the RTÉ CO New Year’s Eve concert. Limited to 2 per person. Subject to availability. Card? See p.58.

*Terms & Conditions apply. Details on booking.

SUBSCRIBER REWARDS 55 MAIN SEASON PACKAGE PRICES

FULL MAIN SEASON CONCERT PACKAGE (24 concerts) With one New Year’s Day concert included as part of your package

BUY SAVE BAND A BAND B BAND C BAND D BAND E* Package price 24 €590.10 €506.10 €405.30 €304.50 €169.40 Saving 30% €252.90 €216.90 €173.70 €130.50 €72.60

MAIN SEASON CONCERT PACKAGES† (3–7 concerts)

BUY SAVE BAND A BAND B BAND C BAND D BAND E* Package price 3 €99.75 €85.50 €68.40 €51.30 €28.50 Saving 5% €5.25 €4.50 €3.60 €2.70 €1.50 Package price 4 €133.00 €114.00 €91.20 €68.40 €38.00 Saving 5% €7.00 €6.00 €4.80 €3.60 €2.00 Package price 5 €157.50 €135.00 €108.00 €81.00 €45.00 Saving 10% €17.50 €15.00 €12.00 €9.00 €5.00 Package price 6 €189.00 €162.00 €129.60 €97.20 €54.00 Saving 10% €21.00 €18.00 €14.40 €10.80 €6.00 Package price 7 €220.50 €189.00 €151.20 €113.40 €63.00 Saving 10% €24.50 €21.00 €16.80 €12.60 €7.00

See Seating Plan on inside back cover for price band breakdown

56 PACKAGE PRICES MAIN SEASON CONCERT PACKAGES† (8–12 concerts)

BUY SAVE BAND A BAND B BAND C BAND D BAND E* Package price 8 €252.00 €216.00 €172.80 €129.60 €72.00 Saving 10% €28.00 €24.00 €19.20 €14.40 €8.00 Package price 9 €283.50 €243.00 €194.40 €145.80 €81.00 Saving 10% €31.50 €27.00 €21.60 €16.20 €9.00 Package price 10 €297.50 €255.00 €204.00 €153.00 €85.00 Saving 15% €52.50 €45.00 €36.00 €27.00 €15.00 Package price 11 €327.25 €280.50 €224.40 €168.30 €93.50 Saving 15% €57.75 €49.50 €39.60 €29.70 €16.50 Package price 12 €357.00 €306.00 €244.80 €183.60 €102.00 Saving 15% €63.00 €54.00 €43.20 €32.40 €18.00

* For selected performances the Choir Balcony and Rows B & C in the Stalls will be excluded from sale. † Excluding New Year’s Day.

To include New Year’s Day with your (3–12) concert package Beyond the Season concerts

If you wish to purchase New Year’s Day as part of a Main Season Beyond the Season concerts, Late Night✦ concerts and FORTE events Concert Package (3–12 concerts) please note that due to the slightly are individually priced and are not part of the Main Season concert higher ticket prices for New Year’s Day, there will be a small additional packages. cost (not exceeding €3) depending on the seat band and package ✦ If there is a Late Night concert on the night you are attending a size chosen. Main Season concert, entry is free to you.

PACKAGE PRICES 57 THE RTÉ NSO MAIN SEASON SUBSCRIBER CARD THE CARD THAT SAVES YOU MONEY!

# HOW TO GET YOUR CARD RTÉ NATIONAL Simply choose from the options below. SYMPHONY ORCHESTRA Tell the National Concert Hall 2013–2014 SEASON • By phone/in person: At the time of booking instruct the box office to pass your SUBSCRIBER CARD Valid from: 09/2013 • Expires: see reverse contact information onto RTÉ so your Subscriber Card can be sent to you directly • In writing: Tick the consent box on the Ticket Order Form. To enjoy your exclusive You can download this from www.rte.ie/nso discounts and benefits, you OR need to register for the RTÉ NSO Main Season Tell RTÉ directly Subscriber Card. Start • You can call or email RTÉ directly to request your Card and we will saving immediately! send it to you. Tel: 01 208 2530 | Email: [email protected]

# PLEASE NOTE: In accordance with the Data Protection Act 2003, information provided to the National Concert Hall at the time of booking cannot be passed onto RTÉ without your permission. As the RTÉ NSO Main Season Subscriber Card has to be issued by RTÉ directly, it is important that you choose one of the options outlined in order to receive the card which saves you money.

58 SUBSCRIBER CARD HOW & WHEN TO BOOK

WHEN TO BOOK WHEN ORDERING CONDITIONS OF SALE Public package & single concert booking opens Indicate your preferred seat location and your second Once purchased, tickets cannot be exchanged or Saturday 18 May 2014. Booking opens at 10am. preference. Every effort will be made to accommodate refunded. Programme and artist details are subject your request. In the event of neither of your preferred to change. HOW TO BOOK locations being available you will be allocated the Telephone booking nearest available seat(s) in your selected price *CONCESSIONS Tel: 01 417 0000 • Fax: 01 417 0078 bracket. Limited concessions available for students, unwaged Box office opening hours: 10am–6pm and senior citizens. Early booking advisable. Monday–Saturday (open 2 hours prior to For telephone bookings ID required. One concession ticket per person. concerts on Sundays/Bank Holidays). If buying an RTÉ NSO Main Season concert package, Concessions not requested at the time of booking please advise the National Concert Hall box office cannot be applied later. Online booking that your contact information may be passed on to www.nch.ie • No booking fees RTÉ in order to receive your RTÉ subscriber card and STUDENT STAND-BY Please note: Packages can be booked online further information on other performances by the €5 tickets available from one hour before but same seat renewal option is not available. RTÉ National Symphony Orchestra. performance. Subject to availability. ID required. One stand-by ticket per person. In person For in-person bookings Booking in person at the National Concert Hall box Tick the CONSENT box on the TICKET ORDER FORM, GROUP BOOKING office, Monday–Saturday, 10am–6pm (open 2 hours indicating your wish to receive your RTÉ subscriber Discounts available when booking for 5 people or more. prior to concerts on Sundays/Bank Holidays). card and further information on other performances Please contact NCH Group Booking on 01 408 6793 by the RTÉ National Symphony Orchestra. or email: [email protected] METHODS OF PAYMENT Credit & debit card Please note SPECIAL ASSISTANCE Visa, Mastercard, American Express and Laser Ticket order forms are available from the NCH box Wheelchair/accessible seating Cheque/postal order/bank draft office. Seating is available for wheelchair users and their Please make crossed cheques/postal orders/ companions. Early booking is advisable. Please contact bank drafts payable to the National Concert Hall. the National Concert Hall box office. For those who are hard of hearing please indicate this when booking your seats with the box office to benefit from the National Concert Hall’s induction loop system.

BOOKING 59 RTÉ NATIONAL SYMPHONY ORCHESTRA

General Manager: Declan McGovern Marketing & Communications Manager: Assumpta Lawless Marketing & Communications Assistant: Maria Buckley Orchestra Manager: Debbra Walters Planning & Projects Administrator: Jane Davy Acting Librarian: Susan Brodigan Librarian: Niamh O’Connor Orchestra Administration Assistant: Norma O’Connor Senior Orchestral Assistant: Liam Hennessy Orchestral Assistant: Andy Dunne www.rte.ie/nso /rtenso /rte_nso

Pictured: Francis Magee, Tuba, RTÉ NSO with 7-year-old Noah Mullen of Scoil Chaitríona, Baggot St, Dublin at a performance marking the launch of RTÉjr’s new dedicated digital children's channel on TV, radio, online and mobile and RTÉjr Tots, Tweens and Teens Week.

60 ADMINISTRATION Inside cover design:Layout 1 25/04/2013 14:15 Page 1