Cadogan Hall PRESENTS Zurich International Orchestra Series 2015-16 IN ASSOCIATION WITH IMG ARTISTS Welcome to Cadogan Hall’s ninth Zurich International Orchestra Series 2015-16.

This season Cadogan Hall presents 12 international orchestras performing 16 concerts with some renowned conductors and notable soloists.

Some old friends visit the hall again – Basel Symphony Orchestra, Dresden Philharmonic Orchestra , Brussels Philharmonic and Moscow State Symphony Orchestra are returning with strong programmes including Holst The Planets, Rachmaninov Piano Concerto No. 1, Mahler Symphony No. 4 and Beethoven Symphony No. 3.

First-time visitors to Cadogan Hall include Flanders Symphony Orchestra, Orchestra della Svizzera Italiana, Oslo Philharmonic Orchestra, Dallas Symphony Orchestra and Bruckner Orchester .

On 26 October Mariinsky Orchestra with Conductor Valery Gergiev will allow Cadogan Hall’s audience a first chance to see the Gold Medallists of the 2015 International Tchaikovsky Competition performing live in London. Cadogan Hall PRESENTS Zurich International Orchestra Series 2015-16 IN ASSOCIATION WITH IMG ARTISTS 2015 2016 24 September Page 4-5 16 February Page 18-19 Basel Symphony Orchestra Polish National Radio Ravel/Stravinsky Symphony Orchestra John Adams/Chopin/Beethoven 28 September Page 4-5 Basel Symphony Orchestra 10 March Page 20-21 Mozart/Holst Oslo Philharmonic Orchestra Grieg/Tchaikovsky/Shostakovich 5 October Page 6-7 Dresden Philharmonic Orchestra 9 April Page 22-23 Wagner/Rachmaninov/Brahms Dallas Symphony Orchestra Beethoven/Mozart/Strauss 26 October Page 8-9 Mariinsky Orchestra 21 April Page 24-25 Tchaikovsky Bruckner Orchester Linz Mozart/Bruckner 30 October Page 10-11 Brussels Philharmonic 22 April Page 24-25 Strauss/Mahler Bruckner Orchester Linz Beethoven/Philip Glass 4 November Page 12-13 Flanders Symphony Orchestra 12 May Page 26-27 Debussy/Elgar/Ibert Moscow State Symphony Orchestra 5 November Page 12-13 Prokofiev/Rachmaninov Flanders Symphony Orchestra Lesueur/Schoenberg/Beethoven/Berlioz 27 May Page 28-29 Brussels Philharmonic 23 November Page 14-15 Fauré/Schumann/Franck Prague Symphony Orchestra Beethoven/Dvořák 18 December Page 16-17 Orchestra Svizzera Italiano Provofiev/Tchaikovsky/Mendelssohn

Basel Symphony Orchestra

Dennis Russell Davies CONDUCTOR

Thursday 24 September 2015, 7.30pm

Alice Sara Ott PIANO

Les Six MARRIAGE AT THE EIFFEL TOWER Ravel PIANO CONCERTO IN G MAJOR Stravinsky THE RITE OF SPRING

Monday 28 September 2015, 7.30pm

Elisabeth Leonskaya PIANO

Mozart PIANO CONCERTO NO. 9 IN E FLAT, K. 271 Holst THE PLANETS

We are delighted to welcome Basel Symphony Orchestra and its Chief Conductor Dennis Russell Davies. German-Japanese pianist Alice Sara Ott, whose album The Chopin Project reached the top of the international classical music charts in 2015, joins orchestra and conductor in the first of two concerts, to give a performance of Ravel’s playful and serene Piano Concerto in G major. The concert culminates with Stravinsky’s landmark The Rite of Spring.

One of the most celebrated pianists of our time, Elisabeth Leonskaya joins the orchestra for its second concert, playing Mozart’s Piano Concerto No. 9. The evening finishes with a performance of Holst’s largest orchestral work – a suite of seven unique movements, named after all of the planets apart from Pluto, undiscovered at the time of its composition.

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Monday 5 October 2015, 7.30pm Dresden Philharmonic Orchestra

Michael Sanderling CONDUCTOR Andrei Korobeinikov PIANO

Wagner OVERTURE TO DIE MEISTERSINGER VON NÜRNBERG Rachmaninov PIANO CONCERTO NO. 1 Brahms SYMPHONY NO. 4

This evening of music begins with the overture to Wagner’s opera Die Meistersinger von Nürnberg, one of Wagner’s most lyrical and uplifting works. This sunny composition is followed by a performance of Rachmaninov’s romantic Piano Concerto No. 1, played by award-winning Russian pianist Andrei Korobeinikov, made up of weighty piano chords, heart-wrenching tunes and sumptuous orchestral accompaniment.

The orchestra concludes with Brahms’ Symphony No. 4, whose rich orchestral colours and triumphant climax are a fitting finale, described by many as being the most original and powerful movement he ever wrote.

TICKETS: £45 (premium seats), £42, £35, £28, £22, £18 ENCORE MEMBERS: Premium seats for £42, £42 seats for £35 SERIES DISCOUNTS AVAILABLE PAGE 6 – 7 Monday 26 October 2015, 7.30pm Mariinsky Orchestra Valery Gergiev conducts the winners of the 2015 International Tchaikovsky Competition

Valery Gergiev CONDUCTOR

Tchaikovsky REPERTOIRE TO BE CONFIRMED The Mariinsky Orchestra, founded in 1783 in St Petersburg, is one of the oldest musical institutions in Russia. Under its current Artistic and General Director Valery Gergiev, the orchestra has become one of the leading symphony orchestras in Russia and one of the top orchestras in the world.

The International Tchaikovsky Competition, first held more than 50 years ago, is one of the major events in the international music community. The competition gives the brightest and best young pianists, violinists, cellists and singers a chance to be noticed by the international professional community and the general public, launching many glittering musical careers. Previous winners have included Van Cliburn, , Peter Donohoe, Denis Matsuev, Gidon Kramer, Mario Brunello, Deborah Voigt, Victoria Mullova and, most recently in 2011, Daniil Trifonov. The 2015 Tchaikovsky Competition will take place between 15 June and 3 July, 2015 in Moscow and St Petersburg and all rounds of the competition will be streamed live on the internet reaching a global audience. Over 600 applications were received by artists from 45 countries.

The winners are guaranteed an international tour with Gergiev and this evening’s concert gives Cadogan Hall’s audience a first chance to see the Gold Medallists of the 2015 competition performing live in London. Full soloist and programme details for this concert are to be confirmed after the XV International Tchaikovsky Competition winners are announced.

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Friday 30 October 2015, 7.30pm Brussels Philharmonic

Yoel Levi CONDUCTOR Susan Gritton SOPRANO

R. Strauss FOUR LAST SONGS Mahler SYMPHONY NO. 4

Brussels Philharmonic, joined by the former Music Director of Atlanta Symphony Orchestra, Yoel Levi and soprano Susan Gritton, give a performance of Strauss’ Four Last Songs. The piece, often quoted as his epitaph, is full of orchestral colour, radiant lyricism and Strauss’ life-long love affair with the soprano voice.

Susan Gritton, former principal singer at English National Opera is one of the finest singers of her generation and is acclaimed for her versatility in many roles.

To end the evening, the orchestra plays Mahler’s ebullient Symphony No. 4. The symphony, described as Mahler’s sunniest, is full of expressive orchestral detail and glorious melodies.

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Jan Latham-Koenig CONDUCTOR

Wednesday 4 November 2015, 7.30pm

Simon Callow NARRATOR

Debussy BERCEUSE HÉROÏQUE Elgar CARILLON Ibert THE BALLAD OF READING GAOL Richard Blackford IN FLANDERS FIELDS Piet Swerts THE HARMONIUM OF THE TALBOT HOUSE Elgar SOSPIRI Elgar POMP AND CIRCUMSTANCE MARCHES NOS. 3 & 4

Thursday 5 November 2015, 7.30pm

Mark Bebbington PIANO Gavin Carr BARITONE Bournemouth Symphony Chorus

J.F. Lesueur CORONATION MUSIC FOR NAPOLEON Schoenberg ODE TO NAPOLEON BONAPARTE, OP. 41 Beethoven WELLINGTONS SIEG, (WELLINGTON’S VICTORY), OP. 91 Berlioz THE FIFTH OF MAY, OP. 6 Beethoven CHORAL FANTASY, OP. 80 Flanders Symphony Orchestra, one of Belgium’s most distinguished orchestras, under its Music Director Jan Latham-Koenig, presents two unique programmes weaving music, poetry and human responses to the realities of war.

The first two pieces by Debussy and Elgar were written as contributions to King Albert’s Book published in Britain by The Telegraph, as Debussy put it ‘an homage to so much patient suffering’ after the German invasion of Belgium in World War 1.

Ibert’s three-movement symphony based on Oscar Wilde’s poem (narrated by Simon Callow, subject to availability), captures the brutal beauty of his meditations on life in gaol and his reflections on morality, the death penalty and the penal system.

Composers Richard Blackford and Piet Swerts have been commissioned by the orchestra to write music inspired by war atrocities in Flanders – John McCrae’s In Flanders Field is the inspiration for Richard Blackford’s new work. Piet Swerts writes, ‘I knew that the power of music could evoke and transcend this drama’ and the concert ends with the positivity of Elgar’s Pomp and Circumstance Marches.

The second concert presents music written for or about Napoleon and is a chronological journey through his life with positive and negative artistic responses to him. Schoenberg’s setting of Byron’s powerful poem, written in 1942 when another tyranny held sway over Europe, pours scorn on the idea of achieving ambition at the cost of other people’s lives.

The final piece, Beethoven’sChoral Fantasy, could be seen as an affirmation of universal human values and their ability to triumph over adversity. Written by Christoph Kuffner, the text proclaims in its concluding measures, ‘When love and power unite, God’s grace descends on all mankind’.

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Monday 23 November 2015, 7.30pm Prague Symphony Orchestra

Pietari Inkinen CONDUCTOR Chloë Hanslip VIOLIN

Smetana MÁ VLAST – SARKA Beethoven VIOLIN CONCERTO Dvořák SYMPHONY NO. 9 (FROM THE NEW WORLD)

Founded in 1934 the official Prague Symphony Orchestra celebrated its 80th anniversary in 2014. Tonight it is led by newly appointed and highly acclaimed Chief Conductor Pietari Inkinen, Music Director of the New Zealand Symphony Orchestra and Principal Guest Conductor of the Japan Philharmonic Orchestra.

We welcome back BRIT Award-winning Chloë Hanslip to our series who reviewers said ‘gave a wonderful blend of ice and fire’ and played with ‘glorious swoops and luscious timbre’ when she appeared at Cadogan Hall with Bern Symphony Orchestra in April 2015. Chloë plays Beethoven’s only Violin Concerto, lauded as a masterpiece of tenderness and serenity.

To end the evening, the orchestra plays one of the most popular symphonies of all time – Dvořák’s Symphony No. 9, From the New World.

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Friday 18 December 2015, 7.30pm Orchestra della Svizzera Italiana

Vladimir Ashkenazy CONDUCTOR Alexey Stadler CELLO

Prokofiev SYMPHONY NO. 1 (CLASSICAL) Tchaikovsky ROCOCO VARIATIONS Mendelssohn SYMPHONY NO. 4 (ITALIAN)

Founded in Lugano, Switzerland, in 1935 this evening’s orchestra played a crucial role in the region’s musical development, helping to establish important festivals in Lugano, Locarno and Ascona from the 1940s. Vladimir Ashkenazy is the orchestra’s Principal Guest Conductor as well as being one of the most famous and most revered pianists and conductors in the world.

Tonight the orchestra performs Prokofiev’sClassical Symphony and Tchaikovsky’s Rococo Variations, renowned as one of the most brilliant virtuoso display pieces in orchestral literature and utterly romantic in style.

After the interval the orchestra performs Mendelssohn’s Symphony No. 4, otherwise known as the Italian Symphony because of its evocation of . It blends two lively folk dance styles which are both abundantly energetic, bordering on frenetic. Mendelssohn described the piece as ‘the jolliest piece I have so far written… and the most mature thing I have ever done’.

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Tuesday 16 February 2016, 7.30pm Polish National Radio Symphony Orchestra

Alexander Liebreich CONDUCTOR Nikolai Demidenko PIANO

John Adams THE CHAIRMAN DANCES Chopin PIANO CONCERTO NO. 1 Beethoven SYMPHONY NO. 3 (EROICA)

Considered to be the leading Polish orchestra the Polish National Radio Symphony Orchestra begins the evening with John Adams’ The Chairman Dances. The piece, which has been called a foxtrot for orchestra, with its jazz inflections, chugging rhythms and colourful orchestration evokes the swooning romanticism of Hollywood.

The award-winning pianist Nikolai Demidenko joins the orchestra for Chopin’s Piano Concerto No. 1 whose opening theme, presented through the sound of singing violins, is full of spirit and flourishes. The middle movement is described by Chopin as ‘romance-like and melancholic’ and ‘should give the impression of a pleasant glance at a place where a thousand fond memories come to mind’.

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Thursday 10 March 2016, 7.30pm Oslo Philharmonic Orchestra

Vasily Petrenko CONDUCTOR Henning Kraggerud VIOLIN

Grieg LYRIC SUITE – EXCERPTS (NORWEGIAN MARCH, NOCTURNE, MARCH OF THE DWARVES) Tchaikovsky VIOLIN CONCERTO Shostakovich SYMPHONY NO. 5

The Oslo Philharmonic is one of the best orchestras in Europe. Founded in 1919 the orchestra has had many renowned musical directors, including Mariss Jansons, André Previn and Jukka-Pekka Saraste. This evening the orchestra is conducted by their current Chief Conductor Vasily Petrenko.

Oslo-born violin virtuoso Henning Kraggerud performs Tchaikovsky’s popular but demanding Violin Concerto and this is followed after the interval by Shostakovich’s emotional Symphony No. 5.

‘Petrenko inspired the orchestra to go well beyond its normal megawatt virtuosity… Seldom has the trajectory to the hollow triumph of the final pages been more exactingly plotted, or more excitingly conveyed. The orchestra gave Petrenko everything he asked for, and more.’ (Chicago Tribune)

‘The remarkable young Norwegian violinist Henning Kraggerud gave a fresh, stimulating performance of Tchaikovsky’s Violin Concerto… Kraggerud’s playing gripped the attention through its subtle blend of tenderness and virtuosity.’ (The Telegraph)

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Saturday 9 April 2016, 7.30pm Dallas Symphony Orchestra

Jaap van Zweden CONDUCTOR Imogen Cooper PIANO

Beethoven SYMPHONY NO. 5 Mozart PIANO CONCERTO NO. 24 IN C MINOR, K. 491 R. Strauss DER ROSENKAVALIER SUITE

Dallas Symphony performances conducted by Jaap van Zweden are regularly hailed by the Dallas Morning News as ‘exhilarating’, ‘revelatory’, ‘intensely dramatic’ and ‘as electrifying as you’ll hear anywhere’. The Dallas Symphony Orchestra has released more than 30 CD recordings, toured Europe five times and performed in Asia, Mexico, Washington D.C. and in New York’s Carnegie Hall. Music Director Jaap van Zweden was named Musical America Conductor of the Year 2012 in recognition of his critically acclaimed work as Music Director of the Dallas Symphony.

The orchestra is joined by piano virtuoso Imogen Cooper to give a performance of Mozart’s Piano Concerto No. 24. Imogen Cooper has established a reputation as one of the finest interpreters of the Classical repertoire earning consistently high praise from critics. ‘She is an outstanding artist, one of the finest pianists now playing. Go, listen, and wonder how many better pianists there are alive in this country, or anywhere.’ (Daily Telegraph)

To end the evening the orchestra performs the Suite from Strauss’ opera Der Rosenkavalier, translated as ‘The Cavalier of the Rose’. The Suite opens just as the opera does, with bellowing horns and glowing strings, followed by shimmering chords played by flutes, solo violins, harps, and celesta.

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Dennis Russell Davies CONDUCTOR

Thursday 21 April 2016, 7.30pm

Melvyn Tan PIANO

Gluck-Wagner OVERTURE TO IPHIGÉNIE EN AULIDE Mozart PIANO CONCERTO NO. 23 IN A MAJOR, K.488 Bruckner SYMPHONY NO. 6

Friday 22 April 2016, 7.30pm

Ingolf Wunder PIANO

Beethoven OVERTURE TO KING STEPHAN, OP. 117 Beethoven PIANO CONCERTO NO. 4 Philip Glass SYMPHONY NO. 9

The Bruckner Orchester Linz is an Austrian orchestra based in Linz. It is especially associated with the music of Linz-Land native Anton Bruckner and for the first of two concerts this season the orchestra performs Bruckner’s Symphony No. 6- a dramatic and dynamic symphony containing some of his most beautiful music.

On 21 April, pianist Melvyn Tan joins the orchestra for a performance of Mozart’s Piano Concerto No. 23. This popular concerto is adored for the poise and beauty of its first movement, its passionate and expressive slow middle movement in the rare key of F sharp minor (Mozart’s only piece composed in this key) and the impulsive wit and bold variations of its finale.

The second concert showcases two of Beethoven’s works, the first written as a commemorative work to King Stephen I. The orchestra is joined by Ingolf Wunder, hailed as one of the world’s most exciting pianists since his success at the coveted International Chopin Competition, for a performance of Beethoven’s Piano Concerto No. 4. TICKETS: £45 (premium seats), £42, £35, £28, £22, £18 ENCORE MEMBERS: Premium seats for £42, £42 seats for £35 SERIES DISCOUNTS AVAILABLE PAGE 24 – 25

Thursday 12 May 2016, 7.30pm Moscow State Symphony Orchestra

Pavel Kogan CONDUCTOR John Lill PIANO

Stephen Johnson BEHEMOTH DANCES Prokofiev PIANO CONCERTO NO. 3 Rachmaninov SYMPHONY NO. 2

For almost seven decades, the Moscow State Symphony Orchestra has been recognised as one of the foremost interpreters of the classic Russian composers. Tonight’s Russian themed concert is led by Chief Conductor Pavel Kogan.

The concert begins with Stephen Johnson’s short suite based on a character from The Master and Margarita, a classic novel by the Russian author Mikhail Bulgakov.

We welcome back John Lill CBE after a successful series of Beethoven Piano Sonatas at Cadogan Hall, for which he was highly commended by critics. Tonight he joins the orchestra to give a performance of Prokofiev’s Piano Concerto No. 3, one of his most popular works – an energetic masterpiece laced with biting wit, romantic interludes and a fiery solo part.

The orchestra finishes with Rachmaninov’s hauntingly beautiful and hopeful Symphony No. 2, an outpouring of passionate emotion into an inexhaustible stream of gorgeous melodies.

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Friday 27 May 2016, 7.30pm Brussels Philharmonic

Hervé Niquet CONDUCTOR Barry Douglas PIANO

Fauré MASQUES ET BERGAMASQUES Schumann PIANO CONCERTO Franck SYMPHONY IN D MINOR

The Brussels Philharmonic joins us for its second concert of this 2015-16 series, conducted by the much admired Hervé Niquet, who has achieved success as a conductor, composer and singer.

The award-winning pianist Barry Douglas joins the orchestra for Schumann’s joyful and melodic Piano Concerto. Barry Douglas has established a major international career since winning the Gold Medal at the 1986 Tchaikovsky International Piano Competition and gives concerts with the world’s leading orchestras.

Franck’s rarely performed and only symphony concludes the evening’s music.

‘Douglas superbly draws out the contrasts within each piece, bringing out their individual character... his tone is a deep velvet cushion, the legatos full of affection and the rhythms galvanised with great energy.’ (BBC Music Magazine)

TICKETS: £45 (premium seats), £42, £35, £28, £22, £18 ENCORE MEMBERS: Premium seats for £42, £42 seats for £35 SERIES DISCOUNTS AVAILABLE PAGE 28 – 29 H G I Booking information F F 11 E E 23 01 33 D D D D E E C C C C SERIES DISCOUNTS D D B B B B F C C J Series discounts are available on Premium, A A A A B B top and second price seats for all concerts in A 41 SEA A the series excluding Mariinsky Orchestra. E K E GOLD E Book seven or more concerts in the D C B B C D series and save 25% plus free concert 37 D L programmes. D C B A A B C D TS

SILVER C TS M Book five or six concerts in the series and D C B A save 20%. A B C D

Stage 80 B N BRONZE D C B A A B C D Book 3 or 4 concerts in the series and save 15%. 01 SEA

ENCORE B A GALLERY A B Encore members pay £42 for Premium seats and £35 for £42 seats.

T T SEATS GROUP BOOKINGS 29 01 S S Book 10 or more tickets and save 10%. R R Book 20 – 29 tickets and save 20%. P P N N Book 30 or more tickets and save 25%. M M L L K K J J STUDENTS H H There are a limited number of £18 seats G G F F Stalls available for students priced at £10. Stalls E E D D C C TELEPHONE BOOKING B B A A 020 7730 4500 DD DD CC CC Monday – Saturday 10am – 6pm BB BB Booking fee: £3 AA AA

IN PERSON Stage The Box Office, 5 Sloane Terrace, London SW1X 9DQ Monday – Saturday 10am – 6pm No booking fee STALLS

ONLINE £45 (Premium seats), £42 £22 www.cadoganhall.com £35 £18 Booking fee:£3 £28 Getting to Cadogan Hall The easiest way to travel to Cadogan Hall is by public transport. Located two minutes’ walk from Sloane Square tube, served by District and Circle lines, just one stop from Victoria station which has both mainline and additional tube connections.

SLOANE SQUARE UNDERGROUND TAXI RANK TWO MINUTES’ WALK Sloane Square one minute’s walk Upon exiting Sloane Square Station, turn Taxis are numerous in the area and there is a immediately right, passing the Royal Court taxi rank located on Sloane Square opposite Theatre. (You will see Cadogan Hall’s tower the underground station. immediately before you). Cross over Cliveden Place and walk up Sedding Street to the Hall. PARKING A limited number of bays are available BUS on Sloane Terrace, Wilbraham Place and Sloane Street one minute’s walk Sedding Street after 6.30pm. Frequent bus services stop in Sloane Square and neighbouring streets including King’s Road, Sloane Street and Lower Sloane Street. Bus services include numbers 11, 19, 22, 137, 211, 319, 360 and C1.8 pt

ON SQUARE EAT

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£22 KINGS ROA £18 3 PAGE 30 – 31 Cadogan Hall Sloane Terrace, London SW1X 9DQ Box Office: 020 7730 4500

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