ORCHESTRAL SEASON 2017/18

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WELCOME FROM ROYAL & DERNGATE We are delighted to introduce the upcoming concert series from our Resident Orchestra and welcome James Williams in his first full season as Managing Director of the RPO. We are really encouraged by the support from our audiences and thank you for your continued loyalty. Beyond the concert series, we seek ways to ensure that our classical concerts reach as diverse an audience as possible and serve to inspire the next generation of musicians and audience members. See page 12 for details about the Community and Education programme that is engaging with new audiences across the region. We are pleased to be working in partnership with Orchestras Live and Arts Council England on Sound Around, engaging children with disabilities as producers and participants in RPO projects. Do see our website for further details, or you can visit www.facebook.com/OLsoundaround. Finally, we look forward to once again hosting the Malcolm Arnold Festival in October and are thrilled that the festival will feature the RPO. This provides a fabulous opportunity for us all to celebrate one of the town’s greatest alumni. We do hope you enjoy the season ahead.

Martin Sutherland Chief Executive, Royal & Derngate

WELCOME FROM THE ROYAL PHILHARMONIC ORCHESTRA The Royal Philharmonic Orchestra is delighted to present its 2017/18 Season at Royal & Derngate. Join us to experience the blistering power of Shostakovich’s epic Symphony No. 5, the delicacy of Debussy’s elegiac ballet score to Prélude à l’après-midi d’un faune, and the technical wizardry required for Bruch’s ever-popular Violin , all featuring an outstanding roster of world-class artists and members of the Royal Philharmonic Orchestra. New for 17/18, we present the Film Music Gala which brings alive your favourite film scores performed live using the full forces of the RPO. The RPO is proud of our Residency at Royal & Derngate; we look forward to welcoming you to our future concerts.

James Williams Managing Director, Royal Philharmonic Orchestra 3

CONTENTS

CHRISTIAN KLUXEN CONDUCTS PAGE 4 TCHAIKOVSKY JAN MRÁČEK PERFORMS PAGE 5 MENDELSSOHN FILM MUSIC GALA PAGE 6 MALCOLM ARNOLD FESTIVAL PAGE 7 FRANCESCA DEGO PERFORMS PAGE 8 BRUCH MICHAEL PETROV PERFORMS PAGE 9 TCHAIKOVSKY BEHIND THE SCENES PAGE 10 CREATIVE LEARNING PAGE 12 COMING SOON PAGE 13 HOW TO BOOK PAGE 14 SEATING PLAN PAGE 15

SUBSCRIBE & SAVE

Book three or more concerts in our new classical season and save up to 25% on your tickets. By subscribing, you can also enjoy: • Priority booking period • No transaction fees • Discounted programmes • No-fuss ticket exchange • Flexible payment scheme See page 14 for more details

“The RPO do sensuousness uncommonly well... rich yet delicate, with wonderfully liquid woodwind solos and an exquisite sheen on the strings” The Guardian 4 Box Office 01604 624811 I www.royalandderngate.co.uk

CHRISTIAN KLUXEN CONDUCTS TCHAIKOVSKY SUN 14 MAY 7.30PM Rossini William Tell Overture Mendelssohn No.1 Tchaikovsky Symphony No.6, ‘Pathétique’ Conductor Christian Kluxen Piano Martin Roscoe Bursting brass at a galloping pace proclaims the opening of Rossini’s William Tell Overture and the beginning of the Royal Philharmonic Orchestra’s spring concert, led by conductor Christian Kluxen. Joining the Orchestra for Mendelssohn’s virtuosic Piano Concerto No.1 is ‘a refined pianist with the wisdom of experience’ (Gramophone Magazine), Martin Roscoe. Opening with breathless urgency, Mendelssohn’s light and joyous Piano Concerto is almost improvisatory in its speed and excitement.

Closing the programme is Tchaikovsky’s towering masterpiece, his Symphony No.6, ‘Pathétique’. Perhaps one of the most personal scores that the composer ever wrote, the piece is etched with heart-breaking intensity and was intended to be his own requiem. 5

JAN MRÁCEK PERFORMS MENDELSSOHN SUN 18 JUNE 7.30PM Debussy Prélude à l’après-midi d’un faune Mendelssohn Shostakovich Symphony No.5 Conductor Martyn Brabbins Violin Jan Mráček Opening this summer concert is Debussy’s sumptuous and dreamlike Prélude à l’après-midi d’un faune conducted by Martyn Brabbins, depicting the tale of a mythical faun, playing his pipes alone in the woods. Jan Mráček follows with one of the foremost violin of the Romantic era, full of warmth and vitality, Mendelssohn’s Violin Concerto. Filled with wonderful melodies and stirring rhythms, Shostakovich’s imposing Symphony No.5 is bursting with tremendous power and rebellious beauty. Writing under Stalin’s constricting Soviet regime, Shostakovich created a blend of satire and submission that intrigues audiences to this day. 6 Box Office 01604 624811 I www.royalandderngate.co.uk

FILM MUSIC GALA SUN 16 JULY 7.30PM Programme to include music from: Gladiator, The Lord Of The Rings, The Bodyguard, Titanic, Pirates Of The Caribbean, Star Wars® and many more

Conductor Gareth Hudson Vocalist Alison Jiear From swashbuckling pirate ships to Gladiator battles, audiences will be transported to the exciting world of the silver screen in the Royal Philharmonic Orchestra’s Film Music Gala. Perfect for newcomers to classical music, families and film fans, this concert brings the action straight from Hollywood to Northampton. The world of film has produced hundreds of fantastic scores and the Royal Philharmonic Orchestra is offering you the chance to hear some of the best; from the classic sweeping strings of Out Of Africa, to the epic fantasy soundscape of The Lord Of The Rings Trilogy and many more of your all-time film favourites. Joining the Orchestra for a special tribute to the composer John Barry will be the sensational singer Alison Jiear, who dazzled audiences on Britain’s Got Talent and starred in Cinderella at Royal & Derngate in 2015. She and the Orchestra will perform some of Barry’s best-known works, including the iconic themes from the Bond films Goldfinger and Diamonds Are Forever. 7

FEATURING THE RPO MALCOLM ARNOLD MALCOLM ARNOLD AS GUEST FESTIVAL GALA FESTIVAL WEEKEND ORCHESTRA CONCERT SAT 14 & SUN 15 OCTOBER SUN 15 OCTOBER 7.30PM Join us for the 12th annual Malcolm Arnold Festival Weekend, a weekend Arnold Heroes Of Telemark packed with orchestral concerts, recitals, Arnold The Bridge On The interviews and other exciting events. River Kwai Highlights this year will include a Grieg Piano Concerto performance of Arnold’s rarely played Arnold Symphony No.5 Concerto by the brilliant Conductor John Gibbons young soloist Philip Achille and a major Piano Arta Arnicane choral and orchestral work, The Return Of Odysseus, which will be played at the Join us for the chance to hear the sensational launch concert. young Latvian pianist and multiple competition winner, Arta Arnicane, perform The weekend will also feature a recital Grieg’s hugely popular Piano Concerto. of Arnold’s evocative songs by the ever popular Scottish soprano Claire Malcolm Arnold composed the music for over Thompson and an interview with Dame 100 films and perhaps the two most famous Monica Mason, former Director of the are Bridge On The River Kwai and Heroes Of Royal Ballet, on Arnold’s work as a ballet Telemark – the scores to both will be featured composer. The Festival will be launched and this will be the first ever performance of by former MP and Classic FM presenter the latter in a concert hall. David Mellor, who has championed The concert concludes with Arnold’s great Sir Malcolm’s music for many years on his Fifth Symphony. We are very excited that the various radio programmes. concert will feature the Royal Philharmonic Orchestra under the direction of Arnold specialist John Gibbons. 8 Box Office 01604 624811 I www.royalandderngate.co.uk

FRANCESCA DEGO PERFORMS BRUCH SUN 26 NOVEMBER 7.30PM Beethoven Coriolan Overture Brahms Hungarian Dance No.6 Bruch Violin Concerto No.1 Brahms Symphony No.4 Conductor Mathieu Herzog Violin Francesca Dego The Royal Philharmonic Orchestra welcomes Winter with this enchanting programme of orchestral favourites. Beethoven’s fiery and dramatic Coriolan Overture is followed by Brahms’ Hungarian Dance No.6, which bursts with energy, imitating the lively nature of Hungarian folk music.

Bruch’s stunning Violin Concerto is performed by BBC Music Magazine Rising Star Francesca Dego. A favourite in the classical repertoire, the Concerto showcases Francesca Dego’s extraordinary talent through long, sumptuous melodies and sparkling fast passages. The concert concludes with Brahms’ spectacular Symphony No.4. The lush orchestration shows off every instrument, combining lyrical melodies with short bursts of exhilaration to create an intense and thrilling piece, culminating in a majestic finale. 9

MICHAEL PETROV PERFORMS TCHAIKOVSKY SUN 18 FEBRUARY 2018 3PM Beethoven Egmont Overture Grieg Two Elegiac Melodies for String Orchestra Tchaikovsky Variations on a Rococo Theme Mendelssohn Symphony No.4, ‘Italian’ Conductor Rory Macdonald Cello Michael Petrov Beginning the concert is Beethoven’s potent and weighty Egmont Overture, opening with strong, grand chords set against soothing, plaintive cries from the woodwind. Grieg’s rich and glowing Two Elegiac Melodies for String Orchestra follows, expressing the wounds of life and the hope of faith.

Tchaikovsky’s love for Mozart inspired his charming Variations on a Rococo Theme, performed here by captivating young cellist Michael Petrov. The Russian master also greatly appreciated Mendelssohn’s music, with the ‘Italian’ Symphony being one of his favourites. Although not particularly Italian in style, Mendelssohn’s Symphony opens in a blaze of Mediterranean light with a sunny theme that has become one of the composer’s best known and most‑loved melodies. 10 Box Office 01604 624811 I www.royalandderngate.co.uk

PLAYER PROFILE: BENJAMIN CUNNINGHAM DOUBLE BASS

How did you become involved with the Royal Philharmonic Orchestra? I was studying at the Royal Academy of Music when I did my RPO audition. My first date on trial was playing the solo bass part in Britten’s War Requiem at the Royal Albert Hall, which was pretty nerve‑wracking, and I was offered my position a week after I played my final recital at the Royal Academy of Music. What is the best thing about being a member of the RPO? I love the travelling in this job. In ten years here, I’ve seen more of the world than I could have imagined. What inspired you to become a musician? After a year or two learning the cello, I played Rock Around The Clock in my school orchestra, which has a classic walking bass line. I was so taken by it and figured that if I played the double bass I could do that funky stuff all the time. Who have you enjoyed working with the most? I have a bit of a hero thing about Charles Dutoit. His complete mastery of the repertoire, the depth of his knowledge, his energy and his ability to transform the sound of an orchestra means that every day of work with him is like a masterclass. What has been the most valuable piece of advice you have been given in relation to music, and who was it from? When I got the job I learnt a huge amount from my bass playing colleagues, including: don’t play in the rests, always have a pencil and always take your turn to buy tea and coffee. Do you have a favourite moment of your career? A recent highlight was playing with Leonidas Kavakos at Montreux Music Festival. His encore, Gavotte from the E Major Partita by Bach was some of the most breath‑taking music making I have ever seen. If you could learn to play another instrument, which would it be and why? The viola. They get all the best lines. What was the first recording you ever bought? I was going to say Rachmaninov’s Third Piano Concerto as it was the first classical recording I bought. In truth however, I think the very first was Especially For You by Kylie and Jason. 11

HEAR BOTH PLAYER PROFILE: BENJAMIN AND KATHERINE IN THE KATHERINE LACY RPO CONCERTS PRINCIPAL CLARINET THIS SEASON

What is the best thing about being in the RPO? The best thing about being a member of the RPO has to be my colleagues – it’s such a pleasure to come to work with such friendly people and it makes the music-making even more fun! What inspired you to become a musician? My parents were involved in the arts themselves and there were always classical music records on at home when I was growing up. I took piano lessons from an early age and joined the recorder group at primary school. The next logical step seemed to be to take up another woodwind instrument and I was drawn towards the sound of the clarinet, probably because I had heard Jack Brymer’s recordings of the Mozart . Who have you enjoyed working with the most? The highlights for me so far have definitely been the concerts with Artistic Director and Principal Conductor Charles Dutoit. I think he is an incredible musician, and his energy and obvious passion for the music are completely inspiring. What has been the most valuable piece of advice you have been given in relation to music, and who was it from? When I was thirteen, I started learning with Jim Muirhead, bass clarinettist with the Hallé Orchestra. He taught me the importance of being versatile – it’s such a hard profession to succeed in that you can’t ever have too many strings to your bow. He encouraged me to keep up my piano playing and take up the saxophone and at music college I threw myself into the bass clarinet, E-flat clarinet and basset horn, just to try to make myself as employable as possible. If you could learn to play another instrument, which would it be and why? Either the bassoon or the cor anglais – I love their dark, rich sounds. What was the first recording you ever bought? The first recording I ever bought with my own money would have been a Bon Jovi album. I used to be absolutely obsessed with them! 12 Box Office 01604 624811 I www.royalandderngate.co.uk

CREATIVE LEARNING More than 20,000 people Get Involved at Royal & Derngate every year. Our Creative Learning programme offers comprehensive high‑quality participatory experiences for all ages that encourage a lifelong relationship with the arts. Our work with children and young people through our extensive education activity, Holiday Projects and acclaimed Youth Theatre and Young Company groups, provides an inclusive and integrated experience where learning is fun and the joy of music, theatre, dance and creative collaboration is celebrated. Community projects, festivals and family events develop a love of the arts through to adulthood with different generations and cultures sharing in stories, songs and pictures.

WITH THE ROYAL PHILHARMONIC ORCHESTRA All performances by the Royal Philharmonic Orchestra are accompanied by a range of Creative Learning activities, designed to develop and inspire young musicians and their families. We are thrilled to be working with RPO Resound and Orchestras Live this season on this exciting project to bring a new audience to classical music: SOUND AROUND SUN 9 APRIL 2.30PM Join us for a fun-filled, relaxed concert especially for families with children and young people with additional needs. A 25-piece orchestra will take the audience on a voyage of musical discovery, with classical masterpieces alongside well‑known TV and film themes. This is perfect for young people who may need to move around, vocalise or just listen to the music, and if it all gets too much, there will be somewhere to relax. At the end of the concert they will also be able to meet the musicians and have a go at playing some instruments.

FREE PRE-CONCERT TALKS We are delighted once again to welcome BBC Radio Northampton’s John Griff as the host of our popular free pre‑concert talks. These take place prior to the concerts in the Derngate auditorium from 6.30pm. This season’s talks take place on Sun 14 May, Sun 18 June, Sun 16 July and Sun 26 November. 13

FROM YOUR COUNTY YOUTH ORCHESTRAS & CHOIRS

NORTHAMPTONSHIRE MUSIC NORTHAMPTONSHIRE MUSIC NORTHAMPTONSHIRE MUSIC & PERFORMING ARTS TRUST & PERFORMING ARTS TRUST & PERFORMING ARTS TRUST ORCHESTRA SPECTACULAR BIG SING WINDBAND SPECTACULAR SUN 5 MARCH 6PM THU 9 MARCH 6PM SUN 19 MARCH 6PM Featuring the county’s three A feast of vocal music from An evening of music for youth orchestras: the County Northamptonshire’s Primary symphonic wind orchestras Junior Orchestra, the County Schools with members of the featuring the County Junior Training Orchestra, and the County Senior Girls’ Choir, Wind Orchestra, the County Northamptonshire County Broadway Belles, County Training Wind Orchestra, and Youth Orchestra. Training Choir, County the Northamptonshire County Junior Choir and the NMPAT Youth Concert Band. Community Choir.

NORTHAMPTONSHIRE MUSIC & PERFORMING ARTS TRUST – SAVE THE DATE: The Festival Wed 14 & Thu 15 June • Generations Concert Sun 9 July Youth In Concert Sun 12 November • Orchestra Spectacular Sun 4 March 2018 Big Sing Thu 8 March 2018 • Wind Band Spectacular Sun 11 March 2018

COMING SOON TO ROYAL & DERNGATE

LOOK WHO’S MOVED INTO THE NEIGHBOURHOOD

MON 10 – WED 12 APRIL SAT 8 – SAT 29 APRIL TUE 9 – SAT 13 MAY

TUE 9 – SAT 20 MAY TUE 23 – SAT 27 MAY FRI 16 JUNE – SAT 8 JULY 14 Box Office 01604 624811 I www.royalandderngate.co.uk

HOW TO BOOK Follow these simple steps to make your booking for 3. Download a booking form at the 2017/18 Orchestral Season. www.royalandderngate.co.uk/rpo • Decide how many concerts you would like to see and email the completed form to (you need to choose three or more to qualify [email protected] for discounts). 4. NEW THIS SEASON! Complete an online ticket • Choose where you would like to sit using request at www.royalandderngate.co.uk/ the seating plan opposite and note the subscriptions. Scroll down to the Orchestral corresponding price band. Season 2017/18 section and follow the details on screen. • Check the subscription table below for the price you will pay per ticket – you can save up to 25% 5. Book in person by visiting the Box Office. per ticket. All subscription ticket requests using any of Request your subscription tickets in one of the the methods above are then dealt with in the following ways: order that they are received during the priority booking period. 1. Call Box Office on01604 624811 and a Sales Advisor will process your request. We will contact you if we have any questions relating to your booking. You will receive your 2. Use the subscription form included with this subscription tickets, with no postage or transaction brochure and return to: Royal & Derngate Box fees, no later than Mon 13 March. Office, 19-21 Guildhall Rd, Northampton, NN1 1DP.

STANDARD PRICES BOOKING DEADLINES

Price Individual Priority booking opens band ticket for subscribers prices SUBSCRIBE & SAVE Tue 21 February 3 concerts 4 concerts 5 concerts 6 concerts 10% off 15% off 20% off 25% off General Booking Per ticket price Wed 8 March A £35 £31.50 £29.75 £28.00 £26.25 All subscription tickets will B £33 £29.70 £28.05 £26.40 £24.75 be posted out no later than C £29 £26.10 £24.65 £23.20 £21.75 Mon 13 March D £27 £24.30 £22.95 £21.60 £20.25 E £23 £20.70 £19.55 £18.40 £17.25 F £15 £13.50 £12.75 £12.00 £11.25

CONCESSION PRICES OTHER DISCOUNTS 60+, Groups 10+, Disabled Patrons, Friends, Gold Supporters Under 14s: £5 Family Tickets Price Individual band ticket (max. 2 adults): £75 prices SUBSCRIBE & SAVE 3 concerts 4 concerts 5 concerts 6 concerts Schools: £5 10% off 15% off 20% off 25% off (1 free teacher ticket with Per ticket price every 10 purchased) A £33 £29.70 £28.05 £26.40 £24.75 Student: £7 B £31 £27.90 £26.35 £24.80 £23.25 Real Discounts C £27 £24.30 £22.95 £21.60 £20.25 (14–26 year olds): £11 D £25 £22.50 £21.25 £20.00 £18.75 E £23 £20.70 £19.55 £18.40 £17.25 F £15 £13.50 £12.75 £12.00 £11.25 15

SEATING PLAN

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Book three or more concerts in our new classical season and save up to 25% on your tickets. By subscribing, you can also enjoy: • Priority booking period before the general sale • A free programme at every concert when booking for all six concerts or half price programmes when booking three, four or five concerts • No-fuss ticket exchanges allowing you to exchange your tickets for an alternative concert in the season • A flexible payment option to spread the cost of your subscription over a four‑month period • No transaction fees on your booking

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