2016:17 CAIRD HALL, DUNDEE rsno.org.uk 2 rsno.org.uk/SEASON1617 Your 2016:17 Season at a glance Join Scotland’s National Orchestra at the magnificent Caird Hall for our 2016:17 Season. PAUL NIKOLAI Subscribe to all four LEWIS LUGANSKY Season concerts BEETHOVEN’S RACHMANINOV THREE and save over 20%! EMPEROR CONCERTO THU 3 NOV 2016 : 7.30PM THU 13 OCT 2016 : 7.30PM MUSICAL INSIGHTS Join us for our free pre- concert talks before each concert at 6.45pm. These informal talks are a great way to learn more about CORNELIUS PETER the music directly from the MEISTER OUNDJIAN musicians of the RSNO. Look out for the symbol TCHAIKOVSKY FOUR BRAHMS FOUR throughout the brochure. SAT 11 FEB 2017 : 7.30PM THU 6 APR 2017 : 7.30PM Box Office 01382 434 940 PLUS don’t miss our popular film concerts featuring the enchanting film The Snowman on the big screen at our Christmas Concert and the exciting music of John Williams in February. © Snowman Enterprises Ltd 2016 Ltd Enterprises © Snowman THE RSNO CHRISTMAS JOHN WILLIAMS CONCERT AND FRIENDS FRI 16 DEC 2016 : 7.30PM SUN 26 FEB 2017 : 3PM BOX OFFICE 01382 434 940 3 125 YEARS YOUNG! DEAR FRIENDS I wish you the warmest welcome to the RSNO’s 2016:17 Season. From our modest beginnings back in 1891 to our international standing today, the Orchestra’s focus has always been to perform great music to the highest standard for you, our audience. This Season, as we celebrate our 125th anniversary, we are delighted to continue with that tradition. We have more of the music you love, performed by the wonderful musicians of the RSNO, alongside some of the world’s most in-demand guest artists and conductors. From the passion of Beethoven, Tchaikovsky and Rachmaninov to the thrill of our new anniversary commission by Sally Beamish performed by the talented Jonathan Biss, there’s much to be excited about! Plus don’t miss our special concert dedicated to the soundtracks of Steven Spielberg’s epic films, featuring music by award-winning composer, John Williams. I hope you enjoy reading all about the new Season and selecting your concerts. We look forward to welcoming you to the Caird Hall very soon. Peter Oundjian RSNO Music Director 4 rsno.org.uk/SEASON1617 Sir Alexander Gibson rehearsing Schoenberg’s Gurrelieder, Henry Wood Hall 1983 “ The orchestral sound was rich and massive: luminous winds, blazing peals from the brass, deep and lustrous strings.” Katherine Bryan Kate Molleson : The Guardian RSNO Principal Flute BOX OFFICE 01382 434 940 5 BEETHOVEN’S RACHMANINOV EMPEROR CONCERTO THREE PAUL NIKOLAI LEWIS LUGANSKY THU 13 OCT 2016 : 7.30PM THU 3 NOV 2016 : 7.30PM Jörg Widmann Liadov Con brio Scottish premiere The Enchanted Lake Beethoven Prokofiev Piano Concerto No5 Emperor Piano Concerto No5 Dvořák Prokofiev Symphony No7 Piano Concerto No1 Rachmaninov Cristian Măcelaru CONDUCTOR Symphony No3 Paul Lewis PIANO Eivind Gullberg Jensen CONDUCTOR Nikolai Lugansky PIANO Con brio means ‘with brilliance’, and that’s Deep in the Russian forests, a mysterious exactly what British pianist Paul Lewis will breeze stirs the waters. When guest conductor bring to Beethoven’s epic Emperor Concerto Eivind Gullberg Jensen works his magic – a stunning start to our Season in Dundee. anything’s possible: whether it’s Liadov’s old First, though, guest conductor Cristian Măcelaru Russian fairy tales or Rachmaninov’s glittering detonates Jörg Widmann’s outrageous Third Symphony – a song of longing for a lost little spoof of Beethoven, and unleashes world, with tunes to die for and a big-band the raw energy of Dvořák’s Seventh Symphony. swing. Or, most spectacular of all, the great This tempestuous portrait of a nation Russian virtuoso Nikolai Lugansky throwing awakening to freedom packs a serious everything he has – and then some – emotional punch. at Prokofiev’s show-stopping piano concertos. Ursula Heidecker Allen (RSNO Violin) Ursula Heidecker Allen (RSNO Violin) in conversation with Cristian Măcelaru in conversation with Eivind Gullberg Jensen 6 rsno.org.uk/SEASON1617 Closing concert with Sir Alexander Gibson, Carnegie Hall, USA Tour 1982 “…the quality of the RSNO sound, scorching off the players’ instruments… was incandescent in its temperature and impact. I thought the roof was coming off in the blazing finale of [Tchaikovsky’s] Fourth Symphony...” Aleksei Kiseliov RSNO Principal Cello Michael Tumelty : The Herald BOX OFFICE 01382 434 940 7 TCHAIKOVSKY BRAHMS FOUR FOUR CORNELIUS PETER MEISTER OUNDJIAN SAT 11 FEB 2017 : 7.30PM THU 6 APR 2017 : 7.30PM Smetana Sally Beamish Overture to The Bartered Bride Piano Concerto No3 The Makers Rachmaninov (RSNO Commission) Rhapsody on a Theme of Paganini Beethoven Tchaikovsky Piano Concerto No1 Symphony No4 Brahms Symphony No4 Cornelius Meister CONDUCTOR Simon Trpčeski PIANO Peter Oundjian CONDUCTOR Jonathan Biss PIANO A savage fanfare, a sigh of despair: right from Brahms’ Fourth begins with a sigh and ends the very start of his Fourth Symphony, with a tempest. Beethoven was Brahms’ hero Tchaikovsky lays all his emotional cards on and that meant playing for the highest possible the table. It’s a musical drama of torment emotional stakes. Peter Oundjian has devised and triumph, of heartbreak and joy, told with a whole concert around Jonathan Biss’ soaring melodies and uninhibited honesty. performance of Beethoven’s brilliant First Cornelius Meister conducts, and joins superstar Piano Concerto. On one side, there’s Brahms’ pianist Simon Trpčeski in Rachmaninov’s hugely mighty homage to Beethoven. On the other, popular Rhapsody on a Theme of Paganini. a new piano concerto by one of Scotland’s You’ll know the tunes – but you’ve never finest living composers, Sally Beamish. heard them played quite like this. Three composers, each making history: come and be part of it. Ursula Heidecker Allen (RSNO Violin) Katherine Wren (RSNO Viola) in conversation with Cornelius Meister 8 rsno.org.uk/SEASON1617 Timps being rescued after fire, St Andrew’s Hall 26 Oct 1962 “ The John Williams concert was an absolute stonker, a tearaway success… It was an exhilarating experience to witness the tangible buzz in the house...” Michael Tumelty : The Herald Lance Green RSNO Associate Principal Trombone BOX OFFICE 01382 434 940 9 Film Concerts © Snowman Enterprises Ltd 2016 Ltd Enterprises © Snowman THE RSNO CHRISTMAS JOHN WILLIAMS CONCERT AND FRIENDS FRI 16 DEC 2016 : 7.30PM SUN 26 FEB 2017 : 3PM We’re walking in the air…it isn’t Christmas From sharks to spies, whether you’re until The Snowman has taken you on his swashbuckling with Indiana Jones or cycling magical journey through the winter sky. though the air with a little alien who just Enjoy this special showing of the festive wants to phone home, you already know classic on large screen, accompanied by the the tunes. John Williams has given us the RSNO and narrated by a special star guest. soundtracks to some of Steven Spielberg's Hosted by the irrepressible Christopher Bell, greatest cinematic adventures of the past this Christmas party for the whole family five decades and no-one knows this music is filled with seasonal favourites, carols old better than movie maestro Richard Kaufman. and new – and, of course, a chance for Including music from Jaws, Raiders of the everyone to sing along! Lost Ark, Saving Private Ryan and Star Wars, experience the thrill of these legendary Christopher Bell CONDUCTOR soundtracks live in concert – with the best RSNO Junior Chorus sound quality you’ll ever hear! Richard Kaufman CONDUCTOR 10 rsno.org.uk/SEASON1617 RSNO@125 A brief history 1891 1915 Orchestra officially founded as the Pianist Artur Rubinstein visits to perform Scottish Orchestra following earlier gathering Tchaikovsky’s First Piano Concerto with the of orchestral players to accompany the Glasgow Scottish Orchestra in Glasgow and Edinburgh. Choral Union in the first Scottish performance of Handel’s Messiah (April 1844). 1933 GEORGE Orchestra faces financial troubles during HENSCHEL the Depression, but subscribers and guarantors put in healthy funds that guaranteed the Orchestra’s future. John Barbirolli becomes Principal Conductor. 1893 George Henschel becomes the Orchestra’s first Principal Conductor, and the Orchestra gives its first orchestral concerts under its new title. 1896 Scottish Orchestra’s first overseas tour: a two-week trip to the Netherlands, under Principal Conductor Willem Kes. JOHN BARBIROLLI © The Herald and Times Group © The Herald 1900 Gustav Holst joins the Scottish Orchestra 1936 as second trombonist until 1904. George Szell becomes Principal Conductor. 1902 1939 Richard Strauss conducts the Orchestra Concert programme reduced at the outbreak of in a programme including his Don Juan the Second World War, with concerts cancelled and Death and Transfiguration. at short notice following threats of air raids. THE SCOTTISH ORCHESTRA 1901 BOX OFFICE 01382 434 940 11 1943 1962 Orchestra management doubles numbers St Andrew’s Hall in Glasgow, the SNO’s principal of season concerts from 27 to 53, admitting concert venue, is almost entirely destroyed by it is an ‘adventure’ – but the fuller season fire on 26 October, following a boxing match. becomes a permanent feature. Scottish National Orchestra accompanies the first production of Scottish Opera, conducted by 1947 Alexander Gibson. Scottish Orchestra performs under Principal ST ANDREW’S HALL IS Conductor Walter Susskind at the inaugural DESTROYED BY FIRE Edinburgh International Festival. 1950 Orchestra renamed Scottish National Orchestra, and becomes a permanent, full-time ensemble. 1959 Alexander Gibson becomes Principal Conductor and remains in the post for 25 years, 1964 performing all seven Sibelius symphonies Aaron Copland conducts a programme including in his opening season. his Four Dance Episodes from Rodeo. 1960 1967 Alexander Gibson founds Musica Viva, Alexander Gibson takes the SNO on first a concert and later a triennial festival its first European tour, beginning in Vienna’s of contemporary music.