Philharmonia Bedford Season 12/13

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Esa-Pekka SalonenPrincipal Conductor and Artistic Advisor

2012/13 Season Bedford Corn Exchange

Box Office 01234 269519www.philharmonia.co.uk

The Sunday Times, February 2011

It is my very great pleasure towelcome the Philharmonia to anew season at its Bedfordhome. It is a real privilege forBedford to host once againone of the world’s leadingorchestras. The Philharmonia’sprogramme of concerts inBedford is established as a

key feature in the culturalcalendar in Bedford Borough,and as always there is a greatsense of anticipation amongstlocal music lovers around theforthcoming season.

I am delighted that the annualMayor’s Concert is once againtaking place, on Friday 12October 2012. As usual therewill be a collection for theMayor’s Charity on the night.The Mayor’s Charity issupporting excellent localcauses this year in the form ofthe King’s Arms Project, theBedford and District CerebralPalsy Society and the Bedford

Daycare Centre. This year inhard times whatever you cangenerously afford will beappreciated more than ever by the charities concerned.

I hope you enjoy what will nodoubt be another wonderfulseason of world-class music in Bedford.

With best wishes

Dave Hodgson Mayor of Bedford Borough

Welcome to the PhilharmoniaOrchestra’s eighteenth seasonin residence at Bedford CornExchange.

The seven concerts that makeup the 2012/13 Seasonfeature a distinguished roster of internationally acclaimedartists. Conductors VladimirAshkenazy (the Philharmonia’sConductor Laureate),

Sir Andrew Davis and TuganSokhiev will return to Bedford,and we are tremendouslyexcited to introduce threeremarkable conductors to the Corn Exchange stage for the first time: David Afkhamand Santtu-Matias Rouvalimake their débuts with thePhilharmonia this season; and the young Britishsensation, and conductor of the Last Night of the BBCProms, Edward Gardner, comesto Bedford for the first time.

There are some impressivenames among the solo artistsappearing in the season aswell. Two of the UK’s brightestand best–cellist Steven Isserlisand trumpeter Alison Balsom–

are featured alongsideinternational soloists: Canadianvioinist James Ehnes; Germanviolinist Arabella Steinbacher;and French pianist Lise de la Salle.

May I take this opportunity tothank you for your continuedsupport of the Philharmonia’sresidency. Here’s to anotherworld-class season in Bedford.

David Whelton Managing Director

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Friday 12 October 7.30pmMAYOR’S CONCERT

TUGAN SOKHIEV conductorNIKOLAI TOKAREV piano

MENDELSSOHN Overture, HebridesCHOPIN Piano Concerto No. 2ELGAR Enigma Variations

Musical inspiration comes in all forms.Mendelssohn’s elemental ‘Hebridean’ overturesprang from a stormy encounter with therugged seascape of the Western Highlands.Chopin’s Second Piano Concerto (actuallywritten before the First) was one of the lastpieces he wrote in his native Poland before hemoved, and Polish themes come through loudand clear – most notably in the finale’smazurka feel. The catalyst for Elgar’sperennially popular Enigma Variations wasaltogether more domestic. A light-heartedpiano-side reverie caught his wife’s attention.Elgar then extemporised on its theme aroundvarious friends and acquaintances. The rest,as they say, is history…

Listen to extracts & buy onlinephilharmonia.co.uk/shopDavis Elgar Enigma Variations, Alassioand Serenade for Strings

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Wednesday 5 December 7.30pm

DAVID AFKHAM conductorARABELLA STEINBACHER violin

BEETHOVEN Overture, CoriolanBRAHMS Symphony No. 3BEETHOVEN Violin Concerto

Brahms’s Third Symphony, for some thecomposer’s greatest, is a magnificentachievement. He made his adoring Viennesepublic wait six years for it, and what heproduced united, for one critic, the “titanism”of the first symphony with the “untroubledpastoral charm” of the second. Perhapssurprisingly, fireworks are not on the agendahere. The work instead is subdued,confessorial and reserved with eachmovement ending piano or pianissimo. Here itis preceded by Beethoven’s concise yetsuitably statuesque ‘tone poem’ Coriolan andfollowed by the groundbreaking ViolinConcerto. This concert brings the charismaticyoung German conductor David Afkham toBedford for the first time.

Listen to extracts & buy onlinephilharmonia.co.uk/shopDohnányi Brahms Symphonies Nos. 1 & 3

“Arabella Steinbacher conjures tonesso subtly beautiful and multicolouredthat your jaw almost drops”The Times, November 2011

“Sokhiev conducted with cool-headedbrilliance, and the orchestra respondedwith near perfection”The Guardian, April 2010

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Wednesday 16 January 7.30pm

SANTTU-MATIAS ROUVALI conductorALISON BALSOM trumpet

BEETHOVEN Symphony No. 2HUMMEL Trumpet ConcertoBIZET Symphony in C

A chance to hear one of the freshestperformers in British classical music today. The glamorous Alison Balsom has injected a new lease of life into solo trumpet playing,and in so doing has collected two ClassicalBrits, numerous awards by Classic FM,Gramophone and Echo Klassik, and evenmade an appearance on The Late Show withDavid Letterman. She performs Hummel’sTrumpet Concerto, one of the liveliest for theinstrument, with a lyrically wistful slowmovement and a virtuosic last movement. It is bookended by a German and a Frenchsymphony. Beethoven’s Second Symphony is sunny and good-humoured, with a finaleplainly looking backwards in style to Bach.Bizet’s Symphony in C is based on the work of a French great – his tutor, Charles FrançoisGounod. Bizet was still a teenager when hewrote the piece, yet it is widely considered tobe his finest orchestral score.

“Alison Balsom’s dazzlinginstrumental skill andtechnical panache…could hardly be bettered”Classical Music Magazine, February 2011

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Friday 15 February 7.30pm

EDWARD GARDNER conductorKIRILL GERSTEIN piano

BEETHOVEN Overture, FidelioSHOSTAKOVICH Piano Concerto No. 2TCHAIKOVSKY Symphony No. 4

The Fourth Symphony was for many, includingTchaikovsky, a breakthrough. Here, Tchaikovskyis in total control of the orchestral palette, withhighly original colours – including an almostentirely pizzicato third movement. Woven intothe entire work is the ‘fate’ motif, spelled outin the first movement, subsequentlydeveloped, and by the finale it is violentlythrown around the orchestra in a torrent ofenthusiasm. It is the composer’s most excitingsymphonic invention. Before this, the best-known of Shostakovich’s two piano concertos.Written for his son’s 19th birthday, who laterpremièred the work, its highlight is itsexquisite slow movement – more-than-slightlyRomantic in style.

Saturday 23 March 7.30pm

STEVEN ISSERLIS director & celloZSOLT-TIHAMÉR VISONTAY director & violin

MOZART Divertimento in D major, K. 136HAYDN Cello Concerto No. 1BLOCH From Jewish LifeSCHUBERT Symphony No. 5

Steven Isserlis is possibly the UK’s best-loved,most highly-respected solo cellist. His distinctivesound (brought about by playing on warmer gutstrings) and appearance have earned him a placeat the forefront of British musical life for severaldecades. In this concert he performs Haydn’s FirstCello Concerto – a demanding work that requiresvirtuosic skill – directing it from the soloist’splatform. He the returns to the stage to perform adeeply moving 1924 piece by the Swiss-American composer Ernst Bloch. The piece is inthree movements: Jewish Song, Supplication, andPrayer with the latter, in the words of Isserlis (whocommissioned its orchestration), being “surelyone of the most fervently beautiful pieces everwritten for the cello”.

Listen to extracts & buy onlinephilharmonia.co.uk/shopSchiff Schubert Symphony No. 5

“Isserlis can turn a single note into a smile or a lament”The Guardian, June 2010

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Tuesday 7 May 7.30pm

SIR ANDREW DAVIS conductorLISE DE LA SALLE piano

ELGAR Overture, In the South (Alassio)MOZART Piano Concerto No. 9, K271,JeunehommeVAUGHAN WILLIAMS Symphony No. 2,A London Symphony

The day after the first performance of VaughanWilliams’s A London Symphony, on 27 March1914, George Butterworth wrote to thecomposer that he was “frightfully glad” that“you have at last achieved something worthyof your gifts”. Vaughan Williams later confidedto Sir John Barbirolli that it was his ownfavourite of the nine symphonies he wrote. A slow, quiet introduction depicts dawn, withthe harp and clarinet sounding the chimes of Westminster, followed by scenes ofBloomsbury Square, the East End, and finallya tragic appassionata presumably depictingthe grimmer sides of city life at that time.Before that, a Mozart Concerto composed at the age of 21. Unlike his previous eightwritten for himself to perform, the Ninth wasMozart’s first chance to write for a real pianist,Mlle Jeunehomme, a professional Frenchpianist who made her living as a touringvirtuoso. Rising to this occasion, the workproudly shows off the young composer’sburgeoning talent.

Listen to extracts & buy onlinephilharmonia.co.uk/shopDavis Elgar Enigma Variations, Alassioand Serenade for Strings

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Sunday 16 June 7.30pm

VLADIMIR ASHKENAZY conductorJAMES EHNES violin

ELGAR Violin ConcertoBEETHOVEN Symphony No. 6, Pastoral

Elgar’s epic Violin Concerto was composed forthe celebrated Viennese virtuoso Fritz Kreisler,who shortly before giving the 1910 worldpremière in London vowed “I will shake theQueen’s Hall!” He obviously had the desiredeffect as according to one reviewer, “for aquarter of an hour they called and recalled theman [Elgar] who had achieved a triumph notonly for himself, but also for England, andhailed him as master and hero.” Elgar’s ownopinion was that “It’s good! Awfully emotional!Too emotional...but I love it.” Beethoven’spassion was for the countryside. “You ask mewhere my ideas come from” he once noted,“they come to me in the open air, in the woods,while walking, in the silence of the night, earlyin the morning”. The Pastoral Symphony, withits unambiguously bucolic movement titles, isthe composer’s attempt to set these soundsand scenes in notes on paper.

Listen to extracts & buy onlinephilharmonia.co.uk/shopDavis/Ehnes Elgar Violin Concerto

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“the wondrous JamesEhnes…a thinker of theviolin as well as a supremevirtuoso of the instrument”Daily Telegraph, January 2012

Recordings available on CD or by MP3 downloadVisit www.philharmonia.co.uk/shop

PHILHARMONIA ONLINE SHOPLatest releasesEsa-Pekka Salonen conductsMahler’s Symphony No. 6

Christoph von Dohnányi conductsthe complete Brahms symphonies

Join usSupport the Philharmonia Orchestra today

Your support is essential to the continuingsuccess of the Philharmonia Orchestra and itsresidency at Bedford Corn Exchange.Over the past 30 years, the Friends have raised over a millionpounds in support of the Orchestra, helping to maintain thehighest standards of music-making, education and digital work.

Joining the Friends will offer you a unique relationship with theOrchestra, as well as a range of exclusive benefits includingregular updates and bespoke special events. However, thegreatest benefit of all is the knowledge that you are perpetuatingthe great tradition of the Philharmonia as a musical icon inBedford and throughout the world.

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Join UsFor more information, please contact:Catherine Thomson, Friends Administrator on 020 7921 3906 [email protected]

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The Bedford Charity

The Wixamtree Trust

The Philharmonia Orchestra is a registered charityPhilharmonia Ltd Registered Charity No. 250277 .

Residency Supporters The Philharmonia Orchestra would like to thank its Supporters and CorporateMembers for their support of thePhilharmonia’s residency at the BedfordCorn Exchange. The quality and breadth of the Philharmonia’s work in the region is made possible by their commitment.

A partnership with the Philharmonia offers anassociation with an internationally renownedOrchestra bringing some of the world’s greatestartists to Bedford.There are many ways in which you can supportthe Philharmonia:

Corporate Membership: a package of tickets and hospitality across an entirePhilharmonia season.Advertising in concert programmes: afantastic way to sell your business servicesin Bedford while supporting the work of the Orchestra.

Joining the Friends (see opposite)

To learn more about supporting thePhilharmonia Orchestra please contact Jennifer Davies on 020 7921 3920 [email protected]

Philharmonia Orchestra6th Floor, The Tower Building, 11 York Road, London SE1 7NX

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All the information in this brochure was correct at the timeof going to press, but changes may be unavoidable.

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• Free ticket exchange scheme (up to one week before concert)

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HOW TO BOOK:PHONE: Call 01234 269519 during box office hours:Monday to Saturday: 9.00am – 4.30pm

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Postal applications for 3 or more concerts will be numberedon receipt and processed on a first-come first-served basis.Please add £1 postage to the total cost if you would like us to send your tickets to you. Stamped, self-addressedenvelopes will not be accepted. Please allow 28 days for delivery. Any tickets booked and paid for within sevendays of a performance will be held for collection. No unpaid reservations can be accepted in the four days priorto a performance.

IN PERSON: from the Tourist Information Centre in St. Paul’sSquare, Bedford, MK40 1SJ.

ONLINE: Bookings for single concerts can be made online at www.bedfordcornexchange.co.uk. Please note thatsubscription discounts are not available online.

FAX: Complete the booking form and fax it to 01234 718113

For bookings for the 12/13 Season and beyond, there will be an additional handling charge of £1.50

Please note the new address for the Box Office

SALE OF RETURNED TICKETSAny returned tickets for a sell-out performance will be resoldon a first-come first-served basis. Tickets may be limited totwo per person.

FAMILY TICKETS Each adult attending a concert can purchase up to 2 ticketsfor under-16s for just £5 each.

CONCESSIONSRecipients of Job Seekers Allowance, Income Support,Pension Credit, full-time students and under-16s are entitled to £2 off the full price of a ticket. Please includephotocopied proof of your entitlement when booking. People registered with disabilities are also entitled toconcessions.

ACCESS INFORMATIONThe Philharmonia Orchestra and Bedford Corn Exchangewelcome people with disabilities. Bedford Corn Exchange is equipped with an induction loop system, designatedwheelchair seats for performances, a disabled lift fromground level to the interval bar and disabled toilets. Guide dogs permitted with prior notification. Please call01234 269519 if you require further information.

PRIORITY BOOKINGPriority booking is available for Friends of the PhilharmoniaOrchestra. For more information about joining, please seepage 7.

PARKINGTicket holders for Philharmonia concerts can park in RiverStreet Car Park from 6pm until midnight and will not becharged on exit. Bedford Corn Exchange has made thisarrangement in an attempt to make it easier to park in thetown centre when attending performances at the venue. If you make use of this facility please let us know what youthink. Your feedback helps us to improve our services.

Email us at [email protected], or call 01234 344813.

Booking informationSubscription ticket prices

Seating area Balcony Front Stalls Mid Stalls Mid/Rear Stalls Rear Stalls

No. of concerts Price per ticket Discount (%)

Full price £33.00 £28.00 £23.00 £19.00 £12.00

3 concerts £89.10 £75.60 £62.10 £51.30 £32.40 10%

4 concerts £118.80 £100.80 £82.80 £68.40 £43.20 10%

5 concerts £148.50 £126.00 £103.50 £85.50 £54.00 10%

6 concerts £168.30 £142.80 £117.30 £96.90 £61.20 15%

7 concerts £196.35 £166.60 £136.85 £113.05 £71.40 15%


Booking form

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Front S

talls A-F

Mid Stalls G-L

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M-R

1. Select the concerts you wish to attend2. Select where you would like to sit in the concert hall from

the plan on this page (NB you do not have to sit in thesame area for all of your concerts – please indicate yourrequirements on the booking form)

3. If you require additional tickets for any concerts pleaseindicate the number you require in the ‘additional tickets’box

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This brochure is available in alternative formatsCall 020 7921 3902

Concert date Preferred seating area No. of No. of additional subscription tickets (full or tickets concessionary rate)

1st choice 2nd choice Example balcony front stalls 2 –

12 October Sokhiev / Tokarev

5 December Afkham / Steinbacher

16 January Rouvali / Balsom

15 February Gardner / Gerstein

23 March Isserlis / Visontay

7 May Davis / de la Salle

16 June Ashkenazy / Ehnes

If you would like your tickets posted to you, please tick this box and add £1 to the total cost of your order.

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Sub-total cost of additional tickets £

Handling Charge £1.50 (per transaction) £

TOTAL £

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Philharmonia Bedford Season 12/13

Documents

Transcript of Philharmonia Bedford Season 12/13