Royal Philharmonic Society 2013 Bicentenary Events (Jul-Dec)

200 years at the heart of music

Royal Philharmonic SocietyBicentenary Celebrations2013: July - December

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Extract of Mendelssohn’s First Symphony in C Minor. The work is dedicated to the Royal Philharmonic Society who premièred the work in London on May 25, 1829, with Mendelssohn conducting.© T Hutchinson

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ForewordIt was in 1813 that a group of musicians gathered to discuss the future of music. From the off, the Philharmonic Society recognised the need to be bold of ambition and to unashamedly beat the drum for excellence and creative thinking in music. It’s a resolute position that we retain today and are celebrating throughout 2013, marking 200 years as the “beating heart and conscience of British music*”.

Musicians and composers have always been at the heart of the Royal Philharmonic Society, and are celebrated in some style in RPS200 events this summer and autumn. There’s a slew of world premieres, specially commissioned from distinguished, emerging and young composers. A summer celebration of the music of the Society’s most famous associate, Beethoven, includes a BBC Proms premiere for Frieze, Mark Anthony Turnage’s reflection on the Society’s most famous commission, Beethoven’s 9th Symphony.

Looking outward we head to the Big Apple in the autumn, for concerts with the New York Philharmonic and Juilliard School of Music, exhibitions at Lincoln Center and the Morgan Library & Museum and the first ever RPS Lecture delivered overseas, given by BBC Radio 3 Controller and Director of the BBC Proms, Roger Wright. Orchestras and ensembles across the UK are joining RPS200 celebrations, playing major works commissioned by the Society. Our talks programme offers heated debate and meaty food for thought from great musical minds, including composer George Benjamin.

If you too are ‘Philharmonic’ please join us to celebrate new music, past masters and a Society which after two centuries continues to champion the best in music.

John Gilhooly ChairmanRoyal Philharmonic Society

*Richard Morrison, The Times, November 2012

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Monday 1 July - Monday 2 DecemberSir John Ritblat Gallery The British Library, LondonEXHIBITION: Treasures from the RPS Archive A range of items from the RPS Archive, including letters and accounts from the founding years of the Society.

Monday 8 July11.00amPittville Pump Room, CheltenhamCOMMISSION: David ÖnaçPart of Cheltenham Music FestivalBritten - String Quartet No. 1, Op. 25David Önaç - String Quartet No. 6 - world premiere, RPS commissionBeethoven - String Quartet No. 8, Op. 59/2

Carducci String Quartet

The energetic Carducci String Quartet perform one of the quartets Beethoven dedicated to

Count Razumovsky alongside a new quartet from young composer David Önaç, one of the winners of the 2012 RPS Composition Prize.

July

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© Andy Holdsworth photography

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AugustSunday 11 AugustThe RPS join forces with the National Youth Orchestra and the BBC Proms for a day celebrating the RPS and Beethoven’s Ninth.12.00pm252 Regent Street, LondonPRESENTATION: Beethoven Plaque The RPS unveils a plaque to commemorate the site of the first UK performance of Beethoven’s Ninth Symphony, commissioned and performed by the Society on 21 March 1825.

12.00pm252 Regent Street, LondonMINI-COMMISSION: FANFARE A new fanfare commission written by a young composer from the National Youth Orchestra and performed by NYO players will mark the unveiling of the Beethoven Plaque.

5.45pmAmaryllis Fleming Concert Hall, Royal College of Music, LondonTALK: Proms Plus Intro Academic Amanda Glauert and journalist and writer Helen Wallace discuss Beethoven’s Ninth Symphony and the role of the RPS as commissioner.

7.30pmRoyal Albert Hall, LondonCOMMISSION: Mark-Anthony TurnageVaughan Williams - Toward the Unknown RegionMark-Anthony Turnage - Frieze - world premiere*Beethoven - Symphony No. 9, ‘Choral’

Lisa Milne - sopranoJennifer Johnston - mezzo sopranoAndrew Kennedy - tenorGerald Finley - baritoneVasily Petrenko - conductorNational Youth Orchestra of Great Britain

National Youth Choir of Great BritainCodettaIrish Youth Chamber Choir

*co-commission by Royal Philharmonic Society, BBC Radio 3 and the New York Philharmonic.

The RPS celebrates its Bicentenary with a special free Birthday BBC Prom featuring a new work from British composer Mark-Anthony Turnage and the Society’s most famous commission, Beethoven’s Choral Symphony. The concert will be broadcast live on BBC Radio 3.

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AugustMonday 5 August - Friday 9 AugustBBC RADIO 3 BROADCAST: Composer of the Week Tune in all week to hear music commissioned and premiered by the Royal Philharmonic Society over its two hundred year history.

Sunday 18 AugustBBC 4 BROADCAST: Mark-Anthony Turnage Catch the TV broadcast of Frieze by Mark-Anthony Turnage, an RPS/BBC Radio 3/New York Philharmonic co-commission.

Friday 23 August 2.00pmSt. Andrew’s Church, PresteigneCOMMISSION: Robert PeatePart of Presteigne FestivalShostakovich - Prelude and Fugue in F minor, Op. 87, No. 18Shostakovich - Prelude and Fugue in D flat, Op. 87, No. 15James Francis Brown, Peter Fribbins, David Matthews, Alan Mills, Robert Walker - AquarellesRobert Peate - Pearl - world premiere*Schubert - Piano Sonata in A, D664

Clare Hammond - piano

*RPS/Presteigne Festival Alan Horne Memorial commission.

Robert Peate, one of the winners of the 2012 RPS Composition Prize offers his latest work for piano, Pearl, inspired by the 14th Century alliterative poem.

Tuesday 27 August4.30pmAssembly Rooms, PresteigneFILM: David Matthews - String Quartet No. 3Part of Presteigne Festival Join composer David Matthews in conversation with director

Barrie Gavin for a special screening of a film exploring Matthews’ Third String Quartet, commissioned by the RPS as part of its Encore scheme.

© Philip Gatward

© Julie Kim

© Clive Barda

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September

Friday 6 SeptemberBBC 4 BROADCAST: Beethoven - Symphony No. 9, ‘Choral’ Catch the TV broadcast of Beethoven’s Ninth Symphony performed by the National Youth Orchestra and the National Youth Choir as part of the RPS Bicentenary BBC Prom.

Saturday 14 September6.15pmPhilharmonic Hall, LiverpoolTALK: First Philharmonic Social historian Leanne Langley, Darren Henley, Managing Director of Classic FM and Tom Hutchinson from the

RPS discuss the founding of the RPS in 1813 and the RLPO in 1840 and the role and purpose of a ‘Philharmonic Society’.

Saturday 14 September7.30pmPhilharmonic Hall, LiverpoolCONCERT: RPS Key Work Brahms A German RequiemBrahms - A German Requiem

Sophie Bevan - sopranoBryn Terfel - bass-baritoneVasily Petrenko - conductorRoyal Liverpool Philharmonic OrchestraRoyal Liverpool Philharmonic Choir

First performed in the UK by the RPS in 1873, Brahms’s spiritual masterpiece is performed by the RLPO under its chief conductor Vasily Petrenko and features world-renowned Welsh bass-baritone, Bryn Terfel.

Saturday 14 September9.30pmGrand Foyer Bar, Philharmonic Hall, LiverpoolDISCUSSION: Vasily Petrenko, Bryn Terfel, Sophie Bevan An opportunity for audience members to put questions to the soloists from tonight’s concert.

© Mark McNulty

© Brian Tarr

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Wednesday 25 September - Saturday 23 NovemberBruno Walter Gallery at Avery Fisher Hall, Lincoln Center, New YorkEXHIBITION: Philharmonic Pioneers: The Founding of the New York and Royal Philharmonic Societies Materials from the archives of both the Royal Philharmonic Society and the New York Philharmonic celebrate the commissioning and first performances of Beethoven’s Ninth Symphony and the founding of these two influential organisations.

Sunday 29 September4.00pmPeter Jay Sharp Theatre, The Juilliard School, 155 W. 65th St, New YorkTALK: Joel Sachs, Tom Hutchinson and Rosemary Johnson

As the new season opens, the RPS travels west to the Big Apple for a series of events celebrating the genius of Beethoven, the very best in new music and the pioneers of Philharmonic Societies on both sides of the Atlantic.

RPS in New York City

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Joel Sachs from the Juilliard School of Music talks with Rosemary Johnson and Tom Hutchinson about the role of the RPS and commissioning new music. Admission is free but tickets are required and can be obtained at the Juilliard box office.

Sunday 29 September5.00pmPeter Jay Sharp Theatre, The Juilliard School, 155 W. 65th St, New YorkCONCERT: American Premiere: Weir and LindbergProgramme to include:

Judith Weir - I give you the end of a golden string*Magnus Lindberg - new work*

Joel Sachs - conductorNew Juilliard Ensemble

*2013 Royal Philharmonic Society/Britten-Pears Foundation commission to celebrate the centenary of the birth of Benjamin Britten and the bicentenary of the foundation of the Royal Philharmonic Society.

Hear the American premiere of two recent RPS commissions by Judith Weir and Magnus Lindberg played by the Juilliard’s leading contemporary music ensemble. Monday 30 September - Friday 4 OctoberLibrary, The Juilliard School, 155 W. 65th St, New York EXHIBITION: BEETHOVEN MANUSCRIPTS View the two original copyist scores of Beethoven’s monumental Ninth Symphony, brought together for the first time since 1824. © Hanya Chlala ArenaPAL

© Chris Christodoulou

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Tuesday 1 October5.00pmPeter Jay Sharp Theatre, The Juilliard School, 155 W. 65th St, New YorkTALK: Beethoven’s Ninth Symphony Dr Nicolas Bell, curator of music manuscripts at the British Library, gives a talk about the commissioning of Beethoven’s famous Choral symphony.

Friday 4 October7.00pmHelen Hull Room, Avery Fisher Hall, Lincoln Center, New YorkTALK: Commissioning Beethoven’s Ninth Symphony Dr Nicolas Bell from the British Library offers an introduction to the commissioning and creation of Beethoven’s Ninth Symphony. Thursday 3 October

7.30pmAvery Fisher Hall, Lincoln Center, New YorkCONCERT: RPS Key Work and CommissionBeethoven and TurnageMark-Anthony Turnage - Frieze*Beethoven - Symphony No. 9, ‘Choral’

Juliana di Giacomo - sopranoKelly O’Connor - mezzo-sopranoRussell Thomas - tenorShenyang - bass-baritoneAlan Gilbert - conductorNew York Philharmonic Orchestra

Manhattan School of Music Symphonic Chorus

Hear the New York Philharmonic under their music director Alan Gilbert perform Beethoven’s iconic Ninth Symphony alongside Mark-Anthony Turnage’s new work, Frieze. *co-commission between Royal Philharmonic Society, BBC Radio 3 and the New York Philharmonic

This concert will be repeated on 4, 5, 8 and 9 October.


© T Hutchinson

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Friday 4 October8.00pmAvery Fisher Hall, Lincoln Center, New YorkCONCERT: RPS Key Work and CommissionBeethoven and TurnageSee 3 October listing.

Saturday 5 October8.00pmAvery Fisher Hall, Lincoln Center, New YorkCONCERT: RPS Key Work and CommissionBeethoven and TurnageSee 3 October listing.

Monday 7 October6.30pmThe Morgan Library and Museum, 225 Madison Avenue New YorkCONCERT: American Premiere: Poul RudersPoul Ruders - String Quartet No. 4*

Players of the New York Philharmonic


An evening reception including the American premiere of Poul Ruders’s String Quartet No. 4, co-commissioned by the Royal Philharmonic Society and the Britten Pears Foundation. This event is by invitation only.

Tuesday 8 October - Sunday 1 DecemberTuesday - Thursday: 10.30am to 5.00pmFriday: 10.30am to 9.00pmSaturday: 10.00am to 6.00pmSunday: 11.00am to 6.00pmClosed Mondays and Thanksgiving DayThe Morgan Library & Museum, 225 Madison Avenue, New York

EXHIBITION: Beethoven Symphony No. 9, ‘Choral’ For the first time on public display, the two copyist scores of Beethoven’s Ninth Symphony are brought together and presented in the historic setting of J.P. Morgan’s library.

Tuesday 8 October6.30pmHelen Hull Room, Avery Fisher Hall, Lincoln Center, New YorkTALK: Commissioning Beethoven’s Ninth Symphony Dr Nicolas Bell from the British Library offers an introduction to the commissioning and creation of Beethoven’s Ninth Symphony.

© Kirsten Bille

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Tuesday 8 October7.30pmAvery Fisher Hall, Lincoln Center, New YorkCONCERT: RPS Key Work and CommissionBeethoven and TurnageSee 3 October listing.

Wednesday 9 October6.00pmKaplan Penthouse, Lincoln Center, New YorkRPS LECTURE: A Future for Music - We’re All in this Together For the first time, the RPS Lecture takes place outside the UK. Roger Wright, Controller of BBC Radio 3 and Director of the BBC Proms, offers his thoughts about the future of classical music.

Wednesday 9 October7.30pmAvery Fisher Hall, Lincoln Center, New YorkCONCERT: RPS Key Work and CommissionBeethoven and TurnageSee 3 October listing.

RPS Lecture Royal Philharmonic Society Lectures examine the future of classical music in a high profile public forum. Often controversial and always engaging, speakers have included composers, conductors, broadcasters, impresario, scientists and critics. What must be done to ensure that classical music survives the 21st Century? Previous speakers include Alex Ross, Susan Greenfield, Sir Peter Maxwell Davies and Sir John Drummond.


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Friday 4 October - Monday 7 OctoberKings Place, LondonDISPLAY: Notes into Letters As part of the London Literary Weekend at Kings Place, the RPS presents a display of poems outside Hall One commissioned through the Notes into Letters project.

Thursday 10 OctoberNorthern Stage Theatre, NewcastleDANCE: REPETITION OF CHANGEPhoenix Dance Theatre The latest RPS Drummond Fund commission from composer Ken Hesketh and artistic director Sharon Watson uses movement to unravel our genetic code, taking the audience on a volatile journey through the fascinating world of DNA.

Friday 11 OctoberNorthern Stage Theatre, NewcastleDANCE: REPETITION OF CHANGESee 10 October listing.

Tuesday 15 OctoberHull New Theatre, HullDANCE: REPETITION OF CHANGESee 10 October listing.

Tuesday 15 October6.45pmCivic Hall, Stratford-upon-AvonCONCERT: ‘Shorts’ Series to feature World Premiere Huw Watkins presents the first

in the series of ‘short’ commissions from UK student composers.

Thursday 17 OctoberThe Atkinson, SouthportDANCE: REPETITION OF CHANGESee 10 October listing

Saturday 19 Octoberc10.00amBarbican Centre, LondonCOMMISSION: FANFAREPart of the Battle of Ideas Festival A new fanfare commission from the RPS marks the start of this year’s Battle of Ideas.

Saturday 19 October1.30pm - 3.00pmBarbican Centre, LondonTALK: RPS DEBATE Part of the Battle of Ideas Festival For the fifth successive year, the RPS joins forces with the Institute of Ideas to debate the pros and cons of one to one tuition in music schools.

Thursday 24 October7.30pmBridgewater Hall, ManchesterCOMMISSION: Wolfgang RihmRihm - A Tribute (Über die Linie VIII)*Brahms - A German Requiem

Carolyn Sampson - sopranoNeal Davies - bass-baritoneMarkus Stenz - conductorHallé OrchestraHallé Choir

*2013 Royal Philharmonic Society/Britten-Pears Foundation

commission to celebrate the centenary of the birth of Benjamin Britten and the bicentenary of the foundation of the Royal Philharmonic Society.

The Hallé, under German conductor Markus Stenz, perform a programme featuring Brahms’s serene German Requiem and a new work from one of Germany’s leading contemporary composers, Wolfgang Rihm.

Thursday 31 October6.00pmRoyal Festival Hall, Southbank Centre, LondonCONCERT: Music of TodayBertrand - Virya for four musiciansBertrand - Madrigal for soprano and five musiciansBertrand - Yet for twenty musicians

Yeree Suh - sopranoAlejo Perez - conductorPlayers from the Philharmonia Orchestra

Following the early death of Christophe Bertrand in 2010, this concert offers a rare opportunity to hear the music of the talented young French composer.

October

© Marco Borggreve

“ Personally and artistically, being part of the RPS family is a real privilege. Spending time with Imogen is inspirational, creative and challenging. We talk for hours about anything and everything, go to concerts and galleries and work on repertoire. It is such an incredible support at a critical time and something I will always treasure.”

Alexandra Dariescu pianist and mentee of Imogen Cooper (RPS/YCAT Philip Langridge Mentoring Scheme)

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Our Young Musicians Programme offers a rare kind of support We love music.We believe passionately in supporting young musicians, giving them practical help, encouragement and time to develop. Our support is comprehensive, tailored to individual needs and given when it can help most, throughout professional training and in the early years of a career.

The demands on young classical musicians embarking on their studies and professional careers

are huge and increasing. High quality instruments are expensive. Needing to promote themselves and find performance opportunities has to be balanced with developing their skills and repertoire.

We have 200 years experience of backing musicians. From Beethoven, Mendelsohn and Lutoslawski in the 19th and 20th centuries to Stephen Hough, Alina Ibragimova, Duncan Rock, and Alexandra Dariescu more recently, the RPS invests in the best.

We make an annual commitment to around 30 young musicians and need to raise £100,000 every year to do so. We receive no government funding at all so raise this through donations from individuals, members and charitable trusts.

All gifts, large and small, will make a real difference. Whether you can send £20, £200 or £2,000 or give £6,000 to become a Young Musicians Patron, your gift could help:

• grants to buy instruments• bursaries for specialist training and mentoring• high profile performances and recitals• awards and prizes• career development opportunities

Thank you

If you love music, please make a donation to our Young Musicians Programme www.rps200.org/support

The RPS is grateful to the Bowerman Charitable Trust and David and Selina Marks for becoming our first Young Musicians Patrons.Donate online at www.rps200.org/support or contact: Alison Pavier, RPS, 10 Stratford Place, London W1C 1BA [email protected]

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November

RPS Gold MedalThe Royal Philharmonic Society Gold Medal is the Society’s highest honour and is awarded for the most outstanding musicianship. It was initiated in 1870 to commemorate the Centenary of Beethoven’s birth and to celebrate the close relationship between the Society and the composer. Look out for presentations of the RPS Gold Medal this autumn.

Friday 1 November6.00pmBarbican Hall, Barbican Centre LondonCOMMISSIONS: ‘La Science de Monsieur Berlioz’Ella Jarman-Pinto, Ben Graves and Joshua KayePart of Guildhall Artists at the Barbican Three Guildhall School composers take the ‘harmony’ of Hector Berlioz as a starting-point for a series of new works, commissioned by the Royal Philharmonic Society as part of its Bicentenary celebrations. Scored for voice and small ensemble including guitar - Berlioz’s own instrument - the concert offers a thoroughly contemporary twist on this unique composer’s music, described by Fétis in 1837 as “un assemblage bizarre de sons” (an assembly of weird

sounds). Free entry, no ticket required.

Friday 1 November7.30pmBarbican Hall, Barbican Centre, LondonCONCERT: RPS Key WorkBerlioz Benvenuto Cellini Overture

Berlioz - Benvenuto Cellini OvertureBerlioz - The Death of CleopatraBerlioz - Harold in Italy for Viola and Orchestra

Antoine Tamestit - violaKaren Cargill - mezzo-sopranoValery Gergiev - conductorLondon Symphony Orchestra

© Alberto Venzago

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The London Symphony Orchestra celebrates the music of Berlioz this November. In this concert, the French violist Antoine Tamestit is the soloist in Berlioz’s ‘Harold in Italy’, first performed by the Society in 1853.

Saturday 2 November6.00pmRoyal Festival Hall, Southbank Centre, LondonTALK: Colour and Eternity - the music of Olivier Messiaen Exploring the rich sound world of Olivier Messiaen, composer Robert Saxton, writer Paul Griffiths and pianist Alexandra Dariescu delve into his musical language, where birdsong, faith and colour collide to produce one of the most original musical voices in the 20th century. A new piano miniature inspired by Des Canyons aux Étoiles will also be performed.

Saturday 2 November7.30pmRoyal Festival Hall, Southbank Centre, LondonCONCERT: RPS Key WorkMessiaen Des Canyons aux ÉtoilesPart of The Rest is Noise FestivalMessiaen - Des Canyons aux Étoiles

Tzimon Barto - pianoJohn Ryan - horn Christoph Eschenbach - conductorLondon Philharmonic Orchestra

First performed in the UK at an RPS concert in 1975, Christoph Eschenbach leads the

London Philharmonic Orchestra in a performance of one of Messiaen’s greatest works.

Wednesday 6 November6.15pmFountain Room, Barbican Centre, LondonTALK: Berlioz and the Romantic Orchestra This talk will explore the influence of Berlioz on writing for orchestra during the Romantic era. The panel will include author David Cairns. Free entry, booking essential - Please call Barbican

Box Office on 020 7638 8891 to reserve your place.

© Margot Ingoldsby Schulman

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NovemberWednesday 6 November7.30pmBarbican Hall, Barbican Centre, LondonCONCERT: RPS Key WorkBerlioz Roméo et JulietteBerlioz - Roméo et Juliette

Olga Borodina - mezzo- sopranoIldar Abdrazakov - bassValery Gergiev - conductorLondon Symphony Orchestra

Regarded as one of Berlioz’s finest works, this dramatic choral symphony, based on Shakespeare’s Romeo and Juliet, highlights the composer’s skill as an orchestrator and writer of programme music.

Wednesday 6 NovemberYork Theatre Royal, YorkDANCE: REPETITION OF CHANGESee 10 October listing.

Thursday 7 NovemberYork Theatre Royal, YorkDANCE: REPETITION OF CHANGESee 10 October listing.

Thursday 7 November7.00pm49 Queen’s Gate Terrace, London, SW7CONCERT: RPS Young Musicians Recital An evening celebrating young musicians supported by the RPS, featuring pianists Richard Uttley with Rolf Hind.

Tuesday 12 November6.45pmCivic Hall, Stratford-upon-AvonCONCERT: ‘Shorts’ Series to feature World PremierePart of Composer in the House Huw Watkins presents the second in the series of ‘short’ commissions from UK student composers.

Thursday 14 November6.00pmRoyal Festival Hall, Southbank Centre, LondonCONCERT: Music of TodayBenedict Mason - Self-Referential Songs and Realistic VirelaisBenedict Mason - !

Helena Juntunen - soprano

Johannes Debus - conductorPlayers from the Philharmonia Orchestra

Music of Today offers the chance to hear music from British composer Benedict Mason, whose postmodern works often focus on the spatial dimension of music.

Friday 15 November - Sunday 24 NovemberHuddersfieldFESTIVAL: Huddersfield Contemporary Music Festival 17-25 year olds can try something different at the award-winning Huddersfield Contemporary Music Festival, thanks to a discounted ticket scheme from the RPS.

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Sunday 17 November7.30pmTheatre Royal, NorwichCOMMISSION: Judith WeirNico Muhly - Three Songs for tenor & violin Bartók - Fourth movement from Quartet No. 4 Britten - Now Sleeps the Crimson PetalErkki Sven Tüür - LighthouseJudith Weir - I give you the end of a golden string*Arne Nordheim - Individualisierte Höhemessung der Lagen (from Partita für Paul)Nico Muhly - Material in E flat for violin & drone Bartók - Third movement from Quartet No. 4 Berg arr Schnittke - KanonArvo Pärt - Cantus in Memoriam Benjamin BrittenGeorge Crumb - God Music from Black Angels Britten - Serenade for Tenor, Horn & Strings

Mark Padmore - tenorPekka Kuusisto - violin/directorStephen Bell - hornBritten Sinfonia


Britten Sinfonia’s recent recording of Britten’s Serenade for tenor, horn and strings with Mark Padmore has been acclaimed

worldwide and these artists will perform the work in an illuminating programme of works directed by violinist Pekka Kuusisto.

Tuesday 19 November7.30pm Christ Church, Cockermouth, Cumbria CONCERT: Huw WatkinsPart of Composer in the House/ Beyond the PremiereHuw Watkins - new work*Mozart - Piano Concerto No. 25 K503 Britten - Young ApolloSchubert - Symphony No. 5

Huw Watkins - pianoDavid Curtis - conductorOrchestra of the Swan

Huw Watkin’s latest commission for the strings of the Orchestra of the Swan is coupled with a trio of effervescent works from Mozart, Britten and Schubert

Tuesday 19 November - Saturday 23 NovemberThe Linbury Theatre,

Royal Opera House, LondonDANCE: REPETITION OF CHANGESee 10 October listing.

Thursday 21 November7.30pmWiltshire Music Centre, Bradford on Avon, WiltshireCONCERT: Huw WatkinsPart of Composer in the House/ Beyond the PremiereShostakovich - Symphony No. 1Huw Watkins - new work*Britten - Cantata Misericordium

Huw Watkins - pianoDavid Curtis - conductorOrchestra of the Swan

Shostakovich’s First Symphony is paired with Britten’s work composed for and first performed at the solemn ceremony on the Commemoration Day of the Centenary of the Red Cross.

© Hanya Chlala

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November

Friday 22 November6.30pmWest Road Concert Hall, CambridgeTALK: In conversation with Judith Weir Composer Judith Weir talks with Tom Hutchinson from the RPS about her latest commission.

Friday 22 November7.30pmWest Road Concert Hall, CambridgeCOMMISSION: Judith WeirSee 17 November listing.

Sunday 24 November6.30pmMilton Court, Barbican Centre, London

TALK: New Music and AudiencesBritten Sinfonia in collaboration with the GSMD examine how audience members experience the interaction with new music.

Sunday 24 November7.30pmMilton Court Concert Hall, Barbican Centre, LondonCOMMISSION: Judith WeirSee 17 November listing.

Tuesday 28 November The Curve, LeicesterDANCE: REPETITION OF CHANGESee 10 October listing.

Love music, join the RPS

“ The Royal Philharmonic Society supports the culture, the understanding and the imagination behind live music making. If you love classical music and believe in its future you should, without question, join us.” Sir Mark Elder RPS Honorary Member

The Royal Philharmonic Society is a unique organisation which has been at the heart of music for 200 years.

Our members are the backbone of the Society. They are a collective of both professional musicians and music lovers, united in creating a future for music.

We work creatively with talented young performers and composers, champion excellence, and encourage audiences to listen to, and talk about, great music. But there’s a real need for us to do so much more!

All our work depends upon the generosity of friends and supporters and even a small, regular donation will make a real difference.

Please join us in our 200th birthday year.

Join from as little as £3 a month

www.rps200.org/join21

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December

Sunday 1 December3.00pmQueen Elizabeth Hall, Southbank Centre, LondonCONCERT: Piano GamesPart of The Rest is Noise FestivalKurtág - Játékok

A rare opportunity to see legendary Hungarian composer György Kurtág in action alongside his pianist wife, Márta. Játékok (Games) is a collection of humorous, quirky miniatures and will be paired with some of Kurtág’s exquisite four-hand arrangements of Bach - the perfect musical companion.

Thursday 5 December7.30pmBridgewater Hall, ManchesterCONCERT: RPS Key WorkDvorák Symphony No. 7Elgar - In the SouthRavel - Piano Concerto in GDvorák - Symphony No. 7

Hong Xu - pianoAndrew Gourlay - conductorHallé Orchestra

Dvorák was a regular visitor and conductor at Society concerts at the end of the Nineteenth Century and this concert features his Seventh Symphony, given its world premiere by the RPS on 22 April 1885.

RPS Advent CalendarCheck out the RPS Advent Calendar this month for festive prizes! www.rps200.org

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12.00pmPurcell RoomTALK: New Music - What’s Next? Charlotte Higgins, chief arts writer for The Guardian chairs a discussion looking at the current state of classical contemporary music. How will concert presentation, performance and programming develop over future years? What will composers be doing differently? The panel will include Andrew Burke, Chief Executive of London Sinfonietta, cellist Zoë Martlew, composer John Chantler and journalist and writer, Paul Morley.

1.15pm to 1.45pmPurcell RoomCONCERT: The New Music Show Set 1London Sinfonietta

2.15pm to 3.00pmQueen Elizabeth HallCONCERT: The New Music Show Set 2London Sinfonietta

3.30pm to 4.30pmQueen Elizabeth HallTALK: Constants and Variables - Which Future for Music? At the end of the RPS Bicentenary year, composer George Benjamin and writer Tom Service discuss the future of

classical composition. Is there a new sound genre in the making? Is there a more global aesthetic or are there still national differences? How are musical styles evolving? Join two of the UK’s foremost musical thinkers and contribute to the debate.



© F. Hoffmann-La Roche Ltd

© Nana Varveropoulou

The Royal Philharmonic Society joins forces with the London Sinfonietta and The Rest is Noise Festival for a day looking at the future of composition and how composers are creating and re-defining new music.

Sunday 8 December - Southbank Centre, London

Which Future for Music?

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December

Wednesday 11 December7.30pmSymphony Hall, CBSO Centre, BirminghamCONCERT: RPS Key WorkTchaikovsky - Symphony No. 6, ‘Pathétique’Rachmaninov - Fantasie Op. 7, ‘The Rock’Saint-Saëns - Piano Concerto No. 2Tchaikovsky - Symphony No. 6, ‘Pathétique’

Benjamin Grosvenor - pianoAndrew Litton - conductorCity of Birmingham Symphony Orchestra

Tchaikovsky’s final symphony, the ‘Pathétique’, was first performed by the Society in 1894. Former BBC Young Musician of the Year finalist, pianist Benjamin Grosvenor, also features playing Saint-Saëns’ Second Piano Concerto.

Saturday 14 December7.30pmSymphony Hall, CBSO Centre, BirminghamCONCERT: RPS Key WorkTchaikovsky - Symphony No. 6, PathétiqueSee 11 December listing.

Friday 20 DecemberCivic Hall, Stratford-upon-AvonCOMMISSION: Huw WatkinsPart of Composer in the House

David Curtis - conductorOrchestra of the Swan

Huw Watkins presents his latest commission as part of the Composer of the House Scheme.

Saturday 21 December7.00pmWigmore Hall, LondonCONCERT: András Schiff J. S. Bach - Goldberg Variations BWV988Beethoven - 33 Variations in C on a Waltz by Diabelli Op.120

András Schiff - piano

One of the leading pianists of his generation, András Schiff plays two of the greatest sets of variations for the keyboard. A concert not to be missed.

UKBarbican Centrewww.barbican.org.uk020 7638 8891

Battle of Ideaswww.battleofideas.org.uk

BBC Promswww.bbc.co.uk/proms0845 401 5045

Britten Sinfoniawww.brittensinfonia.com

Cheltenham Music Festivalwww.cheltenhamfestivals.com/music/0844 880 8094

City of Birmingham Symphony Orchestrawww.cbso.co.uk0121 345 0600

Halléwww.halle.co.uk0844 907 9000

Huddersfield Contemporary Music Festivalwww.hcmf.co.uk

Kings Place/London Literary Weekendwww.kingsplace.co.uk020 7520 1490

London Philharmonic Orchestrawww.lpo.co.uk020 7840 4242

London Sinfoniettawww.londonsinfonietta.org.uk

London Symphony Orchestrawww.lso.co.uk020 7638 8891

Orchestra of the Swanwww.orchestraoftheswan.org

Philharmoniawww.philharmonia.co.uk0800 652 6717

Presteigne Festivalwww.presteignefestival.com01544 267800

Royal Liverpool Philharmonic Orchestrawww.liverpoolphil.com0151 709 3789

Southbank Centre/ The Rest is Noisewww.southbankcentre.co.uk0844 875 0073

Wigmore Hallwww.wigmore-hall.org.uk020 7935 2141

New York CityThe Juilliard Schoolwww.juilliard.edu001 212 769 7406

The New York Philharmonicwww.nyphil.org001 212 875 5656

The Morgan Library and Museumwww.themorgan.org001 212 685 0008

Booking Information

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An anonymous donorDame Janet Baker DBEFrancis BerginPeter BullLalita Carlton-JonesColin ClarkThe Hon Mrs Gillian FaneThe late Tony FellJohn GilhoolyDavid & Selina Marks

RPS Bicentenary Partners ( July - December)

RPS Partners

The Royal Philharmonic Society would like to thank everyone who has donated to our Bicentenary Appeal, particularly:

Nicholas PayneThe Dowager Viscountess RothermerePenny Steer Albert & Eugenie Frost Music TrustBBC Radio 3Bowerman Charitable TrustBritish CouncilInternational Artist Managers’ AssociationJ Paul Getty Jnr Charitable Trust

The New York PhilharmonicOrange County PhilharmonicPRS for Music FoundationRosenblatt RecitalsRuffer LLPSir Siegmund Warburg’s Voluntary SettlementThe British Library Vernon Ellis Foundation

The RPS commissioned Beethoven’s Ninth Symphony for the sum of £50 and gave the first performance in the UK on 25 March 1825 at its concert hall on Regent Street, London. For the generosity it showed the composer throughout his life, the Society was given the iconic Schaller Beethoven bust in 1870 which was displayed on the platform of every Society concert thereafter.

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Royal Philharmonic Society10 Stratford PlaceLondonW1C 1BAReg UK Charity 213693

[email protected]: +44 (0)20 7491 8110

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www.rps200.org

Cover image: Jason Alden Design: redenginedesign.com

Documents

Royal Philharmonic Society 2013 Bicentenary Events (Jul-Dec)