Inspiration with every note bbc.co.uk/philharmonic
2013–2014 Bridgewater Hall Concert Season The Mancunian Way
Inspiration with every note
“What Manchester does today, the rest of the world does tomorrow.” — Benjamin Disraeli
As a proud Mancunian, it gives me enormous pleasure to write these words of welcome to the 2013–2014 BBC Philharmonic season, this year titled The Mancunian Way to represent Manchester’s contribution to music. These concerts are a real celebration of the vital role that Manchester has played in the development of classical music in the UK and beyond these shores. I remember, as a Chetham’s pupil, the thrill of being able to hear so much high-quality music-making, particularly orchestral performances, in the city. The magnificent Henry Watson Music Library also played a crucial part in developing my love of music and it is exciting to know that so many composers similarly owe much to the city and its musical institutions. Now, with The Bridgewater Hall and the splendid new facilities for the BBC Philharmonic at MediaCityUK in Salford, there are first-class venues fit for the fine ensembles that are resident here. All this activity, plus the excellent work at the Royal Northern College of Music, continue to keep Manchester thriving as an important musical centre. This series and its broadcast on BBC Radio 3, the home of classical music, will help tell that story. It promises to be an exciting season and I hope you enjoy it as much as I know I will. Roger Wright Controller, BBC Radio 3 and Director, BBC Proms
Never has Manchester’s music scene been richer in variety and content than it is today. When I first went to concerts here over 70 years ago, there was the BBC Northern Orchestra (mainly broadcasting) the Hallé (playing in makeshift halls) and some chamber music. Now the city has a superb concert hall, The Bridgewater Hall, the BBC Philharmonic and the Hallé are at international standard, the first-rate Manchester Camerata covers a wide and adventurous chamber repertoire, stars of the future provide continual talent-spotting fare at the Royal Northern College of Music and there is youthful virtuosity too at Chetham’s School of Music. The keen music-lover can find something of high quality to attend every day. One of the most heartening aspects today is that these organisations, although fiercely competitive, agree to co-operate in major ventures or surveys (Shostakovich a few years ago, for example). Just a glance at what is being offered in 2013–2014 should make a Londoner take the next train out of Euston. We are only two hours away. Michael Kennedy Music Critic
The Mancunian Way
bbc.co.uk/philharmonic
Contents Season highlights 2013–2014 season Strauss’s Voice BBC Philharmonic Learning How to book and ticket information Information on The Bridgewater Hall
Chief Conductor
Juanjo Mena
Principal Guest Conductor Composer/Conductor Conductor Laureate Conductor Emeritus Conductor Emeritus
John Storgårds HK Gruber Gianandrea Noseda Vassily Sinaisky Yan Pascal Tortelier
02. 03. 08. 21. 22. 25.
For more information about the BBC Philharmonic Email philharmonic@bbc.co.uk Telephone 0161 836 1300 Sign up for our newsletter at bbc.co.uk/philharmonic For up-to-date news and opinions follow us on Twitter @bbcphilharmonic or find us on facebook.com/bbcphilharmonic
Credits Design & Art Direction: R aw — weareraw.co.uk Photography: Andrew Brooks — andrewbrooksphotography.com
Inspiration with every note
The Mancunian Way
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Saturday 28 September, 7.30pm
The Mancunian Way Season Highlights Great Collaborations
Juanjo Mena Chief Conductor
Over the past decade Manchester’s music-makers have defined the city’s musical landscape with acclaimed collaborations. Composer-led celebrations of Shostakovich and Mahler– jointly presented by the BBC Philharmonic, the Hallé, Manchester Camerata and The Bridgewater Hall – have won critical acclaim and inspired audiences with their vision. This year, the tradition continues as we celebrate Strauss. We invite you to join us for another unique Manchester moment (p8–11).
Juanjo Mena Stephen Hough
Anthony Burgess
Preview 6.30pm
A Manchester Overture 10’
Brahms Piano Concerto No. 1
45’
Mancunian Landmarks
Stephen Hough Piano
We feature works that have become ingrained in the musical psyche of the city. Our opening concert of the season (p3) includes Elgar’s First Symphony, which premiered in Manchester in 1908 and resonates with Mancunian audiences today. Oldham-born William Walton also features; the orchestra performs his Violin Concerto (p4) and his landmark First Symphony (p7). Beethoven’s 'Eroica' (p6) represents the orchestra’s unprecedented achievement of having over 1 million downloads of their Beethoven Symphony Cycle – a truly 21st -century Manchester moment.
Celebrated Soloists
Midori Violin
Martin Grubinger Percussion
Emily Howard Composer
The orchestra will be joined by an array of world-class soloists this season. Highly acclaimed pianist Stephen Hough, alumnus of both Chetham’s School of Music and the RNCM, will be in residence. He performs in three concerts (p3, p14 & p17), and brings his lyrical playing to programmes featuring concerti by Brahms, Liszt and Schumann. The brilliant Midori brings colour to Walton’s Violin Concerto (p4) and Martin Grubinger, dubbed by critics as ‘a wizard of percussion’, joins the orchestra for a thrilling concert in December (p7). We are also delighted to welcome back old friends Håkan Hardenberger and James Ehnes (p16 & p18). And the astonishing pianist Nobuyuki Tsujii returns to The Bridgewater Hall after receiving standing ovations on his past two visits (p6).
New Music The season features two world premieres by composers with strong links to Manchester: rising star Emily Howard’s new work Axon is premiered in the city where she studied composition (p6). Gary Carpenter, visiting Professor at the RNCM, also premieres SET, a concerto for tenor saxophone and orchestra in a concert led by our current and most recent Composer/Conductors, HK Gruber and James MacMillan (p14).
02.
Elgar Symphony No. 1
Conductor Piano
50’
When Elgar’s First Symphony was premiered in Manchester in 1908, it was a new dawn for British music. There’s no better way to launch our year-long celebration of the Mancunian way of music-making than with this gloriously stirring masterpiece – though a performance of Brahms's tempestuous First Piano Concerto by the Manchestertrained Stephen Hough might just run it close. The concert begins with the aptly named A Manchester Overture by Mancunian icon and author of A Clockwork Orange, Anthony Burgess.
“It is wonderful to be in residence in a city where I learned most of my most valuable music lessons. It always feels like coming home.” — Stephen Hough
Inspiration with every note
The Mancunian Way
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Saturday 12 October, 7.30pm
Arnold Overture 'Peterloo'
10’
Walton Violin Concerto
Kurt Schwertsik HK Gruber
Conductor Violin
Nachtmusiken
Preview 6.30pm
30’
Prokofiev Romeo and Juliet – excerpts
Juanjo Mena Midori
Friday 18 October, 7.30pm
44’
William Walton’s Violin Concerto is an art-deco masterpiece. When you hear it played by a violinist like Midori, you’ll realise why this Oldham boy left British music reeling. In the USSR, meanwhile, Prokofiev was determined to knock his audiences backwards, and with its glorious tunes his Romeo and Juliet remains one of the world’s best-loved ballets. Closer to home, Malcolm Arnold proves that, for raw drama, Manchester’s own history can give Shakespeare a run for his money.
“I have rarely heard the dreamy quality of this sun-kissed music so sensuously addressed.”
24’
Sarah Fox
Conductor Soprano
Anthony Payne
Preview 6.30pm
The Period of Cosmographie
Manchester has always welcomed musicians from different lands, as the BBC Philharmonic’s Composer/Conductor, HK ‘Nali’Gruber has shown us. He proves time and again just how close Vienna is to the Mancunian way. In 2010 during the Mahler in Manchester festival we asked a number of composers to take their inspiration from Mahler and create new works to accompany all his symphonies. Tonight Nali gives you a second chance to enjoy four of these Mahler companions again.
19’
Schubert/ Detlev Glanert Einsamkeit
23’
David Matthews Symphony No. 7
21’
— Midori performs Walton’s Violin Concerto, The Independent
Saturday 26 October, 7.30pm
Sibelius The Bard
7’
Foulds Keltic Suite
15’
Shostakovich Violin Concerto No. 1 36’
Nielsen Symphony No. 6, ‘Sinfonia semplice’
John Storgårds Conductor Guy Braunstein Violin Carl Nielsen looked life straight in the face: how many composers put their own heart attack into music? His Sixth Symphony is music of life, not death. Everyone needs to hear it, and there’s no better guide than our Principal Guest Conductor John Storgårds, just as there’s no more impassioned champion of Shostakovich’s First Violin Concerto than the brilliant young Guy Braunstein. First Storgårds performs fellow Finn Sibelius’s The Bard before rediscovering the greatest hit by Mancunian composer John Foulds.
36’
Juanjo Mena Chief Conductor
04.
05.
Inspiration with every note
The Mancunian Way
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Friday 1 November, 7.30pm
Emily Howard Axon
20’
BBC Radio 3 commission, World Premiere
Conductor Piano
Preview 6.30pm
Grieg Piano Concerto
Juanjo Mena Nobuyuki Tsujii
28’
Mendelssohn Symphony No. 3, ‘Scottish’
38’
Nobuyuki Tsujii was with the BBC Philharmonic in Japan in 2011 when the earthquake struck, and Manchester audiences have forged a very special bond with this delightfully charismatic young pianist. Tonight he plays Grieg’s ever-popular Piano Concerto before Juanjo Mena and the orchestra summon the mists and myths of Mendelssohn’s atmospheric 'Scottish' Symphony. And we journey again down the Mancunian Way with a world premiere by RNCM and Manchester University graduate Emily Howard.
Saturday 16 November, 7.30pm
Dukas The Sorcerer’s Apprentice
12’
Chausson Poème
16’
Berlioz Rêverie et Caprice
9’
43’
Friday 8 November, 7.30pm Nabucco – overture
8’
Preview 6.30pm
Bruch Violin Concerto No.1 25’
Beethoven Symphony No. 3, ‘Eroica’
Gianandrea Noseda Conductor Renaud Capuçon Violin
43’
Beethoven’s ‘Eroica’ Symphony changed the course of musical history. Here in Manchester we did our bit too, when in 2006 the BBC Philharmonic’s free Beethoven Symphony Cycle downloads reached 1.6 million and made global headlines. Conductor Laureate Gianandrea Noseda recaptures the energy of that moment tonight, and joins the masterly French violinist Renaud Capuçon in the world’s favourite violin concerto. And in Verdi’s bicentenary year, his overture to Nabucco completes the programme.
William Walton was the original angry young man. Written in those uneasy inter-war years, his First Symphony is a controlled explosion of anger, passion and shattering power. There’s no way to follow it, so conductor Yutaka Sado begins with two fragrant French showpieces, an enchanting showcase for violinist Sayaka Shoji. And to open, revel in the sheer wizardry of Dukas’s The Sorcerer’s Apprentice, famous from Disney’s Fantasia and conjured up tonight in full orchestral Technicolor.
Walton Symphony No. 1
Verdi
Yutaka Sado Conductor Sayaka Shoji Violin
Friday 6 December, 7.30pm
Thomas Adès These Premises Are Alarmed
4’
Preview 6.30pm
John Adams Slonimsky’s Earbox
14’
HK Gruber into the open ...
24’
Turina Ritmos
15’
In Manchester, musical revolutions are forged on the dancefloor. Whether it’s the punchy Latin rhythms of Turina’s Ritmos or Thomas Adès throwing in the kitchen sink in an astounding work which was commissioned to celebrate the opening of The Bridgewater Hall. John Adams blasts musical theory sky-high with another piece first performed at the Hall, percussion virtuoso Martin Grubinger introduces a new concerto by our own HK Gruber, and we adventure through the bareback thrills of Ginastera’s cowboy ballet. The future has never sounded so much fun.
“Martin Grubinger is a once-in-a-
Ginastera Estancia (complete)
Juanjo Mena Conductor Martin Grubinger Percussion
35’
hundred-years musician.” — Die Welt, July 2008
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Strauss’s Voice Richard Strauss’s legacy to the orchestral song is without parallel. Following the highly acclaimed surveys of the works of Shostakovich and Mahler previously undertaken by the BBC Philharmonic, the Hallé and Manchester Camarata at The Bridgewater Hall, the cities of Salford and Manchester will collaborate to perform all of Strauss’s orchestral songs. The BBC Philharmonic and the Hallé will again share a stage when their combined forces are brought together to perform Strauss’s mighty homage to his own land, the ‘Alpine’ Symphony. This collaboration will take place in The Bridgewater Hall over nine concerts (see p8 – p11), and we invite you to follow all three orchestras on this inspirational journey. If you book all nine events you can save 30% off the cost of your tickets. The RNCM Concert Hall.
Saturday 18 January, 7.30pm
Strauss Also sprach Zarathustra 35’ Three Hymns Op 71
22’
Don Quixote
37’
Juanjo Mena Soile Isokoski Steven Isserlis
Nick Howson Viola, Midori Sugiyama Violin, Jennifer Langridge Cello, Daniel Whibley Double Bass.
Conductor Soprano Cello
Preview 6.30pm In the primal darkness, there is a beam of light. A trumpet sounds, two chords blast forth – and in an instant, the whole universe is ablaze with colour. Richard Strauss wanted Also sprach Zarathustra to tell the ‘entire story of humanity’ – and there’s no more stunning way to begin our 150th birthday tribute to the greatest storyteller in 20th-century music. Juanjo Mena conducts, and the worldfamous Finnish soprano Soile Isokoski sings three of Strauss’s songs, before cellist Steven Isserlis takes the title role in Strauss’s warm-hearted re-telling of the comical adventures of Don Quixote.
“Soile Isokoski's lyric soprano is like liquid gold.”
Thursday 23 January, 7.30pm
Strauss Festival Prelude
11’
Songs Notturno Hymnus Nächtlicher Gang* Pilgers Morgenlied
14’ 5’ 6’ 4’
An Alpine Symphony
49’
BBC Philharmonic and the Hallé Juanjo Mena Conductor Roderick Williams Baritone William Dazeley* Baritone
Preview 6.30pm Richard Strauss once boasted that he could depict even a knife and fork in music. So when he set out to depict the full majesty of the Bavarian Alps… well, hear for yourself, as the BBC Philharmonic and the Hallé join forces to storm Strauss’s mighty An Alpine Symphony. Juanjo Mena will find an extra dimension in Strauss’s vast hymn to nature. First, though, enjoy a moment of quiet poetry amidst all this grandeur, with Strauss’s beautiful songs.
— Fanfare Magazine 08.
09.
Inspiration with every note
The Mancunian Way
Saturday 1 February, 7.30pm
Strauss Tod und Verklärung
26’
Brentano Songs Op 68 21’
Shostakovich Symphony No. 10
53’
Strauss Don Juan
17’
Orchestral Songs
26’
Symphonia domestica 43’
Günther Herbig Conductor Inger Dam-Jensen Soprano
Saturday 8 March, 7.30pm
Mahler Totenfeier
22’
John Storgårds Hillevi Martinpelto
Conductor Soprano
Preview 6.30pm
Shostakovich once said of his Tenth Symphony ‘I wanted to portray human emotions and passions’. Eight years in the making, the piece premiered after Stalin’s death in 1953 and it is an extraordinary release of pent-up feelings, sadness, uncertainty and deep philosophical reflection. Richard Strauss also reflected on the profound themes of life and death in his evocative Tod und Verklärung (Death and Transfiguration), a snapshot of an artist at the end of his life. Conductor Günther Herbig guides us tonight and he’s joined by soprano Inger Dam-Jensen for Strauss’s glorious Brentano Songs Op 68.
Strauss
Saturday 8 February, 7.30pm
Additional Concerts in the Strauss’s Voice Series
Vassily Sinaisky Conductor Susan Gritton Soprano
Thursday 9 January, 7.30pm
Saturday 22 February, 7.30pm
The Hallé
Manchester Camerata
When Richard Strauss welcomes us into his family home in the astonishing Symphonia domestica, he doesn’t hold back – as baby gets bathed, dinner is served, and Mum and Dad quarrel and make up in the warmest, funniest, and most over-the-top music Strauss ever wrote. Vassily Sinaisky guides Susan Gritton through some of Strauss’s gorgeous songs, and splashes on the cologne for the composer’s testosterone-charged portrait of the world’s greatest lover.
Wagner Tännhauser – overture Strauss Das Thal Strauss Der Einsame Sibelius Symphony No. 1
Strauss Das Bachlein Strauss Meinem Kinde Strauss Mein Auge Mozart Piano Concerto No. 25, K503 Beethoven Symphony No. 3, ‘Eroica’ Strauss Metamorphosen (post-concert performance)
“Which other city could summon such a fruitful relationship between its major players? [It is] an invaluable enterprise between the BBC Philharmonic, the Hallé and Manchester Camerata.” — Mahler in Manchester, The Guardian ,2010 10.
Orchestral Songs
21’
Strauss Ein Heldenleben
Nikolaj Znaider Alexander Vinogradov
44’
Conductor Bass
Richard Strauss used a colossal orchestra to tell the story of an imaginary hero, complete with enemies and battles. Ein Heldenleben is an irresistibly flamboyant musical self-portrait and one of the all-time great orchestral showpieces. Under John Storgårds, it’s the most thrilling possible finale to our Strauss birthday celebrations. One of the world’s great lyric sopranos, Hillevi Martinpelto, performs a sequence of Strauss’s songs. Mahler’s heartfelt early tone-poem completes the programme; if you love his Resurrection Symphony, it will ring a few bells.
Conductor Piano Soprano
Wednesday 5 February, 2.15pm Thursday 6 February, 7.30pm Sunday 9 February, 7.30pm
Gábor Takács-Nagy Paul Lewis Ruby Hughes
The Hallé
Thursday 27 February, 7.30pm
Wagner Siegfried Idyll Strauss Four Last Songs Brahms Symphony No. 1
The Hallé
Markus Stenz
Conductor
Anne Schwanewilms
Soprano
Ravel Mother Goose (complete ballet music) Strauss Orchestral Songs Beethoven Symphony No. 7 Sir Mark Elder Steve Davislim
11.
Conductor Tenor
“Overwhelming stuff, superbly done.” — BBC Philharmonic at The Bridgewater Hall November 2012, The Guardian
Inspiration with every note
Saturday 15 February, 7.30pm
Brahms, arr. Dvorˇák
Juanjo Mena Stephen Hough
Hungarian Dances 13’ Nos. 17-21
Liszt Piano Concerto No. 1
21’
Bartók Concerto for Orchestra
38’
Conductor Piano
Preview 6.30pm Exiled from all he loved, Béla Bartók was lonely, impoverished and critically ill. His response? The most brilliant shout of joy in all 20th-century music. Bartók’s Concerto for Orchestra is an uproarious salute to the human spirit, tingling with spicy colours and kicking dance-tunes. Every performance is a special occasion, but tonight, we go further, as Juanjo Mena joins the inimitable Stephen Hough for Liszt’s show-stopping First Piano Concerto. It’s bold, it’s fiery, it’s outrageously over-the-top; Brahms’s zingy Hungarian Dances merely light the touchpaper.
Friday 21 February, 7.30pm
Throstle’s Nest Junction 15’ +
Gary Carpenter SET - concerto for tenor 25’ saxophone and orchestra BBC Radio 3 commission, World Premiere
James MacMillan* The Confession of Isobel Gowdie
26’
James MacMillan* HK Gruber Iain Ballamy +
Sir Peter Maxwell Davies*
Conductor Conductor Saxophone
Throstle’s Nest Junction is just across the Ship Canal from the BBC Philharmonic’s current home, by the Trafford Road. It is immortalised in Sir Peter Maxwell Davies’s musical tram-ride through his childhood – the starting point for a concert in which all three of the BBC Philharmonic’s Composer/Conductors prove that new music really can deliver timeless feeling. Still, the Mancunian way looks forward as well as back – so HK Gruber conducts the premiere of a new concerto by Gary Carpenter, played by a living jazz legend.
+
HK Gruber Dancing in the Dark
The Baronial Hall, Chetham’s School of Music.
24’
BBC Philharmonic Players: Paul Patrick Percussion, Gillian Callow Cor Anglais, David Chatwin Bassoon, Bernadette Anguige Viola.
14.
Albert Hall. Peter Street, Manchester.
Saturday 5 April, 7.30pm
John McCabe Fire at Durilgai
17’
Sir Harrison Birtwistle Endless Parade
17’
Holst The Planets
49’
John Storgårds Conductor Håkan Hardenberger Trumpet Manchester Chamber Choir Everyone has their favourite moment in The Planets. But there’s more to Holst’s masterpiece than just great tunes. Tonight John Storgårds travels through the solar system and follows two northern masters on their own fantastic journeys. John McCabe wrote his Outback-inspired Fire at Durilgai especially for the BBC Philharmonic and Sir Edward Downes. Sir Harrison Birtwistle was born in Accrington and we celebrate his 80th birthday with a performance of his Endless Parade performed by the world’s greatest trumpet player Håkan Hardenberger, for whom this piece was written.
Friday 2 May, 7.30pm
Mendelssohn Overture 'The Hebrides' ('Fingal's Cave')
10’
Juanjo Mena Stephen Hough
31’
Juanjo Mena and the BBC Philharmonic together explore the journey of Mahler’s First Symphony, which takes us from the sounds of nature, using birdsong, to the sheer joy of living. For Robert Schumann, the centre of the world was his beloved Clara, and his Piano Concerto is half showpiece, half love-letter; Chetham’s alumnus and International Chair at the RNCM Stephen Hough knows exactly how to lay bare at its heart. The programme is completed by the Mendelssohn’s evocative overture The Hebrides.
Schumann Piano Concerto
Mahler Symphony No. 1
50’
“Stephen Hough is one of the very greatest pianists of our time.” — Le Devoir, 2012
16.
Conductor Piano
17.
Inspiration with every note
Friday 23 May, 7.30pm
Rawsthorne Overture 'Street Corner' 6’
Elgar Violin Concerto
48’
Vaughan Williams Symphony No. 9
33’
Sir Andrew Davis Conductor James Ehnes Violin Here in Manchester, we’ve always done British music a bit differently. Haslingden-born Alan Rawsthorne turns a Lowry-like street scene into five minutes of bustling fun, while Elgar pours out his soul in the passionately romantic Violin Concerto. Conductor Sir Andrew Davis has spent a lifetime with this music; there’s no greater interpreter of the visionary final Symphony. An 86-year-old composer stares boldly into the future: what he shows us might surprise you.
The Mancunian Way
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“The level of engagement with the music is exceptional.” — BBC Philharmonic and Juanjo Mena, Manuel de Falla, Chandos Recordings BBC Music Magazine
“Thrilling brilliance and engagement. ” — BBC Philharmonic and Juanjo Mena, Pierné, Chandos Recordings Gramophone Magazine
“My ears are in heaven!”
“Serene, visionary – it’s music that seems to come from beyond the grave, from the other side.”
— Sir Andrew Davis on Vaughan Williams’s Symphony No. 9
“It was another brilliant evening… My 17-year-old rock listening son actually enjoyed the Mahler most of all!” — Twitter
“Just utterly beautiful.” — Twitter
“Fantastic concert! Doing Manchester proud.” — Twitter
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The Mancunian Way – an online journey As we celebrate Manchester’s continuing contribution to music, we have taken the opportunity to explore the city streets and map out Manchester’s rich and diverse musical landscape for you to enjoy online. Our map offers you the chance to uncover the stories and locations behind this year’s concert imagery, visit the home of the BBC Philharmonic, and learn more about the ties that root this season’s music firmly in our great city.
The Mancunian Way
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BBC Philharmonic Learning/Community The BBC Philharmonic's Learning and Community Department takes its work all over the UK and Europe and has launched projects in many academic and community settings, as well as some more unusual places, including supermarkets, pubs, offices, shopping malls, factories, fish sheds, hospitals and fire stations! Over the last few years the orchestra has built a special relationship with Salford City Council that has enabled the orchestra to deliver a range of exciting, unusual and innovative projects. One of these projects included the creation of the Salford Family Orchestra and Chorus, who made their astonishing debut at the Royal Albert Hall in London as part of the BBC Proms in 2009. The BBC Philharmonic’s learning team work with around 12,000 people each year.
“The thrill of singing with such a wonderful orchestra… it was a privilege and an honour.” — Betty, Salford Choral Society
Visit mancunian-way.com to take in the sights and explore the heritage behind The Mancunian Way season.
“Eighty musically inspired participants left the workshop today feeling good about themselves, music and the BBC Philharmonic.” — Nottingham Family Orchestra Member
“Thank you for this brilliant experience. I feel lucky to have been able to take part and to show my son what is possible in terms of creativity and making music.” — Sarah, Salford Family Orchestra For more information bbc.co.uk/philharmonic | martin.maris@bbc.co.uk 20.
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Inspiration with every note
The Mancunian Way
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Tickets
Ticket Subscriptions
Concessions
Tickets available from just £10.
Fixed Series can now be booked online:
Concessions for disabled patrons
Ticket bands
The Bridgewater Hall Box Office
Seating Area A £35 Seating Area B £28 Seating Area C £23.50 Seating Area D £19 Seating Area E £14 Seating Area F £10
Lower Mosley Street, Manchester M2 3WS
bridgewater-hall.co.uk. If you book for all of the BBC Philharmonic’s 18 Bridgewater Hall concerts you will receive a 30% discount on tickets.
How to Book
Opening Hours 10am – 6pm Monday to Saturday (8pm concert nights) 12pm – 8pm Sunday (concert nights only)
The Bridgewater Hall Booking Fees Telephone: 0844 907 9000 Online: bridgewater-hall.co.uk In person: The Bridgewater Hall Box Office By post: Request a booking form from the Box Office and return to: Box Office, The Bridgewater Hall, FREEPOST MR10191, Manchester M2 9DW
A booking fee of £2 per ticket applies to telephone and online transactions. Tickets bought in person at the Box Office using a debit card or credit card are subject to a 2% booking fee. No fee applies to tickets bought in person and paid for by cash or cheque or purchased as part of a fixed or flexible subscription.
Direct Debit is interest-free on Fixed and
Tickets also available from:
Flexible Series ticket orders of £200 or more. Please fill in the mandate form on The Bridgewater Hall booking form and the cost of your tickets will be automatically charged to your bank account in five monthly instalments commencing on Sunday 1 September 2013. Please note, the mandate form must be returned by Friday 26 July 2013.
Telephone: 0161 876 2199 (bookings handled by Quaytickets) Online: bbc.co.uk/philharmonic In Person: The Lowry – Quaytickets Box Office Pier 8, Salford Quays, M50 3AZ Booking fees apply.
Details of Fixed and Flexible Series are on page 23.
Flexible Series allows you to pick and choose the concerts you wish to attend from any of the BBC Philharmonic performances at The Bridgewater Hall listed within this brochure, or any of the concerts listed in The Bridgewater Hall’s International Series, Manchester Camerata and the Hallé’s season brochures at a generous discount. These flexible packages can be bought online: bridgewater-hall.co.uk. Booking forms also available on request. Choose 5–15 concerts save 15% on tickets. Choose 16+ concerts save 25% on tickets. Friends of the BBC Philharmonic receive 25% discount on any BBC Philharmonic tickets bought as part of a Flexible Series or as single tickets. This is not available online. Choir seats are only available for certain concerts and will go on sale one month before the performance date. Choir seats can be bought as part of a Flexible Series.
Concessionary Tickets A 10% discount is available in advance to students, under-26-year-olds and claimants.
Senior Citizens From two Mondays prior to the concert, senior citizens may purchase any remaining tickets at 20% discount.
Children’s Tickets A 50% discount is available for children aged 16 and under at all concerts.
Group Discounts Generous discounts are available, depending on the size of your group: Groups of 10–29 save 10% Groups of 30–49 save 15%
Strauss’s Voice Series
Groups of 50+ save 25%
Patrons who buy all nine of the Strauss’s Voice concerts (see p8–11) will receive a 30% discount.
Ticket Exchange
Please note the joint concert on Thursday 23 January 2014 will appear as a Hallé concert online. The prices for this concert are as follows: A - £38 D - £22
22.
Concessions are available to disabled patrons who are members of The Bridgewater Hall’s Access Scheme. Please visit bridgewater-hall.co.uk for full information or call the Box Office, 0844 907 9000, to register.
B - £32 E - £17
C - £27 F - £11
If you are unable to attend a BBC Philharmonic concert, the Box Office will credit your account with the cost of the tickets provided they are physically returned at least three working days before the concert date. This credit amount (minus a return fee of £2.20 per ticket) can then be used to purchase full-price tickets for another concert of your choice.
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Inspiration with every note
The Mancunian Way
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Tickets Schemes
Getting to The Bridgewater Hall
Families
Parking at The Bridgewater Hall: A limited
Experience live orchestral music at The Bridgewater Hall with Journey Through Music, the BBC Philharmonic’s scheme designed especially for families with 8–to 16-year-olds. With a flexible range of benefits, you can create the evening that suits you – from big discounts on ticket prices for adults and children to free workshops to learn about the orchestra and specially created programme notes to guide you through the music. Tickets are £5 for children aged 16 and under and £10 for accompanying adults. Look out for the JTM logo beside our Journey Through Music concerts, and visit us at bbc.co.uk/philharmonic to find out more.
Students The Sonic Card is a free scheme for students run by the BBC Philharmonic, Manchester Camerata, RNCM and The Bridgewater Hall. The scheme is free to join and gives students the opportunity to buy tickets to selected concerts for just £3. The aim of The Sonic Card is to encourage students to discover a diverse range of live music events spanning a wide variety of musical styles including classical, jazz and world. You can sign up at soniccard.co.uk or at The Sonic Card desk before any featured concert.
Friends of the BBC Philharmonic Friends receive a range of benefits, including 25% discount on tickets and free concert programmes at BBC Philharmonic concerts at The Bridgewater Hall, regular access to concerts and rehearsals at the BBC Philharmonic’s studio at MediaCityUK and special Friends events, such as the annual Christmas Party. There are also opportunities for members to work more closely with us as volunteers helping with mailings and events. Full details of benefits and a downloadable membership form can be found at bbc.co.uk/philharmonic. Alternatively you can contact us on 0161 836 1312 or at philharmonic@bbc.co.uk to request a membership pack.
number of guaranteed spaces are available to Bridgewater Hall concert patrons at Park Avenue car park for £6. Spaces must be booked with the Box Office or online at least a week before the concert and are valid from 5.30pm on the date indicated. Patrons can also validate their NCP parking ticket at the Hall for Manchester Central Car Park (formerly G-Mex), Great Northern Phase 1 & 2 and Oxford Street for a discounted rate.
Disabled Parking: There are a limited number of complimentary disabled parking spaces for blue badge holders at NCP Manchester Central (formerly G-Mex), allocated on a first-come-firstserved basis. Spaces are free of charge but a ticket must be booked through the Box Office with your concert tickets. Please park in one of the designated disabled parking bays and display your blue badge. This arrangement is for evening concerts only and is not available to those attending daytime or private events at the Hall.
A wheelchair drop off point is located on Lower Mosley Street outside the Hall. We must stress, however, that this is not a parking space, even for blue badge holders. Double yellow lines at the rear of The Bridgewater Hall on Great Bridgewater Street allow parking for blue badge holders except during the hours of 6am - 8am and 4pm - 6pm.
Metrolink: Metrolink tickets can be purchased online or through the Box Office at the discounted rate of £4 adult and £1.50 child, valid for all day off peak travel across the network.
Bus: The nearest bus stops for major routes into the city centre are St Peter’s Square, Portland Street and Deansgate. Rail: The nearest rail stations are Deansgate and Oxford Road. Coach: Coaches can drop off and pick up outside the main entrance on Lower Mosley Street.
Eating and Drinking at The Bridgewater Hall Why not make the most of your evening by enjoying a relaxing drink or a pre-concert meal? The Charles Hallé Restaurant Dining from 5.30pm with a fixed-price menu du jour at £21.95 for 2 courses and £27.50 for 3 courses.
The Stalls Café Bar Dining from 5.30pm with main courses typically costing £10.95. Reservations are required* – contact the Box Office at bridgewater-hall.co.uk or on 0844 907 9000. *£5-per-person deposit required.
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Season at a glance 2013
2014
Saturday 28 September, 7.30pm
Saturday 18 January, 7.30pm
Anthony Burgess, Brahms & Elgar
Strauss
Saturday 12 October, 7.30pm
Thursday 23 January, 7.30pm
Arnold, Walton & Prokofiev
Strauss
Friday 18 October, 7.30pm
Saturday 1 February, 7.30pm
Kurt Schwertsik, Anthony Payne, Schubert/Detlev Glanert & David Matthews
Strauss & Shostakovich
Saturday 26 October, 7.30pm
Strauss
Sibelius, Foulds, Shostakovich & Nielsen Friday 1 November, 7.30pm
Emily Howard, Grieg & Mendelssohn Friday 8 November, 7.30pm
Saturday 8 February, 7.30pm
Saturday 15 February, 7.30pm
Brahms, arr. Dvorˇák, Liszt & Bartók Friday 21 February, 7.30pm
Verdi, Bruch & Beethoven
Sir Peter Maxwell Davies, Gary Carpenter, James MacMillan & HK Gruber
Saturday 16 November, 7.30pm
Saturday 8 March, 7.30pm
Dukas, Chausson, Berlioz & Walton
Mahler & Strauss
Friday 6 December, 7.30pm
Saturday 5 April, 7.30pm
Thomas Adès, John Adams, HK Gruber, Turina & Ginastera
John McCabe, Sir Harrison Birtwistle & Holst Friday 2 May, 7.30pm
Mendelssohn, Schumann & Mahler Friday 23 May, 7.30pm
Rawsthorne, Elgar & Vaughan Williams
bridgewater-hall.co.uk | 0844 907 9000