Theatr y Grand Abertawe (2014) by BBC National Orchestra & Chorus of Wales

Swansea Concert Season 2014

Contents Swansea Grand Theatre Listings

pages 4-10

BBC Hoddinott Hall Listings

pages 11-12

Packages and Booking Information

pages 13-14

2013-14 Concert Diary

page 15

BBC National Orchestra of Wales

BBC National Chorus of Wales

Patron HRH The Prince of Wales KG KT PC GCB Principal Conductor Thomas Søndergård Conductor Laureate Tadaaki Otaka CBE Composer-in-Association Simon Holt Resident Composer Mark Bowden

Artistic Director Adrian Partington

This brochure is also available in large print and on tape for people with impaired vision. For copies, please contact us on 0800 052 1812, or write to us at: BBC National Orchestra of Wales, FREEPOST SWC2803, Cardiff CF5 2GZ, or email: now@bbc.co.uk All information in this brochure is correct at the time of going to press. However, as a consequence of the exigencies of broadcasting, or for other good cause, BBC National Orchestra of Wales reserves the right to make changes where necessary and without prior notice. In the event of such an occurrence we would apologise for any inconvenience caused and would advise you that your statutory rights as a consumer remain unaffected.

Welcome to the Swansea Grand Theatre Welcome to the BBC National Orchestra of Wales’ Swansea concert season. This year we’re looking forward to treading the boards at the Grand Theatre, whilst the Brangwyn Hall undergoes refurbishment – but, rest assured, we’ll be back in our beloved Brangwyn Hall when it reopens in autumn 2014. We have six concerts lined up featuring much-loved classics together with some rarities. Directing the performances will be a roster of international conductors, including our own Principal Conductor Thomas Søndergård, whilst this season’s soloists, once BBC Radio 3 New Generation Artists, are now amongst the world’s leading young performers. We do hope that you will join us for what promises to be a stimulating and enjoyable season.

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Design by BBC Cymru Wales Graphics Photography © Huw John & Betina Skovbro Concert descriptions by Peter Reynolds. Welsh translation by Annes Gruffydd BBC National Orchestra & Chorus of Wales, BBC Hoddinott Hall, Cardiff Bay, Cardiff, CF10 5AL

BBC Radio 3 New Generation Artists This season, BBC National Orchestra of Wales will be performing in Swansea alongside alumni from BBC Radio 3’s New Generation Artists scheme – with a former member of the scheme performing in each of our six concerts. The Radio 3 New Generation Artists scheme helps to support talented musicians to reach the next stages of their careers, and brings some of the world’s most promising new talent to listeners across the UK through Radio 3 broadcasts. The New Generation Artists come from a wide field, and provide a representative cross-section of the most exciting British and international young artists. Every autumn, six to seven artists or groups who are beginning to make a mark on the national and international music scene are invited to join, and as part of the scheme artists make appearances across the UK with the BBC’s five Orchestras, as well as performances at the BBC Proms and special studio recordings. Now in its 14th year, the scheme has produced some notable alumni, and we’re delighted that six of the scheme’s former members can join us in concert at Swansea’s Grand Theatre this year.

Dvořák’s New World Symphony FRIDAY 31.01.2014, 7.30pm LISZT Prometheus RÓZSA Viola Concerto

DVOr˘ÁK Symphony No 9 (From the New World) Conductor Anu Tali Viola Lawrence Power Miklós Rózsa composed some of Hollywood’s greatest film scores, such as Ben Hur, as well as bringing silver screen glamour to his concert works – join us for a rare chance to hear his romantic Viola Concerto. Brimming with American vitality and Czech soulfulness, Dvor˘ák’s New World Symphony brings a rousing start to the season, conducted by Anu Tali.

For further information about Radio 3’s New Generation Artists scheme and to see the recently revealed 2013 line-up visit bbc.co.uk/radio3 Swansea in 2014 - welcoming some of the scheme’s alumni 31 January - Lawrence Power (viola, 2001-2003) 21 February - Alban Gerhardt (cello, 1999-2001) 14 March - Emily Beynon (flute, 1999-2001) 2 May - Andrew Kennedy (tenor, 2005-2007) 30 May - Ailish Tynan (soprano, 2003-2005) 20 June - Jennifer Pike (violin, 2008-2010)

Lawrence Power plays Rózsa’s Viola Concerto

What the Critics Say

Lawrence Power’s name has rocketed to the top of the classical music world as one of the leading viola players of the present time, his diary bulging with engagements with many of the world’s leading orchestras.

“Lawrence Power plays with a tone as dark as a ‘cello and a technique as agile as a violinist’s – the ideal combination.” The Observer

Søndergård Conducts Mozart FRIDAY 21.02.2014, 7.30pm BARTÓK Divertimento BARBER Cello Concerto MOZART Symphony No 40 Conductor Thomas Søndergård Cello Alban Gerhardt Mozart was at the peak of his creativity when he composed his tragic Fortieth Symphony, despite the poverty he faced and the recent death of his youngest child. Principal Conductor Thomas Søndergård returns to Swansea to conduct Mozart’s great symphony and the romantic, bittersweet Cello Concerto by Samuel Barber, best known for his beloved Adagio for Strings.

Alban Gerhardt plays Barber’s Cello Concerto

What the Critics Say

Alban Gerhardt is one of Germany’s outstanding cellists, now at the top of his game, whose performances combine an intensely emotional response with an arresting stage presence.

“Now here’s someone really special, an accomplished virtuoso with a vibrant tone, a genuine feeling for line, a mean staccato bow and a welcome sense of musical humour.” The Independent

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Beethoven’s Eroica

Spring Serenade

FRIDAY 14.03.2014, 7.30pm

FRIDAY 02.05.2014, 7.30pm

STRAVINSKY Concerto in D (Basle) CARL VINE Pipe Dreams: Concerto for flute and strings BEETHOVEN Symphony No 3 (Eroica)

RAVEL Le tombeau de Couperin BRITTEN Serenade for Tenor, Horn & Strings DEBUSSY Petite suite SCHUMANN Symphony No 1 (Spring)

Conductor Jurjen Hempel Flute Emily Beynon Beethoven’s Eroica Symphony changed the face of music. Its elemental power and heroic grandeur took early audiences by storm, and continues to do so to this day. Australian composer Carl Vine’s Pipe Dreams, played by Welsh-born Emily Beynon, evokes a meditative, wistful world of gentle contemplation, whilst Stravinsky’s Concerto is full of light and grace.

Emily Beynon plays Mozart’s First Flute Concerto

What the Critics Say

Welsh born Emily Beynon, principal flautist of the Concertgebouw Amsterdam, has released a string of international solo releases and has regularly joined the ranks of the renowned Brodsky Quartet and the Nash Ensemble as a guest for some stunning live performances.

“Evocative … dazzling … flute recitals may be a tough sell, but Beynon has the star quality to make a lot of friends for her instrument.” The Sunday Times

Conductor Christoph König Tenor Andrew Kennedy Horn Tim Thorpe Andrew Kennedy and Tim Thorpe (Principal Horn of BBC National Orchestra of Wales) are on hand to serenade audiences with Britten’s magical evocation of twilight and nightfall. The outdoor theme is continued in Schumann’s First Symphony, which, in the composer’s words, is “full of spring longing and of the growing green of everything.”

Andrew Kennedy sings Britten’s Serenade In the eight years since winning the BBC Cardiff Singer of the World Rosenblatt Recital Prize, Andrew Kennedy has not only won plaudits as an opera singer but has become almost synonymous with the English music tradition from Elgar to Britten.

What the Critics Say “Soloists Andrew Kennedy and Tim Thorpe captured the music’s more austere, often eerie, atmosphere. Together they brought an almost operatic drama to the Elegy and a lovely fleetness to the hunting images of the Hymn.” The Guardian on the BBC National Orchestra of Wales’s performance of Britten’s Serenade

Mahler’s Fourth Symphony

Brahms’s Second Symphony

FRIDAY 30.05.2014, 7.30pm

FRIDAY 20.06.2014, 7.30pm

HAYDN Symphony No 87 MOZART Ah, lo previdi! MAHLER Symphony No 4

DVOr˘ÁK Carnival Overture BRUCH Violin Concerto No 1 BRAHMS Symphony No 2

Conductor Jac van Steen Soprano Ailish Tynan

Conductor Cornelius Meister Violin Jennifer Pike

Described as “a work for children and those who will become children”, Mahler’s song-like Fourth Symphony culminates in a representation of a child’s view of Heaven for soprano, sung here by Ailish Tynan. Its light, graceful spirit is also reflected in Haydn’s earthly good humour, and Mozart’s first great concert aria, with its meltingly beautiful central section.

Two great celebratory works: the irresistible high spirits of Dvor˘ák’s Carnival Overture and the spring-like freshness and joyous mood of Brahms’s Second Symphony, one of the most popular of all romantic symphonies. There’s also the youthful passion of Bruch’s First Violin Concerto, a jewel of romantic violin music, played here by Jennifer Pike.

Ailish Tynan sings Mahler Ailish Tynan’s blend of Irish wit and vivacious charm, allied to her fresh, light but powerful soprano voice, has had critics reaching for superlatives during the last decade.

What the Critics Say “...Ravishing? I thought I had gone to heaven. What a voice. What an artist. What a natural entertainer.” The Herald, Scotland

Jennifer Pike plays Bruch’s First Violin Concerto Winner of BBC Young Musician 2002 and now one of Britain’s leading young violinists.

What the Critics Say “...the most simply spectacular of the players ... Equipped at sixteen with phenomenal tuning, pace, control of timbre and range of dynamics, she brought the house down.” The Independent

Concerts at BBC Hoddinott Hall The Orchestra’s home at the Wales Millennium Centre, BBC Hoddinott Hall is host to both afternoon concerts and a fascinating contemporary music series.

FRIDAY 06.12.2013, 8pm

JOHN ALDEN CARPENTER

Chorus Celebration DVOr˘ÁK Mass in D

AARON COPLAND Piano Concerto WILLIAM Schuman Symphony No 3

Music by Clara & Robert Schumann and Fanny & Felix Mendelssohn

Conductor Wilson Hermanto Piano William Wolfram

Conductor Adrian Partington BBC National Chorus of Wales

MOZART Piano Concerto No 26 (Coronation) DEBUSSY La Mer

Tuesday 28.01.2014, 7pm POUL RUDERS Kafkapriccio PELLE GUDMUNDSEN-HOLMGREEN Symphony Antiphony Conductor Thomas Søndergård

Tuesday 25.02.2014, 7pm PIERRE BOULEZ Domaines

Tuesday 19.11.2013, 2pm

TUESDAY 21.01.2014, 7.30pm

NED ROREM Eagles JOHN ADAMS Gnarly Buttons DAVID Diamond Rounds for String Orchestra ROY Harris Symphony No 9

Five Year Anniversary Concert

Conductor Eric Stern Clarinet Mark Simpson (BBC Radio 3 New Generation Artist)

FRIDAY 20.12.2013, 2pm

BERG Violin Concerto SIMON HOLT The Yellow Wallpaper

Conductor Thierry Fischer Soprano Elizabeth Atherton Violin Baiba Skride

FRiday 18.10.2013, 2pm

Conductor Grant Llewellyn Soprano Rosemary Joshua BBC National Chorus of Wales

Afternoons

TUESDAY 29.10.2013, 7.30pm (BBC Radio 3 Commission, World Premiere) FRANZ SCHMIDT Symphony No 4

AMERICANA

Adventures in a perambulator

CONTEMPORARY

Conductor Otto Tausk Clarinet Robert Plane

Conductor Jun Märkl

Piano Llyˆr Williams

Tuesday 29.04.2014, 2pm SMETANA Overture, The Bartered Bride TCHAIKOVSKY Rococo Variations SUK Symphony No 2 Conductor Christoph König Cello Leonard Elchenbroich

Tuesday 03.06.2014, 2pm BARTÓK Dance Suite BRUCH Concerto for clarinet and viola TCHAIKOVSKY Symphony No 2 Conductor Thomas Søndergård Viola Lisa Berthaud Clarinet Robert Plane

Tuesday 17.06.2014, 2pm Tuesday 25.03.2014, 7pm COMPOSITION: WALES FREE TICKETS Conductor Jac van Steen

WAGNER Overture, Tannhauser MOZART Piano Concerto No 21 R. STRAUSS Aus Italien Conductor Cornelius Meister Piano Zhang Zuo (BBC Radio 3 New Generation Artist)

MONday 02.12.2013, 2pm AARON COPLAND El Salon Mexico RANDALL THOMPSON Symphony No 2 HOWARD HANSON Elegy LEONARD Bernstein Halil WALTER PISTON The Incredible Flutist Conductor Carlos Kalmer Flute Adam Walker

Tickets Americana season £9-£12

0800 052 1812 wmc.org.uk

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029 2063 6464

Contemporary season & Chorus Celebration £8-£10 Afternoon concerts £9-£12 Five Year Anniversary concert £15

Tickets can be booked through either the Orchestra’s Audience Line or the Wales Millennium Centre Box Office. For bookings through the Wales Millennium Centre: Booking online incurs a fee of £1 per tickets. Booking by phone, post or in person with a payment card incurs a fee of £1.50 per ticket No fees apply if you book in person at the box office, and pay in cash or WMC gift certificates.

Concert Packages: Join our Family Join us on a musical journey throughout the season and save money while you do!

Single Tickets Ticket prices:

Concert Package – Book all 6 concerts and receive: •

20% off full price tickets

•

FREE concert programme at each event

•

BBC National Orchestra of Wales Merchandise Vouchers worth £12

•

Free ticket to concerts in our Contemporary season at BBC Hoddinott Hall

•

50% off a further two BBC Hoddinott Hall concerts of your choice (see pages 11-12 for details)

•

Plus an invitation to an exclusive subscriber reception.

To book your concert package, phone us free at the BBC National Orchestra of Wales Audience Line on 0800 052 1812.

Full Price

Concession (10%)

Subscription (20%)

£15.50

£13.95

£12.40

£14

£12.60

£11.40

£12.50

£11.25

£10

Single tickets can be booked through both the Orchestra’s Audience Line on 0800 052 1812, and the Grand Theatre Box Office on 01792 475715. For bookings through the Grand Theatre, all tickets are subject to a 50p Restoration Fund contribution. Online bookings are subject to a £2.50 fee per transaction. A 2% fee is added when booking by credit card.

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Concessions Booking dates Phone and postal booking for concert packages is open now, available direct with the Orchestra only. Booking for groups of 10 people or more opens on 28.10.2013. General booking for single concerts opens on 04.11.2013.

Credit Vouchers If you book and find you can’t attend, just call the Audience Line and we can credit your ticket’s value for use another time.

Discounts are available for disabled patrons, wheelchair users, claimants and over 65s – please ask for details when booking.

Families Join us as a family to save money: 1 adult and up to 2 children £12.50; 2 adults and up to 4 children £18.

Students Students with a valid NUS card and under-18s can buy the best available tickets for just £6 each.

Groups Come as a group of 10 or more to claim a 15% discount.

0800 052 1812

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Full details of our general booking information can be found on our website: bbc.co.uk/now

BBC HH / NH y BBC SDH / NDS

8PM 7PM 2PM 3PM & 7PM 7.30PM 7.30PM 7.30PM 7.30PM 7.30PM 7.30PM 7.30PM 7.30PM 3PM 7.30PM 7.30PM 7.30PM

FRI / GWE 06.12.13 TUE / MAW 17.12.13 FRI / GWE 20.12.13 SAT / SAD 21.12.13 TUE / MAW 21.01.14 FRI / GWE 24.01.14 TUE / MAW 28.01.14 FRI / GWE 31.01.14 FRI / GWE 07.02.14 THU / IAU 13.02.14 FRI / GWE 14.02.14 SAT / SAD 15.02.14 SUN / SUL 16.02.14 THU / IAU 20.02.14 FRI / GWE 21.02.14 TUE / MAW 25.02.14

7.30PM 2PM 7.30PM

FRI / GWE 13.06.14 TUE / MAW 17.06.14 FRI / GWE 20.06.14

SWG / TGA

BBC HH / NH y BBC

SDH / NDS

BBC HH / NH y BBC

SWG / TGA

SDC / EGT

BBC HH / NH y BBC

SDH / NDS

SWG / TGA

BBC HH / NH y BBC

SDH / NDS

Dvorˇák, Bruch, Brahms

Wagner, Mozart, R. Strauss

Haydn, Brahms

Bartók, Bruch, Tchaikovsky

Haydn, Mozart, Mahler

St Davids Cathedral Festival

NOW it’s your turn!

Vale of Glamorgan Festival / Gwˆ yl Bro Morgannwg

Brahms, Beethoven

Ravel, Britten, Debussy, Schumann

Smetana, Tchaikovsky, Suk

Composition: Wales / Cyfansoddi: Cymru

Martinu˚, Dvorˇák, Bartók

Stravinsky, Vine, Beethoven

St David’s Day Gala / Gala Dydd Gwˆyl Dewi

Boulez

Bartók, Barber, Mozart

Berlioz, Bruch, Rimsky-Korsakov

Beethoven, Mozart, Schubert

Mahler

Liszt, Rózsa, Dvorˇák

Gudmundsen-Holmgreen, Ruders

Honegger, Rachmaninov, Fauré

Five Year Anniversary Concert / Dathliad Pumlwyddiant

Christmas Celebrations / Dathlu’r Nadolig

Mozart, Debussy

Christmas Celebrations / Dathlu’r Nadolig

Dvorˇák

Copland, Thompson, Hanson, Bernstein, Piston

Prokofiev, Rachmaninov

Elgar, Lloyd

Rorem, Adams, Diamond, Harris

Szymanowski, Brahms

Dvorˇák, Tchaikovsky

Stravinksy, Mozart

Berg, Holt, Schmidt

Carpenter, Copland, Schuman

PJH / NPJ - Neuadd Prichard-Jones Hall, Bangor WAH / NWA - Neuadd William Aston Hall, Wrexham / Wrecsam VC - Venue Cymru, Llandudno THC / NyDC - Town Hall / Neuadd y Dref, Cheltenham TC / EGT - Truro Cathedral / Eglwys Gadeirial Truro MC / CM - Marlborough College / Coleg Marlborough STP – Sir Thomas Picton School, Haverfordwest / Ysgol Syr Thomas Picton, Hwlffordd

Cornelius Meister

Thomas Søndergård

Jac van Steen

Grant Llewellyn

David Atherton

Duncan Ward

Tadaaki Otaka

Christoph König

Jac van Steen

Jurjen Hempel

Grant Llewellyn

Otto Tausk

Thomas Søndergård

Nicholas Collon

Thomas Søndergård

Anu Tali

Thomas Søndergård

Thierry Fischer

Grant Llewellyn

Jun Märkl

Grant Llewellyn

Adrian Partington

Carlos Kalmar

Elvind Gullberg Jensen

Martyn Brabbins

Eric Stern

Olari Elts

Michael Francis

Jac van Steen

Thierry Fischer

Wilson Hermanto

Conductor Arweinydd Programme Rhaglen

SWG / NGA - Swansea Grand Theatre / Neuadd y Grand Abertawe BBC HH / NH y BBC - BBC Hoddinott Hall, Cardiff / Neuadd Hoddinott y BBC, Caerdydd SDH / NDS - St David’s Hall, Cardiff / Neuadd Dewi Sant, Caerdydd SDC / EGT - St David’s Cathedral / Eglwys Gadeiriol Tyddewi AAC / CyCA - Aberystwyth Arts Centre / Canolfan y Celfyddydau Aberystwyth

Key Allwedd

2PM

TUE / MAW 03.06.14

7PM

SAT / SAD 17.05.14

7.30PM

7PM

WED / MER 14.05.14

FRI / GWE 30.05.14

SDH / NDS

7.30PM

FRI / GWE 09.05.14

7PM

7.30PM

FRI / GWE 02.05.14

7PM

2PM

TUE / MAW 29.04.14

FRI / GWE 23.05.14

7PM

TUE / MAW 25.03.14

THU / IAU 29.05.14

SDH / NDS

7.30PM

FRI / GWE 21.03.14

SDH / NDS

FRI / GWE 14.03.14

SWG / TGA

7PM 7.30PM

SAT / SAD 01.03.14

BBC HH / NH y BBC

SWG / TGA

THC / NyDC

WAH / NWA

PJH / NPJ

AAC / CyCA

SDH / NDS

SWG / TGA

BBC HH / NH y BBC

STP

BBC HH / NH y BBC

SDH / NDS

BBC HH / NH y BBC

SDH / NDS

BBC HH / NH y BBC

SDH / NDS

2PM

7.30pm

FRI / GWE 15.11.13

MON / LLUN 02.12.13

3PM

SUN / SUL 10.11.13

PJH / NPJ

7.30PM

SAT / SAD 09.11.13

AAC / CyCA

THU / IAU 28.11.13

7.30PM

FRI / GWE 08.11.13

2PM

7.30PM

SUN / SUL 03.11.13

BBC HH / NH y BBC

7.30PM

TUE / MAW 29.10.13

BBC HH / NH y BBC

SAT / SAD 23.11.13

2PM

FRI / GWE 18.10.13

Venue Lleoliad

TUE / MAW 19.11.13

Time Amser

Date Dyddiad

2013-14 Concert Diary Dyddiadur Cyngherddau