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“ A GOD-SEND TO THE MUSIC CIRCUIT” THE TELEGRAPH
3 – 13 June ‘15 CHESTER TOWN HALL | CHESTER CATHEDRAL | ST JOHN’S CHURCH
www.chestermusicfestival.co.uk PRODUCED BY
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WELCOME BACK... “ THE MUSICIANS’ FESTIVAL IS BACK AND WE’RE DELIGHTED TO RETURN WITH YET ANOTHER PACKED PROGRAMME OF INTIMATE CHAMBER RECITALS AND IMPRESSIVE ORCHESTRAL CONCERTS.
his unique festival, which has at its heart our T world-class Ensemble Deva, is a rare chance for internationally acclaimed artists to perform the music that they really want to play, in a beautiful experimental environment with musicians they rarely get a chance to work with. It’s been great fun allowing our musicians a chance to do what they really want; to dictate the programme and share their enthusiasm with our audiences. Festival favourite violinist Giovanni Guzzo returns to lead Ensemble Deva and we’re excited to welcome back many other familiar faces including the extraordinary accordionist Ksenija Sidorova; pianist Martin Roscoe; cellist Hannah Roberts and local violinist Sophie Rosa. Plus, look out for critically acclaimed violinist Thomas Gould as he joins the ensemble for the first time this year.
We’re also welcoming back Gwilym Simcock; hailed as a pianist and composer of ‘exceptional’, ‘brilliant’ and ‘dazzling’ ability, Gwilym made his festival debut with us last year to great praise. He will be opening the 2015 festival with what promises to be an extraordinary performance of Milhaud’s La Creation du Monde and Gwilym will also be at the close of the festival in our famous Ensemble Deva Caffè Venezia Finale concert. We also have much to celebrate with our continued partnership with Manchester Camerata and the Royal Northern College of Music as our two popular Camerata concerts return to Chester Cathedral. We also build on our work supporting aspiring musicians safeguarding the future of the region’s musical health with a new Deva Academy concert plus a dedicated education day with Ensemble Deva’s saxophonist Rob Buckland. With so much to look forward to, we can’t wait to welcome you back to our city as you join us in the next step of this great adventure.” Clark Rundell, Music Director
ENSEMBLE DEVA
The heart and soul of MBNA Chester Music Festival, Ensemble Deva is an acclaimed group of world-class chamber musicians known for their incredible talent and their experimental and immersive approach to music-making all in the intimate yet spectacular surroundings of our specially constructed stage at Chester Town Hall. Led by the incomparable Giovanni Guzzo, one of the world’s most exciting and charismatic young violinists, the Ensemble includes some of Europe’s most gifted musicians, many of them soloists or section leaders with the country’s greatest symphony orchestras including the Liverpool Philharmonic, the Hallé and Manchester Camerata. Add world-renowned soloists Martin Roscoe (piano), Ksenija Sidorova (accordion) and Thomas Gould (violin) along with the highly respected pianist Gwilym Simcock and Ensemble Deva is truly a force to be reckoned with. Formed just two years ago and debuting at the 2013 MBNA Chester Music Festival, the ensemble has quickly earned enviable praise and recognition having been declared a ‘god-send to the music circuit’ by the Daily Telegraph’s Michael White.
Now, in 2015, the Ensemble has gone from strength to strength and embarks on a new adventure as we invest in young and aspiring talent through the Deva Academy. In a unique partnership with the Royal Northern College of Music, this year’s festival will feature an Academy Concert where student players will have the opportunity to perform alongside senior members of Ensemble Deva. Plus, the Ensemble’s saxophonist Rob Buckland will host a dedicated education day for aspiring musicians. Each year, the Ensemble perform in a selection of events, concerts and recitals for which tickets are made available at fantastic prices via our Ensemble Deva Pass tickets. These are available to Chester Performs Members only but can offer a saving of over £100. See Savings for more information.
BOOKING & TRAVEL BOOKING
SAVINGS!
CONCESSIONS!
Book Online With no fees or charges at www.chestermusicfestival.co.uk
There are plenty of savings to be made by booking in advance via our ‘book it now’ prices. These discounts are limited and only available online so be quick.
There are also some great discounts available including all under 12s free (one per paying adult) and a £4 discount for under 20s and students.
You can also save £££s by purchasing an Ensemble Deva Pass. These can be bought at a cost of £60 for six of the Ensemble concerts, or £90 for the full ten-concert programme – a saving of over £100! Ensemble Deva passes are only available to Chester Performs members.
FESTIVAL VENUES
Via our ticket agents Either by phone on 0845 241 7868 (a 10% booking fee applies) or in person at Chester Visitor Information Centre
TICKET PRICES Ticket prices are simple: All concerts are priced at £19.50 except for the chorus concert on 10th July which is priced at £27.50.
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For access information, visit www.chestermusicfestival.co.uk
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Seating is allocated on the night* and there is no price difference in seating. * E xcept on Friday 10th July where you can reserve specific seats the earlier you book.
For more information about joining our membership scheme, visit www.chesterperforms.com/ membership
Lunchtime recitals are £10 and the Education Day is £20.
MBNA Chester Music Festival takes place in Chester Town Hall, Chester Cathedral and St John’s Church.
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Pedestrian areas City Walls
PARKING There are secure car parks located across the city centre. Postcodes for your sat navs include: Market Car Park (free after 3pm) CH1 2HH Gorse Stacks (free after 3pm) CH1 3EQ
THE FESTIVAL AT A GLANCE DATE
TIME
VENUE
CONCERT
PRICE
Wednesday 8pm 3rd June
Chester Town Hall Gwilym Simcock, La Création du Monde
£19.50
Thursday 4th June
8pm
Chester Cathedral Manchester Camerata play Mozart and Bach
£19.50
Friday 5th June
8pm
Chester Town Hall Sophie Rosa in Concert
£19.50
Saturday 6th June
10am4pm
Chester Town Hall Saxophone Education Day £20 with Rob Buckland
8pm
Chester Cathedral Manchester Camerata, La Passione
£19.50
8pm
Chester Town Hall Rob Buckland and Peter Lawson , Duality
£19.50
Sunday 7th June
8pm
Chester Town Hall Gwilym Simcock and Liane Carroll
£19.50
Monday 8th June
8pm
Chester Town Hall Steve Reich, Double Sextet
£19.50
Tuesday 9th June
1pm
Chester Town Hall Martin Roscoe, Lunchtime Concert
£10
8pm
Chester Cathedral Mahler, Songs of a WayFarer
£19.50
Wednesday 8pm 10th June
Chester Town Hall Brahms, Quintet
£19.50
Thursday 11th June
8pm
St John the Baptist Church
Friday 12th June
8pm
Chester Town Hall Schubert, Cello Quintet
Saturday 13th June
8pm
Chester Town Hall Gran Caffè Venezia Finale £19.50
Friday 10th July
8pm
Chester Cathedral Manchester Camerata and £27.50/ Chester Festival Chorus, £22.50 Haydn, The Creation
Purcell, Welcome to the Pleasures
Ensemble Deva concerts are available as part of the Ensemble Deva Pass. Hot Tickets are likely to sell fast so book early to avoid disapointment! (DEVA ACADEMY) Look out for concerts and events investing in young and aspiring talent.
(DEVA ACADEMY)
£19.50
(DEVA ACADEMY)
£19.50
“ MAGICAL IN ATMOSPHERE… A DELIGHT” MANCHESTER EVENING NEWS
FRIDAY 5TH JUNE, 8PM SOPHIE ROSA IN CONCERT Chester Town Hall | £19.50
SATURDAY 6TH JUNE, 8PM ROB BUCKLAND AND PETER LAWSON, DUALITY Chester Town Hall | £19.50
Sophie Rosa, violin Ben Powell, piano
WHAT’S ON...
Schubert, Sonata in A major D.574 ‘Grand Duo’ Elgar, Violin Sonata in E minor opus 82 Interval Brahms, Sonata no. 1 in G major opus 78 Chopin, Nocturne no.8 in D flat major, opus 27 no.2 arr. A Wilhelmj Tchaikovsky, Valse Scherzo opus 34 Join Ensemble Deva’s Sophie Rosa and Ben Powell in an intimate recital at Chester Town Hall. Local violinist Sophie Rosa has quickly become a festival favourite and, after charming audiences at her lunchtime recital in 2014, she’s back with fellow ensemble member pianist Ben Powell as they perform a programme of their choice which opens with Schubert’s ‘Grand Duo’ and comes to a dazzling finale with Tchaikovsky’s Valse Scherzo.
WEDNESDAY 3RD JUNE, 8PM GWILYM SIMCOCK LA CRÉATION DU MONDE
Rob Buckland, saxophone Peter Lawson, piano Internationally acclaimed saxophonist Rob Buckland and his long time collaborator, pianist Peter Lawson bring a collection of pieces from their brand new album, Duality. The duality of the title refers to the two worlds of classical and jazz music and with pieces composed by Tim Garland, Graham Fitkin, Barbara Thompson, Jason Rebello, and Andy Scott, the album straddles these genres. This is the first live performance of most of these compositions; another première for the festival!
SUNDAY 7TH JUNE, 8PM GWILYM SIMCOCK AND LIANE CARROLL Chester Town Hall | £19.50 Gwilym Simcock, piano Liane Carroll, vocalist Ensemble Deva’s Gwilym Simcock appears with his friend, award-winning vocalist Liane Carroll. With a programme of jazz standards and blues lit up by Liane’s stunning voice and Gwilym’s incomparable accompaniment, this is a night that will be as popular as it is vibrant.
Chester Town Hall | £19.50 Ensemble Deva with Gwilym Simcock, piano Rob Buckland, saxophone Benedict Holland, violin Caroline Pether, violin Kay Stephen, viola Stefan Morris, cello
“ DEEPLY SOULFUL, WONDERFULLY HONEST” THE TIMES ON LIANE CARROLL
Darius Milhaud, La Création du Monde Gwilym Simcock is one of the most gifted pianists and imaginative composers on the European scene and returns to Chester to open this year’s festival In this opening concert, Gwilym will be joined by fellow ensemble members including the incredible saxophonist Rob Buckland as they perform a dazzling programme exploring the crossover of jazz and classical, including Milhaud’s La Création du Monde. A jazz-infused classical piece based on African folk mythology, this is guaranteed to be a hit, and it’s certainly a concert not to be missed!
“ BREATHTAKING… AN EXTRAORDINARY RECITAL BY A MAJOR TALENT” MOJO
SATURDAY 6TH JUNE, 10AM-4PM SAXOPHONE EDUCATION DAY WITH ROB BUCKLAND Chester Town Hall | £20 (DEVA ACADEMY) Do you play the saxophone? Would you like to learn from one of the finest saxophonists in the country? Then join renowned performer and composer Rob Buckland, director of Saxophone Studies at the Royal Northern College of Music for the festival’s first Education Day. Before performing in the second of his two concerts at this year’s festival, Rob Buckland has agreed to spend the day imparting his great knowledge of all things saxophone to the area’s young (and old – there’s no limit!) budding talent. With an ensemble session and a technique masterclass, you will get the rare chance to work with a teacher and player of the highest calibre and of course have lots of fun while doing it! The day will conclude with an informal performance for family and friends and there may even be a chance to appear at Rob’s concert in the evening! All players are welcome, although the day is generally aimed at saxophonists of Grade 4 standard and above.
THURSDAY 4TH JUNE, 8PM MANCHESTER CAMERATA PLAY MOZART AND BACH Chester Cathedral | £19.50
SATURDAY 6TH JUNE, 8PM MANCHESTER CAMERATA, LA PASSIONE Chester Cathedral | £19.50
RNCM Soloists (Felix Niel and Denis Zhdanov) and conductors (Harish Shankar and Jan Wierzba) Mozart, Symphony 26 in Eb CPE Bach, Flute Concerto Interval Mozart, Piano Conerto no. 24 Mozart, Symphony 36 (The Linz Symphony) We welcome the incomparable Manchester Camerata for the first of two orchestral performances in the wonderful surroundings of Chester Cathedral. With the chance to see the some of the country’s finest young soloists, graduating from RNCM, this will be an evening of the utmost quality in the most stunning setting.
RNCM Soloists (Alexander Panfilov and Kathryn Williams) and conductors (Steffan Morris and Daniel Parkinson) Haydn, Symphony 49, La Passione Mozart, Piano Concerto no. 23 Interval Malcolm Arnold, Concerto for Flute and Strings Schubert, Symphony No. 5 The innovative and dynamic Manchester Camerata round off their return to the festival in the glorious setting of Chester Cathedral. Soloists and conductors from the Royal Northern College of Music will showcase their formidable talents with an outstanding array of music.
MONDAY 8TH JUNE, 8PM STEVE REICH, DOUBLE SEXTET Chester Town Hall | £19.50 Ensemble Deva Lynsey Marsh, clarinet Helen Wilson, flute Sophie Rosa, violin Hugh Blogg, violin Vicci Wardman, viola Steffan Morris, cello Ian Buckle, piano Ed Cervenka, percussion Steve Reich, New York Counterpoint Steve Reich, Vermont Counterpoint Steve Reich, Double Sextet Steve Reich, Different Trains A landmark concert date as Ensemble Deva perform some of Steve Reich’s most celebrated and exciting works in our amazing setting. All four pieces use a mixture of live and recorded performance. Reich’s acclaimed but rarely heard Double Sextet was premiered in Liverpool’s 2008 Capital of Culture and features six musicians playing alongside their own recording of the same piece. A festival highlight.
“ THERE’S JUST A HANDFUL OF LIVING COMPOSERS WHO CAN LEGITIMATELY CLAIM TO HAVE ALTERED THE DIRECTION OF MUSICAL HISTORY AND STEVE REICH IS ONE OF THEM.” THE GUARDIAN
TUESDAY 9TH JUNE, 1PM MARTIN ROSCOE, LUNCHTIME CONCERT Chester Town Hall | £10 Martin Roscoe, piano Beethoven, Sonata in G Op.14/2 Schubert, Sonata in B flat D.960 The wonderful Martin Roscoe, founder member of Ensemble Deva and pianist of international acclaim, returns to the festival with a solo recital to savour.
“ ROSCOE IS A PIANIST WHO BOTH THINKS AND OFFERS FULL-BLOODED PLAYING OF BREADTH AND DEPTH. IN THIS COUNTRY, HE IS AN UNCOMMON CREATURE…” THE DAILY TELEGRAPH
THURSDAY 11TH JUNE, 8PM PURCELL, WELCOME TO THE PLEASURES St John the Baptist Church | £19.50 (DEVA ACADEMY) Ensemble Deva including: Roger Hamilton, director / harpsichord Thomas Gould, violin Cath Yates, violin Steffan Morris, cello Diane Clarke, bass Rachael Clegg, oboe
TUESDAY 9TH JUNE, 8PM MAHLER, SONGS OF A WAYFARER Chester Cathedral | £19.50 Ensemble Deva with Clark Rundell, conductor Ann Taylor, mezzo Giovanni Guzzo, violin Eva Thorarinsdottir, violin Richard Williamson, viola Ben Newton, viola Hannah Roberts, cello Mikhail Nemtsov, cello Diane Clarke, bass Rachael Clegg, oboe Lynsey Marsh, clarinet Ben Hudson, bassoon Ian Buckle, piano Ed Cervenka, percussion Debussy, Prelude a L’Apres-Midi d’un Faune (chamber version) Berg, Hier ist Friede Mahler, Lieder eines Fahrendon Gesellen (arr Schoenberg) Interval Schoenberg, Four Canons for strings Schoenberg, Verklarte Nacht (string sextet version) One of the festival’s key dates as Ensemble Deva take on a number of seminal works including Mahler’s highly popular and haunting Lieder eines fahrenden Gesellen, along with the muchloved Prelude a L’Apres-Midi d’un Faune and the sumptuous Verklarte Nacht. Early booking recommended.
Purcell, Welcome to the Pleasures Albinoni, Oboe Concerto in D minor Handel, In the Lord I put My Trust (Chandos Anthem No 2) Interval Handel, Concerto Grosso Op 6 No 6 Purcell, Sonata No 9 in F major – The Golden Sonata Purcell, My Beloved Spake Purcell, Now the Night is Chased Away A period music spectacular featuring Roger Hamilton and Thomas Gould leading Ensemble Deva in some of the most beautiful music of the 17th and 18th centuries, in this fantastic setting of Chester’s oldest church. The concert features such classics as Handel’s Chandos Anthems and Purcell’s My Beloved Spake as well as the Deva Academy Chorus.
SATURDAY 13TH JUNE, 8PM GRAN CAFFÈ VENEZIA FINALE Chester Town Hall | £19.50 Ensemble Deva Thomas Gould, violin Ksenija Sidorova, accordian Gwilym Simcock, piano The highlight of the festival and a guaranteed sell-out, join us once again as we raise the roof with the dangerous and spontaneous explosion that is Gran Caffè Venezia! A firm favourite with both the festival crowd and the musicians themselves, this is where Ensemble Deva let off steam with a mixture of café-inspired gems and a programme of music devised in the rehearsal room. And this year, the concert will form the festival finale so expect a few surprises. Remember, this concert will sell out! Book early.
FRIDAY 12TH JUNE, 8PM SCHUBERT, CELLO QUINTET Chester Town Hall | £19.50 Giovanni Guzzo, violin Sophie Rosa, violin Richard Williamson, viola Hannah Roberts, cello Mikhail Nemtsov, cello Boccherini, Cello Quintet Schubert, Cello Quintet in C Join Ensemble Deva as they perform Schubert’s final chamber work, the String Quintet in C major. Composed in 1828 and completed just two months before the composer’s death, this is Schubert’s only fully fledged string quintet and is generally regarded as his finest chamber work as well as one of the greatest compositions in all chamber music. Expect an exceptional evening and sublime music in the intimate setting of Chester Town Hall.
FRIDAY 10TH JULY, 8PM MANCHESTER CAMERATA AND CHESTER FESTIVAL CHORUS, HAYDN, THE CREATION Chester Cathedral | £27.50/£22.50
Chester Town Hall | £19.50
Manchester Camerata Chester Festival Chorus James Burton, conductor Sarah Fox, soprano David Butt Philip, tenor Matthew Hargreaves, bass
Giovanni Guzzo, violin Eva Thorarinsdottir, violin Richard Williamson, viola Hannah Roberts, cello Martin Roscoe, piano
Witty, inventive, beguiling – Haydn’s oratorio, The Creation, has been charming audiences for more than 200 years. Inspired by the great oratorios of Handel, Haydn’s bold use of orchestral colour, ground-breaking harmonies and exquisite melodies bring his subject to life in an almost operatic way.
WEDNESDAY 10TH JUNE, 8PM BRAHMS, QUINTET
Brahms, Quintet in F Minor Dvorak, Quintet Op 81 Published in 1865, Brahms’ Quintet in F Minor has become known as a truly monumental work and has gained its place of eminence in the chamber music repertory. Giovanni Guzzo, Martin Roscoe and this superb line-up of Ensemble Deva are sure to do it resounding justice in the first of this double-bill. The second piece is Dvorak’s Quintet Op 81, one of the acknowledged masterpieces of the form, in which five instruments operate in perfect harmony and balance in the delightful backdrop of Chester Town Hall.
The opening Representation of Chaos, woodwind bubbling up through the primordial soup, leads into a remarkable depiction of the Big Bang as the chorus proclaims, “And there was light!” From the dawn of time, through the creation of landscapes, flora and fauna, to the idyll of the Garden of Eden, Haydn’s imagination knows no bounds. PRODUCED BY
“ INTIMATE, RELAXED AND ASTONISHINGLY BEAUTIFUL” THE DOUBLE NEGATIVE
MBNA CHESTER MUSIC FESTIVAL Produced, staged and managed by Chester Performs 55-57 Watergate Row South, Chester, CH1 2LE Phone: 01244 409 113 Box Office: 0845 241 7868 Email: info@chesterperforms.com www.chestermusicfestival.co.uk
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