Summer 2023 Concert Programme

CITY OF SHEFFIELD YOUTH ORCHESTRA

SUMMER CONCERTS Conductor Christopher Gayford Leader Victor Baycroft

Mahler Symphony No. 5 STOLLER HALL MANCHESTER Saturday 29th July, 7.30pm

SHEFFIELD CATHEDRAL Monday 31st July, 7.30pm

CSYO Violins Victor Baycroft - Leader Ana Abadian Amelia Awan Jasmine Bayley Dylan Briggs Sofia Celaya Aidan Chan Lucy Collison Emma Copp Georgina Hindle Thomas Ismay Alis Luppi Maria Nikolaeva Katie Palmer Simon Peng Annabella Senior Joy Zhang Violas Imogen Atkinson Emma Caroe Kezia Elliott Kirin Howat Cellos Perris Heath Seth Hillier James Hindle Naomi McDonough Anna Jellinek Harriet Ostrowski Jones Abigail Webb

Double Bass Lucas Jordan

Harp Heather Stark Horns Owen Amende Daniel Bassey Timothy Bassey Ella Cox Nathaniel Dingle Edward Lane

Flutes Emily Atkinson Emily Brown Jess Carr Rebekah He Philippa Salmon Izzie Scudamore Clarinets Benjamin Atkinson Adah Charles Chidera Efobi Jacob Jordan

Oboes Dulcie Heath Robert Hind Louis Sanders Bassoons Ivor Amende Clem Nash Jon Thorpe Zoe Wilson Trumpets Eleanor Bowen Lucy Heeley Martha Mallaband Oscar Sanders Eli Shaw Sofia Verona Trombones Jamie Atkinson Alex Barron Aiden Roberts-Turner Annabelle Turton Tuba Will Burton Timpani & Percussion Max Sharp Wilf Dingle Leo Copley

Gustav Mahler Symphony No. 5 Part I

Trauermarsch Stürmisch bewegt, mit größter Vehemenz Part II

Scherzo (Kräftig, nicht zu schnell) Part III

Adagietto (Sehr langsam) Rondo - Finale

Please note there is no interval.

This performance may be recorded. Please ensure your mobile phones and watches are switched of during the performance.

Programme Notes

Symphony No.5 Gustav Mahler (1860-1911) Gustav Mahler, a prominent figure of the late Romantic era, played a pivotal role in the transition of music towards modernism in the early 20th century.

Alongside composers such as Debussy, Stravinsky, and R. Strauss, Mahler embarked on a musical exploration that expanded the expressive possibilities of harmony and dissonance, forging a new musical language that would influence generations to come.

Composed between 1901 and 1902, Mahler's Symphony No. 5 stands as a testament to his artistic vision and creative evolution. Throughout the composition process, Mahler found inspiration in the idyllic surroundings of his composing cottage in southern Austria, where nature's breath-taking beauty left a lasting imprint on his work.

Written for large orchestra, Symphony No. 5 marks a departure from Mahler's earlier symphonies by omitting vocal elements for the first time since his Second Symphony. This decision allowed Mahler to focus solely on the instrumental forces, unleashing the full expressive power of the orchestra to convey a rich tapestry of emotions.

The five movements showcase moments of tragedy, introspection, triumph, and exultation, highlighting Mahler’s remarkable ability to explore the depths of the human soul. As Mahler put it, “A symphony must be like the world, it must contain everything”. Indeed, Symphony No. 5 stands as an immersive journey that embraces the breadth of human experience and reminds us of the universal language that conveys the emotions that words sometimes cannot.

I. Trauermarsch (Funeral march) The symphony opens with a dark and mournful trumpet solo, quoting the Generalmarsch of the Austro-Hungarian Army. This haunting theme permeates the movement, as Mahler delves into themes of despair and longing. Intense moments alternate with quiet reflection, culminating in subtle echoes of the opening solo, leaving the listener in a state of uncertainty and anticipation.

II. Stürmisch bewegt, mit größter Vehemenz (Moving stormily, with the greatest vehemence) The second movement shares the restless energy of the first. It bursts forth with urgent vigour, characterized by lively rhythms and swirling melodies.

Moments of intensity intertwine with playful lightness, evoking a sense of turbulent motion. Through vivid orchestration and rapid pacing, Mahler captivates the listener with an agitated and unsettled atmosphere.

III. Scherzo A delightful shift in mood occurs in the third movement, veering away from the stormy temperament of the preceding movements. This movement introduces a playful and dance-like character, brimming with lively energy. The prominent horn solos weave captivating melodies throughout, evoking a sense of rustic charm. Mahler skilfully contrasts these spirited passages with delicate pizzicato sections, creating moments of serenity amidst the movement’s vibrance.

IV. Adagietto Written for just the string section and a single harp, the fourth movement is perhaps Mahler’s most well know piece of music and said to be a gift of his love to Alma (whom he married during the symphony's composition). This emotionally charged movement guides us over a landscape of slow, tender melodies, contrasting with some of Mahler’s most powerful climaxes, ending

with the strings fading into the realm of silence, delicately balanced on a sublime F major chord.

V. Rondo-Finale The symphony ends triumphantly, with a lively and spirited character. Mahler incorporates musical material from earlier movements, notably from the adagietto, where he masterfully weaves in fragments of melody into more upbeat sections, completely different in character from when we first met them.

As the movement progresses, it undergoes a series of dramatic transformations, ultimately culminating with a great momentum build with brass playing brilliant fanfares over soaring wind and strings. With a piercing downwards flurry from the woodwind, and a final call from the trumpets, the symphony comes to a resounding end.

Programme notes written by Louis Sanders, CSYO Oboist.

Christopher Gayford (conductor) studied at the Royal College of Music and the Royal Northern College of Music with Timothy Reynish. He has worked with many major orchestras and opera companies, including the Royal Liverpool Philharmonic Orchestra as assistant conductor, BBC Philharmonic, BBC Scottish Symphony Orchestra, BBC Concert Orchestra, Britten Sinfonia, Scottish Chamber Orchestra, Ulster Orchestra, Royal Philharmonic Orchestra, Opera North and Scottish Opera. A founder member of the new music group Psappha, he was involved in education project work that now forms one of his chief areas of interest.

He has conducted CSYO since 1994.

From 2000 until 2003 Christopher worked on a project called Feeling Sound, hosted and partially funded by Trinity College of Music and led a series of three Feeling Sound concerts at the Barbican with the Orchestra of the Royal Opera House, conducting Mozart's last three symphonies. Internationally, he has taken part in master classes with Gennadi Rozhdestvensky, Ilya Musin and Peter Eotvos and competed in two international conducting competitions, winning second prize In Cadaques and joint first in Besancon.

Of his debut with the Vienna Chamber Orchestra, the Wiener Zeitung commented: “in Elgar's Serenade for Strings, he showed how it is possible to produce elegant music in an apparently effortless manner, with precisely the right degree of tension and masterly shaping of the sound: a beautiful performance”.

The City of Sheffield Youth Orchestra (CSYO) was established in 1980 and has about 65 members with an age range of 13 - 21. It meets three times a year, usually in each of the vacation periods with an intensive course, often residential, followed by concert performances. In July 2005, the orchestra toured Croatia, playing Swan Lake with the Royal Russian Ballet to an audience of 4,000, a concert televised in seven countries. The orchestra recorded the backing track of John Lennon’s last song at Abbey Road Studios in London. They have also toured in the Czech Republic, Germany, Belgium, Switzerland, Norway, Poland, France, Spain, The Netherlands and most recently, Italy. Their most recent tour followed an invitation to take part in the San Leo Festival in Northern Italy. There have been many conductors, always professionals, in the last 29 years including such names as Adrian Leaper, and Martyn Brabbins. Chris Gayford is the current ‘resident’ conductor and has established a unique and productive working relationship with the players. Soloists have included famous names such as John Lill, Martin Milner, Anna Markland, Nigel Kennedy, Peter Donohoe, Lesley Garrett, Ronan O’Hora, Eleanor Bron, Matthew Barley, Natalie Clein and Peter Cropper. The orchestra has an enviable esprit de corps due largely to the staff members who, besides their musical roles, care for the members in a pastoral way. All members are looked after by an excellent mentoring system. The resulting high morale has led to some memorable performances, which we hope will be evidenced in this concert.

CSYO's Bursary Scheme is generously supported by the Andrew Lloyd Webber Foundation.

With huge thanks to all those involved behind the scenes:

CSYO Team Martin Cropper - Upper String Tutor Julia Bradshaw - Lower Strings Tutor Simon Twigge - Horn Tutor Garrath Beckwith/Will Morley - Brass Tutors Keith Slade - Woodwind Tutor Keith Price - Percussion Tutor Cathy Czauderna - Pastoral Care Tutor Hannah Watson - Orchestra Director Gemma Wareham - Development Director The Friends of the City of Sheffield Youth Orchestra

£20,000 fundraising target for 2023-24 Following the pandemic and the cost-of-living crisis our costs have increased significantly. In order to keep our membership fees as low as possible whilst still offering exceptional musical and orchestral training, CSYO is committed to fundraising annually to support the costs of running the orchestral programme of courses and to provide much needed financial support to our talented young musicians. If you feel you might be able to help, have a look below at some of the ways you can support the City of Sheffield Youth Orchestra.

Ways to help: Do you work for a business with a CSR policy? We are keen to develop Corporate Partnerships with local businesses.

Join our family of regular donors and become a CSYO Champion Become a fundraising volunteer and work with us on our fundraising campaign!

We are taking part in the Big Give Christmas Challenge and need to secure £1500 of pledges by September 1st! Can you pledge £100?

Sponsor a concert by purchasing tickets to be given away for free to young people and people facing financial hardship

Find out more: www.csyo.org.uk/fundraisingcampaign or email our Development Director, Gemma Wareham - gemma@csyo.org.uk

We want to hear from you....

In recent years we have seen a gradual decline in the sales of printed programmes at our concerts.. In order to reduce waste we are considering going digital but we want to hear your thoughts before we take the plunge. We'd be hugely grateful if you would take a few minutes to complete the survey at the following link: www.csyo.org.uk/surveys

Support Us For over 40 years CSYO has introduced thousands of young people to the joy of shared music-making and orchestral playing. However, without the unstinting support of our regular donors, our CSYO Champions, it would not be possible to provide these experiences to Sheffield's talented young musicians. In recent years the costs of much of the work done by the CSYO have risen significantly. By giving a small amount each month, CSYO Champions play a vital role in maintaining the current high standards of the orchestra and securing its future development. If you feel you could spare a few pounds a month we encourage you to consider this method of supporting these talented young people.

For more information visit our website:

www.csyo.org.uk/support-us

Becom e a Champ ion!

The Friends of CSYO gratefully acknowledge generous support from the following in the form of patronage and donations.

Susan and Andrew Ash Dr C Mitchell Appleqvist Mrs H Beach Robert Bentall Lesley Bilby Sam Breuning Mr and Mrs H Bugg Mr William Carlile Eric Clarke Frances Clement Mr and Mrs JR Courage Mrs Kate Cropper Dr Thomas Davis Peter Day Jackie and Roger Dunn Elsie Elliott Hugo Ferguson Sarah Fielding Mr W. Fitzmaurice Mrs Rebecca Francis J Furness & F MacDonald Maureen Gannon J Ginsborg and G Nicholson Daniel Grace Ms Veronica Hardstaff Mr & Mrs E. Harris Dr and Mrs J Headridge Dr R. Hilliam Mr & Mrs B & L Hodgson Dr Peter. and Mrs S Hughes Dr A. Kennedy Bruce Leabeater G Linnard and W Egner Mr and Mrs D Longson

Dr J Mailer Mrs B. Mangles Mr and Mrs M McKay John & Hilary Mesher Dr Caroline Mitchell Appleqvist Mary Mitchell Mr Robin Moffatt Helen McHugh Ian and Cathy Czauderna - Naylor Chris Nicholson Dr Dilys Noble Dr M O'Leary Phillipa O'Malley V and M Oxley Dr R. Panniker Dr Jennifer Pascoe Mrs Jo Payne Mr A Roberts Mrs M. Robinson Judith Robinson Dr G. Russell Dr & Mrs R.J. Saunders Anna Saunders Jonny Sells Prof J M Shapland Mrs E Webb Dr Daniel Wedgwood Edward and Viv Woodhead Ruth Woodhead Tom Woodhead Mrs M. Wragg Katherine Wren Siobhan Bradshaw Kimichi School Mrs L Wareham

We are hugely grateful to the following organisations who have sponsored tickets for tonights' concert:

Calling all CSYO alumni - come and join us this Christmas!

More details at www.csyo.org.uk/alumni-concert

Next Concert

Saturday 30th December

Alumni Celebration!

All Saints, Ecclesall

Carwithen Brighton Rock Berlioz Symphonie Fantastique www.csyo.org.uk/events

CSYO is grateful to the following for their generous support: The Andrew Lloyd Webber Foundation Ecclesall Church Birkdale School Sheffield Music Hub Sheffield Music Academy Cloud Co Solutions EY/EY Foundation Nimble