City Noir Royal Scottish National Orchestra
Estonian Philharmonic Chamber Choir
Peter Oundjian Conductor
Daniel Reuss Conductor
Pinchas Zukerman Violin
Pärt Two Slavonic Psalms Schnittke Three Sacred Hymns Kreek Psalm of David 22 Psalm of David 104 Blessed is the Man Rachmaninov All-Night Vigil
Verdi Overture, The Force of Destiny Bruch Violin Concerto No 1 in G minor Christopher Rouse The Infernal Machine Tod Machover Festival City (World Premiere, EIF commission) John Adams City Noir
Inspired by film noir, big-band jazz and the movies of David Lynch, City Noir is a spectacular symphonic showpiece by US composer John Adams that paints a gripping yet sensual portrait of California’s urban landscape and culture. It forms the culmination of the all-American second half of the Royal Scottish National Orchestra’s concert under music director Peter Oundjian, which also features the world premiere of Festival City, a Festival commission from composer and music technologist Tod Machover who invites us all to contribute to the piece’s creation. See page 3 for more information on how you can take part. Before the interval, world-renowned violinist Pinchas Zukerman joins the RSNO for one of the best-loved pieces in the classical repertoire: Bruch’s First Violin Concerto. Brimming with lyrical melody and dazzling virtuosity, it is a work that combines a touching open-heartedness with high romance – a bold contrast with the concert’s imposing opener, Verdi’s powerful Force of Destiny Overture.
Ambassadors for one of the most exciting choral traditions in Europe, the singers of the Estonian Philharmonic Chamber Choir are renowned for the warmth, depth and intense spirituality of their glowing performances. Making a rare trip to Britain and a welcome return to the Festival, they present music from their homeland and from Russia, influenced by the profound passions of Orthodox chant. Rachmaninov’s All-Night Vigil, also known simply as his ‘Vespers’, is the composer’s vivid reinterpretation of a traditional Orthodox service celebrating the eternal light of Christ. This hugely expressive, intensely moving music is considered one of his finest achievements. In the first half, the Choir performs a selection of shorter pieces: the distinctively clear, ringing Two Slavonic Psalms by Arvo Pärt; Schnittke’s richly scored Three Sacred Hymns; and three lush, Romantic works by Estonian composer Cyrillus Kreek. ‘Pure and impassioned, astounding choral artists’ The Wall Street Journal
City Noir: ‘this score is in fact a wonderously strange and complex symphony.’ The New york Times Tuesday 27 August 8.00pm
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Photo Sibrikov / Dreamstime
San Francisco, Chinatown by night Photo Superstock
Music
Thursday 29 August 8.00pm
Usher Hall
Usher Hall
Tickets £42 £35 £26 £24 £17 £12
Tickets
2 hours approximately
2 hours approximately
eif.co.uk/citynoir
eif.co.uk/estonian
£34 £26 £22 £19 £16 £14 £12