Encore Magazine Autumn / Winter 2014

encore www.liverpoolphil.com

News from the Royal Liverpool Philharmonic Autumn/Winter 2014

LIVERPOOL PHILHARMONIC HALL TRANSFORMED!

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encore Edited by Jayne Garrity Head of Communications Design Paul Hooley Publications Manager

Commissioned photography Mark McNulty www.markmcnulty.com

Royal Liverpool Philharmonic Society Founded 1840 A company limited by guarantee Registered in England number 88235 Registered charity number 230538

PRINCIPAL FUNDERS

Thanks to the City of Liverpool for its financial support

PRINCIPAL PARTNERS

MEDIA PARTNER

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BRINGING DOWN THE HOUSE! 5* ‘If you’re going to bow out, bow out with a bang. And a crash, a wallop, a fanfare, and something resembling a choral sonic boom.’

Liverpool Philharmonic’s electrifying 2013/14 season finale on 23 May before closing the Hall for its multi-million pound refurbishment included the world premiere of Poltroons in Paradise, commissioned from Stewart Copeland, composer, and founder member and former drummer of seminal 80s band, The Police.

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The Orchestra’s Principal Timpanist Neil Hitt, Principal Percussionist Graham Johns and fellow percussionists Henry Baldwin and Adrian Spillet took centre stage for the scintillating work. The concert, conducted by Vasily Petrenko also featured Britten’s joyous Welcome Ode, – a brilliant showcase for Liverpool Philharmonic Youth Choir; Edward Elgar’s In the South, and William Walton’s Belshazzar’s Feast! with the massed voices of the Royal Liverpool Philharmonic Choir, and bass-baritone, Mark Stone.

The Orchestra will give the Irish premiere of Poltroons at the National Concert Hall Dublin on 17 September; and its Chinese premiere on 5 October at Beijing’s National Centre for the Performing Arts as part of the Orchestra’s 7 concert date tour to China.

4* ‘Poltroons in Paradise is a 15-minute showpiece for four extremely busy percussionists… The jazz influence of Walton's sacred setting seems almost sacrilegious, but when Petrenko began to swing the ensemble, the writing really was on the wall.’

‘The voices of Liverpool Philharmonic Youth Choir and Bluecoat School Boys’ Choir rang out in exuberant canons and roundels in Britten’s Welcome Ode.’ Vasily Petrenko and his players gave their all in Walton’s Belshazzar’s Feast, as a beautifully focused Royal Liverpool Philharmonic Choir wept by the waters of Babylon and pealed out triumphant alleluias.’

↑↖ Photos of Vasily Petrenko, Stewart Copeland and percussionists Graham Johns, Neil Hitt, Henry Baldwin and Adrian Spillet ↑ Liverpool Philharmonic Hall cake, made especially for 2013/14 season finale

COPELAND IN HARMONY Whilst Stewart Copeland was in Liverpool for the rehearsals and world premiere of his Poltroons in Paradise, he took time out to visit In Harmony Liverpool to observe their musicmaking and give a masterclass to seven young percussionists from West Everton Children’s Orchestra. They all were in the audience at Liverpool Philharmonic Hall for Bringing Down the House!

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DEDICATE A SEAT Dedicating a seat in the newly refurbished Liverpool Philharmonic Hall is a perfect way to celebrate your love of music.

Your donation will make a real difference to our work and help ensure future generations continue to enjoy live music.

Dedicating a seat is a perfect gift for music-lovers and concert-goers, and a lasting dedication if bought in memoriam.

In recognition of your support, we offer a number of benefits which aim to enhance your concert-going experience including invitations to open rehearsals, pre-concert receptions, subscription to Encore magazine and access to a members room.

Dedicate a seat today for £120 a year and begin, what becomes for many, a lifelong journey in supporting our work. To learn more please call the Development Team on 0151 210 2921 email Fundraising@liverpoolphil.com or visit www.liverpoolphil.com/seat

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↑ Liverpool Philharmonic at the BBC Proms 2014

‘What pomp! What circumstance! The opening organ chords are both festive and fierce. The strings sing, loud and lush, eventually joined by organ and trumpets for a mighty, hymn-like transformation of their own big tune.’

Playing for Liverpool

BBC PROMS 2014 The Royal Liverpool Philharmonic Orchestra returned to the BBC Proms on 31st July under the baton of Chief Conductor, Vasily Petrenko.

The concert was performed to a sold-out Royal Albert Hall audience, was broadcast live on BBC Radio 3, and televised on BBC Four.

The Prom featured two rarely heard works marking the international celebrations during the 150th-anniversary of the birth of Richard Strauss. Scored for organ and orchestra, with Ian Tracey playing the Royal Albert Hall’s famous Willis organ, the Festival Prelude packed a mighty musical punch. The BBC Singers performed the composer’s Deutsche Motette unaccompanied; and for Strauss’s haunting Four Last Songs, the

Orchestra were joined by internationally acclaimed Danish soprano, Inger Dam-Jensen.

Elgar’s Second Symphony completed the concert programme.

5* ‘Outstanding solos from the orchestra’s joint leader James Clark and principal horn, Timothy Jackson added to the interpretation’s stature.

Petrenko and his players went for the material with unstinting relish… a virtuoso performance.’

Live

The Royal Liverpool Philharmonic Orchestra, Classic FM’s Orchestra in North West England returns to the Royal Albert Hall on 23 September 2014 for one of the biggest nights in the classical music calendar, which showcases established stars alongside the next generation of great classical performers.

The Orchestra, conducted by Neil Thomson, will be joined by singing superstar Alfie Boe performing Classic FM listeners’ favourites, along with classical chart-topping guitarist Milos Karadaglića, opera star and Commonwealth Games opening ceremony performer Pumeza, who is also soloist in Lierpool Philharmonic’s Spirit of Christmas concerts (see page 20) pianist Ji Liu and clarinettist Julian Bliss. The evening will be hosted by Classic FM's John Suchet, presenter for the third year running of our Spirit of Christmas Concerts, and Margherita Taylor, and will end with a fantastic lights and fireworks finale. Book tickets at www.royalalberthall.com ↓ Clockwise Pumeza Matshikiza, Alfie Boe, Milos Karadagli´ ca, Ji Liu. John Suchet

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CHINA CALLING

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Chief Conductor,Vasily Petrenko will lead the Royal Liverpool Philharmonic Orchestra on tour to China in September 2014, following their first tour there in 2010 which included supporting the City of Liverpool’s presence at the World EXPO in Shanghai.

The 7 concert-date tour in from 27 September to 7 October 2014 takes in concert halls in Beijing, Shenzen, Guangzhou, Suzhou, Nanjing and Tianjin. Repertoire will include the Chinese premiere in Beijing of Stewart Copeland’s Poltroons in Paradise with the Orchestra’s Principal Timpanist Neil Hitt, Principal Percussionist Graham Johns and fellow percussionists Henry Baldwin and Adrian Spillet as soloists.

Three virtuoso Chinese soloists will join the Orchestra through the tour; violinist Ning Feng will perform Glazunov’s Concerto in A minor for Violin and Orchestra in Beijing, Shenzen Nanjing and Guangzhou; pianist Ji Liu will perform Gershwin’s Rhapsody in Blue in Suzhou; and tenor Yijie Shi will perform music from Donizetti’s Don Pasquale and Verdi’s Rigoletto in Beijing. Acclaimed Liverpool born saxophonist Simon Haram joins the tour in Suzhou and Beijing to perform Debussy’s Rhapsody for Alto Saxophone and Orchestra. Simon is a former member of Merseyside Youth Orchestra, now Liverpool Philharmonic Youth Orchestra, and has performed in the UK with the Royal Liverpool Philharmonic Orchestra.

Simon’s performances are part of Liverpool Philharmonic’s concerts marking the 200th Birthday of Adolphe Sax, inventor of the saxophone, which includes our Sax in the City concert in Liverpool on 27 November.

The Orchestra will also perform some of their signature interpretations of the music of Shostakovich, Rachmaninov and Tchaikovsky in China.

Liverpool Philharmonic is grateful to our Principal Partners Investec Weath & Investment and John Moores University for their support and to Rock-It Cargo, Liverpool Philharmonic’s official logistics partner for the China Tour 2014.

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BIG IN JAPAN Vasily Petrenko will lead the Royal Liverpool Philharmonic Orchestra on their first tour of Japan in January 2015.

The eight-concert date tour will take in concert halls in major cities including Tokyo, Osaku, Otsu, Yokohama, Nagoya, Saitama and Fukuoka.

The Orchestra will perform some of their signature interpretations of works by Russian composers, including Shostakovich’s Festive Overture and Symphony No.10, and Stravinsky’s The Rite of Spring. Following his Liverpool debut on 20 and 23 November playing Prokofiev’s Piano Concerto No.3, Japanese pianist Nobujuki Tsujii will join the Orchestra as soloist on the tour reprising his performances of the Prokofiev, as well as Rachmaninov’s Third Piano Concerto.

Full details of the tour will be announced later in the Autumn.

↑ Ian Broudie

LUCKY YOU… ... if you caught The Music of Ian Broudie and the Lightning Seeds in April at Liverpool Philharmonic Hall Ian and the band with special guests including Ian McCulloch, Terry Hall, Bill Ryder-Jones and Miles Kane, with the Royal Liverpool Philharmonic Orchestra conducted by Clark Rundell performed Broudie’s magical back-catalogue including Lucky You, Perfect, Marvellous, Life of Riley and Three Lions.

And there was a chance to hear Ian Broudie and the Lightning Seeds again for free, under the stars at Liverpool International Music Festival's Classic FM Summer Live concert in Sefton Park over the August Bank Holiday weekend, in a concert that included the Orchestra performing classical favourites, hosted by Classic FM’s afternoon show presenter, Jamie Crick. ‘..a real Liverpool night’ Ian Broudie

→ Top to Bottom A sold out Liverpool Philharmonic Hall / Terry Hall / Ian McCulloch joins Ian Broudie and the Lightning Seeds / Classic FM Summer Live

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News

↑ Left Maestro! founder and Executive Director, Ken Grundy with a photograph of the Orchestra and bouquet presented by Michael Eakin at Maestro!’s 20th Birthday lunch. Right Maestro!’s recent organised tour to St. Petersburg to see Vasily Petrenko in his home city, where he is conducting at the Mikhailovsky Theatre. The group enjoyed lunch with the Maestro as part of their trip.

CONGRATULATIONS AND THANK YOU MAESTRO! CELEBRATING 20 YEARS Our friends at Maestro! celebrated 20 years in business in July and joined us for our Prom at the Royal Albert Hall, organising a tour for more than 100 supporters of the Orchestra.

The visit also included a performance at Covent Garden and a 2oth birthday lunch at the Savile Club (once Edward Elgar’s London Club) in the heart of Mayfair. Ken Grundy, founder of the company, presented Liverpool Philharmonic’s Chief Executive, Michael Eakin with a cheque for £5,000 for our Love Music campaign on behalf of Maestro! and all of their clients that have travelled to hear the Orchestra over the years.

Maestro! manages the touring logistics throughout Europe, Asia & North America for Liverpool Philharmonic and many more of the world’s great orchestras and ensembles. Maestro! also organises group holidays to hear Vasily Petrenko and Liverpool Philharmonic on tour, with itineraries that include visits to the great opera houses & music festivals of the world. Maestro! has now announced Music and Arts Tours for 2015.

Visit www.maestrotouring.com or email tours@maestrotouring.com for further information.

THANK YOU …

To all our donors who have adopted musicians in the Royal Liverpool Philharmonic Orchestra through Liverpool Philharmonic’s Adopt a Player scheme. Adopting one of the following musicians will give us a ‘full house’, Marting Anthony Burrage, Sophie Coles and James Pattinson (violins), Damian Rubido Gonzalez and Anthony Williams (double bases); and David Pigott (horn).

If you would like to find out more about how you can ‘adopt’ Jim and Thelma and our players listed above, gain a wonderful insight into the life of Liverpool Philharmonic, with opportunities to meet your adopted musician and others in the Orchestra, contact the fundraising team on 0151 210 2921 or email fundraising@liverpoolphil.com.

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ON THE RECORD The latest CD releases from Liverpool Philharmonic General release in September 2014

Tchaikovsky Piano Concertos 1 & 2 (Onyx Classics)

Royal Liverpool Philharmonic Orchestra Vasily Petrenko conductor Simon Trpceski piano – ‘Trpceski brings his trademark panache and brilliant accuracy to them (the piano concertos) and Petrenko has the orchestra in electrifying form.’

Classic FM, July 2014

Coming Soon...

Available from 29 September 2014

The final instalment in Vasily Petrenko and the Royal Liverpool Philharmonic Orchestra’s acclaimed Shostakovich symphony cycle, recorded at Liverpool Philharmonic Hall

(Naxos)

Shostakovich Symphony No.13 ‘Babi Yar’

Royal Liverpool Philharmonic Orchestra Vasily Petrenko conductor – ‘No previous recording of the 14th symphony lays greater claim to beauty. Five stars no question.’ sinfini.com, April 2014

Royal Liverpool Philharmonic Orchestra Vasily Petrenko conductor Alexander Vinogradov baritone Gal James soprano Men of the Royal Liverpool Philharmonic Choir and Huddersfield Choral Society

Now available

Shostakovich Symphony No. 14

(Naxos)

Liverpool Philharmonic was proud that two of our recent recordings were shortlisted in the prestigious Gramophone Awards 2014.

Nominated for Orchestral Recording of the Year Shostakovich Symphony No.4 Royal Liverpool Philharmonic Orchestra / Vasily Petrenko conductor

Winner: The Brahms Symphonies, Leipzig Gewandhaus Orchestra / Riccardo Chailly (Decca) Nominated for Concerto Recording of the Year Sibelius-Adès Violin Concertos Royal Liverpool Philharmonic Orchestra Hannu Lintu conductor / Augustus Hadelich violin

Winner: Prokofiev Complete Piano Concertos, Jean-Efflam Bavouzet / BBC Philharmonic Orchestra / Gianandrea Noseda (Chandos)

These recordings are available to buy from our online shop at www.liverpoolphil.com and on Orchestra concert nights at Liverpool Philharmonic Hall. liverpoolphil.com encore 9

MICHAEL NYMAN'S SYMPHONY NO.11: HILLSBOROUGH MEMORIAL

↑ L to R: Prof. Philip Scraton, a member of the Hillsborough Independant Panel, and Margaret Aspinall, Chairwoman of Hillsborough Family Support Group in conversation with Michael Nyman after the world premiere performance.

Liverpool Biennial 2014 in partnership with Liverpool Philharmonic and Liverpool Cathedral, presented the world premiere of the latest work by internationally acclaimed composer Michael Nyman on 5 July at Liverpool Cathedral.

Performed by the Royal Liverpool Philharmonic Orchestra and Liverpool Philharmonic Youth and Training Choirs, Liverpool-born soprano, Kathryn Rudge, and conducted by Josep Vicent, the work represented the culmination of Michael Nyman’s thinking around the tragedies connected with Liverpool Football Club. Nyman expressed his hope that the work would make a small but significant contribution to the healing process still necessary for the families of the 96 lost fans.

4* ‘As each (name of the 96) soared skywards, carefully enunciated in Rudge’s rich mezzo, the orchestration shifted and eddied, sweeping in lovely descending and then ascending melodic motion… the voices of the Phil’s Youth Choir and Training Choir emerged and rose in celestial ‘ahhhhing.’ 4* ‘Thank you so much for the wonderful time...! It became a precious moment in my life. I'm glad I could share that with people got together. It was a right decision to have taken the trip for it from Japan to Liverpool.’

Audience member

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Liverpool Confidential ‘Michael Nyman felt the pain of Liverpool over the treatment of its dead. On Saturday he added his own balm to the wounds. And in the same spiritual setting where the world was told the truth of Hillsborough, was there just a sense, as Symphony No. 11 reached its mighty, exultant climax, of good, finally, overcoming evil?’

‘Michael Nyman's 11th symphony, marking the 25th anniversary of the Hillsborough disaster, reused parts of earlier works to create an occasion for reflection’.

→ Kathryn Rudge ↓ L to R: Kathryn Rudge, Michael Nyman, Josep Vincent, Orchestra and Choirs acknowledge audience applause

MOZART’S COSÌ FAN TUTTE St. George’s Hall Concert Room, 9, 11 and 13 June 4* ‘The European Opera Centre, surely one of the city’s hidden gems…fly the flag admirably well (for opera) in this new, high quality production with that other Liverpool classical institution, the RLPO presented in the aptly rococo-ed lustre of St. George’s Hall Concert Room.’

‘Brilliant! Brilliant! Brilliant! Best opera I have seen for ages. Singers were wonderful.’

Audience member

‘With all its pointed campness, charm, assured poise of the singers and comic wit, this was a production which would be hard to rival.’

‘Brilliant! One of the most enjoyable opera performances I have attended in a long life.

Superb production, singing and acting and wonderful playing by our friends in the orchestra. The intimate feel of the elegant venue enhanced the occasion... the audience were almost part of the performance. ‘ Audience member ‘I had such a brilliant afternoon at the Cosi fan tutte performance.

Never having been to an opera before I was surprised that the 3 hours passed so quickly.’

Audience member

CATHEDRAL CLASSICS at Liverpool Cathedral, 16 June

5* ‘Both have lively acoustics, and the cathedral particularly so.

So we opt for what's best: choral music which is a natural; pre-eminent use of ethereal strings; bold, distinctive lines for brass, and, or course, the organ, which just so happens to be the largest in the country, as indeed, is the cathedral.’

‘After years of listening to recordings of Vaughan Williams's Tallis Fantasia, what a treat it was to hear it played for real at the Cathedral, and so beautifully. A moment of magic. Music spreading through space and time as only music can.’

Audience member ‘A magical concert played to perfection in a magical setting. Say no more.’

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THANK YOU …

To the Rushworth Charitable Trust, who in association with University of Liverpool are sponsors of the first concert in the Royal Liverpool Philharmonic Orchestra’s 2014/15 concert season. The concert also sees the start of the 175th anniversary celebrations marking the founding of the Royal Liverpool Philharmonic in 1840.

Serenade to Music on 25 October at Liverpool Cathedral is conducted by Vasily Petrenko, and it includes the world premiere of Nico Muhly’s Second Service, commissioned for Liverpool Philharmonic’s 175th anniversary, as well as music by Elgar, Vaughan Williams and Strauss. See page 19 for full details.

The Rushworth’s five-generation family music business has had close connections with Liverpool Philharmonic for more than a century. The date when the business was established is unclear, but it was probably 1840, the same year as our founding.

Originally a pipe organ builder and manufacturer of pianos, the company soon developed into a major musical instrument retailer from its well-known premises in Islington, and later in Whitechapel in the city.

Rushworth’s built the pipe organ in the original Liverpool Philharmonic Hall in 1931, prior to the destruction of the Hall by fire in 1933; and built the present instrument in the Herbert Rowse-designed Hall, which opened in 1939 (2014 is the Hall’s 75th anniversary year).

The company supplied other

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News instruments for concerts, including Steinway concert grand pianos, as well as promoting and selling tickets for concerts at Liverpool Philharmonic Hall through its box office.

Nicholas Wong, a PhD student at the University of Liverpool is currently researching the history of the Rushworth family business and its continuing support of the arts and culture in Liverpool and the North West.

Jonathan Rushworth of the Trust said: ‘We are delighted that the close historical business relationship and friendship between the Rushworth family and Liverpool Philharmonic continues today with our support of this concert. We are also in discussions together to support the development of a project for launch in 2015, to enable young people to extend their musical expertise and experience. The Trust is proud to continue the long tradition of the Rushworth family supporting music, the arts and culture in Liverpool and the North West.’

A LITTLE BIT OF HISTORY Drawing on source material from Liverpool Philharmonic’s extensive archive housed at Liverpool Records Office in the splendidly refurbished Liverpool Central Library, find out more about the Rushworth business and family connections with Liverpool Philharmonic, as well as other fascinating stories and reminiscences from those associated with us over 175 years.

Liverpool Philharmonic’s 175 Anniversary Exhibition and accompanying events will launch

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from January to August 2015 in Liverpool Central Library, after which, a significant portion of the exhibition will move to Liverpool Philharmonic Hall where it will be housed permanently.

– Visit Liverpool Philharmonic Archive at Liverpool Records Office, 3rd Floor, Liverpool Central Library, William Brown Street, Liverpool L3 8EW

←

Firemen battling with the blaze at Philharmonic Hall, 5 July1933

THANK YOU …

To our principal partners Investec Wealth & Investment and Liverpool John Moores University for their support of concerts by the Royal Liverpool Philharmonic Orchestra throughout the 2013/14 concert season; and for their continuing support in the 2014/15 concert season, which commences on 25 October, through the Henry E Rensburg and Liverpool John Moores University concert series. We are delighted that Investec Wealth & Investment will sponsor Liverpool Philharmonic’s Chamber Music series for the first time this season, commencing at St. George’s Hall Concert Room on 18 September.

During the 2014/15 concert season, corporate members Hill Dickinson will sponsor Season Opening (12 & 13 November) and Mahler’s ‘Resurrection’ (29 & 30 April); David M Robinson will sponsor The Spirit of Christmas (18-23 December) and Weightmans will sponsor Classic FM Hall of Fame (14 & 15 January).

Top to Bottom → Mari and Håkon Samuelsen (12 & 13 Nov) Sir Andrew Davis (29 & 30 Apr), John Suchet (18-23 Dec), Tasmin Little (14 & 15 Jan).

Liverpool Philharmonic is grateful for the continuing support of all our funders, sponsors and partners as we look forward to our 175th anniversary season. liverpoolphil.com encore 13

IN HARMONY LIVERPOOL Celebrates 5 Years

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Liverpool Philharmonic presented two free events celebrating 5 years of In Harmony Liverpool in March

↑ L to R: In Harmony Liverpool Artistic Director, Rod Skipp, Richard Holloway, and In Harmony Liverpool Manager Zöe Armfield.

At St. George’s Hall Concert Room, Richard Holloway, Chair of Sistema Scotland, gave a guest lecture on transforming the life chances of children and regenerating communities inspired, by Venezuela’s El Sistema programme.

The event included a performance

by West Everton Super Strings.

The following day, the young musicians of In Harmony Liverpool took to the stage at Liverpool Philharmonic Hall for the now annual concert celebrating Liverpool Philharmonic’s groundbreaking project in West Everton.

West Everton Children’s Orchestra (children and staff of Faith Primary School) and West Everton Super Strings performed a programme that included music from Dvořák’s New World Symphony, the Hallelujah Chorus from Handel’s

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Messiah and Coldplay’s Viva La Vida. A specially commissioned short film by Mark McNulty, now available to view at www.liverpoolphil.com, told the story of In Harmony Liverpool.

For the grand finale, which included selections of music from the film, Pirates of the Caribbean, the 120 children in West Everton Children’s Orchestra and West Everton Super Strings were joined on stage by 21 musicians of the Royal Liverpool Philharmonic Orchestra, including Principal

Players Marcel Becker (bass), Rhys Owens (trumpet), Simon Cowen (trombone) and Robin Haggart (tuba).

A close to capacity audience for the concert will included families and representatives from West Everton, and 700 schoolchildren from schools in Liverpool and across the North West, In Harmony Leeds and invited guests. ↓ The grand finale of In Harmony Liverpool’s 5th Birthday concert

CONGRATULATIONS TO …

CONGRATULATIONS TO …

Liverpool Philharmonic Youth Orchestra members, Martha Cruz (aged 14), Beth Watson (aged 14), Jack Horrocks (aged 17), Tim Doyle (aged 17), Thomas Hilary (aged 17) and Hannah Cain (aged 15) pictured above, who took part in a side by side rehearsal with the European Union Youth Orchestra (EUYO) during the BBC Proms with the Royal Albert Hall.

They were all in the audience to hear the EUYO Prom on 4 August conducted by Liverpool Philharmonic’s Chief Conductor, Vasily Petrenko, who stepped in at short notice to replace an indisposed Semyon Bychkov.

LIVERPOOL PHILHARMONIC YOUTH ORCHESTRA NOW RECRUITING PLAYERS Patron Sir Simon Rattle

– If you are aged 13 – 23 years, play an orchestral instrument and would like more information about how to join our youth orchestra, call us on 0151 210 1953, email youthensembles@liverpoolphil.com or apply for an audition online at www.liverpoolphil.com If your application is successful, a member of Liverpool Philharmonic’s Learning team will contact you about audition dates.

Apply Now!

↓ L to R: Dane Lam, Simon Emery and Sylvia Bawden alongside Michael Eakin

Liverpool Philharmonic Youth Choir on another brilliant performance at Llangollen International Musical Eisteddfod in July. The Choir finished 4th (missing third place by 0.1 points) out of the top 20 youth choirs from around the world. Long-serving and talented conductor Simon Emery also scooped the award for Most Inspiring Conductor!

– Liverpool Philharmonic Youth Orchestra conductor Dane Lam who after five years with the Youth Orchestra is leaving to take up the position of Principal Conductor and Artistic Director of the Xi’an Symphony Orchestra in China. We wish him well in his exciting new role.

– Simon Emery, who has been Director of Liverpool Philharmonic Youth Choir since 1998, will take over from Dane for the 14/15 season in an expanded role as Artistic Director, Youth Ensembles. Under Simon’s direction, the Youth Choir has developed into one of the country’s best youth choirs, and we are looking forward to Simon bringing the same musical expertise and inspirational leadership to our region’s finest young instrumentalists. Simon’s first concert with the Youth Orchestra will be on Sunday 16th November, in a programme that includes Dvorak’s Symphony No.8 (see p.19).

AND TO …

Sylvia Bawden who has celebrated 50 years singing with the Royal Liverpool Philharmonic Choir. Sylvia is now the Choir’s longest-serving soprano and her achievement was marked with a presentation to her of a gift by Liverpool Philharmonic’s Chief Executive, Michael Eakin. Sylvia met her husband Rex through the Choir. Rex passed away, aged 90 in 2012. During a lifetime in journalism, Rex was a former manager of BBC Radio Merseyside and chief music critic of the Liverpool Daily Post. liverpoolphil.com encore 15

THE SCHOOL RUN In March, over 13,000 schoolchildren attended 8 concerts for Key Stage 2 and 3 at Liverpool Philharmonic Hall, plus a concert at Preston Guild Hall. The concerts were once again devised and presented by our popular Family Concerts presenter, Alasdair Malloy.

And Alasdair was back in June, this time as conductor, as over 5,500 children aged 5-7 years visited Liverpool Philharmonic for 5 schools concerts for Key Stage 1.

If you would like to make a donation in support of Liverpool Philharmonic’s Schools’ Concerts 2015, please call 0151 210 2921 or visit www.liverpoolphil.com for further information.

The concerts featured the world premiere of Harper and the Midnight Orchestra, a

↖ Top: Cerrie Burnell Middle: Alasdair Malloy Bottom: Schools’ Concerts at Liverpool Philharmonic Hall

WELCOME TO...

Collette Astley-Jones Artistic Planning and Ensembles Assistant John Benson Curator, Liverpool Philharmonic 175 Exhibition Rebecca Hill Artistic Planning Co-ordinator Alice Kelley Learning and Ensembles Co-ordinator James Pattinson Violin Kelly Roddy Corporate Relationships & Events Officer Laura Twemlow In Harmony Liverpool Manager (Maternity Cover) And our thanks and best wishes to all who have recently left Liverpool Philharmonic.

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magical story written and presented by CBeebies' Cerrie Burnell, making her Liverpool Philharmonic debut.

Liverpool Philharmonic’s annual schools’ concerts are an inspirational introduction to live orchestral music for children and young people, with enchanting and engaging music designed to enhance and enrich the music and wider school curriculum and enthral young audiences.

RESERVE AND PRE-PAY FOR PARKING FOR ROYAL LIVERPOOL PHILHARMONIC ORCHESTRA CONCERTS FOR JUST £4 We know that parking has become more difficult around Liverpool Philharmonic Hall and are delighted to announce that we will offer pre-paid parking for selected Royal Liverpool Philharmonic Orchestra concerts at Liverpool Metropolitan Cathedral.

Visit liverpoolphil.com/carparking for more details

NEW!

WHAT’S ON ...

Events to look out for at Liverpool Philharmonic

Catrin Finch & Seckou Keita Wednesday 8 October 7.30pm St Georges Hall Concert Room £16 – Winners of the prestigious fRoots magazine Album Of The Year the Welsh harpist Catrin Finch and Senegalese kora player Seckou Keita join forces in what promises to be a stunning exhibition of world class musicianship.

Paco Pena: Requiem for the Earth Featuring Sense of Sound Singers & Liverpool Philharmonic Youth Choir

Thursday 9 October 7.30pm

Liverpool Metropolitan Cathedral £28.50 – The New York Times wrote ‘Peña is a virtuoso, capable of dazzling an audience beyond the frets of mortal man’. This Requiem fuses the heat and fire of flamenco with the passionate incantations of a Southern Spanish requiem mass in the sanctity of The Metropolitan Cathedral of Christ the King will be a thrilling and moving evening and a once in a lifetime opportunity.

Liverpool Irish Festival 23 October – 2 November Bringing Liverpool and Ireland together.

Moxie

Thursday 23 October 7.30pm plus support from Anam.

St Georges Hall Concert Room £16 – Five young Irish musicians who are inspiring audiences, and the music establishment, with their new palette of 21st century Irish music.

Kevin Crawford of Lunasa declares them ‘five of the best musicians on the scene today’ he says the fact that they are so young is both frightening and inspirational…Their sound is sophisticated, slick and adventurous yet exciting, full of fun and overflowing with fresh ideas.

We Banjo 3 Thursday 30 October 7.30pm

plus support Maz OConnor

St Georges Hall Concert Room £16 – The award-winning quartet from Galway combines Irish old-time bluegrass music and song to reveal the banjos rich legacy and roots.

Featuring banjo, fiddle, mandolin, guitar, vocals and percussion this band of brothers; Enda and Fergal Scahill and Martin and David Howley are among the most celebrated and distinguished young musicians in Ireland today.

The Gloaming Sunday 2 November 2014 7.30pm

St Georges Hall Concert Room £25 – Featuring New York pianist Thomas Bartlett (aka Doveman), Chicago guitarist Dennis Cahill, fiddle master Martin Hayes, hardanger innovator Caoimhin Ó Raghallaigh and Irish singer Iarla Ó Lionaird - well known for his contribution to the legendary Afro Celt Sound System this band create a new epic yet familiar sound.

‘Their live performances so far have been revelatory... Future dates are likely to cement them as one of the great forces in Irish music’.

The Irish Times

Box Office 0151 709 3789 liverpoolphil.com

St Andrews Night Celebration with Capercaillie Sunday 30 November 7.30pm

St Georges Hall Concert Room £22 – What better way to celebrate St Andrews Night than with the band whose ancient Gaelic culture has inspired them to global success? As Scottish music triumphantly comes of age in the 21st century, Capercaillie are the band whove grown up with it and are now widely credited with a seminal role in that wider transformation. ‘Capercaillies reputation as a thrilling live act has only grown with the years. The most vibrant and exciting band in the field of Celtic music’.

Billboard DaDaFest International 2014

Staff Benda Bilili Saturday 6 December 7.30pm

Liverpool Philharmonic Hall £19.50, £22.50, £28.50 – ‘Real street music that resounds with a lust for life’ Metro. This Congolese bands inspirational live shows and extraordinary story have caused a stir across the globe. The Independent put it well when it said ‘Havana cantina, Kinshasa slum, or psychedelic club - this outfit would tear the roof off anywhere’. Their songs document events relating to their everyday experiences and resonate with the pulse of Congolese rumba and of Cuban swing. ‘It is The funkiest, grittiest sound yet out of Congo’ Mojo. liverpoolphil.com encore 17

WHAT’S ON ...

Box Office 0151 709 3789 liverpoolphil.com

Royal Liverpool Philharmonic Orchestra

Escher Quartet Thursday 18 September 7.30pm

Bach The Art of Fugue selection Berg Lyric Suite Beethoven String Quartet in B flat major, Op.130 –

Sponsored by

Chamber Music Concert, St George’s Hall Concert Room

Ben Johnson tenor James Baillieu piano Saturday 4 October 7.30pm

Escher Quartet © Laura Rose

Sponsored by

Chamber Music Concert, St George’s Hall Concert Room

Songs from Victoria’s England, including:

Ben Johnson © Chris Gloag

Arthur Sullivan The Lost Chord May Brahe Bless this House Amy Woodforde-Finden Four Indian Love Lyrics Vaughan Williams Linden Lea and Silent Noon – Orchestra Special Concert, Liverpool Cathedral

Serenade to Music Saturday 25 October 7.30pm

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Elgar Overture, Cockaigne Vaughan Williams Serenade to Music Nico Muhly Second Service

Richard Strauss Also Sprach Zarathustra

world premiere, Liverpool Philharmonic 175th Anniversary Commission

Vasily Petrenko conductor Royal Liverpool Philharmonic Choir –

Chamber Music Concert, St George’s Hall Concert Room

Sponsored by

Liverpool Cathedral © Mark McNulty

Sponsored by the Rushworth Charitable Trust in association with University of Liverpool

Mozart Sonata in C major Schubert Fantasie in F minor, Op.103 Debussy Six Préludes Stravinsky The Rite of Spring for four hands

18 encore liverpoolphil.com

Pascal and Ami Rogé

Pascal & Ami Rogé piano duo Tuesday 4 November 7.30pm

Orchestra Special Concert, Liverpool Metropolitan Cathedral

Liverpool Philharmonic Youth Orchestra

Mari and Håkon Samuelsen © Per Heimly

Yan Pascal Tortelier

Remembrance Saturday 8 November 7.30pm

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Richard Strauss Death and Transfiguration Elgar Cello Concerto Fauré Requiem

Yan Pascal Tortelier conductor Daniel Müller-Schott cello / Christopher Purves baritone Royal Liverpool Philharmonic Choir – Orchestra Classic FM Series, Liverpool Philharmonic Hall

Season Opening Wednesday 12 & Thursday 13 November 7.30pm

Sponsored by

Debussy Ibéria James Horner Double Concerto Tchaikovsky Symphony No.5

world premiere, Liverpool Philharmonic 175th Anniversary Commission

Vasily Petrenko conductor Mari Samuelsen violin / Håkon Samuelsen cello –

Liverpool Philharmonic Youth Orchestra Concert, Liverpool Philharmonic Hall

Finlandia Sunday 16 November 7.30pm

Sibelius Finlandia Janác˘ek Lachian Dances Dvor˘ák Symphony No.8

Simon Emery conductor Liverpool Philharmonic Youth Orchestra –

Orchestra Henry E Rensburg Series, Liverpool Philharmonic Hall

Sponsored by

Nobuyuki Tsujii © Yuji Hori

Winter Daydreams Thursday 20 November 7.30pm Michael Torke Concerto for Orchestra

Prokofiev Piano Concerto No.3 Tchaikovsky Symphony No.1 ‘Winter Daydreams’

world premiere, Liverpool Philharmonic 175th Anniversary Commission

Vasily Petrenko conductor / Nobuyuki Tsujii piano –

Chamber Music Concert, St George’s Hall Concert Room

Sponsored by

Kyung-wha Chung

Kyung-wha Chung violin Kevin Kenner piano Saturday 22 November 7.30pm

Mozart Violin Sonata in G, K379 Prokofiev Violin Sonata No.1 in F minor Bach Chaconne from Partita No.2 Franck Violin Sonata in A

liverpoolphil.com encore 19

Royal Liverpool Philharmonic Orchestra The Spirit of Christmas

White Christmas: The Greatest Holiday Hits Saturday 13 December 7.30pm Richard Balcombe conductor Graham Bickley vocalist Maurice Clarke vocalist Mary Carewe vocalist Emma Kershaw vocalist

Presented in association with GRB Concerts

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The Spirit of Christmas Thursday 18 December 7.30pm Saturday 20 – Tuesday 23 December 7.30pm Ian Tracey conductor John Suchet presenter Pumeza soprano Royal Liverpool Philharmonic Choir Liverpool Philharmonic Youth Choir

Simon Emery Liverpool Philharmonic Youth Choir Director

It’s A Wonderful Life U Wednesday 24 December 2.30pm –

Swinging in the New Year with Jacqui Dankworth Wednesday 31 December 7.30pm

Jacqui Dankworth vocalist Mike Dixon conductor and musical director Charlie Wood musical director, arranger, piano and vocals Mike Smith drums / Chris Allard guitar Oli Hayhurst bass

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Disney Fantasia Live in Concert Saturday 3 January 2.30pm & 7.30pm –

Handel Messiah Saturday 10 January 7pm (please note start time)

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Nathalie Stutzmann conductor Susan Gritton soprano Gaia Petrone alto John Mark Ainsley tenor Brindley Sherratt bass Royal Liverpool Philharmonic Choir

Alasdair Malloy presenter Melody Makers and Liverpool Philharmonic Training Choir

Box Office liverpoolphil.com 0151 709 3789

Sponsored by

Rudolph on Hope Street Saturday 20 & Sunday 21 December 11.30am & 2.30pm Monday 22 December 2.30pm