Whats On Guide January - April 2017

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Image Courtney Pine / Page 8

Featuring King Creosote Courtney Pine Caro Emerald Celebrating the Beatles and The Summer of Love Royal Liverpool Philharmonic Orchestra

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WELCOME to January - May 2017 at Liverpool Philharmonic Contents Celebrating the Beatles Page 5 – Contemporary Music Page 6 – Music Room Page 10 – Family & Variety Page 16 – Talks, Tours & Taking part Page 18 – Classical Music Page 21 – Comedy & Spoken Word Page 28 – Film Page 29

CELEBRATING THE BEATLES 50 years after the Summer of Love, 60 years after John Lennon and Paul McCartney met at the fete of St Peter’s Church Woolton, and 60 years since the famous Cavern Club opened its doors to become ‘The Most Famous Club in the World’ and home to The Beatles…

In 2017 we celebrate the Summer of Love, Sgt Pepper’s Lonely Hearts Club Band and the Fab Four who took the world by storm, changed pop culture like no other band and left our city with an incredible and lasting musical legacy.

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The Beatles | 5 Lunchtime Concerts

James Clark violin Sarah Hill violin Daniel Sanxis viola Hilary Browning cello – An All-Beatles programme of music for string quartet including ‘Hey Jude’, ‘Strawberry Fields’ and ‘Get Back’.

Beatles Best for String Quartet Monday 27 March 1pm Music Room £8 Sponsored by

A TR EX

Sunday 15 January & Monday 16 January 8pm £19.57, £25, £30 – The history of the Cavern Club from 1957 to the present day – live on stage! Performed by the UK’s premiere 60s band The Overtures and special guests. The Cavern Club opened its doors on 16 January 1957 and this show celebrates the 60th anniversary of ‘The Most Famous Club In The World’.

The Beatles played 292 gigs here putting The Cavern firmly on the world’s musical map.

Other artists exploded on to the musical scene; Gerry & the Pacemakers, The Searchers, The Hollies, Billy J Kramer, Cilla Black and many more.

Everyone wanted to play this iconic venue, and they did; The Rolling Stones, The Who, The Kinks, Elton John, Stevie Wonder, Ben E King, Rod Stewart, Status Quo, Chuck Berry, Bo Diddley and Queen.

Artists who have played here in more recent years include; Oasis, Travis, Arctic Monkeys, Adele, Jessie J, Jake Bugg, Joe Bonamassa and of course, in 1999, the return of Sir Paul McCartney.

Film

The Beatles: Eight Days A Week – The Touring Years

D DE AD

The History of The Cavern

TE DA

Celebrating 60 Years Of The Greatest Club In The World

12a

(extended version with full Shea Stadium concert) Tuesday 31 January 7.30pm £8, £10, £12 – Director Ron Howard Starring Paul McCartney, Ringo Starr, John Lennon, George Harrison 2hrs 17min. 2016 USA – Academy Award winner Ron Howard’s authorised documentary feature film uses rare and exclusive footage to explore The Beatles’ career (1962-1966). This new extended version of the film includes footage from the group’s iconic Shea Stadium concert in 1965.

More than 55,000 people were at that concert which was filmed at the peak of the group’s popularity and includes performances of ‘A Hard Day’s Night,’ ‘I’m Down,’ ‘Everybody’s Trying To Be My Baby’ and ‘Dizzy Miss Lizzy.

It Was 50 Years Ago Today

A Celebration of Sgt. Pepper and the Summer Of Love

with Royal Liverpool Philharmonic Orchestra and The Bootleg Beatles

Wednesday 31 May 7.30pm Saturday 3 June 7.30pm Saturday 8 July 7.30pm £35, £49, £55, £65 – The Beatles Sgt. Pepper’s Lonely Hearts Club Band (arranged by Nigel Osborne) – Roger McGough presenter Richard Balcombe conductor

As Sgt. Pepper’s Lonely Hearts Club Band reaches its half century, the award-winning Royal Liverpool Philharmonic Orchestra and the nation’s premier Beatle group The Bootleg Beatles team up to perform this iconic album live in its entirety fifty years after its original release. Hosted by poet Roger McGough, this special concert is a once in a lifetime opportunity to experience what Rolling Stone magazine proclaimed ‘the number one greatest album of all time’ complete with fullblown symphonic backing along with the hits from the heady days of 1967, including ‘Strawberry Fields’, ‘Penny Lane’ and ‘All You Need Is Love.’

Contains infrequent strong language and drug references.

Book now at www.liverpoolphil.com

6 | Contemporary Music

Rumours of Fleetwood Mac: Hits to Blues

CONTEMPORARY MUSIC

Image King Creosote

King Creosote

support Modern Studies Friday 20 January 8pm £18.50, £24.50 – Equal parts geometry, selfdeprecation, cosmic wonder and seafaring poetry, King Creosote is back with Astronaut Meets Appleman, a new album.

ED IT

‘An irresistible mixture of swing, jump-and-jive and sheer bonhomie.’

The Observer

support Sarah Munro

M LI

‘Damned fine fun from beginning to end.’

The Jazz Breakfast Show

‘A stunning and incredibly accurate snapshot of the world’s first Super Group.’

The Sunday Times

Paul Carrack D DE AD

Alongside a world-class trio of musicians, Claire and Ray revisit classics such as ‘Let’s Call the Whole Thing Off’, ‘They Can’t Take That Away from Me’, ‘They all Laughed’ and ‘Can’t We Be Friends’. Music that’s sassy, sharp and swinging – a swingin’ affair indeed!

‘The songs swing from cosmic and ethereal to mischievously earthy.’

The Guardian.

TE DA

Wednesday 1 February 7.30pm £28.50, £22.50 – Celebrating the release of their album We’ve Got a World That Swings renowned vocalist Claire Martin and legendary saxophonist and singer Ray Gelato take to the stage to explore the Great American Songbook.

Fife singer Kenny Anderson’s breakthrough 2014 album, From Scotland With Love, was essentially a stirring love letter to his homeland. The follow-up continues his creative

roll, and recording in the Isle of Mull and County Down has given the album a real Celtic swing: you can almost smell the Highlands in the harps, cellos and bagpipes.

A TR EX

Claire Martin & Ray Gelato: A Swingin’ Affair

The Mercury-nominated musician is still upsetting apple-carts and dealing with the fallout.

Wednesday 8 February 7.30pm £23.50, £28.50, £34.50 – – Encompassing nearly five decades of legendary music and channelling the spirit of Fleetwood Mac at their very best, Hits to Blues offers a unique opportunity for fans, both old and new, to rediscover the songs and performances that have ensured Fleetwood Mac’s place as one of the most loved bands of all time. From the exultant heights of such classic hits as ‘Rhiannon’, ‘Don’t Stop’, ‘You Make Loving Fun’, and ‘Seven Wonders’, to the cathartic relationship autopsies contained on the bestselling Rumours album, Hits to Blues – like previous Rumours Of Fleetwood Mac concerts – offers you a rich and emotive musical experience rekindling those precious personal memories in a way that only the best live music can.

Friday 10 February 7.30pm Saturday 11 February 7.30pm £30, £38.50, £43.50 – One the UK’s great singer songwriters Paul Carrack has written classics such as ‘How Long’, co-written ‘Love Will Keep Us Alive’ for the Eagles and ‘Over My Shoulder’ with Mike Rutherford. However, his other career is his real passion and that is the solo Paul Carrack. He has now recorded 18 solo albums and the latest, Soul Shadows was his highest chart entry to date. This is his biggest-ever tour to date with 25 shows in the UK alone.

Never one to rest, he’s already planning a new album too!

Booking fees Online and phone 7.50% per order administrative fee applies, this includes all costs and standard postage is free.

In Person No fees for cash or debit card payments. Credit card payments incur a 2% transaction fee and cheque payments are subject to 70p per order charge.

Word Of Mouth Tour 2017

Mike and the Mechanics

A-Z of Rock World Tour 2017

The Classic Rock Show

Friday 17 February 7.30pm £23.50, £29.50, £33.50 – The Classic Rock Show’s world class band powers through Classic Rock’s finest moments, from AC/DC and Aerosmith to Eric Clapton, The Eagles, ELO, Lynyrd Skynyrd, Meatloaf and Queen to The Who, Zeppelin, ZZ Top and everything in between, performed with notefor-note precision that truly brings the original iconic and era defining recordings back to life on stage, with a huge sound and light show to match plus much more! Anthem after anthem, riff after riff, power chord after power chord – The Classic Rock Show takes you on a musical journey through two and a half hours of footstomping fun, culminating in a show-stopping guitar duel!

Dave Mason’s Traffic Jam

Tuesday 28 February 7.30pm £32.50, £38.50 – One of the evergreens of British rock Dave Mason (with his band) goes back in time to the start of his career with Traffic as well as performing songs that launched his solo career over five decades ago. Traffic began as a band with Steve Winwood (when the two of them were just teenagers) little knowing that the music they made would have such an impact this many years later. Known for the hits ‘Feelin’ Alright’ (recorded first

by Traffic in 1968 then Joe Cocker in 1969),’ Only you know’ and ‘I know’ and ‘Hole in

Tuesday 21 February 7.30pm £32.50, £37.50, £43.50 – Genesis founding member Mike Rutherford (guitar) returns, following a sellout concert here in 2015, with the same new generation Mike & The Mechanics. The line-up includes one of the UK’s most prolific R&B singers, Andrew Roachford (lead and backing vocals), whose previous hits include ‘Cuddly Toy’ and

‘Family Man’, and Canadianborn singer Tim Howar, (lead and backing vocals), who toured with his band Vantramp, with Rod Stewart and Paulo Nutini. Tim shares vocal duties with Roachford adding a new soulful dimension to the band’s already established sound. The Word Of Mouth Tour 2017 includes their massive 80s hit single ‘The Living Years’ as well as other classic hits ‘Silent Running’, ‘All I Need Is A Miracle’, ‘Word Of Mouth, ‘Another Cup of Coffee’, and the unforgettable ‘Over My Shoulder’ to name a few.

Contemporary Music | 7

In Good Company

Barbara Dickson

Friday 3 March 7.30pm £28, £34 – Multi-million selling recording artist Barbara Dickson with her accomplished band returns to Liverpool Philharmonic performing a wonderful range of material drawing on her folk roots, as well as the globally known hits such as ‘The Caravan Song’, ‘Another Suitcase in Another Hall’ and lots more.

Scott Bradlee’s Postmodern Jukebox

my shoe’ Dave has performed and recorded with Paul McCartney, George Harrison, The Rolling Stones, Jimi Hendrix, Eric Clapton, Michael Jackson, Stevie Wonder, David Crosby, Graham Nash, Derek and the Dominos and Delaney and Bonnie. Featuring hits and deep cuts from iconic Traffic albums, stories from Dave, plus new material and a selection of classic Mason music, Dave Mason’s Traffic Jam is a show for all fans of rock and 60s culture. Witness the gifted songwriter, distinctive vocalist, and masterful guitarist up close.

Sunday 12 March 7.30pm £25, £35, £65 – This clever and talented band has an uncanny ability to take a contemporary pop hit and transform it into a superb, vintage-flavoured songbook standard from the last century.

Imagine a Beyoncé, Britney Spears or Taylor Swift song reworked for Louis Armstrong, Ella Fitzgerald, Judy Garland, or Nina Simone and accompanied by a rousing minibig band that sounds like a cheekier Benny Goodman Orchestra on Red Bull. Having amassed over 232 million views on YouTube they have recently been turning Taylor Swift into vintage cabaret with their take on ‘Blank Space’, jazzing up Meghan Trainor’s ‘All About the Bass’ and adding a 70s soul vibe to Backstreet Boys ‘I Want It that Way’.

Book now at www.liverpoolphil.com

8 | Contemporary Music

Courtney Pine featuring Omar

Saturday 18 March 8pm £19.50, £25.50 – Courtney Pine CBE is a British born jazz giant. The Times says he is ‘in a class of his own’.

He has won numerous BBC Jazz Awards, MOBOs, a Mercury Music Prize nomination and been at the forefront of UK jazz for over 25 years. His contemporary style integrates modern British sounds like drum n bass and UK deep rooted influences from across the Caribbean into his jazz. In this performance he

80s Invasion

Sunday 19 March 7.30pm £24.50, £29.50, £35.50, £42.50 – Due to overwhelming public demand 80s Invasion is back.

Four iconic artists from the decade perform on the same bill. This time, the new line-up features Paul Young, one of the most popular solo artists from the era, legendary pop punk princess Toyah, Liverpool guitar duo China Crisis and, for the first time performing in the UK in over 25 years, flying in especially from the USA, Martika!

Gilbert O’Sullivan

returns to the tenor saxophone for the first time in a decade alongside the vocal talents of soul star Omar. Perhaps best known for the 90s hit single ‘There’s Nothing Like This’ Omar has collaborated with Stevie Wonder, Erykah Badu, Carleen Anderson, Angie Stone, and now Pine. This very special project sees these two acclaimed UK talents composing, recording and performing new original material together for the first time.

‘Nothing short of breathtaking.’

The Telegraph

Friday 24 March 7.30pm £24.50, £29.50, £34.50 – 2017 marks an astonishing 50 years since Gilbert O’Sullivan made his first foray into the music business with the release of his debut single ‘Disappear’.

It launched O’Sullivan on a career that is still thriving five decades later - seeing him dominate the charts in the 70s and enjoying success and acclaim to the present day. In this new live show Gilbert and his eight piece share with you classics such as ‘Alone Again’ ‘Naturally’, ‘Nothing Rhymed’, ‘Clair’, ‘Matrimony and ‘Get Down’ as well as songs from the latest album Latin Ala G including ‘No Way’ and ‘I Guess I’ll Always Love You’.

Billy Ocean plus special guests

Monday 27 March 7.30pm £22.50, £35, £45, £55 – Ocean is the biggest black recording star Britain has ever produced, having sold over 30 million records. He has had phenomenal singles success with ‘Love on Delivery’ and ‘Stop Me’, then ‘Red Light Spells Danger’ which became a

10cc

Saturday 1 April 7.30pm £32, £35, £41 – Hugely influential in the history of popular music, 10cc are one of the few acts to have achieved commercial, critical and creative success in equal measure, with their current live incarnation still selling-out major concert halls. Testament to 10cc’s ongoing appeal, the band count fellow artists Chrissie Hynde, Axl Rose, The Feeling’s Dan Gillespie and Sophie Ellis Bextor among their many millions of fans. With eleven top 10 hits and the number ones, ‘Rubber Bullets’, ‘I’m Not In Love ‘and ‘Dreadlock Holiday’ it’s no surprise the band has sold 15 million albums in the UK alone.

smash in both the UK and the US. The million selling American number one single ‘Caribbean Queen’ (for which Billy won a Grammy) was followed by ‘Loverboy’ and ‘Suddenly’.’When the Going gets Tough (the tough gets going)’, ‘There’ll be Sad Songs (To Make You Cry)’and the now classic ‘Get Outta My Dreams; Get Into My Car’, all made No. 1 in the US.

Booking fees Online and phone 7.50% per order administrative fee applies, this includes all costs and standard postage is free.

In Person No fees for cash or debit card payments. Credit card payments incur a 2% transaction fee and cheque payments are subject to 70p per order charge.

Chris De Burgh

Sunday 23 April 7.30pm £45, £55, £60 – His 26th studio album, A Better World is released a little over three months after the 30th anniversary of the release of his hugely successful album Into The Light. It was the album that established him as a true,

Contemporary Music | 9

worldwide superstar. The album sold in excess of eight million copies and included the iconic single ‘The Lady In Red’, which reached number one in 47 countries and still regularly wins ASCAP (American Society of Composers, Authors and Publishers) awards for being one of the most played songs on the planet.

Caro Emerald

Monday 24 April 7.30pm £22.50, £35, £47.50 – The Amsterdam Conservatory jazz-trained vocalist is an original pop star with the look of a Hollywood icon of yesteryear. With more than 2.5 million record sales, 40 million

YouTube views, and a host of awards, Emerald’s live performances are something special – as The Daily Telegraph noted ‘Caro Emerald had everyone in the palm of her hand’ and her ‘infectious sense of fun and vintage charm can be relied on to lift the spirits.’

CHOOSE FROM 3 DIFFERENT DESIGNS

GIFT CARDS GIVE THE GIFT OF LIVE MUSIC A perfect present for the music lover who has everything!

Available online at liverpoolphil.com/giftcards, or phone 0151 709 3789. Redeemable online or at Box Office for any concert or event at Liverpool Philharmonic.

Book now at www.liverpoolphil.com

10 | Music Room

Merry Hell

MUSIC ROOM

Friday 13 January 8pm £13 – This brilliant eight-piece folkrock band hailing from Wigan formed in 2010 from the embers of The Tansads, another successful indie-folk band known across the North West in the 90s. They have released three albums and toured with Oysterband, Richard Thompson and the mighty Bellowhead. As FETEA Magazine puts it ‘If you’ve any taste for barnstorming folk-rock with a powerhouse charge, excellent musicianship placed at the service of anthemic no-nonsense lyrics unpretentiously detailing simple pleasures and everyday concerns and set to intensely memorable melodies and punchy, attractive and intelligent arrangements… well you’ll be in heaven in merry hell.’

Image Merry Hell Close Up

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As well as gigs by the best folk roots, blues, world and new music artists, Music Room is home to Close Up – a series of concerts by musicians of the Royal Liverpool Philharmonic Orchestra exploring music in their own ensembles and bands. Events are in a relaxed cabaret style seating format, unless otherwise stated, but standing or theatre-style seating in the venue is appropriate for some artists.

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Bach’s Cello Suites: Part One

Music Room is situated to the rear of Liverpool Philharmonic Hall, on Sugnal Street.

This friendly and informal setting with fabulous sound is the perfect space to get closer to live music.

Wednesday 4 January 8pm £15 – Bach Cello Suites 1, 4 & 5 – Jonathan Aasgaard cello

New Year’s Eve Party with Ian Prowse & very special guests

Saturday 31 December 8.30pm (til late!) £35 – Sing in the New Year with Ian and a host of special guests including fellow very well respected songwriters from Liverpool and beyond. In the friendly surroundings of Music Room, with a quality lineup, great music, and good company this special night is a wonderful way to spend your NYE.

Close Up

Bach’s Cello Suites: Part Two

Wednesday 11 January 8pm £15 – Bach Cello Suites 2, 3 & 6 – Jonathan Aasgaard cello

Considered to be amongst the most profound of all classical musical works, our Principal Cello Jonathan Aasgaard will wow you with pure unadulterated Bach.

‘Strutting with confidence and belief backed by big fisted melodies and compassionate, wry humoured lyrics.’

Louder Then War Lunchtime Concerts

Ensemble of St Luke’s

Monday 23 January 1pm £8 – Stravinsky Three Pieces for String Quartet Ian Stephens Dances Overheard Beethoven String Quartet Op.18 No.4 – Alexander Marks violin Sophie Coles violin Robert Shepley viola Gethyn Jones cello

Join us in the Music Room for a musical interlude to your busy day with our series of Lunchtime Concerts. These concerts, all of which feature musicians and ensembles from the Orchestra, last about an hour and are just £8. Doors open at 12 noon so turn up early, grab a coffee and choose your seat to enjoy some of the best music in town!

Sponsored by Booking fees Online and phone 7.50% per order administrative fee applies, this includes all costs and standard postage is free.

In Person No fees for cash or debit card payments. Credit card payments incur a 2% transaction fee and cheque payments are subject to 70p per order charge.

Music Room | 11

Jim Moray

Friday 27 January 8pm £15 – After five ground-breaking and award-winning albums Jim Moray finds himself at the forefront of a new folk revival in the UK. His music embraces everything from electronica to Johnny Marr-esque guitar rock via symphonic pop, an award winning XTC cover and grime.

But at its heart has always been Moray’s unmistakeable soulful FACT and Deep Hedonia Present

Nik Colk Void and Klara Lewis

Wednesday 1 February 8pm £10.50 – FACT and Deep Hedonia present a live performance by two of the most exciting female producers changing the face of electronic music today: London-based sound sculptress Nik Colk Void and experimental Swedish composer, Klara Lewis. Alternative, spontaneous

Liverpool Philharmonic Youth Company

Rushworth Young Composers Thursday 2 February 6pm Free, but tickets must be booked in advance – The premiere of new music written by our Rushworth Young Composers see page 23 for more details.

and improvisational, this programme showcases two artists who create a vibrant mixture of art and sound, incorporating experimentation, field recordings, electronics and an eclectic mix of influences.

The performance is part of the Public Programme for the new group exhibition No Such Thing As Gravity (11 November - 5 February), at FACT. Visit fact.co.uk/nstag for more information.

Miles Hunt & Erica Nockalls

Saturday 4 February 8pm £14 – During The Wonder Stuff’s year out in 2007 front man Miles Hunt and violinist Erica Nockalls released a debut album together Not An Exit. A ten date tour quickly turned into an 18 month tour, pausing only to play a handful of Wonder Stuff shows. Their follow up album Catching More Than We Miss was heralded by the music press as Hunt’s best work in his 21 year career. The duo now never ending acoustic tour sees them regularly tour the world playing a mixture of their own material as well as classic and rare Wonder Stuff tunes interspersed with musings from Miles and tales from the road.

voice; singing old songs in a new way. Recently he has collaborated with Andy Cutting, Patsy Reid, Martin Simpson and Nancy Kerr on the hugely successful Cecil Sharp Project and similarly acclaimed Elizabethan Project.

He’s also been making a name for himself as a producer working with Maz O’Connor and Jamie Smith’s Mabon, and even presented a documentary on BBC Radio 3 about the traditional song Brigg Fair.

Jayme Stone’s Lomax Project

Monday 6 February 8pm £10 – Two-time Juno-winning banjoist and composer Jayme Stone makes music inspired by sounds from around the world, bridging folk, jazz and chamber music. His award-winning albums both defy and honour the banjo’s long role in the world’s music. In this brilliant concert, focusing on songs collected by folklorist and field recording pioneer Alan Lomax, Stone brings together some of North America’s most distinctive and creative roots musicians to revive, recycle, and reimagine traditional music. As The Herald puts it ‘a transatlantic session with blood, guts and grit.’ You’ll hear Bahamian sea shanties, African-American a cappella singing from the Georgia Sea Islands, ancient Appalachian ballads, fiddle tunes, and work songs collected from both wellknown musicians and everyday folk: sea captains, cowhands, fisherman, prisoners, and homemakers.

‘A groundbreaking piece of work.’

Songlines

Book now at www.liverpoolphil.com

12 | Music Room

The Grahams

plus the film Rattle the Hocks

The Adventures of Andy Kershaw

Thursday 9 & Friday 10 February 8pm £15 – An evening with broadcaster, foreign correspondent and DJ. See page 28 for details.

Saturday 25 February 8pm £12.50 – Alyssa and Doug Graham have spent nearly their entire lives exploring music together.

Friends since she was 7 and he was 9, then husband and wife, now The Grahams (pronounced Graamz) are a dynamic Americana duo who has married their love of adventure with a desire to explore their musical predecessors. For their most recent album Glory

Bound they embarked on a song-crafting expedition, riding the rails. Their roots-based sound evolved to include propulsive and dynamic songs, as influenced by the speed and energy of their recent crosscountry train travels the length and breadth of the US, where the songs came together. The film, released with the album, Rattle the Hocks produced and directed by Cody Dickinson of the North Mississippi Allstars, chronicles their train-bound excursions and the influence of train travel on American roots music.

Friday 10 March 8pm £13.50 – Following a great performance here last year, and an album, slide guitarist Harley with Kimbro on double bass, return with new material. Harley’s ‘British Americana’ sound is influenced by Delta blues and gypsy swing. He is renowned for his lap slide playing and coupled with his writing of fabulously evocative road-worn songs, it is not surprising that Guitarist Magazine describes their sound as ‘staggeringly good, no one is making music like it’.

Lunchtime Concerts

Verity/Passmore Duo

Close Up

John Harle 60th Birthday Bash

Wednesday 15 February 8pm £15 – John Harle saxophone Steve Lodder piano – Harle has done more than any other saxophonist to increase the repertoire for the instrument. On the occasion of his 60th birthday John has asked his composer friends… Elvis Costello, Carl Davis, Michael Nyman, Graham Fitkin and more… to write short pieces for him. This is the outcome, an evening of music representing the worlds of classical, jazz, rock and new music.

Monday 27 February 1pm £8 – Thomas Verity clarinet Simon Passmore piano – Programme includes works by John McCabe, John Ireland and more. Join us in the Music Room for a musical interlude to your busy day. Lunchtime Concerts feature musicians and ensembles from the Royal Liverpool Philharmonic Orchestra and last about an hour. Grab a coffee and choose your seat to enjoy some of the best music in town!

Sponsored by

Martin Harley and Daniel Kimbro

International Women’s Day

Coven

Tuesday 7 March 8pm £14 – Coven is a collection of three of the British folk scene’s finest, most formidable and forthright female acts, taking to the stage to celebrate International Women’s Day. The exquisitely harmonic songwriting duo and BBC 6 Music favourites O’Hooley & Tidow will be joined by the enchanting BBC Radio 2 Folk Award finalists Lady Maisery and the irrepressible Leicester songwriter, activist and performer Grace Petrie. A rare opportunity to experience these thought provoking, heartfelt, entertaining and enthralling women on one stage.

Lindisfarne

Sunday 12 March 8pm £22 – 70s folk-rock pioneers Lindisfarne return to form with a classic six-piece line up of long-time members fronted by original founder-member Rod Clements on vocals, mandolin, fiddle and slide guitar. With a repertoire of unforgettable songs like ‘Meet Me On The Corner’, ‘Fog On The Tyne’, ‘Lady Eleanor’ and ‘Run For Home’ and a reputation for live performance second to none, the band’s power to galvanise audiences remains undimmed and is guaranteed to get the crowd singing along.

Booking fees Online and phone 7.50% per order administrative fee applies, this includes all costs and standard postage is free.

In Person No fees for cash or debit card payments. Credit card payments incur a 2% transaction fee and cheque payments are subject to 70p per order charge.

Music Room | 13

Oysters 3

Wednesday 15 March 8pm £17.50 – Oysterband as you don’t know them... up close and personal. John Jones, Alan Prosser and Ian Telfer, the three founder members and creative heart of folk-rock legends Oysterband, invite you to an evening of fresh acoustic performance and not-entirely-discreet stories.

This is an insight into their history, sometimes turbulent, often funny, with great songs from every era of a unique career.

Ian Siegal

Saturday 18 March 8pm £15 – Siegal is one of the most admired contemporary blues artists from the UK. He has accumulated more British and European awards than you can shake a stick at (11 at the last count), together with three nominations in the USA Blues Music Awards, effectively the Grammys of the Blues. This puts him a long way ahead of his contemporaries on this side of the Atlantic. His love of nascent rock ‘n rollers Little Richard and Elvis, blues titans such as Muddy Waters and Howlin’ Wolf, and the experimentalism of Tom Waits, fuels a powerful voice and magnetic stage presence.

Double bill

Daoiri Farrell/ Damien O’Kane Trio

Ezio

Plus special guests Thursday 16 March 8pm £13.50 – Ezio deliver the most exquisitely crafted and varied songs with a skill that can only come from having toured and recorded constantly for many years. Ezio’s style has always been nearly impossible to

describe, their music can range from the highly rhythmical almost manic Latin feeling rock to delicate dreamy ballads that are heartbreakingly honest and deeply poetic.

‘Easily one of the UK’s best live bands.’

The Guardian

Sunday 19 March 8pm £15 – Dublin-born traditional singer and bouzouki player Daoirí (pronounced ‘Derry’) Farrell is being described by some of the biggest names in Irish folk music as one of most important singers to come out of Ireland in recent years. He has recently won the All Ireland Champion Singer award at the Fleadh in Co. Derry, and the Danny Kyle Award at Celtic Connections.

Northern Irish singer and multi-instrumentalist Damien O’Kane teams up with master guitarists Steven Byrnes (Treacherous Orchestra, Kate Rusby) and Steven Iveson’s (Damien O’Kane Band) in a trio that takes traditional Irish music and song and gives it a contemporary edge. Though a fulltime member of Kate Rusby’s band, O’Kane is a singer, a very good one too, with a relaxed, assured, hypnotic vocal style that exudes a natural warmth and empathy with the colourful characters who occupy his songs.

‘Folk-pop that is Irish music for the 21st Century’.

The Daily Telegraph’

‘Daoirí is a bit of a force of nature really, a rootsy oneman-band storyteller with great humour and presence and moments of heartfelt sensitivity.’

Mark Radcliffe, BBC Radio 2 Folk Show.

Book now at www.liverpoolphil.com

14 | Music Room Close Up Concert

Anderson and Roe, piano duo

Monday 20 March 8pm £15 – Piazzolla Primavera Porteña Stravinsky The Rite of Spring Piazzolla Oblivion Libertango Thomas Adès Concert Paraphrase on Powder Her Face Radiohead ‘Paranoid Android’ from OK Computer Thomas Arne ‘The Glitt’ring Sun’ from The Morning Coldplay ‘Viva la Vida’ from Viva la Vida or Death and All His Friends John Lennon and Paul McCartney ‘Let It Be’ from Let It Be – A century ago, Stravinsky’s The Rite of Spring put a stick of dynamite under the world of classical music. And now piano duo Anderson and Roe will shake it up again in the Music Room with musical acts of revolution by Piazzolla, Adès and John Lennon. Expect to leave with your ears buzzing and your mind in overdrive.

Geoff Achison

Alexis Taylor

Wednesday 22 March 8pm £12.50 – Having mastered clever, chartfriendly dance-pop, Hot Chip front man Alexis Taylor has explored jazz, funk and semiimprovisational music but his latest solo album is pared-back, personal and composed entirely

of piano and voice. Aptly named, Piano is just Taylor performing reinterpretations of his own writing and favourites both well-known and unheard before by other artists.

Exploring religion, spirituality, and mortality, this music promises a more intimate and personal Taylor.

Friday 24 March 8pm £15 – From Melbourne to Memphis, Achison thrills audiences with his dynamic blues playing, catchy originals and gutsy solo arrangements which range from James Brown to The Beatles, from Stevie Wonder to Ben Harper. After many years living and touring in America’s deep south, Australia’s most respected guitar troubadours comes to Music Room with a stack of tunes and tales of his adventures working the US blues roots circuit. A highly regarded instrumentalist and singer/songwriter, Geoff treats his guitar like an orchestra laying down a mix of earthy blues, heartfelt soul and irresistibly funky grooves.

‘Never, ever miss an opportunity to see Geoff Achison perform live’.

Hittin.’

The Note Magazine (USA)

Clive Carroll

Saturday 25 March 8pm £12 – ‘Probably the best and most original acoustic guitar player and composer in Great Britain’ says Acoustic Magazine (USA).

Guitar phenomenon Clive Carroll’s masterful compositions and arrangements, coupled with his versatility and unparalleled technical virtuosity, have rendered him one of today’s most admired and respected guitarists. This world-class guitarist’s inspirational live show often encompasses Spanish guitar classics, originals, medieval lute music, Delta blues, hints of Chet Atkins and Django Reinhardt.

It’s guitar technique at its best.

Booking fees Online and phone 7.50% per order administrative fee applies, this includes all costs and standard postage is free.

In Person No fees for cash or debit card payments. Credit card payments incur a 2% transaction fee and cheque payments are subject to 70p per order charge.

Revolve & Rotate – The Polyphon Chronicles

Luke Daniels

Wednesday 29 March 8pm £12 – Daniels is a BBC award winning folk musician and singer who has performed with Ian Anderson of Jethro Tull, Cara Dillon and De Dannan.

Currently folk musician in residence of the National Museum of Rural Life, a tutor on the Royal Conservatoire of Scotland’s traditional music course and a soloist on The Lord of the Rings and Hobbit soundtracks. His latest album

Brian Kennedy

Thursday 30 March 8pm £17.50 – Internationally celebrated, Belfast-born Irish singer, Kennedy is also a songwriter, novelist, TV and radio presenter and former lead vocalist with Van Morrison’s Blues & Soul Revue for six years and on five Van albums. He was

Music Room | 15

Django’s Legacy II The Robin Nolan Trio

features new original songs and instrumental music composed for Polyphon machine. Having written pieces for an original Victorian machine, for which many popular folk tunes were arranged in the late 19th century, he combines digital audio with the machine’s acoustic clockwork mechanism and live performance creating music spanning the earliest form of recorded music with the very latest technology.

‘Modern morality tales and intriguing instrumentation’.

The Guardian

Tommy Fleming

Saturday 1 April 8pm £20 – ‘Danny Boy’, ‘Isle of Inisfree’ and ‘Hard Times’ - all songs that you probably know and love but you have never heard them until you hear Fleming’s versions. He also covers ‘You Raise Me Up’, ‘Bridge Over Troubled Waters’, ‘From a Distance’ and ‘Something Inside So Strong’ along with many more contemporary numbers. Regarded as one of Ireland’s top entertainers with over three million album sales worldwide, he turns each song into his own with a unique and powerful style touching emotions in you that only music can reach. also the lead singing performer in Riverdance on Broadway in a specially tailored role at the request of the composer Bill Whelan. Brian has shared the stage with an extraordinary list of legends like Joni Mitchell, Van Morrison, Bob Dylan, Stevie Wonder, Jeff Buckley, Moya Brennan, Sinead O’Connor, Eddi Reader, Boy George and Sting.

Saturday 22 April 8pm £20 – This is the second in the series of Django’s Legacy concerts showcasing the stunning music of legendary guitarist Django Reinhardt. World renowned gypsy jazz guitarist Robin Nolan has fused the worlds of his guitar heroes Django Reinhardt and Angus Young.

His latest album Sin City features AC/DC classics with a gypsy jazz makeover. The result is a ground breaking, exciting and new sound. It all started with the creation of ‘Djangus’, a devilish red acoustic gypsy guitar made in the style of Angus Young’s Gibson S.G. which Robin uses. Enjoy an evening of Django classics, Gypsy Jazz, Swing, and Beatles mixed with AC/DC classics played like you’ve never heard them before! Robin Nolan (guitar) is joined by Kevin Nolan (rhythm guitar) and Arnoud van den Burg (double bass).

Fascinating Aïda’s

Dillie Keane

Tuesday 18 & Wednesday 19 April 7.30pm £19.50

Liverpool Philharmonic Youth Company

Dillie takes a short break from her Fascinating Aïda pals to go solo. See page 28 for details.

Liverpool Philharmonic Youth Company Brass Band

Thursday 27 April 6pm Free – See page 27 for details.

Book now at www.liverpoolphil.com

16 | Family & Variety

Raymond Gubbay presents

Glenn Miller Orchestra

FAMILY & VARIETY

Sunday 8 January 2.30pm £17.50, £19.50, £25, £28, £31.50 – Mark Porter and Catherine Sykes vocalists The Swing Time Jivers

The UK’s most renowned big band swings you back in time playing Glenn Miller’s own arrangements of favourite wartime chart-toppers and hits from the forties directed by legendary band leader Ray McVay.’Juke Box Saturday Night’, ‘Flying Home’, ‘Running Wild’, ‘Hawaiian War Chant’, ‘Moonglow’, ‘Sentimental Journey’, ‘Perfidia’, ‘Opus One’, ‘Hot Toddy’ plus all your favourites including ‘Moonlight Serenade’, ‘Little Brown Jug’, ‘String of Pearls’, ‘Kalamazoo’, ‘Pennsylvania 6-5000’, ‘American Patrol’, ‘Tuxedo Junction’ and ‘In the Mood’.

The orchestra will perform the second half of the concert in the World War II uniforms of the US Army Air Force.

Image Anton and Erin Royal Liverpool Philharmonic Orchestra

E.T. The ExtraTerrestrial: U Film with Live Orchestra!

Monday 2 January 2pm & 7pm £19, £25, £33, £38, £45 Children £15 – Dirk Brossé conductor

John Williams’ spectacular score performed by the Orchestra alongside a film showing of this family classic.

An ordinary street, an ordinary

League Of Welldoers New Year Benefit Show

Tuesday 24 January 2pm £12, £15 – The League of Welldoers presents a variety benefit concert featuring your compere Tony Ravel plus eight other well-known Liverpool entertainers. A three hour benefit concert for all the family so don’t delay book early to avoid disappointment and help support one of Liverpool’s oldest independent charities.

little boy...and an extraordinary visitor, lost a long way from home in Steven Spielberg’s modern-day fairy-tale. And with John Williams’ glorious score performed live by the Royal Liverpool Philharmonic Orchestra, it’s never felt more magical - because there isn’t a cinema in the world that can match the sound of a live orchestra taking flight.. Bring the little ones and share your sense of wonder with a whole new generation: this is a New Year’s treat for all ages.

Running time approximately 2hrs 45mins.

Musicals Rock

Saturday 28 January 7.30pm £15, £20, £26, £32, £42 – Programme includes music from Mamma Mia, Evita, Chess, Grease and many more – Michael England conductor Jenna Lee-James singer Rachael Wooding singer Oliver Tompsett singer Royal Liverpool Philharmonic Orchestra Let the Orchestra take you on a journey through the highlights of some of the best known and much loved musicals. All the tunes you’ll recognise put

together in one concert – the result is a feast of thrilling music together with exceptional performances from a young and vibrant cast, backed by the power and energy of a full symphony orchestra.

Swing Time: Anton & Erin

Saturday 4 February 7.30pm £27, £36.50, £47.50, £49.50 – Richard Balcombe conductor Lance Ellington star vocalist Anton du Beke & Erin Boag With six world class Ensemble Dancers and the full 25 piece Manchester Concert Orchestra – Featuring dazzling new choreography, sparkling costumes and a sensational show band performing timeless music including; ‘I Got Rhythm’, ‘Moondance’, ‘Guys and Dolls’, ‘Le Jazz Hot’, ‘Strike up the Band’, ‘I’ve Got The World On A String’, ‘I Could Have Danced All Night’ and many more.

Booking fees Online and phone 7.50% per order administrative fee applies, this includes all costs and standard postage is free.

In Person No fees for cash or debit card payments. Credit card payments incur a 2% transaction fee and cheque payments are subject to 70p per order charge.

Brendan Cole: All Night Long

Thursday 9 February 7.30pm £33.50, £38.50, £44.50

– Following his sell out tours of the UK, Brendan Cole returns with his brand new 2017 show All Night Long. With his 14piece band and singers live on stage Brendan hosts a spectacular night of theatrical entertainment.

In Harmony Liverpool 8th Birthday Concert

Monday 20 March 1.30pm Tickets are free, but please book in advance – Join the annual celebration of In Harmony Liverpool’s birthday – this year marking 8 years of the programme. In Harmony Liverpool, originally inspired by Venezuela’s El Sistema, uses orchestral musicmaking to improve the health, education and aspirations of children and young people in Everton. For this special celebration over 200 young musicians from In Harmony Liverpool are joined on stage by musicians from the Royal Liverpool Philharmonic Orchestra to perform a range of music. There are few things as heart-warming as watching these young people at the start of musical journey. Book your free tickets to join the party!

Family Concert

Magical Musical Kingdoms

Sunday 9 April 2.30pm £8, £10, £12 (children) £11, £15, £19 (adults) – Michael Seal conductor Alasdair Malloy presenter Royal Liverpool Philharmonic Orchestra

From fairy tale palaces to princes and princesses, join the Orchestra and court jester (and presenter) Alasdair Malloy to explore the musical and magical kingdoms. Shrek, Sleeping Beauty, Robin Hood, Princess Fiona, the Queen of Narnia – who is your favourite character from the land of fairy tales? Why not dress up and let us know? Liverpool Philharmonic Family Concerts are a great way for children and adults to experience the sights and sounds of a full symphony orchestra. The concerts are approximately an hour long, and are designed with children in mind. So come along and join in with the fun: fidgeting and wriggling are allowed!

Family & Variety | 17

Remembering Fred

entertainment supported by special appearances from celebrity guests. A magical evening of top hat, white tie and wonderful tales, backed by a cast of dancers, a live band and sensational singers with classic songs ‘They Can’t Take That Away From Me’, ‘Night & Day’, ‘S’Wonderful’, ‘Cheek To Cheek’, ‘Puttin’ On The Ritz’, ‘Let’s Face The Music & Dance’, ‘The Way You Look Tonight’, ‘Top Hat, White Tie & Tails’ plus many more.

Monday 10 April 7.30pm £19.50, £29.50, £35, £41, £55 – Strictly stars Aljaz and Janette pay tribute to Fred Astaire in a spectacular new show. Step back in time and relive special moments from the career of dancing extraordinaire, Fred Astaire. Remembering Fred takes you on a magical journey of dance, live music and

Beau and Friends

Saturday 15 April 7.30pm £25, £27.50, £30, £35, £40 – 12-year-old, Widnes schoolgirl and singing sensation, Beau Dermott in her first ever concert. Beau performs live the songs that brought her to national acclaim and took her to the Britain’s Got Talent final.

Her astonishing versions of songs like ‘Defying Gravity’ and ‘Someone Like You’ highlighted her as one of the best young vocalists in Britain. In this debut live show Beau performs well-known musical theatre

DEDICATE A SEAT

songs, pop and songs of various genres that she is yet to perform for an audience. She is joined by several special guests of local and national fame to be revealed.

The concert is in aid of Cancer Research, the Donna Louise Trust and the Mane Chance Sanctuary.

Dedicate a seat today for £150 a year and begin what becomes for many, a lifelong journey in supporting our work.

Sign up for Direct Debit and pay just £144 over 12 monthly payments of just £12.

– To learn more, please call the Development team on 0151 210 2921 or email fundraising@liverpoolphil.com or visit www.liverpoolphil.com/seat

Book now at www.liverpoolphil.com

18 | Talks, Tours & Taking Part

TALKS, TOURS & TAKING PART

Image Lunchtime Learning

Discover the Classics

£15 per session. Sessions take place on Saturdays from 11am to 1pm in the Music Room.

– Join us to discover the musical, social and historical stories behind some of the revolutionary music, composers and artists in the Royal Liverpool Philharmonic Orchestra’s 2016 – 2017 season. All you need is a passion for music and we’ll take care of the rest!

Tim Lihoreau with Vasily Petrenko

Saturday 21 January – Classic FM’s Tim Lihoreau is joined by Chief Conductor Vasily Petrenko to discuss Petrenko’s Shostakovich and provide commentary with plenty of opportunities for questions, discussion, fun and lively debate. See page 22 for details of the concert Petrenko’s Shostakovich.

Jane Jones discusses The Damnation of Faust

Saturday 11 March – Classic FM presenter Jane Jones discusses The Damnation of Faust concert providing commentary with plenty of opportunities for questions, discussion and lively debate.

See page 25 for concert details.

Creative Careers Day

Saturday 18 February 9.30am - 2.30pm Music Room Free, but please book in advance – Ideal for anyone currently studying or planning to study A Level/Degree Level Music who is interested in finding out more about creative careers.

A day of workshops, activities, performances and speakers that will inspire and inform you about the range of careers out there for you as a talented young musician. Get an insight into performing, sound design, conducting, technical work, programming and more from creative organisations, including Samsung, Royal Scottish National Orchestra, Warner Music and Liverpool International Music Festival.

You can also find out more about courses and organisations that can help with your future career.

If you are interested in attending, or for more information, email youthensembles@liverpoolphil.com.

Group and individual bookings are welcome.

Booking fees Online and phone 7.50% per order administrative fee applies, this includes all costs and standard postage is free.

In Person No fees for cash or debit card payments. Credit card payments incur a 2% transaction fee and cheque payments are subject to 70p per order charge.

Workshops for Children

– Get the whole family involved in these music workshops for children aged 0-5 years, with parents and grandparents encouraged to join in. Led by musicians from the Royal Liverpool Philharmonic Orchestra, the workshops involve singing, creative music making and the opportunity to have a go on a range of musical instruments.

Sessions are held in our friendly, informal Music Room and last 45 minutes. All workshops include worksheets and suggestions on how to make music at home!

Tickets are £7 (including accompanying adult), additional adults £7 (Age ranges are for guidance only).

Baby Voices

Thursday 23 February 10am & Friday 2 June 10am – Suggested age: 0-18 months. The perfect introduction to making music with your baby, these workshops include songs, movement, and active listening.

Liverpool Philharmonic Experience Tours

– Have you ever wondered what happens backstage, wanted to see the dressing rooms, been curious about the workings of the UK’s oldest professional symphony orchestra or wanted to learn more about the heritage of the glorious Art Deco Liverpool Philharmonic Hall?

The Liverpool Philharmonic Experience is just the ticket...with different types of experiences we’ve something to suit everyone from our youngest audiences to families, music lovers and heritage hunters!

If you have a group of 30+ then we can look a scheduling an exclusive tour.

Please call 0151 210 2901. Special rates are also available for school groups.

The experience lasts approximately 2 hours. Tours are accessible, but if you are a wheelchair user or have access needs, please call us to book, so we can accommodate your needs.

Delve Deep

Thursday 26 January 11am & Thursday 4 May 2017 11am £15 – Exploring historical material from the archives, delve into the orchestra’s history and workings, hear some of the intriguing (and ghostly!) stories, gain a better understanding of a musician’s life and experience a live performance by a Royal Liverpool Philharmonic Orchestra musician. The experience lasts approximately 2 hours.

Talks, Tours & Taking Part | 19

Toddler Tunes

Monday 20 February 11.45am Thursday 23 February 11.45am & Thursday 1 June 10am – Suggested age: 18-36 months. In these sessions you’ll use songs and games to help your child develop their musicianship and creativity. Children will lead the music making, with you responding and ‘tuning in’ to the sounds.

Little Notes

Monday 20 February 10am Thursday 1 June 2017 11.45am & Friday 2 June 2017 11.45am – Suggested age: 3-5 years. Your child will explore pitch and rhythm, using songs and activities to help them develop their creativity. They will also explore percussion instruments and learn about instruments of the orchestra.

Play

Saturday 13 May 11am £12, children £8 – A super-engaging experience designed especially for children aged 5+ and their families, with musical surprises and untold tales. You’ll experience what it’s like to play an instrument centre-stage, hold the conductor’s baton and enjoy a live demonstration by a Royal Liverpool Philharmonic Orchestra musician.

Tour lasts approximately 90 minutes.

Discover

Thursday 2 March 11am & Thursday 25 May 11am £15 – Learn about the organisation’s rich heritage, explore some of the ‘secret spaces’ and enjoy a musical surprise by a Royal Liverpool Philharmonic Orchestra musician.

All tours are accessible, but if you are a wheelchair user or have access needs, please call us to book, so we can accommodate your needs.

Book now at www.liverpoolphil.com

20 | Talks, Tours & Taking Part

Lunchtime Learning

– Ever wanted to learn more about the revolutionary music of Beethoven or ask questions to musicians about the music they love to play? Lunchtime Learning is the perfect place to be… a chance to learn something new, meet like-minded people and enjoy inspiring music. Join composer and lecturer Ian Stephens in the Music Room. These informal and friendly twohour sessions are open to everyone, whether you are new to classical music or a regular concert-goer.

Pre-Concert Talks

– Free pre-concert talks and interviews with visiting artists are a great way to get more out of the performance. Talks are free to all concert ticket holders. They start at 6.15pm in the Music Room. There is no need to book (you’ll already have your concert ticket) just turn up.

Symphonic Landscapes

Thursday 20 April 6.15pm £15 – Conductor Andrew Manze discusses Vaughan Williams’ Symphonies No.5 and 6.

Wednesday 1 March 12.45pm £15 – Linked to the Royal Liverpool Philharmonic Orchestra concert on 2 March, Rhapsody (see page 29) and featuring music of Liszt, Ravel and Bartók, with conductor Gilbert Varga and pianist Louis Schwizgebel.

Wednesday 19 April 12.45pm £15 – Linked to the Royal Liverpool Philharmonic Orchestra concert on 20 April, Symphonic Landscapes. Rhapsody (see page 27) featuring music of Sibelius and Vaughan Williams with conductor Andrew Manze.

Thursday 30 March 6.15pm £15 – Norman Lebrecht, one of the most widely-read commentators on music, culture and politics, regular presenter on BBC Radio 3 and author of Why Mahler? discusses Mahler’s Symphony No.5.

See page 26 for concert details.

Rehearsal Visit

Rehearsal Visit

Petrenko’s Mahler

See page 27 for concert details.

Post-Concert Question Time

– Post-Concert Question Times are free to ticket holders and they start 15 minutes after the concert and take place in Music Room.

Russian Superstars

Thursday 2 February – Pianist Daniil Trifonov and Chief Conductor Vasily Petrenko answer your questions.

See page 23 for concert details.

Firebird

Thursday 23 February – Violinist Ning Feng and conductor Carlos Migual Prieto answer your questions.

See page 24 for concert details.

The Power of Two

Thursday 23 March – Conductor Christian Lindberg with piano duo Anderson and Roe answer your questions.

See page 25 for concert details.

Booking fees Online and phone 7.50% per order administrative fee applies, this includes all costs and standard postage is free.

In Person No fees for cash or debit card payments. Credit card payments incur a 2% transaction fee and cheque payments are subject to 70p per order charge.

Classical Music | 21

Raymond Gubbay presents

New Year’s Day Prom

CLASSICAL MUSIC

Sunday 1 January 2.30pm £17.50, £22.50, £25, £30, £36.50, £39.50, £42.50 – Sibelius Finlandia Sousa Stars and Stripes Forever Bizet Danse Bohème Tchaikovsky Nutcracker Suite Puccini O soave fanciulla Verdi Sempre libera & Brindisi from La traviata Suppe Light Cavalry Overture Verdi La donna è mobile Grieg Morning and In the Hall of the Mountain King Elgar Nimrod from Enigma Variations Plus all your New Year’s Day favourites; ‘Hornpipe’, ‘Rule, Britannia!’, ‘Nessun Dorma’ and ‘Land of Hope and Glory’.

Ilona Domnich soprano Alexander James Edwards tenor John Pryce-Jones conductor Manchester Concert Orchestra Image Vasily Petrenko, Royal Liverpool Philharmonic Orchestra Chief Conductor

Messiah

Saturday 7 January 7pm £19, £25, £33, £38, £45 – Handel Messiah – Frank Markowitsch conductor Ruby Hughes soprano Claudia Huckle alto Thomas Walker tenor Neal Davies bass Royal Liverpool Philharmonic Choir Royal Liverpool Philharmonic Orchestra Messiah is less a classical masterpiece, more a national institution, so this annual performance is always a highlight of our calendar – and a magnificent showcase for our terrific Royal Liverpool Philharmonic Choir. Conductor Frank Markowitsch is renowned for his fresh approach to 18thcentury music: there’s no more inspiring way to begin a new year.

Sponsored by

Paul Lewis plays Mozart

Chamber Music

Armida Quartet

Sunday 8 January 2.30pm St George’s Hall Concert Room £25 – Haydn String Quartet Op.33 No.6 ‘Russian’ Marko Nikodijević String Quartet Beethoven String Quartet Op.59 No.1 ‘Razumovsky’

As former BBC New Generation Artists, the Berlin-based Armida Quartet has already established themselves as one of the most striking ensembles on the European scene.

This powerful programme lets them test their mettle against two of the supreme masters of string chamber music – Haydn and Beethoven – plus a new work, from the young Serbian composer Nikodijević.

Sponsored by

Supported by

Thursday 12 January 7.30pm & Friday 13 January 2.30pm £15, £20, £26, £32, £42 – Liszt Les Préludes Mozart Piano Concerto No.27 in B flat, K595 Dukas The Sorcerer’s Apprentice Ravel Piano Trio (orchestrated by Yan Pascal Tortelier) – Yan Pascal Tortelier conductor Paul Lewis piano Royal Liverpool Philharmonic Orchestra If you’ve seen Disney’s Fantasia, you’ll already know the story of Dukas’s The Sorcerer’s Apprentice – but just wait until you hear the fabulously French orchestral magic that guest conductor Yan Pascal Tortelier has worked on Ravel’s sensuous Piano Trio. First, though, we’ve got Merseyside’s very own keyboard magician Paul Lewis in Mozart’s poignant final piano concerto, and a true classic from times past: Liszt’s barnstorming Les Préludes – a marvellously noisy musical celebration of life itself.

Book now at www.liverpoolphil.com

22 | Classical Music

Raymond Gubbay presents

Johann Strauss Gala

Saturday 14 January 2.30pm £21.50, £28.50, £34.50, £39.50 – Spend an enchanting afternoon enjoying all your favourite waltzes, polkas and songs from the Strauss era. ‘Die Fledermaus Overture’ ‘Tales from the Vienna Woods’ ‘Roses from the South Waltz’ ‘TritschTratsch Polka’ ‘Blue Danube Waltz’ ‘Radetzky March’ ‘Roses in Tyrol’ with the Johann Strauss Dancers in glorious costumes of the period and the Johann Strauss Gala Orchestra conducted by John Rigby featuring soprano Corinne Cowling.

Petrenko’s Shostakovich

Sunday 22 January 2.30pm £15, £20, £26, £32, £42 – Britten Four Sea Interludes from Peter Grimes Liszt/Schubert Wanderer Fantasy for Piano and Orchestra Shostakovich Symphony No.12: The Year 1917 – Vasily Petrenko conductor Teo Gheorghiu piano Royal Liverpool Philharmonic Orchestra

100 Years of Revolution

Thursday 19 January 7.30pm £15, £20, £26, £32, £42 – Emily Howard Torus: Concerto for Orchestra (BBC Proms and Liverpool Philharmonic 175th Anniversary Commission) Liszt/Schubert Wanderer Fantasy for Piano and Orchestra Shostakovich Symphony No.12: The Year 1917 – Vasily Petrenko conductor Teo Gheorghiu piano Royal Liverpool Philharmonic Orchestra

Liverpool: essential listening. First, though, the remarkable swiss pianist Teo Gheorghiu makes his Liverpool debut with a journey through romantic music’s dark underbelly and the Wirral-born Emily Howard lights up the sky with her piece which was given its world premiere at the BBC Proms 2016.

Sponsored by

Petrograd, 1917: angry crowds fill the streets, the guns of a warship thunder in the distance, and the air buzzes with the songs of revolution. Shostakovich’s 12th symphony is all about history on a blockbuster scale – and when Vasily Petrenko and the Orchestra recorded it, critics hailed the result as ‘superb’. Now, they play it together for the first time live in ‘Shame on you tyrants!’ We couldn’t have a year of musical revolution without Shostakovich’s shattering symphonic retelling of the Bolshevik rising of October 1917. This is musical history on a blockbuster scale – and when Vasily Petrenko and the Orchestra recorded it, critics hailed the result as ‘superb’. First, though, the remarkable Swiss virtuoso Teo Gheorghiu makes his Liverpool debut with a journey through romantic music’s dark underbelly, and Shostakovich’s friend Benjamin Britten puts to sea in four windswept extracts from Peter Grimes – the opera that revolutionised British music.

Book online And save £1

DINE WITH US

Enjoy a delicious pre-concert meal in the elegant setting of our Grand Foyer.

– Book online at liverpoolphil.com/food-and-drink and save £1, or call 0151 709 3789 to make a reservation.

Booking fees Online and phone 7.50% per order administrative fee applies, this includes all costs and standard postage is free.

In Person No fees for cash or debit card payments. Credit card payments incur a 2% transaction fee and cheque payments are subject to 70p per order charge.

Finnish Skies

Thursday 26 January 7.30pm £15, £20, £26, £32, £42 – Beethoven Leonore Overture No.3 Albert Schnelzer Oboe Concerto: The Enchanter Hummel Theme and variations for Oboe and Orchestra Sibelius Symphony No.5 – Jaime Martín conductor François Leleux oboe Royal Liverpool Philharmonic Orchestra

‘One of the greatest experiences of my life.

God, what beauty!’ Few composers were as close to nature as Jean Sibelius, and when he saw a flight of swans high in the Finnish sky, he heard unforgettable music. His fifth symphony begins with a radiant sunrise and ends with that noble vision – and a tune that’ll stay with you forever. It’s a majestic finish to a concert that begins with the stirring call to freedom of Beethoven’s Leonore Overture, and features the Liverpool debut of oboist extraordinaire Franҫois Leleux in two tongue-twisting, eartickling musical extravaganzas!

Liverpool Philharmonic Youth Company

Rushworth Young Composers

Thursday 2 February 6pm Music Room Free, but tickets must be booked in advance – The premiere of new music written by our Rushworth Young Composers and performed by members of Liverpool Philharmonic Youth Orchestra and Youth Choir.

Classical Music | 23

Russian Superstars

Thursday 2 February 7.30pm & Friday 3 February 2.30pm £15, £20, £26, £32, £42 – Stravinsky Jeu de Cartes Rachmaninov Piano Concerto No.4 Prokofiev Symphony No.5 – Vasily Petrenko conductor Daniil Trifonov piano Royal Liverpool Philharmonic Orchestra

Inspired by Mussorgsky’s ‘Pictures at an Exhibition’, Rushworth Young Composers work with Tate Liverpool’s young artist programme, Tate Collective, to present new music that has art, architecture and history at its heart. If you are attending the Royal Liverpool Philharmonic Orchestra concert Russian Superstars why not take in this concert first?

Sponsored by

Night at the Opera

Chamber Music

Kirill Gerstein, piano

Sunday 12 February 2.30pm St George’s Hall Concert Room £25 – Bach 4 Duettos, BMV 802-805 Brahms Piano Sonata No.2 in F sharp minor Op.2 Liszt Transcendental Études

Russian-born pianist Gerstein doesn’t just play with a lightning virtuosity he brings poetic insight to everything he touches, and this recital opens amidst the timeless beauty of Bach before Gerstein scales the Everest of romantic pianism: a full performance of Liszt’s jaw-dropping Transcendental Études.

‘The audience was stunned by Gerstein’s hour of knife-edge virtuosity.’

New Zealand Herald

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Saturday 18 February 7.30pm £15, £20, £26, £32, £42 – Puccini Arias and Duets from Tosca and La Bohème Verdi Arias from La Traviata Saint-Saëns Bacchanale from Samson and Delilah Gounod Duet from Romeo and Juliet Respighi Fountains of Rome – Aleksandar Markovic conductor Iwona Sobotka soprano David Butt Philip tenor Royal Liverpool Philharmonic Orchestra Love, glamour, and tunes to make your heart race. In Italy, opera is as popular as football – and they follow it every bit as passionately. And nothing beats the thrill of hearing a world-class voice take flight in a great aria by Puccini or Verdi. We’ve got two real opera stars tonight, plus Opera North’s sparkling new conductor and a whole evening of the melodies you love – from the tragedy of Tosca and La Traviata and the romance of La Bohème to the smouldering sensual excess of Samson and Delilah.

Sponsored by

Forged in the crucible of war and premiered to the sound of gunfire, Prokofiev’s massive fifth symphony is dedicated to ‘the greatness of the human spirit’. Sounds ambitious? Vasily Petrenko and the full Orchestra will make it catch fire. And if you only know Rachmaninov’s second and third piano concertos, just wait until you hear the Tchaikovsky Competition winning Daniil Trifonov in the fourth: the closest Rachmaninov ever came to jazz.

Stravinsky’s brilliant card-trick of a ballet launches an evening of high stakes and glittering prizes. Make sure you catch this rare opportunity to witness this Russian superstar in his only UK appearance outside London this season.

‘He is a phenomenon...he leaves you struggling for superlatives.’

The Guardian on Trifonov Sponsored by

Post-concert Question Time Thursday 2 February

Starts 15 mins after the concert in the Music Room

Pianist Daniil Trifonov and Chief Conductor Vasily Petrenko.

Book now at www.liverpoolphil.com

24 | Classical Music

Firebird

Thursday 23 February 7.30pm & Friday 24 February 2.30pm £15, £20, £26, £32, £42 – Elgar Violin Concerto Revueltas Redes Suite Stravinsky Firebird Suite (1919 version) – Carlos Miguel Prieto conductor Ning Feng violin Royal Liverpool Philharmonic Orchestra Everyone loves Elgar’s nostalgic Cello Concerto. But if you haven’t heard his Violin Concerto, you only know half the story.

Elgar poured all his hopes, memories and dreams into this one heartbreakingly beautiful masterpiece Then guest conductor Carlos Miguel Prieto dives headlong into a very different kind of fantasy: the eerie darkness and dazzling light of Stravinsky’s Firebird Suite.

Post-concert Question Time Thursday 23 February

Starts 15 mins after the concert in the Music Room

Violinist Ning Feng and conductor Carlos Miguel Prieto answer your questions about the performance.

Rhapsody

Grieg Piano Concerto

Thursday 2 March 7.30pm £15, £20, £26, £32, £42 – Liszt Hungarian Rhapsody No.2 Ravel Piano Concerto in G Ravel Suite, Mother Goose Bartók Suite, The Miraculous Mandarin – Gilbert Varga conductor Louis Schwizgebel piano Royal Liverpool Philharmonic Orchestra

Sunday 5 March 2.30pm £15, £20, £26, £32, £42 – Liszt Hungarian Rhapsody No.2 Grieg Piano Concerto Grieg Peer Gynt Suite Bartók Suite, The Miraculous Mandarin – Gilbert Varga conductor Louis Schwizgebel piano Royal Liverpool Philharmonic Orchestra

In Hungary, they like their music spicy.

Bartók’s The Miraculous Mandarin was considered so racy that it was actually banned in the 1920s – but returning guestconductor Gilbert Varga has Hungarian blood and he conducts the suite, live and uncensored. Liszt’s Hungarian Rhapsody sets things fizzing, before Leeds International Piano Competition prize-winner Louis Schwizgebel brings all his poetry and panache to Ravel’s dreamy Piano Concerto – music born under the Basque sun. Before things overheat, we’ll take a trip to Mother Goose’s enchanted garden: musical fairy tales for boys and girls of all ages.

If Grieg’s Piano Concerto is the world’s most popular, there’s a reason why - like Grieg’s famous Peer Gynt Suite, this is music with a huge, glowing heart, simply packed with tunes -with the young Swiss star (and Leeds International Piano Competition prize winner) Louis Schwizgebel at the keyboard.

Back by popular demand, conductor Gilbert Varga adds a dash of paprika with two showpieces from his ancestral Hungary.

Sponsored by

Chamber Music

Brodsky Quartet with Martin Roscoe, piano

Wednesday 8 March 7.30pm St George’s Hall Concert Room £25 – Bach The Art of Fugue Beethoven String Quartet No.14 Op. 131 Elgar Piano Quintet – Brodsky Quartet Martin Roscoe piano

‘It’s ghostly stuff.’ Even Edward Elgar himself knew there was something unique about his Piano Quintet – a haunted, impassioned masterpiece written in the embers of the First World War. And when one of Britain’s most dynamic string quartets comes together with the great Cheshire-born pianist Martin Roscoe, you know to expect something special. Masterpieces by Bach and Beethoven will be worth the price of admission in their own right.

Sponsored by

Booking fees Online and phone 7.50% per order administrative fee applies, this includes all costs and standard postage is free.

In Person No fees for cash or debit card payments. Credit card payments incur a 2% transaction fee and cheque payments are subject to 70p per order charge.

The Damnation of Faust

Saturday 11 March 7.30pm £15, £20, £26, £32, £42 – Berlioz The Damnation of Faust – John Nelson conductor Toby Spence Faust Michèle Losier Marguerite Adam Lau Mephistopheles Božidar Smiljanic Brandner Royal Liverpool Philharmonic Choir Royal Liverpool Philharmonic Orchestra

“I shall enchant your eyes and ears…” What would you trade for your wildest dreams?

Young Faust makes the deadliest possible bargain – but he has one hell of a time finding out the price. Half grand opera, half roof-raising choral-orchestral spectacular, Berlioz’s ground-breaking The Damnation of Faust caused a scandal in 1846, and with its supernatural story and thumping good melodies, it’s one of romantic music’s most thrillingly sinful treats. Join John Nelson, the Royal Liverpool Philharmonic Choir and an all-star cast for a night when the Devil really does have all the best tunes.

Sponsored by

The Power of Two Thursday 23 March 7.30pm £15, £20, £26, £32, £42

Stravinsky Pulcinella Suite Poulenc Concerto for Two Pianos Sibelius Lemminkäinen Suite (Four Legends) – Christian Lindberg conductor Anderson and Roe piano duo Royal Liverpool Philharmonic Orchestra ‘A mighty hero, in his veins the blood of ages… but alas, he had his failings.’

Lemminkaïnen is a hero like no other: loving, fighting, seducing and tasked with hunting the sacred Swan of Tuonela.

Sibelius retold his exploits in music that’s as colourful as a film score and as gripping as Game of Thrones! Conductor Christian Lindberg is one of music’s supreme entertainers, and he brings just as much energy and flair to Stravinsky’s cheeky mock baroque ballet and Poulenc’s barnstorming double piano concerto – with, for the first time in Liverpool, chart-topping American duo Anderson and Roe. Post-concert Question Time

Starts 15 mins after the concert in the Music Room

Join conductor Christian Lindberg with piano duo Anderson and Roe in the Music Room after tonight’s concert to ask questions.

Sponsored by

Liverpool Philharmonic Youth Company

Liverpool Philharmonic Youth Orchestra

Sunday 26 March 2.30pm £9 adults, £6 under 25s £2 with Liverpool Young Musician Pass – Beethoven Overture, Egmont Elgar Cello Concerto Stravinsky Suite, The Firebird (1919) – Simon Emery conductor Jonathan Aasgaard cello

Classical Music | 25

Birkenhead & Formby Choral Societies

Saturday 25 March 7.30pm £10, £18, £24 (students £5, £9, £12) – Mendelssohn Elijah – Rosanna Harris soprano Philip Clieve tenor Ben Lewis baritone Liverpool Philharmonia, Arfona Griffiths leader David Holroyd conductor

The adult Choral Societies from Birkenhead and Formby come together again with about 100 boys from Merchant Taylors’ School in Crosby to present the 13th in their series of collaborations. This time they perform Mendelssohn’s majestic Elijah. The Old Testament story is told with dramatic and delightfully melodic music, with four soloists and a full symphony orchestra joined by a chorus of some 300 singers. For many of the boys, this is a once-in-a-lifetime experience, and one they will surely never forget.

Liverpool Philharmonic Youth Ensembles provide regular music-making opportunities for more than 200 children and young people aged 7 – 23 from across Liverpool and the North West to develop their musicianship and composition and to take part in exhilarating performances alongside professional musicians, international artists and fantastic conductors.

Book now at www.liverpoolphil.com

26 | Classical Music

Petrenko’s Mahler

Petrenko’s Mahler

Thursday 30 March 7.30pm £15, £20, £26, £32, £42 – Wolf Prelude from Der Corregidor (arranged by Mahler) Wolf Scherzo and Finale Mahler Symphony No.5 – Vasily Petrenko conductor Royal Liverpool Philharmonic Orchestra

Sunday 2 April 2.30pm £15, £20, £26, £32, £42 – Mendelssohn Violin Concerto Mahler Symphony No.5 – Vasily Petrenko conductor Tamsin Waley-Cohen violin Royal Liverpool Philharmonic Orchestra A lone trumpet sounds in the darkness and Gustav Mahler begins his great struggle from tragedy to triumph – by way of midnight storms, joyous horn-calls, and the most tender love-letter ever written without words: the rapturous Adagietto. ‘The symphony should be like the world’ said Mahler; and with Vasily Petrenko conducting, 70 minutes of music becomes the emotional experience of a lifetime. To start, rarities from a close friend of Mahler’s youth – the doomed genius Hugo Wolf.

Played together, they’re a revelation.

Classic Intro, 30 March only 6.15pm (Music Room) Norman Lebrecht, one of the most widelyread commentators on music, culture and politics, regular presenter on BBC Radio 3 and author of Why Mahler? discusses Mahler’s Symphony No.5.

Sponsored by

Symphonie Fantastique!

St. Mary’s College Festival of Music

Friday 31 March 7.30pm £12.50 – BBC Radio Merseyside’s Roger Phillips compere Director of Music Andrew Byers conductor, assisted by Colin Johnston – For the nineteenth year, St. Mary’s College, Crosby mounts a showcase of the musical talents of its pupils featuring over 250 musicians from a range of musical ensembles from the College and its Preparatory School, The Mount. These include the College’s award-winning Symphony Orchestra, Symphonic Wind Band, Stage Band, Baroque Consort, Show Choir, Chamber Choir and Mount Concert Choir as well as a number of gifted soloists.

Highlights include Vivaldi’s Gloria, Ravel’s Bolero, the Overture to the Light Cavalry

by Franz Von Suppe, St. Paul’s Suite by Holst and music from the big screen blockbuster Star Wars-The Force Awakens

by John Williams.

Thursday 6 April & Friday 7 April 7.30pm £15, £20, £26, £32, £42 – Kodály Dances of Galánta Szymanowski Violin Concerto No.1 Berlioz Symphonie Fantastique – Vasily Petrenko conductor Baiba Skride violin Royal Liverpool Philharmonic Orchestra

All you need is love! Hector Berlioz couldn’t get the girl of his dreams. So – as you do – he wrote her a symphony: a huge, opiumfuelled riot of passions, nightmares and guillotines. Fantastique by name, fantastic by nature, it’s one of those pieces that you’ve simply got to hear live – and that goes double for Szymanowski’s shimmering dreamscape of the First Violin Concerto, especially when performed by the incomparable Baiba Skride. Vasily Petrenko gets the party started Hungarian-style: in a blaze of fiddles.

Sponsored by

Hope and Passion

Wednesday 12 April 7.30pm £15, £20, £26, £32, £42 – Barber Adagio for Strings Rutter Requiem Rutter The Gift of Life – John Rutter conductor Elin Manaham Thomas soprano Royal Liverpool Philharmonic Choir Liverpool Philharmonic Youth Choir Royal Liverpool Philharmonic Orchestra John Rutter might just be the world’s bestloved living classical composer. Millions have sung his music, millions more have been touched by it. The man himself conducts both his deeply-moving Requiem, and the first Liverpool performance of The Gift of Life – a joyous new choral masterpiece celebrating ‘the living earth, creation and life itself’. An evening of beauty with a true living master.

Booking fees Online and phone 7.50% per order administrative fee applies, this includes all costs and standard postage is free.

In Person No fees for cash or debit card payments. Credit card payments incur a 2% transaction fee and cheque payments are subject to 70p per order charge.

Symphonic Landscapes

Thursday 20 April 7.30pm £15, £20, £26, £32, £42 – Sibelius Intermezzo and Alla Marcia from Karelia Suite Vaughan Williams Symphony No.5 Sibelius Valse Triste Vaughan Williams Symphony No.6 – Andrew Manze conductor Royal Liverpool Philharmonic Orchestra Dedicated to Sibelius, Vaughan Williams’s Fifth Symphony is a vision of rural peace, hauntingly beautiful and aglow with the spirit of folk song. So the one thing no-one expected was his sixth: a shattering vision of a world laid waste by World War II, told in music of devastating intensity and power.

Two different faces of one very British genius, both utterly unforgettable – and conductor Andrew Manze loves them both.

These two masterpieces are paired together with atmospheric miniatures by Vaughan Williams’s musical hero, Jean Sibelius.

Classic Intro - 6.15pm (Music Room) Symphony No.5 or Symphony No.6… Which is your favourite? Join conductor Andrew Manze in the Music Room for a conversation about the concert.

Sponsored by

Classical Music | 27 Chamber Music

This Other Eden: Kitty Whately soprano Joseph Middleton piano Madelaine Newton speaker Tuesday 25 April 7.30pm St George’s Hall Concert Room £25

Vaughan Williams Silent Noon Trad. ‘Ma Bonny Lad’ Gurney Down By The Salley Gardens Arne Where the Bee Sucks, There Suck I Korngold Four Shakespeare Songs Op.31 – Kitty Whately soprano Joseph Middleton piano Madelaine Newton speaker

As a winner of the Kathleen Ferrier Award and a former BBC New Generation Artist, Kitty Whately has emerged as one of Britain’s most characterful young sopranos.

This Other Eden is an evening inspired by the landscape of England, with music by Vaughan Williams, Britten and Arne matched by the words of Shakespeare, Walter de la Mare, Thomas Hardy and many others – performed by Kitty’s mother, actress Madelaine Newton.

Sponsored by

Liverpool Philharmonic Youth Company Brass Band

Thursday 27 April 6pm Music Room Free but tickets must be booked in advance – Liverpool Philharmonic Youth Company provides a range of performance and ensemble opportunities for talented young musicians from across the North West, including Youth Company Brass Band.

Directed by Simon Cowen from Royal Liverpool Philharmonic Orchestra and Besses O’th Barn Brass Band, this performance will showcase a range of brass music, from symphonic classics to rousing brass band music. So if you are coming to Journey through Italy why not enjoy this before the concert.

Journey through Italy

Thursday 27 April & Friday 28 April 7.30pm £15, £20, £26, £32, £42 – Beethoven Overture, Coriolan Berlioz Harold in Italy Mendelssohn Symphony No.4 ‘Italian’ Rossini Overture, William Tell – Andrew Manze conductor Lawrence Power viola Royal Liverpool Philharmonic Orchestra Lord Byron’s narrative poem Childe Harold’s Pilgrimage is about a maverick, an outcast, a revolutionary. But bring him together with Hector Berlioz, and the result is the world’s craziest viola concerto. The wonderful British viola player Lawrence Power stars in this Italian adventure, one that takes us from the sunlit fiesta of Mendelssohn’s Fourth Symphony to the headlong gallop of Rossini’s William Tell Overture: the one piece everyone in the world knows!

Beethoven’s overture to the play about the Roman soldier Coriolan makes a suitably dramatic start to an evening of sunshine, celebration and shameless excess, conducted with verve by Andrew Manze.

Book now at www.liverpoolphil.com

28 | Comedy & Spoken Word

Jimmy Carr - The Best Of, Ultimate, Gold, Greatest Hits Tour A TR EX

COMEDY & SPOKEN WORD

TE DA

D DE AD

Friday 27 January 8pm Saturday 4 March 8pm £27.50, £33.50 – Jimmy Carr distils everything we love to laugh at and be shocked by, into one unparalleled show.

Carr has been on the stand-up scene for a decade and a half, he’s won the British Comedy Award for Best Live Stand-Up Tour and been nominated for the Perrier Award. Now all that experience is being put to good use – you can see all the greatest material from his extraordinary career in one show – this is the very best of Jimmy Carr.

Image Jimmy Carr

The Adventures of Andy Kershaw

Thursday 9 & Friday 10 February 8pm Music Room £15 – An evening with broadcaster, foreign correspondent and DJ, this one man show has become a highlight of literary festivals (including a sold-out appearance at Hay-on-Wye).

Fascinating and hilarious, the two hour audio-visual presentation treats you to recollections from a life spent on the front line of rock ‘n’ roll as well as the front line of some of the world’s most extreme countries and dangerous conflicts. From being Billy Bragg’s roadie to reporting on the horrors of 1994 Rwanda, Kershaw is a DJ who breaks the rules and dares to be different, and to play something different: irresistible dance music from Soukouss to Salsa, Roots Reggae to Rai, Soca to South African Township Jive. And all points in between.

Fascinating Aïda’s

Dillie Keane

Tuesday 18 & Wednesday 19 April 7.30pm Music Room £19.50 – Dillie takes a short break from her Fascinating Aïda gal pals to bring her solo show to Music Room for the first time. With brand new tunes, grand old favourites, gorgeous songs of love and hilarious songs of utter

wickedness, Dillie will break your heart, mend it again and have it sent to the cleaners for pressing. And she’ll give you her recipe for chutney while she’s at it.

‘Keane, whose piano-playing remains as sprightly and inventive as ever, prompts gales of laughter with merely the raising of a quizzical eyebrow.’

The Times

Not suitable for under 16s.

Gino’s Italian Escape Live

Tuesday 25 April 8pm £27.50, £33.50 – Star of Gino’s Italian Escape on ITV, D’Acampo brings his passion and flair for Italian cookery to Liverpool Philharmonic. This live stage show features signature recipes from all corners of his beloved Italy. Gino, a proud and funloving Neapolitan, is one of the most popular personalities in his field; alongside regular appearances on This Morning, he presents the hugely successful Gino’s Italian Escape and has released several best-selling books including Fantastico!, The Italian Diet and A Taste of the Sun. His live show sees him demonstrate how to cook some of his favourite dishes from his popular ‘Italian Escape’ series – and he’s sure to be inviting some lucky audience members to join him on stage for a memorable, up-close experience.

Booking fees Online and phone 7.50% per order administrative fee applies, this includes all costs and standard postage is free.

In Person No fees for cash or debit card payments. Credit card payments incur a 2% transaction fee and cheque payments are subject to 70p per order charge.

Film | 29

Royal Liverpool Philharmonic Orchestra

E.T. The ExtraTerrestrial: U Film with Live Orchestra!

FILM

Monday 2 January 2pm & 7pm £19, £25, £33, £38, £45 Children £15 – See page 16 for details

The antidote to the multiplex, watching a film at Liverpool Philharmonic is a unique experience. The last remaining working Walturdaw cinema screen in the world rises from the stage accompanied by resident organist Dave Nicholas.

Image La La Land

A United Kingdom

12a

Tuesday 17 January 7.30pm £8, £10, £12 – Director Amma Asante Starring David Oyelowo, Rosamund Pike, Jack Davenport, Tom Felton, Laura Carmichael, Terry Pheto, Arnold Oceng, Jack Lowden 1hr 51mins. 2016, UK – This brilliant new film tells the inspiring true story of Seretse Khama (David Oyelowo), the

Valentine’s Day

La La Land

King of Bechuanaland (modern Botswana), and Ruth Williams (Rosamund Pike), the London office worker he married in 1948 in the face of fierce opposition from their families and the British and South African governments. Seretse and Ruth defied family, apartheid and empire - their love triumphed over every obstacle flung in their path and in so doing they transformed their nation and inspired the world.

The Beatles: Eight Days A Week – The Touring Years (extended version with full 12a Shea Stadium concert) Tuesday 31 January 7.30pm £8, £10, £12 – See page 3 for full details

12a

Tuesday 14 February 7.30pm £8, £10, £12 – Director Damien Chazelle Starring Emma Stone, Ryan Gosling 2hrs 6mins. 2016, USA – The golden age of Hollywood reimagined for today. Written and directed by Academy Award nominee Damien Chazelle, La La Land tells the story of Mia (Emma Stone), an aspiring actress, and Sebastian (Ryan Gosling), a dedicated jazz musician, who are struggling to make ends meet in a city known for crushing hopes and breaking hearts. Set in modern day Los Angeles, this original musical about everyday life explores the joy and pain of pursuing your dreams.

k Why not treat yourself?

Enjoy a Valentine’s dinner, with a glass of prosecco from £19.50 per person.

Book now at www.liverpoolphil.com

30 | Film

The Birth of a Nation

Rogue One: A Star Wars Story

TBC

Wednesday 22 February 7.30pm HALF TERM MATINEE SCREENING

Monday 20 February 2.30pm £8, £10, £12 – Director Gareth Edwards Starring Felicity Jones, Mads Mikkelsen, Riz Ahmed, Forest Whitaker 2016, USA

Hidden Figures

TBC

Tuesday 4 April 7.30pm £8, £10, £12 – Director Theodore Melfi Starring Taraji P. Henson, Octavia Spencer, Janelle Monáe, 2017, USA – Hidden Figures is the incredible untold story of Katherine Johnson (Taraji P. Henson), Dorothy Vaughn (Octavia Spencer) and Mary Jackson (Janelle Monáe) brilliant African American women working at NASA, who were the brains behind one of the greatest operations in history: the launch of astronaut John Glenn into orbit, a stunning achievement that restored the nation’s

The first of the Star Wars standalone films, Rogue One: A Star Wars Story is an all-new epic adventure and it’s going to be a Lucasfilm classic. In a time of conflict, a group of unlikely heroes band together on a mission to steal the plans to the Death Star, the Empire’s ultimate weapon of destruction.

This key event in the Star Wars timeline brings together ordinary people who choose to do extraordinary things, and in doing so, become part of something greater than themselves. confidence, turned around the Space Race, and galvanized the world. The visionary trio crossed all gender and race lines to inspire generations to dream big.

15

Wednesday 22 March 7.30pm £8, £10, £12 – Director Nate Parker Starring Nate Parker, Armie Hammer, Penelope Ann Miller 2hrs. 2016, USA – Winner of the Sundance Grand Jury Prize The Birth of a Nation is based on a true story, set against a pre-American Civil War South. Nat Turner (Nate Parker) is a literate slave and preacher whose financially strained owner, Samuel Turner (Armie Hammer), accepts an offer to use Nat’s preaching to subdue unruly slaves. As he witnesses countless atrocities Nat orchestrates an uprising in the hopes of leading his people to freedom.

The Sense of an Ending

TBC

Tuesday 2 May 7.30pm £8, £10, £12 – Director Ritesh Batra Starring Jim Broadbent, Charlotte Rampling, Harriet Walter, Emily Mortimer, Michelle Dockery 2017, UK – Tony Webster (Jim Broadbent), divorced and retired, leads a reclusive and relatively quiet life. One day, he learns that the mother of his university

girlfriend, Veronica (Charlotte Rampling), left in her will a diary kept by his best friend who dated Veronica after she and Tony parted ways. He is forced to revisit his flawed recollections of his friends and of his younger self as he digs deeper into his past. It all starts to come back; first love, the broken heart, the deceit, regrets, guilt... and devastating consequences of actions he took so long ago.

Booking fees Online and phone 7.50% per order administrative fee applies, this includes all costs and standard postage is free. In Person No fees for cash or debit card payments. Credit card payments incur a 2% transaction fee and cheque payments are subject to 70p per order charge.

WINNER

ULTIMATE 100 BRITISH HOTELS 2015

“A tasteful oasis” - THE TIMES

“A place to sleep late and luxuriate” - THE GUARDIAN

2blackburneterrace.com / 0151 708 5474

2 BLACKBURNE TERRACE

32 |

DIARY How to Book Online at www.liverpoolphil.com

Post Box Office, Liverpool Philharmonic Hall, Hope Street, Liverpool, L1 9BP

Telephone 0151 709 3789

In person Liverpool Philharmonic Hall, Hope Street, Liverpool, L1 9BP

Monday to Saturday 9.30am to 5.30pm Sunday 12noon – 5pm

Plan Your Visit For full booking information, directions and terms & conditions please visit www.liverpoolphil.com/ planyourvisit, where you can also see the view from your seat on our seating plan.

Monday to Saturday 10am to 5.30pm and 90 minutes prior to each performance

All major credit cards accepted (and are subject to a booking fee) Mastercard/Visa. We do not accept AMEX. Please make cheques payable to ‘RLPS’.

Key * Music Room / ** St George’s Hall Concert Room

December 2016 Sat

31

Thurs 2

8.30pm New Year’s Eve Party with Ian Prowse

January 2017 Sun

1

10

2.30pm New Year’s Day Prom

21

Mon 2

2pm

RLPO: E.T. The Extra Terrestrial

16

Mon 2

7pm

RLPO: E.T. The Extra Terrestrial

16

Sat

7pm

RLPO: Messiah

21

7

Sun

8

2.30pm Glenn Miller Orchestra

16

Sun

8

2.30pm Chamber Music: Armida Quartet**

21

SOLD OUT

Wed 4

8pm

Bach’s Cello Suites: Part One

Wed 11

8pm

Bach’s Cello Suites: Part Two*

10

Thurs 12

7.30pm

RLPO: Paul Lewis plays Mozart

21

Fri

13

2.30pm RLPO: Paul Lewis plays Mozart

21

Fri

13

8pm

Merry Hell*

10

Sat

14

2.30pm Johann Strauss Gala

22

Sun

15

8pm

The History of the Cavern

5

Mon 16

8pm

The History of the Cavern

5

Tues 17

7.30pm

Film: A United Kingdom

29

Thurs 19

7.30pm

RLPO: 100 Years of Revolution

22

Fri

20

8pm

King Creosote

6

Sat

21

11am

Discover the Classics*

18

Sun

22

2.30pm RLPO: Petrenko’s Shostakovich

22

Mon 23

1pm

Ensemble of St Luke’s*

10

Tues 24

2pm

League of Welldoers New Year Show

16

Thurs 26

11am

Experience: Delve Deep

19

Thurs 26

7.30pm

RLPO: Finnish Skies

23

Fri

27

8pm

Jim Moray*

11

Fri

27

8pm

Jimmy Carr

28

Sat

28

7.30pm

Musicals Rock

16

Tues 31

7.30pm

Film: The Beatles: Eight Days a Week

5

February 2017

10

Wed 1

7.30pm

Claire Martin and Ray Gelato

6

Wed 1

8pm

Nik Colk Void and Klara Lewis*

11

Thurs 2

6pm

Rushworth Young Composers

23

Thurs 2

7.30pm

RLPO: Russian Superstars

23

Post-concert Question Time

20

Sat

4

7.30pm

Swing Time: Anton and Erin

16

Sat

4

8pm

Miles Hunt and Erica Nockalls*

11 11

Mon 6

8pm

Jayme Stone’s Lomax Project*

Wed 8

7.30pm

Rumours of Fleetwood Mac

6

Thurs 9

7.30pm

Brendan Cole: All Night Long

17

Thurs 9

8pm

The Adventures of Andy Kershaw*

28

Fri

10

8pm

The Adventures of Andy Kershaw*

28

Fri

10

7.30pm

Paul Carrack

Sat

11

7.30pm

Paul Carrack

Sun

12

2.30pm Chamber Music: Kirill Gerstein**

6 EXTRA DATE

6 23

Tues 14

7.30pm

Film: La La Land

29

Wed 15

8pm

John Harle 60th Birthday Bash*

12

Fri

17

7.30pm

The Classic Rock Show

7

Sat

18

9.30am

Creative Careers Day

18

Sat

18

7.30pm

RLPO: Night at the Opera

23

Mon 20

10am

Little Notes*

19

Mon 20

11.45am Toddler Tunes*

19

Mon 20

2.30pm Film: Rogue One: A Star Wars Story

30

Tues 21

7.30pm

Mike and the Mechanics

7

Wed 22

7.30pm

Film: Rogue One: A Star Wars Story

30

Thurs 23

10am

Baby Voices*

Thurs 23

11.45am Toddler Tunes*

Thurs 23

7.30pm

Thurs 23

19 19

RLPO: Firebird

24

Post-concert Question Time*

21

Fri

24

2.30pm RLPO: Firebird

24

Sat

25

8pm

The Grahams*

12

Mon 27

1pm

Verity/Passmore Duo*

27

Tues 28

7.30pm

Dave Mason’s Traffic Jam*

7

March 2017 Wed 1

12.45pm Lunchtime Learning: Rehearsal Visit

20

Thurs 2

11am

Experience: Discover

19

Thurs 2

7.30pm

RLPO: Rhapsody

24

Fri

3

7.30pm

Barbara Dickson

7

Sat

4

8pm

Jimmy Carr

28

Sun

5

2.30pm RLPO: Grieg Piano Concerto

24

8pm

12

Tues 7

Coven*

EXTRA DATE

Diary | 33

May 2017

Wed 8

7.30pm

Chamber Music: Brodsky Quartet**

24

Fri

10

8pm

Martin Harley and Daniel Kimbro*

12

Sat

11

11am

Discover the Classics*

18

Tues 2

7.30pm

Film: The Sense of an Ending

Sat

11

7.30pm

RLPO: The Damnation of Faust

25

Thurs 4

11am

Experience: Delve Deep

19

Sun

12

7.30pm

Scott Bradlee’s Postmodern Jukebox

7

Sat

13

11am

Experience: Play

19

Sun

30

12

8pm

Lindisfarne*

12

Thurs 25

11am

Experience: Discover

19

Wed 15

8pm

Oysters 3*

13

Wed 31

7.30pm

RLPO: It Was 50 Years Ago Today

5

Thurs 16

8pm

Ezio*

13

Sat

18

8pm

Courtney Pine

8

Sat

18

8pm

Ian Siegal*

13

Sun

19

7.30pm

80s Invasion

8

Thurs 1

10am

Toddler Tunes*

Sun

19

8pm

Daoirí Farrell/ Damien O’Kane Trio*

13

Thurs 1

11.45am Little Notes*

19

Mon 20

8pm

Anderson and Roe*

14

Fri

2

10am

19

Wed 22

7.30pm

Film: The Birth of a Nation

30

Fri

2

11.45am Little Notes*

19

Wed 22

8pm

Alexis Taylor*

14

Sat

3

7.30pm

RLPO: It Was 50 Years Ago Today

5

Thurs 23

7.30pm

RLPO: The Power of Two

25

Post-concert Question Time

20

Sat

8

7.30pm

RLPO: It Was 50 Years Ago Today

Thurs 23 Fri

24

7.30pm

Gilbert O’Sullivan

8

Fri

24

8pm

Geoff Achison*

14

Sat

25

8pm

Clive Carroll*

14

Sat

25

7.30pm

Birkenhead and Formby Choral ...

25

Sun

26

July 2017

19

Baby Voices*

EXTRA DATE

5

2.30pm Liverpool Philharmonic Youth Orchestra 25

Mon 27

1pm

Lunchtime Concert: Beatles ...

5

Mon 27

7.30pm

Billy Ocean

8

Wed 29

8pm

Luke Daniels*

15

Thurs 30

7.30pm

RLPO: Petrenko’s Mahler

26

Thurs 30

6.15pm

Pre-Concert Talk: Petrenko’s Mahler*

20

Thurs 30

8pm

Brian Kennedy*

15

Fri

31

7.30pm

St Mary’s College Festival of Music

26

Sat

1

7.30pm

10CC

8

Sat

1

8pm

Tommy Fleming*

15

Sun

2

2.30pm RLPO: Petrenko’s Mahler

26

Tues 4

7.30pm

Film: Hidden Figures

30

Thurs 6

7.30pm

RLPO: Symphonie Fantastique

26

Fri

7

7.30pm

RLPO: Symphonie Fantastique

26

Sun

9

2.30pm RLPO: Magical Musical Kingdoms

17

Mon 10

7.30pm

Remembering Fred

17

Wed 12

7.30pm

RLPO: Hope and Passion

26

Sat

15

7.30pm

Beau and Friends

17

Tues 18

7.30pm

Dillie Keane*

28

Thurs 20

6.15pm

Pre-Concert Talk: Symphonic ...*

20

Thurs 20

7.30pm

RLPO: Symphonic Landscapes

27

Sat

22

8pm

The Robin Nolan Trio*

15

Sun

23

7.30pm

Chris De Burgh

9

Mon 24

7.30pm

Caro Emerald

9

Tues 25

7.30pm

Chamber Music: This Other Eden**

27

Thurs 27

6pm

Liverpool Philharmonic Youth Company 27

Thurs 27

7.30pm

RLPO: Journey through Italy

27

Fri

7.30pm

RLPO: Journey through Italy

27

April 2017

28

June 2017

Book tickets now at liverpoolphil.com Box Office 0151 709 3789 Fb.com/LiverpoolPhilharmonic @Liverpoolphil

www.nakedwines.com/livphil

PH L R IL IVE OY H R A OF AR PO L FE M OL R ON IC

ENJOY A COMPLIMENTARY KIR ROYALE FOR YOU AND YOUR GUESTS To redeem, present this offer when dining

TWO COURSES £10,95 THREE COURSES £12,95 MONDAY TO FRIDAY 12 - 7pm

“Robust French flavours and brilliant value for money” GOOD FOOD GUIDE

51 PARADISE STREET, LIVERPOOL L1 3EU 0151 709 8487 | liverpool@cote-restaurants.co.uk www.cote-restaurants.co.uk Offer valid until 31/05/17 at Côte Liverpool only. One complimentary glass of Kir Royale per person aged 18 years and over ordering a main course.

Wealth & Investment.

A talented ensemble As Principal Partner of the Royal Liverpool Philharmonic Orchestra we know what it means to be dedicated to performance.

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