FUNharmonics programme 23 Oct 11

Sunday 23 October 2011 12.00pm–1.00pm

Presented by the London Philharmonic Orchestra in association with Southbank Centre

A Map of the Orchestra

What you will hear in today’s concert…

In today’s FUNharmonics concert we have gone Nutcrackers to celebrate the extraordinary composers of Russia, so hold on to your furry hat and bend your knees ready for a cossacking good time!

Shostakovich wrote every single note of his Festive Overture in just three days. You won’t be able to miss the brass playing a loud fanfare to get your attention at the beginning, but look carefully to see how fast the flute, oboe and clarinet players have to move their fingers to play all the notes in the fast music. Listen to the string instruments with their big tune in the middle.

Can you see the cymbals playing at the back of the orchestra?

Many people believe that Sergei Prokofiev was one of the most important composers in the last 100 years. Today we hear music that he composed for a film from 1934; the film tells the story of a man who accidentally miscopies a name on a list, creating a nonexistent soldier called Lieutenant Kijé. The fictional soldier is given orders, gets married in a pretend wedding, and is finally removed from his duties by being given a fake death!

The birth of Kijé is from the beginning of the film. Can you hear the bold drums and high piccolo flute tune? Close your eyes and see if you can imagine the soldiers marching along to the beat.

Can you see the piccolo player? (Clue: near the flutes!)

Troika is very commonly used in films and stories where it snows – mums and dads will remember it from Greg Lake’s rock song ‘I Believe In Father Christmas’. If you listen carefully the sleigh bells in the percussion conjure up images of falling snow ... not surprising as Russia can be very, very cold in the winter!

‘Troika’ literally means ‘three’ or ‘three of a kind’ and, in the film, three horses are pulling a sleigh. Which instruments can you see three of?

1. Dance of the Sugar Plum Fairy 2. Dance of the Flutes 3. Chinese Dance 4. Russian Dance

In The Nutcracker ballet, a little girl called Clara gets a nutcracker as a Christmas gift from her strange Uncle Drosselmeyer. To her amazement, the Nutcracker comes to life, and whisks her away on an adventure in the land of SWEETS!

The four pieces feature different instruments in the orchestra.

The dainty celeste depicts the beautiful Sugar Plum Fairy, and the woodwind instruments are delicately playful in the Dance of the Flutes. Watch out for the plucked strings in a bouncy Chinese Dance, before an energetic Russian Dance ends our visit to the sugary kingdom.

Can you spot the celeste? (Clue: it looks a bit like a piano!)

Circus Polka could be the only piece of ballet music ever written for elephants! It was commissioned by the Barnum and Bailey Circus for 50 elephants to perform dressed in ballet tutus. The story goes that the choreographer called Stravinsky and asked if he would like to write a ballet with him for elephants. Stravinsky had one condition: ‘All right. If they are very young elephants, I will do it.’

Listen out for the elephant’s heavy steps played by the very low instruments and percussion.

Igor Stravinsky once went to conduct an orchestra’s rehearsal and was surprised when instead of playing the music he had given them, the orchestra played ‘Happy Birthday’.

It turned out the players were honouring a fellow musician who had just had a baby. Stravinsky responded by writing his Greeting Prelude based on ‘Happy Birthday’ the following year.

Now it’s your turn!

Stephen Chadwick wrote The Dancing Cossack especially for the London Philharmonic Orchestra. Sing each chorus along with Chris Jarvis and the Orchestra whilst in between, the Orchestra will play four different musical pictures of Russia.

Chorus Dance the Hopak, dance the Trepak You’ve got the knack to be a dancing Cossack.

Dance the Hopak, dance the Trepak Come join our band and roam the Steppes of this land.

Da! Da! Da! (Yes! Yes! Yes!) We’ve travelled afar!

Da! Da! Da! We’ve danced for the Tsar!

Nyet! Nyet! Nyet! (No! No! No!) We’re here today But gone tomorrow.

ZDRAST-vooy-tye and Dos-vee-DA-nya. (Hello and goodbye) On the final chorus sing ‘la’ all the way through, starting very slowly and gradually speeding up.

Free FUNharmonics activities On FUNharmonics concert days join the FUN throughout the Royal Festival Hall building from 10.00am–11.30am, and then again after the concert until 2.00pm. All activities are FREE of charge.

Have-a-Go – various venues throughout Royal Festival Hall Have a go at playing an orchestral instrument under the guidance of an expert! Find out which one suits you best, and see for yourself how the sound is made.

Human Orchestra – The Clore Ballroom, Royal Festival Hall Become a member of our Human Orchestra, performing music using body percussion, singing, drumming, clapping and shaking. Rhythmic and musical fun designed for all the family. Sessions take place from 10.00am before the concert (no sessions after). Join at any time!

Free Activity Sheets Don’t forget to pick up a Free Activity Sheet when you arrive at Royal Festival Hall. It’s filled with musically themed quizzes and activities to do before the concert.

FUNharmonics foyer activities are generously supported by The Jeniffer and Jonathan Harris Charitable Trust, Stentor Music Co Ltd, Yamaha Music Europe GmbH (UK), Howarth of London and Bell Percussion Limited.

WELCOME TO SOUTHBANK CENTRE We hope you enjoy your visit. We have a Duty Manager available at all times. If you have any queries please ask any member of staff for assistance.

We look forward to seeing you again soon.

Eating, drinking and shopping? Southbank Centre shops and restaurants include Foyles, EAT, Giraffe, Strada, YO! Sushi, wagamama, Le Pain Quotidien, Las Iguanas, ping pong, Canteen, Caffè Vergnano 1882, Skylon, Concrete and Feng Sushi, as well as cafes, restaurants and shops inside Royal Festival Hall, Queen Elizabeth Hall and Hayward Gallery.

LATECOMERS will only be admitted to the auditorium if there is a suitable break in the performance.

If you wish to get in touch with us following your visit please contact Kenelm Robert, our Head of Customer Relations, at Southbank Centre, Belvedere Road, London SE1 8XX or phone 020 7960 4250 or email customer@southbankcentre.co.uk

MOBILES, PAGERS AND WATCHES should be switched off before the performance begins.

A few points to note for your comfort and enjoyment: PHOTOGRAPHY is not allowed in the auditorium.

RECORDING is not permitted in the auditorium without the prior consent of Southbank Centre.

Southbank Centre reserves the right to confiscate video or sound equipment and hold it in safekeeping until the performance has ended.

The London Philharmonic Orchestra is grateful to the Maxwell Morrison Charitable Trust for its generous support.

The right is reserved to substitute artists and to vary the programme if necessary • The London Philharmonic Orchestra is a registered charity No. 238045 • Southbank Centre is a registered charity No. 298909. London Philharmonic Orchestra, 89 Albert Embankment, London SE1 7TP lpo.org.uk