tune in – AUTUMN / WINTER 2013 –
farewell angela!
player news
staff changes
At the end of the 2012/13 season we bid a fond but sad farewell to our second oboist Angela Tennick, who has left to enjoy semiretirement after 30 years with the LPO. The job of a second oboe is not an easy one and is sometimes a thankless task, wading through the low register of the instrument amidst the whispering woodwind section. It often goes unnoticed when done well, and is perhaps made more difficult by the two players sitting either side always seeming to get the accolades. But it's often said that you are only as good as your number two, and that is never truer than here: Angela's shoes will be very hard to fill. She has an incredible natural talent, and has been a vital part of our woodwind section. Over the last 30 years, Angela has experienced punishing tours, crazy schedules, a lot of planes and coaches, and possibly 100 performances of Figaro – to have kept her sanity and her health (almost) intact is no mean feat! She has had the privilege of working with most of the world's finest conductors, and features on recordings too numerous to mention. She has played every position within the oboe section with aplomb, and has appeared on the concert stage, in the pit, in the recording studio, and even on the opera stage dressed as a man(!), but now feels it's time at last to hang up the 'long black' – and, perhaps wisely, the fake moustache. Angela's homemade scones are legendary and we hope we can persuade her back from time to time when her young students allow. She is now continuing to nurture the next generation of oboists in Sussex. Her love of music is clearly evident to all those around her, and her young students don't know how lucky they are to have such a teacher to start them off into this magical musical world. Angela has been part of my and Ian [Hardwick]'s professional life for over 20 years and we will miss her. However, this won't be goodbye, just 'au revoir'. Sue Bohling, In the Don Giovanni stage band at Glyndebourne Principal Cor Anglais
As well as Angela, we also said farewell to Co-Principal Cello Susanne Beer, who left the Orchestra in June after 18 years, and fellow cellist Jonathan Ayling, who left after nine years. We were delighted to welcome Cyrille Mercier as Co-Principal Viola from the start of the 2013/14 season. Cyrille joins us from the Monte-Carlo Philharmonic Orchestra. Other new faces are Ji-Hyun Lee (first violin), Elizabeth Wiklander (cello) and David Lale (cello). David Pyatt was appointed Principal Horn in January 2013: read his Backstage interview on page 16.
Summer 2013 saw the end of an era as we said goodbye to three long-serving members of the Orchestra's concert management team. Transport Manager Ken Graham retired at the end of the 2012/13 season after clocking up a huge 34 years driving the LPO truck. He hands over the keys to our new Transport Manager, Brian Hart.
new website launch Ken Graham (left) and Brian Hart with the LPO truck
In mid-September we’re launching a brand new LPO website, designed to work alongside our new box office software system. As well as refreshing the look of the website and making it much more user-friendly and easier to navigate, we’ve introduced some new features to help you make the most of your visit: • Choose your own seats when booking online • Let your friends know what you’ve booked via Facebook and Twitter • Download free programme notes in advance • Listen to clips of the music before you book • Get to know the artists and the music through videos and podcasts • Browse and shop with your smartphone or tablet on our mobile site We hope you enjoy exploring the new site. If you have any feedback or suggestions, we'd love to hear from you: email admin@lpo.org.uk visit the new site (from mid-September) lpo.org.uk
We said farewell to Ruth Sansom, Artistic Administrator, who retired at the end of August after 16 years with the Orchestra. We wish Ruth all the best for an enjoyable and well-deserved retirement. We also waved goodbye to Stage Manager Michael Pattison, who moved 'Down Under' to become the New Zealand Symphony Orchestra's Production and Transport Manager. Christopher Alderton, previously Michael's deputy, has taken up the position of LPO Stage Manager. Elsewhere in the office team, we said goodbye to Caz Vale, Laura Luckhurst and Barbara Palczynski. We welcomed Development Assistant Rebecca Fogg, Glyndebourne & UK Engagements Manager Tamzin Aitken, Education & Community Project Manager Lucy Duffy, and Marketing Intern Lily Oram. find a staff contact lpo.org.uk/about/staff
jobs at the lpo lpo.org.uk/about/jobs
nicholas busch Shortly before we went to print, we were saddened to learn of the death of Nicholas Busch on 24 July 2013. Nick was the Orchestra's Principal Horn from 1973–2006 and served on the LPO Board for many years, including several as Chairman and Deputy Chairman. A full tribute will follow in the first concert programme of the season on 28 September 2013.
Turn to page 12 to meet three more players celebrating a milestone with the Orchestra ... – 09 –